Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ITALY'S POLICE FORCES
There are six national police forces in Italy, as well as a number of local police forces. The three main forces
are shown in the table below.
ORGANISATION
JURISDICTION
UNIFORM
powder blue trousers with a
fuchsia stripe and a navy blue
jacket
polizia di stato
(civil na-
tional police)
thefts, visa extensions and permits; based at
the local
questura
(police station)
general crime, public order and drug en-
forcement (often overlapping with the
poliz-
ia di stato
)
arma dei carabinieri
(military police)
black uniforms with a red
stripe
polizia municipale
(aka
vigili urbani
; municipal
police)
parking tickets, towed cars, public order,
petty crime
varies according to province
Maps
You can choose from a number of sheet maps covering the region, including Michelin's
Toscana
(1:200,000), Marco Polo's
Toscana/Tuscany
(1:200,000) and Touring Editore's
Toscana
(1:200,000).
Money
The euro is Italy's currency. Notes come in denominations of €500, €200, €100, €50, €20, €10 and €5. Coins
are in denominations of €2 and €1, and 50, 20, 10, five, two and one cents.
For the latest exchange rates,
Click here
.
ATMs
Bancomats
(ATM machines) are widely available throughout Tuscany and are the best way to obtain local
currency.
Credit Cards
International credit and debit cards can be used at any
bancomat
displaying the appropriate sign. Cards are
also good for payment in most hotels, restaurants, shops, supermarkets and tollbooths.
If your card is lost, stolen or swallowed by an ATM, you can telephone toll free to have an immediate
stop put on its use:
Amex
(
800 928391)
