COMMUNICATION
Phone
According to militarynous, the country code is 0039. The national city code for Rome is 06. Most of the time, the public telephones can only be used with telephone cards; these are sold in newsagents, in kiosks, in shops for telephone accessories or in tobacco shops. The calling card is an inexpensive option. Here a dial-in number is dialed in advance and the type of phone call is possible on all push-button telephones.
Cellphone
GSM 900/1800. Mobile phone companies include Vodafone Omnitel (Internet: www.vodafone.it) and Wind (Internet: www.wind.it). International roaming contracts exist.
International roaming can be used within the EU at the Euro tariff. Customers of all European mobile network operators automatically make all calls in and from other EU countries at the Euro rate. However, the Euro tariff does not apply to other mobile communications services such as SMS, MMS and data transmission.
Internet
The main providers include TIM e Telecom (Internet: www.tim.it/) and Virgilio (Internet: www.virgilio.it). Wireless access to the Internet via Wi-Fi hotspots is available in the urban areas of Rome, Milan, Venice and Bologna. Most accommodations in these cities offer free internet use (www.hotspotlocations.com). In Italy you can also access the Internet at special kiosks set up by Telecom Italia at airports, train stations, in larger hotels and other places in public spaces. There are Internet cafes in all major cities. Mobile surfing on the Internet is also made possible, among other things, by Goodspeed Wi-Fi hotspots (Internet: goodspeed.io/de/index.html).
Post Office
Letters within Europe usually take 7-10 days. Consignments in poste restante must be marked Fermo Posta and the name of the city. In addition to post offices, stamps are also sold in tobacco shops. Post office opening times: Mon-Sat 08.00 / 08.30-12.00 / 12.30 and 14.00 / 14.30-17.30 / 18.00.
Radio
Since the use of shortwave frequencies changes several times over the course of a year, it is advisable to contact Deutsche Welle customer service directly (Tel: (+49) (0228) 429 32 08. Internet: www.dw-world.de) to request.
NIGHTLIFE
Introduction
Night clubs, discos, restaurants and bars can be found in every major city and in the holiday areas. In Rome, films in English are shown at the Pasquino cinema, Vicolo della Paglia (near Santa Maria in Trastevere). The Opera House and the St. Cecilia Academy host open-air concerts in summer. An open-air theater is located near the Baths of Caracalla. Jazz, folklore, rock and country music concerts are held in various concert halls and clubs.
ACCOMMODATION
Hotels
There are around 40,000 hotels in total. Each hotel has fixed room rates that have been agreed with the regional tourist offices. The prices depend on the standard, season, service and location. The tourist association publishes an annual list of hotels and pensions (Annuario Alberghi), which can be viewed in travel agencies or at the ENIT tourist office.
Service is already included in the prices of hotels and pensions. Value added tax (IVA) of 10% (19% in luxury hotels) is only added to the room rates. According to the law, hotel guests must obtain an official receipt from the hotel.
Note: In Sardinia a tourist tax is levied on accommodation in hotels and guest houses.
Rome has countless hotels, but advance booking is recommended. Hotel prices are high and numerous extras are added. You should always get the total price in advance. Budget-conscious holidaymakers can find simple accommodation in cheap hotels that offer rooms with a shower on the floor, e.g. B. in the district north of the Stazione Termini.
There are inexpensive hotels across the country. Advance booking is recommended, especially in cities. There are numerous regional hotel associations in Italy, the most important at national level is Federalberghi, Via Toscana 1, I-00187 Rome. (Tel: (06) 42 74 11 51. Internet: www.italyhotels.it).
Categories: 1-5 stars.
Other accommodation options
About 50 hostels the Italian Youth Hostel Association at (include Associazione Italiana Alberghi per la Gioventu, Via Cavour 44, I-00184 Rome (tel. (06) 487 11 52 Internet: http://www.aighostels.com/.)
The Tourist Office in Rome (Via Parigi 5, II-00185 Rome. (Tel: (06) 48 89 91) has an address list with opening times.
In the summer months, reservations should be made in advance (in the popular tourist areas and in the larger cities at least 14 days in advance). In some cities there are other inexpensive accommodation options for schoolchildren and students.
Villas, holiday apartments and holiday homes can be rented in almost all holiday resorts. The tourist office and the regional tourist offices (Azienda Autonoma di Soggiorno) provide further information. The local tourist offices also have addresses for families who rent rooms.
Villages made up of bungalows and apartment houses can be found in almost all popular holiday areas. The bungalows offer accommodation for four people on average. The holiday complex usually also includes restaurants.
On all motorways and important country and federal highways.