Amalfi Italy Travel Information, Tips and More

Visa:

Visas are not required for US citizens. To enter Italy, a passport valid for at least three months beyond the length of stay is required by all nationals.

Money:  

Currency in Italy: Euro
Currency exchange: Travellers cheques, cheques and foreign money can be changed at banks, railway stations and airports, and very often at major hotels (generally at a less convenient rate). Credit & debit cards: MasterCard, Diners Club and Visa are widely accepted, but many small establishments - shops and restaurants only accept cash. It is advisable to ask merchants if they accept credit cards before trying to purchase items
Travellers cheques: Travellers cheques are accepted almost everywhere. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take travellers cheques in Euros, Pounds Sterling or US Dollars.

Time:  

Italy is Central European Time (CEST).

6 Hours ahead of EST / 9 Hours ahead of PST

Electric Plugs:

Electricity in Italy, as in the rest of Europe, comes out of the wall socket at 220 volts alternating at a 50 cycles per second. In the US, electricity comes out of the wall socket at 110 volts, alternating at 60 cycles per second. Not only the voltages and frequencies, but the sockets themselves are different. Italy's outlets are two (or three) round-prong socket. You can purchase these at Radio Shack or Brookstone.

Weather:

The Amalfi Coast has a typically Mediterranean climate with long, hot summers where temps can reach 30C (86F) in the peak months of July & August. The average temp doesn’t usually dip below 23C (74 F)

What to Bring:

One suitcase and an overnight bag are allowed – please check with individual airlines for weight limits.

* Comfortable sturdy shoes, tennis shoes with plenty of tread, sandals – we will be doing a lot of walking

* Please watch your money - have a money belt or pouch – Ladies a bag that you keep close

* Light, water-resistant jacket that will keep you warm on a cool evening or during a sudden downpour

* Pants/Shorts/Skirts/ long and short sleeved shirts – good for layering – hot days – cooler nights – Ladies skirts and sundresses are cooler than shorts.

* Tank Tops, Underwear, socks

* Shawl (Women) – great for cooler evenings, also can be skirt/sarong - if needed.

* Travel-size shampoo and conditioner, toothbrush and paste. Moisturizer – remember to pack in your suitcase – only 3 ounces or less allowed in carry-ons

* Contact lenses and/or extra pair of sunglasses

* Sunblock of at least 15 SPF – don’t forget the lips

* Hat for the sun / Water bottle / umbrella to keep sun away

* Camera – and charger – batteries – extra memory cards

* Cell Phone/camera/ computer chargers/adaptors.

* Hair Dryers – flat irons – don’t count on all hotels having them available when you want to use them

* Chargers and Adaptors for all your electronics

* Personal medications / Anti-itch cream for insects bites

* Pepto-Bismol for diarrhea, Throat lozenges, Aspirin/Ibuprofen, Antacid tablets

* Ear Plugs, Eye Mask (for light sleepers)

* Plastic bags (zip lock bags and a larger trash bag) to store wet things.

* Travel alarm clock or can use cell phone

* Notebook for traveling thoughts and addresses, pens, pencils

Mobile Phones:

Nowadays it’s relatively easy to use your own mobile phone in Italy, however, the costs of both making and receiving phone calls can be high. Please check with your carrier for availability and rates.

Calling Italy from the United States explained:

011 - US exit code; must be dialed first for all international calls made from the USA or Canada

39 - Country Code for Italy

area code - 2 - 4 digits

phone number - 5 - 8 digits

Shopping:

There are several good outdoor markets, flea markets, and places to buy antiques in Rome. You'll find everything from antique housewares to secondhand clothing and music to original art, jewelry, posters, furniture, etc.

Shopping for ceramics on the Amalfi Coast is one of the real treats of exploring this gorgeous coastline in southern Italy’s Campania region. The Amalfi Coast is a vibrant landscape of pastel colored houses, steeply terraced gardens and rocky cliffs plummeting down to the Mediterranean Sea. Filling this scene with even more color and life are the brilliant ceramic shops you’ll find in each town along the Amalfi Coast. Ceramic lovers will find these tempting shop displays as irresistible as the gorgeous views of the coastline.

Local Foods:

Food and wine is an integral part of the way of life on the Bay of Naples and the Amalfi Coast. The local cuisine is mainly Neapolitan and is famous for its use of tomatoes, lemons, fresh vegetables, red peppers and olives. You will find an abundance of world-famous specialties like pizza, pasta, the pastiera cake, buffalo mozzarella cheese and fresh Mediterranean seafood.

It is a cuisine that has retained its tradition of simple and quick preparation, without too much sophistication, in order to preserve the fragrance and flavours of the fresh ingredients.

Very Important:

* Do not carry a lot of cash, you will be able to stop at ATMs throughout our tour and credit cards are accepted almost everywhere

* Money – Debit/Credit cards - be sure to have your PIN numbers. – Call your banks and credit companies and let them know you are traveling.

* We do not advise to take Travelers Checks, they are hard to exchange

* A copy of your passport is always a good idea to leave with your emergency contacts
* Best Single Travel suggests that you visit your Doctor before your trip.

Some Helpful Links for you, to answer any travel related questions:

Don’t Leave Home without your Passport!