General Information
Currency | Banks and Exchange | Electricity | Tips | Visas | Health | Telephone | Italian Time and Date

Currency

The official currency in Italy is the Italian Lira.
Exchange rate: Lire 1936.27 = Euro 1.00

Banks and Exchange

Banks are open from Monday to Friday, from 8:30 am to 1:30 pm and from 3:00 to 4:00 pm. Money can also be changed at the airport, in exchange desks located across the city and at the main railway station (Termini) on Saturdays and Sundays. Most hotels, restaurants and shops accept foreign currency and major credit cards. ATMs are located throughout the city.

Electricity

The electricity supply is 220 volts, 50 Hz. Foreign appliances may require an adapter.

Tips

Prices include service in bars and restaurants, but tips are always welcome.

Visas

Visas are not required for visitors from most of Europe, the US, Japan and South America. For all other countries, visas are issued on a reciprocal basis. However, it is advisable to contact the Italian Embassy or Consulate. On request, a formal letter of invitation can be issued by the professional organizer.

Health

Free first aid and hospital services are available to all citizens of the European Union who have a special form (E111) issued by the health authority of the relevant country. Visitors from other countries are advised to take out special insurance for the duration of the trip, to avoid the cost of possible medical treatment. North American visitors may find that reimbursement of medical expenses incurred abroad is covered by their private insurance. Medicines can only be obtained from pharmacies (farmacia, marked by a green or red cross) which are usually open from 8:30 to 13:00 and from 16:30 to 20:00. At night and on public holidays only some pharmacies are open; however, you can find a list of those open on the doors of those which are closed.

Telephone

Public phones are available on almost every street corner. Some accept coins (100, 200, 500 ITL), but most only accept telephone cards or some new-type credit cards. Call charges depend on the time of day and provider. Usually, peak time is 8:00 to 18:00 on working days.
The prefix for Rome is 06. The international code for Italy is 39. To make an international call from Italy start with 00 and add the complete international phone number, i.e. country code, city code, recipient local number (example: 00-33-(0)1-234567).

Italian Time and Date

Roma is located in the Middle European Time Zone, GMT+1. However during the Conference we will be in summer (or "legal") time, i.e. GMT+2.
In Italy all dates are written: day, month, year (thus 5/9/01 means 5th September 2001).