Brooklyn Museum
Venice - June 12-16, 2024
Practical Information
Health Issues
Italy is a healthy place, so your main risks are likely to be sunburn, foot blisters, insect bites and mild stomach problems from eating and drinking with too much gusto.
For minor illnesses, trained staff in pharmacies – in every village and town with a green- cross sign outside that flashes when open – give valuable advice, sell medications, can tell you when more specialized help is needed.
If you have a pre-existing condition then you should bring your medications in their original, clearly labelled, containers. It is also a good idea to have a letter from your physician describing your medical conditions and medications, including generic names.
Recommended Vaccinations
No vaccinations are required to travel to Italy, but the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that all travelers be covered for diphtheria, tetanus, measles, mumps, rubella and polio, regardless of their destination.
Banking, Credit Cards and Money
Hours:
Banks are open from 8:30 am until 1:30 pm. Some major banks re-open from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Changing money
Commercial banks usually charge a stiff €3 to €5 fee per foreign- currency transaction, if they even bother to offer exchange services anymore. In Milan the bureaux de change (exchange bureaux) are faster and easier, open longer hours and often give better rates than banks. Some post-office branches exchange travellers’ checks and banknotes in a variety of currencies but charge €5 commission for cash.
Your best bet is still the ATM.
ATM
This is still the cheapest and most convenient way to get money. ATMs connected to international networks are situated in all cities and towns and usually offer the best exchange rate. Some ATMs in Italy reject foreign cards. If this happens, try a few before assuming the problem is with your card. You will need a 4-digit pin.
Cash
You always get a better exchange rate in-country but it is a good idea to arrive in Italy with enough euros to (at least) buy a coffee or tip the hotel porter. Don’t travel with too much money though as it just isn’t necessary. There is an ATM in the airport, just ask your driver to point it out to you, otherwise there are many within the immediate vicinity of the hotel in Venice.
Credit & Debit Cards
Credit and debit cards can be used almost everywhere with the exception of some rural towns and villages. Visa and MasterCard are among the most widely recognized, but others like Cirrus and Maestro are also well covered. American Express is only accepted by some major chains and big hotels, and few places take Diners Club. Ask if bars and restaurants take cards before you order. Chip-and-pin is the norm for card transactions.
Telephones
Landlines to make an international call you will need to dial 00 then the country code (44 for the UK) then the number you require.
Italy – Dialling Code is +39
Electrical
Electricity in Italy conforms to the European standard of 220V to 230V with a frequency of 50Hz. Wall outlets typically accommodate plugs with two or three round pins (the latter grounded, the former not).
Tipping
Tipping will be taken care of for you throughout the trip where we are together. So, the only time you will need to think about tipping is when having a drink or meal on your own.
Restaurants automatically add a 15% service charge to your bill. Unfortunately, this does not usually end up in the waiter’s pocket so an additional 5% for him is not expected but welcomed. The same is true when seated at a café. If you take your drink or snack standing at the bar, no service charge is added to the bill so a few coins (5 – 10 cents) should be placed on the bar.
If you take a taxi add a 5% tip to the bill. If you attend a concert or theatre performance give 1 or 2 Euro to the usher for showing you to your seat.
Shopping Hours
Shops are usually open from 8:30/9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 3:30/4:00 p.m. to 7:30/8:00 p.m. Shops are closed on Sunday and many remain closed Monday mornings.
Time Zone
During our trip, Venice will be 6 hours ahead of New York.
