Visas
Students are advised to check the visa requirements for any country they may wish to visit during their time abroad. Applications for visas must be completed in your country of origin. You should allow a minimum of 4 weeks for obtaining visas.
All non-EU nationals will require a transit visa to pass through the airports in Europe. For more information on visas see our booking conditions.

Language
Italian is the official language in Italy. However, English could be understood.

Time
Italy observes Greenwich Mean Time plus one hour in winter, and Greenwich Mean Time plus two hour in summer. Clocks are adjusted by one hour in October and in March.

Climate
Italy has a mild, temperate climate, with summer temperatures ranging from 25-35 degrees Celsius. In winter, the temperature rarely drops below freezing point (0 degrees Celsius), but it can feel quite cold because of rain and wind, so warm clothing is advisable. In general, January and February are the coldest months, and July and August the warmest.

Currency
The EURO is divided into one hundred cents. Coins in the following denominations are used: EUR 2, EUR 1, 50c, 20c, 10c, 5c, 2c. The bank notes are EUR 500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5.

Credit Cards
All major credit cards are accepted throughout Italy at hotels, restaurants, taxis and in shops. Ask before if your credit cards is accepted.

Value Added Tax (VAT)
Value Added Tax (VAT), in italian IVA, is included in the price of all luxury items purchased in Italy. However, VAT on items purchased while in Italy in shops displaying the 'Cashback' symbol may be reclaimed at Fiumicino Airport. There is a small handling fee for this service.

Electrical Voltage
Italian electrical voltage is rated at 220 volts 50Hz.

Emergency Services
All emergency services, that is Ambulance, Police and Fire Brigade, may be contacted by ringing 112. There is no charge for using this number and it may be called from any phone including public call boxes.

Religion
Although Italy is primarily Catholic, a number of other religions are represented. A listing of locations of places of worship and service times are available at Guest Services. If special arrangements are required for religious worship, we will try to facilitate your requirements.

Public Phones
There is only one types of public phone in Italy: card phones. cards are available in EUR 5, 10, 25. These are on sale from post offices and from newsagents displaying the 'Callcard' sign.

Public Holidays
There are 12 public holidays in Italy. They are as follows:

• January 1st (New year's Day)
• January 6th
• Easter Monday
• April 25th
• May 1st
• June 2nd
• June 29th (Rome only)
• August 15th
• November 1st
• December 8th
• December 25th (Christmas Day)
• December 26th (St. Stephen's Day)