Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Opening Hours
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We have listed high-season opening hours for each review; hours will generally decrease in the shoulder or low sea-
sons. In coastal resort areas, many hotels and restaurants close during the winter, reopening around Easter.
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'Summer' hours generally refer to the period from April to September or October. 'Winter' hours generally refer to
the period from October or November to March.
»
The opening hours of museums, galleries and archaeological sites vary enormously. As a rule, museums close on
Monday, but from June to September many sights open daily.
BUSINESS
TYPE
STANDARD
HOURS
NOTES
8.30am-1.30pm &
3.30-4.30pm Mon-Fri
Banks
Exchange offices usually keep longer hours
Central post of-
fices
8am-7pm Mon-Fri,
8.30am-noon Sat
Smaller branch
post offices
8am-2pm Mon-Fri,
8.30am-noon Sat
noon-2.30pm & 7.30-11pm
or midnight
Kitchen often shuts an hour earlier; most places close at least one
day a week
Restaurants
Cafes
7.30am-8pm
Bars, pubs &
clubs
May open earlier if they have eateries on the premises; things
don't really get started until after midnight
10pm-4am
9am-1pm & 3.30-7.30pm (or
4-8pm) Mon-Sat
In larger cities, department stores and supermarkets may stay
open at lunchtime or on Sundays
Shops
Post
Poste Italiane
( 80 31 60;
www.poste.it
), Italy's postal system, is reasonably reliable.
Francobolli
(stamps) are
available at post offices and authorised tobacconists (look for the big white-on-black 'T' sign). Since letters often need
to be weighed, what you get at the tobacconist for international airmail will occasionally be an approximation of the
proper rate. Tobacconists keep regular shop hours.
Postal Rates & Services
The cost of sending a letter by
via aerea
(airmail) depends on its weight, size and where it is being sent. Most people
use
posta prioritaria
(priority mail), Italy's most efficient mail service
,
guaranteed to deliver letters sent to Europe
within three days and to the rest of the world within four to nine days. Letters up to 20g cost €0.85 within Europe, €2 to
Africa, Asia and North and South America and €2.50 to Australia and New Zealand. Letters weighing 21g to 50g cost
€2.60 within Europe, €3.50 to Africa, Asia and the Americas, and €4.50 to Australia and New Zealand.
