Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Credit & Debit Cards
Cards are good for payment in most hotels, restaurants, shops, supermarkets and tollbooths.
Moneychangers
You can change money in banks, post offices or in a
cambio
(exchange office). Post offices and most banks are reliable
and tend to offer the best rates. Generally, post office commissions are lowest and the exchange rate is reasonable. The
main advantage of exchange offices is the longer hours they keep, but watch for high commissions and inferior rates.
Travellers Cheques
Traditionally a safe way to carry money and possibly still not a bad idea as a backup, travellers cheques have been out-
moded by plastic.
Visa, Travelex and Amex are widely accepted brands. Get most of your cheques in fairly large denominations to save
on per-cheque commission charges.
Opening Hours
Italy
Banks
8.30am to 1.30pm and 3.30pm to 4.30pm Monday to Friday
Cafes & bars
7am to 11pm
Restaurants
noon to 3pm and 6.30pm or 7pm to 10pm or later. Many also close one day per week and/or Sunday even-
ing.
Shops
9am or 10am to 1pm or 2pm and 4pm to 7pm Tuesday to Saturday; many smaller shops also close for lunch. In
Milan, many shops don't close for lunch.
Switzerland
Banks
8.30am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday
Restaurants
noon to 3pm and 6pm to 9pm
Shops
8am to 6.30pm Monday to Friday, sometimes with a one- to two-hour break for lunch at noon in smaller towns.
Closing times on Saturday are usually 4pm or 5pm.
Public Holidays
Many Italians and Ticinesi take their annual holiday in August. This means that, depending on where you are, many
businesses and shops close for at least a part of that month. Milan and cities like Bergamo, Brescia and Cremona can be
eerily quiet in August, while lakeside towns such as Como, Locarno and Lugano bustle with holiday activity.
Settimana
Santa
(Easter Week) is another busy holiday period.
Individual towns have public holidays to celebrate the feasts of their patron saints.
