HELPFUL HINTS & TRICKS FOR SHORE
EXCURSIONS
IN ITALY
SHOPS
Shops in Italy close on Monday morning and Sunday,
except jeweler's
shops that are open on Monday too. Opening time is
09:00/12:30 a.m. 16:00/20:00 afternoon. Most of the
shops in
Tourist towns don't close for lunch time, in this
case they will
open a little bit later in the mornig. Every shop
accept US$,
ask for the change rate to a bank office because it
changes every day.
I suggest to avoid to change money on board of your
cruise ship...
absolutely not convenient for you! The best way is
to use credit card
where accepted, or US$ cash everywhere, you will
save money if you don't change
money on board in advance.The best way is to change
your US$ in Euro the first
time that you find an European bank and change back
at the end of the last port,
remember that Euro is the best way to buy in Europe
everywhere.
GIPSIES
Watch to the gypsies, you can meet them, very young
boys and girls
moving together in little groups, sometimes in
Florence and Rome.
Don't let them come too close to you and keep CLOSED
your pockets and bags!
TOILETTES
Public toilettes are very difficult to find in Italy.
If you need it enter in a Coffee Bar, drink an
"espresso" and ask for the bathroom
("bagno" in Italian language).
TRAINS
Train tickets are not expensive but train service
quality is not excellent.Most of the trains for short trips don't have air
conditioned.
Don't forget to ask to the railway station employers
if the train is
straight to your final destination or if you must
get a connection somewhere.Remember to stamp the ticket before getting the
train printing it trough special
yellow machine available inside train stations even
before your way back.
EURO
No more Italian Lire, only Euro.
You can know your currency today's rate using this form: