Travel Information

UK Government Foreign Office Travel Advice
To view the latest Foreign Office Travel Advice on Tuscany, please click here

The FCO's country-specific notices are regularly updated to ensure that travellers are well prepared before their departure.
For information on passport regulations and requirements visit the UK passport site by clicking here.

Irish Govenment Foreign Office Travel Advice.
To view the latest Foreign Office Travel Advice on Tuscany, please click here and then select Travel advice. 
The FCO's country-specific notices are regularly updated to ensure that travelers are well prepared before their departure.

A reciprocal health agreement with the rest of the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway allows reduced cost dental and medical (including hospital) treatment on presentation of form E111; a fee must be paid, plus part of the cost of any prescribed medicines.

Health Advice Other Countries
To view the latest CDC Health Advice on Tuscany, please click here The CDC provides regularly updated information on how to stay healthy whilst traveling abroad, including advice on preventative measures and recommended vaccinations.

For an online travel pharmacy TravelPharm is independent private pharmacy based in Devon and a member of the National Pharmaceutical Association, a professional body providing a vast database of information and advice to pharmacists throughout the UK. The pharmacist responsible for this site is Paul Stacey B Pharm MRPS, the registered owner of the pharmacy. www.travelpharm.com

The Italian postal system tends to be subject to delays. Letters between Italy and other European countries usually take a week to ten days to arrive. Stamps are sold in post offices and tobacconists. Post office hours: 0800/0830-1200/1230 and 1400/1430-1730/1800 Monday to Friday; Saturday mornings only.

Telephone Full IDD service available. Country code: 39 (followed by 06 for Rome, 02 for Milan, 011 for Turin, 081 for Naples, 041 for Venice, for Siena 0577 and 055 for Florence). Outgoing international code: 00. Telephone kiosks now only accept phonecards, which can be purchased at post offices, tobacconists and certain newsagents. 

Mobile Phones European Standard GSM - The Italian mobile network is one of the best in the world, there is good reception in most areas although South of Rome can be patchy, if you are travelling from outside Europe you can hire or buy a mobile phone for your visit. We recommend you bring with you a cellular phone for contact of house manager/owner in case of emergency.

Internet There are many Internet cafes in the cities and towns in tourist areas.

 The monetary unit of Italy is the Italian Euro (plural Euro), to view the Euro currency, please click here.  abbreviated to €  The denominations are: coins of Cents 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 Euro 1, 2 Euro bank notes and coins were introduced by January 2002 and are now legal tender.
Currency Exchange Travellers cheques, cheques and foreign money can be changed at banks, railway stations and airports, and very often at main hotels (generally at a less convenient rate). Many banks offer differing exchange rates depending on the denominations of Euro currency being bought or sold. Check with banks for details and current rates.
Credit Cards MasterCard, Diners Club and Visa are widely accepted although credit cards are not accepted at supermarkets. Check with your credit card company for merchant acceptability and other facilities which may be available.

Travellers Cheques - Travellers cheques are accepted almost everywhere. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers should take travellers cheques in their home currency.

Banking Hours - These vary from city to city but, in general, 0830-1330 and 1500-1600 Monday to Friday.
A good website to view the latest currency conversion is www.xe.com

Italian is the native language, but each region has its own dialect with its own particular stresses and vocabulary, which can be difficult to understand. Many Italians, especially in tourist areas, speak a little English but you will be better received if you at least attempt to communicate in Italian. Italian words are pronounced phonetically. Every vowel and consonant (except 'h') is sounded.

Italy is one hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT+1), but from late March, when clocks are put forward one hour, to late October, Italian Summer Time (GMT+2) operates.

Electricity 220 volts AC, 50Hz.