Travel
Italian Currency And Spending In Italy - Italy now uses the euro instead of the lira as currency. It is usually possible to use local ATM’s to withdraw cash from your bank back home if needed. You can purchase Euros from your local bank in the US prior to arrival. This is probably your best option to receive the best exchange rates. Most banks will allow you to exchange any remaining Euros you return with for US currency. Carry only enough cash on your person to last a couple of days, and carry it in a small purse or fanny pack against your body. There are many pickpockets who frequent the larger cities across Italy.
To check the daily currency exchange between the EURO and your country click here!
Visa still seems to be the most widely accepted credit card. Also check with your credit card company to see if their is a 3% international charge. Do keep a photocopy of your credit cards and passport in a safe place separate from the originals.
Electrical Appliances – Italy is 220v compared to 125v in North America. You can purchase inexpensive adapters in electrical stores back home before you arrive to use in Italy if needed. Many of the newer appliances, hair dryers, camcorders, etc. will also accept the higher voltage. Please refer to your owners manual to ensure that they are “dual-voltage”. Even if it is compatible, you will need a small adapter plug to ensure that the prongs fit into an Italian outlet. These adapters can also be bought at most major airports. Click here to purchase an adapter
Dining Out – If you are looking for really good Italian cuisine, avoid restaurants that advertise tourist menus. These all inclusive meals are often poor imitations of good Italian cuisine. Instead, watch where the locals go to eat, and follow them! Lunch is usually served from 12:30 to 3, and dinner from 8 until about 10:30 or 11, but some restaurants stay open later, especially in summer, when patrons linger at sidewalk tables. Italians usually take their food as it is listed on the menus, seldom making special requests, and it is usually considered rude to request a “doggy bag”. Cappuccino and a brioche, or cornetto is the standard Breakfast in Italy, and a cappuccino is considered a breakfast drink and is not ordered after noon. Tipping is usually done with cash, and although service or servizio is included in the bill, a small tip is always appreciated if the service was good. Nice sit-down restaurants usually expect you to order two courses, not counting dessert. If you are wanting a light meal, or a simple plate of pasta, go to a pizzeria instead. Although Italians love children and are generally very tolerant and patient with them, they provide few amenities for them. In restaurants and trattorias you may find a high chair or a cushion for the child to sit on, but rarely do they offer a children’s menu. Order a mezza porzione (half-portion) of any dish, or ask the waiter for a porzione da bambino (child’s portion).
Driving in Italy - You may want to rent a car to travel much of the Umbrian countryside, and in Italy you must be 21 to rent an economy or subcompact car, and most rental companies require that those under 23 pay by credit card when picking the car up. If are interested in choosing a larger car, you may be required to show two credit cards. Expressways in Italy are free, but travel on the autostradas or highways require payment of a toll. Upon entering a toll highway, you first take a ticket, and depending on where you exit the highway will determine the price you pay. Parking spaces are often at a premium in crowded Italian cities. Fines for violations are high and strictly enforced. Towing is common. As a result, it is best to leave your car in a guarded parking area. Driving is on the right. Right turns on red lights are illegal. Headlights are mandatory when driving on all roads outside city limits. Seatbelts and children’s car seats are now compulsory in Italy. Using a cell phone while driving is also illegal. Italian traffic police can charge on the spot-fees for infractions, so be prepared to pay. Penalties for drinking and driving are especially harsh, and the blood-alcohol in Italy is much stricter than in the United States.
Umbrian Regional Airport San Francesco – Perugia
For informations tel. 075/6929447;
Booking tel. +39.075.5928017 Website: www.airport.umbria.it
Aeroporto Amerigo Vespucci – Peretola, Florence
For informations and Bookings tel. +39.055.308023
Website: www.aeroporto.firenze.it
International Airport Leonardo da Vinci – Fiumicino, Rome
Daily from and to Perugia by Bus ACAP-SULGA – Tel +39.075.5009641
Website: www.adr.it
International Airport Galileo Galilei – Pisa
For informations tel. +39 050 849111;
Booking tel. +39 050 849 404
Website: www.pisa-airport.com
International Airport Malpensa – Milan
For informations tel. +39 02.74852200;
Booking tel. +39 02.74852200
Website: www.sea-aeroportimilano.it
Driving Directions
From POINTS NORTH, including Milan and Florence Airport: Follow the green Autostrada signs to the A1, directions Roma.
From POINTS SOUTH, including Rome* and Naples: Follow the green Autostrada signs to the A1, direction Firenze-Milano.
IN EITHER CASE, EXIT THE A1 AT VALDICHIANA
Exit the A1 at Val di Chiana and pay the toll.
After the tollbooth, take a right, following signs marked Perugia to the Perugia Superstrada.
Exit the Perugia Superstrada at Passignano Ovest.
After 50 meters from the exit, turn right following the signs Passignano.
After 2300 meters turn left following the signs “Hotel La Vela”.
After 30 meters turn left following the sign “Posta”.
After 200 meters turn right at the “WOODEN CROSS”.
After 400 meters turn left following the sign ” Via San Crispolto”.
After 700 meters you will see at your right “Villa San Crispolto”
To get the A1 from Rome Leonardo Da Vinci Airport at Fiumicino: Follow the green signs for the Autostrade. You will be on the Autostrada di Fiumicino heading towards Rome. Follow the signs for the G.R.A., Gran Raccordo Anulare (this ring road surrounds the city). Get the G.R.A. in the direction of Firenze and the A1 Autostrada. You will remain on the G.R.A. for about ten exits before reaching the one for A1 Firenze-Milano.
From PERUGIA AIRPORT, turn right following directions to “Perugia”.
After 600 meters turn left following the sign ” A1 Firenze – Roma”.
After 1400 meters turn left and pass a little bridge, then turn right following the sign “Perugia”.
After 100 meters get in the freeway following the directions to “Perugia”.
After 3900 meters turn right following the sign ” Perugia – Firenze”.
After 300 meters follow the sign “Perugia”.
Exit the Perugia Superstrada at Passignano Ovest.
At the exit of the ramp, turn right following the signs Passignano.
After 2300 meters turn left following the signs “Hotel La Vela”.
After 30 meters turn left following the sign “Posta”.
After 200 meters turn right at the “WOODEN CROSS”.
After 400 meters turn left following the sign ” Via San Crispolto”.
After 700 meters you will see at your right “Villa San Crispolto”
AVERAGE TIME TO FIND VILLA BY CAR
From ANCONA to VILLA SAN CRISPOLTO: 2h 15m – 170 Km
From FLORENCE to VILLA SAN CRISPOLTO: 1h 25m – 123 km
From ROME to VILLA SAN CRISPOLTO: 2h 20m – 210 km
From NAPLES to VILLA SAN CRISPOLTO: 3h 50m – 400 km
From MILAN to VILLA SAN CRISPOLTO: 4h 15m – 426 km
From NORTH: Florence (S. M. Novella Station) – Terontola – Passignano sul Trasimeno
From SOUTH: Rome (Termini Station) – Orte – – Foligno – Assisi – Perugia – Passignano sul Trasimeno
From ADRIATIC: Ancona (Central Station) – Foligno – Assisi – Perugia – Passignano sul Trasimeno
AVERAGE TIME TO FIND VILLA WEDDINGS ITALY BY TRAIN
From ANCONA to VILLA SAN CRISPOLTO: 3h 00m – 3h 20m
From FLORENCE to VILLA SAN CRISPOLTO: 1h 20m – 1h 40m
From ROME to VILLA SAN CRISPOLTO: 1h 55m – 2h 20m
From NAPLES to VILLA SAN CRISPOLTO: 3h 40m – 5h 00m
From MILAN to VILLA SAN CRISPOLTO: 4h 40m – 4h 50m