Arrivals:
- Be sure to let the key holder know the time of your arrival. The voucher you received has the owner/key holder contact information along with the time available for check-in. If you are delayed and will arrive after the normal check-in hours, it is urgent that you contact the owner/key holder before arrival to arrange a time to check-in.
- In the unlikely event there are any problems during your stay, contact our office immediately (contact information on voucher) to report the issue. Also contact the owner/key holder so they can resolve the issue as quickly as possible. Don’t wait until after your stay to notify us of any problems.
- Be sure you understand the local policies regarding extra costs to be paid on the spot, such as heating, cleaning, extra services, etc. In the winter months, pay special attention to the heating costs which can add up to large amount if you are not mindful of the usage. If you are unsure of these charges ask the key holder for an explanation when you check-in.
- In the unlikely event there are any problems during your stay, contact our office immediately (contact information on voucher) to report the issue. Also contact the owner/key holder so they can resolve the issue as quickly as possible. Don’t wait until after your stay to notify us of any problems.
- Be sure you understand the local policies regarding extra costs to be paid on the spot, such as heating, cleaning, extra services, etc. In the winter months, pay special attention to the heating costs which can add up to large amount if you are not mindful of the usage. If you are unsure of these charges ask the key holder for an explanation when you check-in.
Basic Information:
- Italy is in the Central European Time Zone (UTC+02:00)
- Opening hours in Italy are different and there are often long closures in the middle of the day. Restaurants normally open for lunch and then reopen in the evening for dinner, but banks and post offices open until 1pm and may or may not reopen in the afternoon. Shops also close in the middle of the day and reopen, but shops in malls or shopping centres tend to remain open and follow the hours of the centre, while supermarkets usually remain open all day.
- Italy uses the metric system (grams, milliliters, kilometres etc - for conversions, check out this link) and you will also find a lot of other differences in how numbers and measurements are written. For example, dates are laid out like DD/MM/YYYY and times are generally expressed in 24 Hour format (8:00 rather than 8AM, 18:00 rather than 6PM). Temperature is reported in Celsius, rather than Fahrenheit. 0 degrees Celsius is equal to 32 degrees Fahrenheit and the conversion is quite complicated but suffice it to say that 21 °C is room temperature, below would probably require a jacket and 25 °C and above would be relatively warm weather. For conversions, check out this link (www.rapidtables.com/convert/temperature/celsius-to-fahrenheit.htm).
- The currency used in Italy is the euro and is written with commas rather than with a decimal point. For example, five euros is written as €5,00. For real-time currency conversions, check out this link (https://www.xe.com).
- Opening hours in Italy are different and there are often long closures in the middle of the day. Restaurants normally open for lunch and then reopen in the evening for dinner, but banks and post offices open until 1pm and may or may not reopen in the afternoon. Shops also close in the middle of the day and reopen, but shops in malls or shopping centres tend to remain open and follow the hours of the centre, while supermarkets usually remain open all day.
- Italy uses the metric system (grams, milliliters, kilometres etc - for conversions, check out this link) and you will also find a lot of other differences in how numbers and measurements are written. For example, dates are laid out like DD/MM/YYYY and times are generally expressed in 24 Hour format (8:00 rather than 8AM, 18:00 rather than 6PM). Temperature is reported in Celsius, rather than Fahrenheit. 0 degrees Celsius is equal to 32 degrees Fahrenheit and the conversion is quite complicated but suffice it to say that 21 °C is room temperature, below would probably require a jacket and 25 °C and above would be relatively warm weather. For conversions, check out this link (www.rapidtables.com/convert/temperature/celsius-to-fahrenheit.htm).
- The currency used in Italy is the euro and is written with commas rather than with a decimal point. For example, five euros is written as €5,00. For real-time currency conversions, check out this link (https://www.xe.com).
- Emergency service numbers in Italy are as follows:
Police: 112 OR 113
Fire Department: 115
Medical Emergencies: 118
Car Breakdown: 116
- Italy's dialing codes are as follows:
Country Code: +39 (+ number)
International Call Prefix: 00 (+ number)
- National Holidays in Italy are as follows (these should be noted as they can cause closures or limited hours at businesses, attractions, etc. This will be especially noticeable outside the main cities):
Police: 112 OR 113
Fire Department: 115
Medical Emergencies: 118
Car Breakdown: 116
- Italy's dialing codes are as follows:
Country Code: +39 (+ number)
International Call Prefix: 00 (+ number)
- National Holidays in Italy are as follows (these should be noted as they can cause closures or limited hours at businesses, attractions, etc. This will be especially noticeable outside the main cities):
January 1st: New Year’s Day
January 6th: Epiphany
Easter: The Monday after Easter is also an Italian Holiday
April 25th: Liberation Day
May 1st: Labor Day
June 2nd: Republic Day
June 24th: The Feast of St. John (Local holiday celebrated in Florence, Genoa and Turin)
August 15th: Assumption of Mary
November 1st: All Saints’ Day
December 8th: Feast of the Immaculate Conception
December 25th: Christmas Day
December 26th: St. Stephen’s Day
December 31st: New Year’s Eve (Observance)
Sundays and Mondays also have closures and limited opening hours so keep this in mind when planning your days.
January 6th: Epiphany
Easter: The Monday after Easter is also an Italian Holiday
April 25th: Liberation Day
May 1st: Labor Day
June 2nd: Republic Day
June 24th: The Feast of St. John (Local holiday celebrated in Florence, Genoa and Turin)
August 15th: Assumption of Mary
November 1st: All Saints’ Day
December 8th: Feast of the Immaculate Conception
December 25th: Christmas Day
December 26th: St. Stephen’s Day
December 31st: New Year’s Eve (Observance)
Sundays and Mondays also have closures and limited opening hours so keep this in mind when planning your days.
Transportation:
- In Italy you drive on the right side of the road – don't forget! Also, keep in mind that you need to pay a toll on highways. Make sure not to take the "yellow line" exits dedicated to Telepass owners, or you will be stuck at the exit, or will receive a ticket by mail. If that happens, please stop at the first info blu point nearby the exit and sort out the situation.
- Remember to validate tickets for public transport before getting on a train etc. If you can't figure out where, ask someone to help. If you forget to validate train tickets you can face fines. However, keep in mind that it is best to buy public transport tickets in advance to get the best deal and before they are sold out. For more information and to book train tickets visit the official Trenitalia website (https://www.trenitalia.com).
- If you are in small towns the bus service (if present) is not like in a big city, with only a few buses at specific times for few destinations. Make sure to check the public transport close to your rental if you are not going to rent a car. Ask the owner/keyholder for assistance if you are unsure about local service.
- Remember to validate tickets for public transport before getting on a train etc. If you can't figure out where, ask someone to help. If you forget to validate train tickets you can face fines. However, keep in mind that it is best to buy public transport tickets in advance to get the best deal and before they are sold out. For more information and to book train tickets visit the official Trenitalia website (https://www.trenitalia.com).
- If you are in small towns the bus service (if present) is not like in a big city, with only a few buses at specific times for few destinations. Make sure to check the public transport close to your rental if you are not going to rent a car. Ask the owner/keyholder for assistance if you are unsure about local service.
Culture:
- “Buongiorno” is used to greet during the day and “buonasera” in the evening. “Ciao” can be used once you are familiar with a person for “hello” and “goodbye” and a kiss on the left cheek, then on the right. When meeting a new person, shake hands.
- Be sure to dress appropriately if visiting churches: no shorts, tank tops or sleeveless garments. It's best to bring something (a cardigan, sweater, etc.) to drape over your shoulders if you are visiting places in the summer. Also remember not to eat or drink inside, turn cell phones off and never to enter during a service or ceremony such as a wedding or baptism.
- It is considered impolite to call across a room to a waiter and bills must be asked for, they won't be automatically dropped at tables. Tipping is not required as all staff receives at least minimum wage but for good service you can add around a 10% tip.
- Public drunkenness is not appreciated and smoking has been banned in all public establishments.
- “Please" is “per favore”, “thank you" is “grazie”, and "you're welcome" is “prego”. Use of these words is appreciated by locals.
- English will be spoken in cities, but it is Italy and, so, not everyone will be able to speak English. This may be a little difficult in the countryside, but a phrase book, gestures and good manners will help.
- Italians are known to be easy-going, but you should be respectful of rules and laws and won't be cut any slack for being a tourist. Try to cross at crossings, avoid street vendors selling “designer” goods (you can be fined for purchasing these, which ruins any “bargain”), carry ID and make sure to get and keep receipts when you shop as under-the-table purchases are being cracked down on and records of purchase are required.
- Be sure to dress appropriately if visiting churches: no shorts, tank tops or sleeveless garments. It's best to bring something (a cardigan, sweater, etc.) to drape over your shoulders if you are visiting places in the summer. Also remember not to eat or drink inside, turn cell phones off and never to enter during a service or ceremony such as a wedding or baptism.
- It is considered impolite to call across a room to a waiter and bills must be asked for, they won't be automatically dropped at tables. Tipping is not required as all staff receives at least minimum wage but for good service you can add around a 10% tip.
- Public drunkenness is not appreciated and smoking has been banned in all public establishments.
- “Please" is “per favore”, “thank you" is “grazie”, and "you're welcome" is “prego”. Use of these words is appreciated by locals.
- English will be spoken in cities, but it is Italy and, so, not everyone will be able to speak English. This may be a little difficult in the countryside, but a phrase book, gestures and good manners will help.
- Italians are known to be easy-going, but you should be respectful of rules and laws and won't be cut any slack for being a tourist. Try to cross at crossings, avoid street vendors selling “designer” goods (you can be fined for purchasing these, which ruins any “bargain”), carry ID and make sure to get and keep receipts when you shop as under-the-table purchases are being cracked down on and records of purchase are required.
Other Key Things To Keep In Mind:
- Tourist Tax: this may be an unfamiliar concept, but many European areas charge a small tourist tax of between a few cents to a couple of euros per person per night and it is to be paid on the spot to the key holder at check-in.
- Most tap water in Italy is perfectly fine for drinking unless otherwise stated.
With all of this in mind, we hope you have a wonderful holiday and enjoy Italy for all her quirks and charms. Read on to some of the curated articles below for some local attractions and activities near your rental that you can explore during your vacation.
- Most tap water in Italy is perfectly fine for drinking unless otherwise stated.
With all of this in mind, we hope you have a wonderful holiday and enjoy Italy for all her quirks and charms. Read on to some of the curated articles below for some local attractions and activities near your rental that you can explore during your vacation.
