Good to know when you to travel to Italy.

Visa
You only need a visa if you plan to stay longer than 90 days.
For more information visit the State Department website. 

Medical Insurance Abroad
Before departing, please check with your health insurance company to understand their coverage and documentation requirements for treatment outside the US.
Make sure that you have an ample supply of any prescription medication that you may need while traveling.

Currency
The unit of currency in Italy (and many other countries in Europe) is the EURO. Coins: 1 cent, 2 cents, 5 cents, 10 cents, 20 cents, 50 cents, 1 euro, and 2 euro. Bills: 5 euro, 10 euro, 20 euro, 50 euro, 100 euro, 200 euro and 500 euro.
Periods and commas are interchanged. So 10,000 is written as 10.000; likewise, decimals such as 1.5 are written as 1,5.

Exchange Rate
Approximately $1.42 for €1 (June 2009).  Check today's exchange rate.

ATM
The ATMs in Italy are known as Bancomat.
Check with your local bank before leaving the US about your pin number abroad. Also notify your bank, as well as your credit card company of the exact dates of when and to where you are planning to travel in order to prevent an unnecessary security block. 

Tipping
Unlike in the U.S. where there are serious rules on tipping, which is basically mandatory, in Italy tipping traditionally has been more of a demonstration of appreciation and generosity, as well as affordability. However, tipping is now becoming more of a custom in Italy.

TAX - Value-Added Tax
Value-added tax (IVA in Italy, V.A.T. to English-speakers) is 20% on most goods, clothing, and wine. On most consumer goods, it is already included in the amount shown on the price tag; on services, such as car rentals, it is an extra item.

Shopping
Opening hours and closing days change from city to city. In large cities and tourist areas there is a tendency to stay open from 9:30am to 7:30pm, (without the typical afternoon closure). Department stores are open from 9:30am to 7:30pm. Shopping Centers/Malls (centro commerciale) are often open on Sundays.

Stamps may be purchased at tobacco shops, postcards or souvenirs places and at the Post Office.

Electrical 
The electrical current in Italy is AC - the cycle is 50Hz, 220V.

Phone Calls
Country code to call Italy from US is +39 (or 01139) + area code + number. You don’t need to dial country code if you are in Italy, but only the area code. Area code of towns must include the 0 (Rome 06, Florence 055, Venice 041). Area codes for cell phones do not have the 0. Country code to call US from Italy is +1 or 011.