TRAVEL INFORMATION
MONEY & SALE TAXES |
BANK HOURS
Banks in Italy are open Monday through Friday from 8:35AM to 1:35PM and from 3:00 - 4:00PM; in many tourist areas they are open no-stop from 8.30AM to 4:00PM and closed all day on Saturday and Sunday and national holidays. The afternoon one hour opening may vary from city to city. Travelers checks can be exchanged for Italian currency at most hotels and shops and at the foreign exchange offices in shops railway stations and airports.
CURRENCY
The Italian currency is the Euro; 1 Euro is divide in 100 cents, it comes in paper bills and coins with the denomination of €5, €10, €20, €50, €100, €200, €500; coins come in €1, €2, €5, €10 ¢20 ¢50.
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Daily exchange rate between US Dollars, Canadian Dollars and Euros, can be found in any major news paper and financial web sites like Yahoo!.
HOW TO GET EURO?
Tourists arriving in Italy without local foreign currency can obtain Euros through any bank, ATM machines, or exchange boots (Ufficio di Cambio) that can be found on the arrival hall and baggage claim area of all airports, seaports and railway stations in every country.
Keep receipts of currency exchanged in case it be necessary to reconvert euros back into dollars before leaving the country.
In crowded tourist area all over the world pickpockets and gipsy trives and, unfortuantely its true in Italy as well. Keep your money hidden preferably in an inside pocket or money belt, never carry large amounts of cash; take along only one credit card, and a photocopy of your passport, leave your passport in the hotel safe or front desk.
TRAVELERS CHECK
Are traveler's checks accepted in Italy?
Yes, shops, and banks accept travelers checks.
ARE ATM MACHINES AVAILABLE?
Yes. The ATM (Automatic Teller Machines) in Italy are known as Bancomat. They be found in large cities as well in small towns, all banks have an ATM machine available. The machines work just as they do in the USA; at the beginning of the transaction, it prompts the user for the preferred language. Check with your bank if your debit/credit card is compatible with the major European systems.
After found out if the system is compatible with your card, simply withdrawal money as you would at home. Of course, in Italy the money will be dispensed as Euros, but when you return home, your bank will have converted the Euros into dollars using the most beneficial exchange rate possible.
Do not forget that ATM machines charge a fee for each withdrawal, so take the maximun allowed by your card you do not need to withdrawal cash everyday.
ARE CREDIT CARD ACCEPTED IN ITALY?
Yes, major credit cards, Visa, MC, Amex are widely accepted in Italy, check for the card tag normally attached on the shop door. Discover card is not acceppetd in Europe.
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SALE TAX REFUND
According to the Italian law and on the European Community regulations, non-resident visitor can claim a refund for taxes paid on goods purchases intended for personal use.
For more information contact:
Agenzia delle Dogane Italian Customs Agency official web site.
Companies specializing in refunding sales tax are Premier Tax Free and Global Refund.
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