Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Walking Maps
Maps of walking trails around the lakes, the Lombard Alps and Ticino are available at all major bookshops in Italy and
Switzerland. In Italy, the best are the TCI bookshops. Kompass ( www.kompass-italia.it ) publishes several 1:50,000 scale
maps to the lakes region, including the following titles: Lago di Como-Lago di Lugano , Lago di Garda-Monte Baldo , Le
Tre Valli Bresciane , Lecco-Valle Brembana , Lago Maggiore-Lago di Varese and Bernina-Sondrio .
Most of western Ticino is covered by the 1:50,000 map Val Verzasca , produced by the government body Swisstopo.
Medical Services
All foreigners have the same right as Italians to free emergency medical treatment in a public hospital. However, other
medical care is not necessarily covered.
EU, Switzerland, Norway & Iceland Citizens are entitled to the full range of health-care services in public hospitals
free of charge upon presentation of a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).
Australia Thanks to a reciprocal arrangement with Italy, Australian citizens are entitled to free public health care -
carry your Medicare card.
New Zealand, the US & Canada Citizens of these and other countries have to pay for anything other than emergency
treatment. Most travel-insurance policies include medical coverage.
Money
The euro is Italy's currency and euro notes come in denominations of €500, €200, €100, €50, €20, €10 and €5. The euro
coins are in denominations of €2 and €1, and 50, 20, 10, five, two and one cents.
Switzerland's currency is the Swiss franc. The six notes come in denominations of Sfr1000 (which you'll hardly ever
see), Sfr200, Sfr100, Sfr50, Sfr20 and Sfr10. Coins are in denominations of Sfr5, Sfr2, Sfr1, Sfr½ (ie 50 Swiss cents),
and 20, 10 and five cents. As a rule, it's pretty easy to use euros in Ticino, although generally you'll get change in francs
and the rate used will not necessarily be all that favourable.
A value-added tax of around 20%, known as IVA (Imposta di Valore Aggiunto), is slapped onto just about everything
in Italy. If you are a non-EU resident and spend more than €155 (€154.94 to be precise!) on a purchase, you can claim a
refund when you leave. The refund only applies to purchases from affiliated retail outlets that display a 'tax free for
tourists' (or similar) sign. You have to complete a form at the point of sale, then have it stamped by Italian customs as
you leave. At major airports you can then get an immediate cash refund; otherwise it will be refunded to your credit
card. For information, pick up a pamphlet on the scheme from participating stores.
In Switzerland, IVA generally amounts to 7.6% and there is no tax-back program for foreign visitors.
For the latest exchange rates, check out www.xe.com .
ATMs
Credit and debit cards can be used in a bancomat (ATM) displaying the appropriate sign. Visa and MasterCard are
among the most widely recognised, but others like Cirrus and Maestro are also well covered. Check any charges with
your bank at home. Most banks now build a fee of around 2.75% into every foreign transaction. In addition, ATM with-
drawals can attract a further fee, usually around 1.5%.
 
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