Passport & Visa

British citizens require a full British passport which must be valid when returning from Italy. For further information or other nationality passport holders requirements contact the Italian Embassy in London (0207 312 220)

Vaccinations

There are currently no requirements for British citizens. Please check with your GP or visit www.dh.gov.uk

Currency

The currency is the euro (€) – there are seven banknotes: €5, €10, €20, €50, €100, €200 and €500, and eight coins: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 cent and €1 and €2.
ATM’s (cash machines) are generally available in most tourist areas. Travellers’ cheques are still one of the safest ways to carry money and can be obtained in sterling or euro denominations. Credit cards are accepted at most hotels, restaurants and shops in the tourist areas.
Remember to make a record of your credit card or travellers cheques numbers and the emergency phone numbers for cancelling your card or cheques, should you need to.

Local time

GMT + 1

Tourist Information

The official APT tourism website with plenty of useful information in English www.firenzeturismo.it
The Tuscan Regional Tourist Board site www.turismo.toscana.it covers the whole region as well as Florence, the capital.
Florence city council targets its website towards locals, but it’s tourism, museum and art pages are kept up to date www.comune.firenze.it
The main tourist office is at Via Cavour 1, just north of the Duomo 5 (00 39 055 290 832/3).
There is also a quieter office, run by the town council, just off Piazza Santa Croce. (00 39 055 234 0444).
Convenient for those arriving by train, is the office right outside the train station in Piazza della Stazione - just to the right of the church on the far side of the square. (00 39 055 212 245).
The tourist offices are generally open Monday to Saturday 8.30am-7pm, and Sunday 8.30am–1.30pm. However the main office at Via Cavour is open March to October only, and the other two stay open during winter but keep shorter hours. All 3 offices have maps and leaflets, including a sheet with updated opening hours and entrance charges, which can be handy at festival times when some attractions extend their hours, or even close altogether.
The Italian Tourist Board; www.enit.it
British Consulate in Florence, Lungarno Corsini 2, Tel: (0039 055 284133).
E-mail: Consular.Florence@fco.gov.uk
www.britishembassy.gov.uk

Mobile phones

If you want to use your phone in Italy, ensure that the roaming facility is activated before you go.

Driving in Italy

If you are planning to drive in Italy, you should be aware that the old UK driving licence is no longer valid there. It was replaced by the European licence (green and pink) in 1991-92. If you still hold the older licence, make sure to obtain an updated version from the D.V.L.A or alternatively you can get an International Driving permit valid for one year from the A.A.

Personal Safety

Please note the following:

• Leave all valuables, passports, tickets, credit cards and money etc in the hotel safe; only carry with you what you need for that day.
• Be aware of pickpockets, especially in tourist areas, on public transport, markets etc.
• When leaving a car, do not leave anything visible.
• If anything is stolen, please ensure you receive a police report.

For further detailed information on specific destinations, please visit the Foreign Office website.