Italy Travel

Italy Travel Tips Book Online or call (800) 682-3333 Europe Asia Americas Caribbean Mediterranean Pacific Cruises Home Hotels Find a Vacation Specials Contact Us Italy & Sicily Spain & Portugal Britain & Ireland France Belgium & Holland Central Europe Scandinavia Greece River Cruises China & Japan Southeast Asia Thailand India South America Brazil Peru Costa Rica Bahamas Caribbean & Mexico Bahamas Cancun Riviera Maya Punta Cana Jamaica Greece & Turkey Israel Egypt Morocco Australia & New Zealand Tahiti China & Japan Southeast Asia Sea Cruises River Cruises Italy & Switzerland Travel Tips Climate / Clothing Language Code of Conduct Currency Holidays Travel Insurance Car Regulations Luggage Local Emergency/Phone Health Precautions Passports and Visas Driving Electricity Shopping Tipping Venice Transfers Departure Tax Papal Audiences Climate /Clothing Italy : Spring and Fall: 55 - 75F; Summer: 70 - 85F; Winter: 40 - 55F. Bring comfortable shoes, a sweater, clothes you can layer and an all-weather coat. On the cruises, informal dress is the general rule but there may be some occasions were formal dress is required. Some religious sites may require modest dress to enter (no shorts or sleeveless tops). Italy Average Temperatures: www.gate1travel.com/italy-travel/weather/italy-weather.htm . Switzerland : The Alps cause many climatic variations throughout Switzerland. In the higher Alpine regions temperatures tend to be low, while the lower land of the northern area has higher temperatures and warm summers. Switzerland Average Temperatures: www.gate1travel.com/italy-travel/weather/switzerland-weather.htm . Language Italy : Italian is the local language. Limited English is generally spoken as well. Switzerland : German, French, Italian, and Raeto-Romance are the official languages, but English is widely spoken. Passports and Visas Italy : Passport required. Visa not required for tourist or business stays up to 90 days. Switzerland : Passport required. Visa not required for tourism/study stay of less than 90 days. For more information, please see www.gate1travel.com/visas.htm . Currency Italy : Euro Switzerland : The Swiss Franc Tipping Italy : This is a matter of personal discretion. Tips are appreciated and expected for good service in restaurants and other places. Although restaurant bills often include a service charge, this amount is not typically for the waiters/staff. A typical tip is approximately 10%. Switzerland : A service charge is included in all hotel, restaurant, cafe, bar, taxi and hairdressing services by law; further gratuities are not usually required. For specific guidelines, please refer to www.gate1travel.com/tipping.htm Electricity Italy & Switzerland : The voltage used is 220 volts. *Note: The U.S. uses 120 volts and you can purchase a converter and transformer at most hardware stores for your 120V appliances. Shopping Italy : Shops are generally open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m., with some variations in Northern Italy, where the lunch break is shorter and shops close earlier. Prices are reasonable and the quality of goods is very high. Department stores such as La Rinascente, Coin, Upim, and Standa are found in many Italian cities and towns. Things to buy: Clothes for men & women (dresses, shoes, gloves, silk ties, shirts); lacework, jewelry, leather goods (handbags, cases, boxes, luggage), ceramics, gold and silver items, alabaster; woodwork, straw, embroidery, glass and crystal ware. It is advisable to carry merchandise purchased with you in order to avoid any inconvenience. All major credit cards are honored in Italy. A proof of purchase (receipt) must be kept. Switzerland : Special purchases include embroidery and linen, Bernese woodcarving, chocolate, cheese, Swiss army knives and luxury handmade clocks and watches. Shopping hours usually run Mon-Fri 8 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1:30 -6:30 p.m., Sat 8 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1:30-4 p.m. Most shops are closed on Monday mornings. Health Precautions Italy & Switzerland : No inoculations are necessary when arriving in Italy or Switzerland from the U.S. but you should consult with your health care provider before traveling. To prevent "Montezuma's Revenge," avoid the tap water, including raw fruits and vegetables washed in tap water. Your stomach may still become upset due to the change in diet. Bring anti-diarrhea medicine just in case.*For the latest overseas travel health information, call the Center for Disease Control's traveler's hotline at 404-332-4559. Or visit their web site at www.cdc.gov Conservation/Code of Conduct Italy : The social structure is heavily influenced by the Roman Catholic church and, generally speaking, family ties are stronger than in most other countries in Western Europe. Normal social courtesies should be observed. Dress is casual in most places, though beachwear should be confined to the beach. Conservative clothes are expected when visiting religious buildings and smaller, traditional communities. Formal wear is usually indicated on invitations. Smoking is prohibited in some public buildings, transport and cinemas. Visitors are warned to take precautions against theft, particularly in the major cities. Switzerland : Avoid red roses; never give chrysanthemums or white asters as they are considered funeral flowers. Informal wear is widely acceptable. First-class restaurants, hotel dining rooms and important social occasions may warrant jackets and ties. Black tie is usually specified when required. It is customary to give unwrapped flowers to the hostess when invited for a meal. Luggage *Gate 1 tour packages allow one piece of luggage per person, plus carry-on bag. Additional baggage will be subject to handling charges of up to $100 per piece. As Gate 1 will not be responsible for loss or damage to luggage and personal belongings, you MUST report any loss or damage immediately at the time of the incident and obtain a written report from the local authority for submission to your insurance provider. If you luggage is lost or damaged by the airlines, a baggage claim form MUST be filed with the carrier before leaving the airport. See www.gate1travel.com/destinations/luggage.htm for Important Baggage Information for U.S. Travelers. Departure Tax Italy & Switzerland : There are currently no departure taxes in Italy or Switzerland, please see www.gate1travel.com/Destinations/departure_tax.htm for more information. Travel Insurance We strongly recommend the purchase of travel insurance as additional security in the case of cancellation or interruption of travel plans, lost or damaged luggage, travel delays, illness, or accident. Keep all boarding passes, ticket copies and receipts for expenses paid during your trip if it later becomes necessary to file a claim. Local Emergency Phone # Italy : ambulance/medical: 118 fire, disasters: 115 police & general emergency: 112 Switzerland : general emergency: 112 Holidays Italy : January 1 New Year's Day January 6 Epiphany Mar 28 Easter Monday April 25 Liberation Day May 1 Labor Day June 2 Anniversary of the Republic August 15 Assumption of the Virgin November 1 All Saints Day November 7 World War 1 Victory Anniversary Day December 8 Immaculate Conception December 25 Christmas Day December 26 St Stephens Day *Note : In addition, local feast days are held in honor of town patron saints, generally without closure of shops and offices. These include: Turin/Genoa/Florence: Jun 24 (St John the Baptist) Milan: Dec 7 (St Ambrose) Siena: Jul 2 and Aug 16, Palio horserace Venice: Apr 25 (St Mark) Bologna: Oct 4 (St Petronius) Naples: Sep 19 (St Gennaro) Bari: Dec 6 (St Nicholas) Palermo: Jul 15 (St Rosalia) Rome: Jun 29 (St Peter) Trieste: Nov 3. Switzerland : Public Holidays: January 1 New Year's Day January 2 Berchtolds Day Mar 25* Good Friday Mar 28* Easter Monday May 5* Ascension May 15* Whit Monday Aug 1 National Day Nov 1 All Saints Day Nov 7 World War 1 Victory Anniversary Day Dec 8 Immaculate Conception Dec 25 Christmas Day Dec 26 St Stephens Day *Note : (a) *These holidays may not be observed in certain cantons. (b) There are additional regional holidays which are observed in certain cantons only. Driving Italy : Traffic drives on the right. There are more than 185,500 miles of roads in Italy, including over 3700 miles of motorway (autostrada) which link all parts of the country. Tolls are charged at varying distances and scales, except for the SalernoReggio Calabria, PalermoCatania and PalermoMazara Del Vallo stretches which are toll-free. Secondary roads are also excellent and require no tolls. Road signs are international. Many petrol stations are closed 12 -3 p.m. Visitors are advised to check locally about exact opening times. Switzerland : Traffic drives on the right. Road quality is generally good. Many mountain roads are winding and narrow, and often closed in heavy winter conditions; otherwise chains and snow tires may be necessary. Rail is often more efficient than driving. Car Regulations Italy : Driving licenses and other traffic documents valid in other countries are recognized in Italy. Distances are indicated in kilometer ( 1 km = 0.621 miles). An international insurance certificate is required for citizens from non-EC countries.The wearing of seat belts in front and rear seats is obligatory. An appropriate harness system is obligatory for children from 2 to 12 years of age. Gasoline : Almost all the service stations in the country are equipped with pumps for lead-free (95 octane) and diesel fuel. The fuel distribution network for gas-propelled vehicles is reasonably developed (ask for information at the Automobile Club d'Italia offices). Service stations are open from 7 am to 12:30 pm and from 3 pm to 7:30 pm. Service is guaranteed 24 hours a day on the motorways. Automatic pumps, which accept 10,000 and 50,000 lire banknotes, function in the evenings and at night. Carrying gasoline in gas cans is prohibited. Traffic Tips : On highways (autostrade) no U-turns are permitted and stopping is permitted only in emergency parking areas or parking lanes. The Italian Highway Code follows the Geneva Convention and Italy uses international road signs. Driving is on the right, passing on the left. Violators of the highway code are fined; serious violations may also be punished by imprisonment. In cities and towns, the speed limit is 50 km/hr. Papal Audiences, Vatican City General audiences with His Holiness are usually held once a week (Wednesdays at 11 a.m.) in Vatican City. They may be held inside the Basilica itself or in the hall of the Papal Audiences (Aula Paolo VI, Seating 7000), and in summer in Saint Peter's Square or in the papal summer residence at Castel Gandolfo. Catholics are requested to have a letter of introduction from their parish priest. For this audience women should dress modestly, with arms and head covered. Dark or subdued colors are requested. Men are asked to wear a tie and jacket. Return to the Italy brochure More TravelInformation Email This Page to a Friend © 2005 Gate 1 Travel Home | About Us | Travel Agent | Free Brochure | Help | Site Map | (800) 682-3333 Read our privacy policy . Contact Us . 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Spain Travel

InfoHub Specialty Travel Guide, vacation and tourism, weekend getaway, fishing hunting lodges, guest ranches, diving resort, castle hotels, ... Region * : Subregion * : Category * : Forthe ones who seek adventure Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, Colorado The last thing most people think of when Colorado is mentioned are sand dunes, most of us picture the lofty peaks and crystal clear streams of the Rocky Mountains, but located in the south east corner of the state is a desert oasis called Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve… Forthe ones who need safety Trakai castle Lithuania Trakai, the ancient capital of Lithuania situated 30 km from Vilnius. Trakai region features unique relief: the combination of numerous unbelievably pure lakes and moraine hills create a breathtaking sight. There are even ancient legends explaining the exceptional lucidity of the lakes. According to one of those legends… Forthe creative spirits USA: Florida: Key West / Hemingway Home & Museum Greetings to all admirers of Hemingway's talent! Did you know about his home in Florida which is now a museum? If not, you are the lucky ones who will have the chance to read about it! Forthe refined taste buds Ayinger Brau-Weisse Debuts on Draft in U.S. Worldwide media attention was focused on Bavaria following the election of the new Pope Benedict XVI, who was born Joseph Ratzinger in the small town of Marktl am Inn. Several reports have suggested that the new pope enjoys beer, especially Bavarian hefeweizen, and it is quite possible that he favors Ayinger Brau-Weisse… For the ones who love depth Caribbean Explorer I to Long Island, Conception, and San Salvador On Monday morning we made the short crossing to Conception Island. This is where the wall diving started. The first two dives were at Grouper Ledge. Tiger and Nassau grouper cleaning stations were abundant. This is where we saw our first scalloped hammerheads… Forthe ones who like heights Cathedral and Whitehorse Ledges, NH Michael had been thinking about possibly going rock climbing sometime, and he decided there was no time like the present. We found Cathedral Ledge in spite of our guidebooklessness, and hiked in under its awe-inspiring loftiness to the practice slopes on the far north end of the cliff. We found Child's Play, an easy 5.5 on the far right-hand side, and set up a top rope. Forall who want to broaden their horizons Japan in Autumn, Harlan Hague This is a marvelous description of a trip to Japan, country with which the author had fallen in love a long time back, during a three-year sojourn. The very comprehensive trip report depicts nature in autumn, people, as well as many landmarks and unusual events along the way, spicing up the story with lots of vivid pictures that would immerse any reader into the genuine environment of the Land of the Rising Sun. Sendus your story Story archive page Takea quiz Are you a savvy traveler? Take a quiz to find out. You can also gain advice on savingmoney, staying healthy and safe, and enjoying your travel experience to the fullestwith tips from road veterans. Suggestyour own quiz Why not share your traveling experience while challenging other travelers' road savvywith your own quiz? Arts & Crafts Bicycle Tours Boating & Sailing Culture & History Eco & Wildlife Fishing & Hunting Golf & Spa Gourmet & CookingSchools Hiking & Trekking LanguageSchools Naturist Paddling & Rafting RailwayTrips ScubaDiving more... Active Adventure Affinity Desertexpeditions Off-roadAdventure Trekking more... Artistworkshops Gay tours Women tours more... Family Culture& History Castleand palaces Farm stay Railway trips more... Concerttours Language study Military history more... Hobby Nature& Wildlife Antiques Cooking school Photography more... Nationalparks Rainforest Safari more... Romance SoftAdventure Honeymoon Island vacation Singles tours more... Barging Bicycle touring Sea Kayak more... Spiritual Sports Biblicaltours Pilgrimage/Mythology Religion/Spirituality more... Autoracing Sports tours Super Bowl more... more... Hire a personal tour guide in your nexttrip. Amsterdam Jerusalem Reykjavik Ankara London SanFrancisco Bangkok Madrid St.Petersburg Barcelona Milan Tripoli Budapest Moscow Warsaw Cairo Paris Zagreb Resorts Golf Naturist Spa Diving Outdoors Fishinglodge Hunting lodge Guest ranch UniqueStays Castlehotel Eco lodge Atlanta Baltimore Boston Calgary Chicago Dallas Detroit Honolulu Houston Las Vegas Los Angeles Miami Montreal Ottawa Philadelphia Quebec San Francisco St. Louis Vancouver Washington DC more... NatouraTravel & Adventure Tours Experts in Venezuela. Discover Angel Falls, Los Roques, Los Andes, Los Llanos, Amazonregion... InternationalPrepaid Cell Phones International prepaid cell phones with free incoming calls let you stay in touch forless. ScantoursInc. Northern Europe. Tours & Cruises for groups and individuals to Scandinavia, Russiaand the Baltics. Costa Rican Treasures Travel Service Get a 5% discount in any of our custom-design packages, and enjoy one of a kind vacations in Costa Rica, number one adventure destination. FreewheelingAdventures Freewheeling Adventures. Bicycle and multisport holidays. Guided and self-guided inCanada, Iceland, Europe, Israel, Central America. New Zealand, Tasmania. InfoHub Company | Supplier program | Travel agent program | Trip List Service | Affiliate Program | Submit Links | Contact Archive Sitemap Destination Guide

Travelers' Health Destinations Health

Travelers' Health | CDC Home About CDC Press Room Funding A-Z Index Centers, Institute & Offices Training & Employment Contact Us CDC en Español Search: Travelers' Health Destinations Health information for specific destinations Vaccinations Vaccination recommendations for travelers of all ages; yellow fever vaccination recommendations by country Travel Medicine Clinics Yellow Fever Vaccination Clinics Insect and Arthropod Protection References and Resources Frequently requested information and links, including 2005-2006 Yellow Book Diseases Illness and Injury Abroad Safe Food and Water Frequently Asked Questions Traveling with Children What to do before taking children to other countries; international adoptions Special Needs Travelers Information for travelers with special needs such as disabilities, pregnancy and breast-feeding, and HIV Disaster Relief Workers New! Health recommendations for relief workers responding to disasters Traveling with Pets What to do before taking pets to other countries. On DGMQ site Travel by Airplanes and Cruise Ships Health information about cruise ship travel. Includes inspection scores ("green sheets") for specific cruise ships by CDC's Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) Updated Dec 9, 2005! Update: Influenza Activity — United States and Worldwide, May 22-September 3, 2005, and 2005-06 Season Vaccination Recommendations (MMWR—Released September 16) Typhim Vi ® Vaccine Limited Availability (Updated November 17) FDA Approves Extending the Pediatric Age for Hepatitis A Vaccine (Released August 17) Menactra (MCV4) Availability (Updated October 3) Traveling and Need a Yellow Fever Vaccination? Yellow Fever Registry lists authorized vaccination providers nationwide Temporary Unavailability of the International Certificate of Vaccination (Released December 16) About This Site Travel Health Warnings : None Travel Health Precautions : None Update: Human Infection with Avian Influenza A (H5N1) Virus in Asia (Updated December 27) Update: Recent Outbreaks of Poliomyelitis (Updated December 16) Yellow Fever, Sudan (Updated December 12) Update: Yellow Fever, West Africa (Updated November 17) Interim Guidance about Avian Influenza A (H5N1) for U.S. Citizens Living Abroad (Updated November 17) Yellow Fever: Venezuela, South America (Released November 4) Update: Dengue and Travelers (Updated November 3) Health Recommendations and Requirements for Travel to Saudi Arabia during the Hajj (Released December 8) Recent Avian Influenza Outbreaks in Asia and Europe (Updated December 6) Tropical Travel: Beware of Malaria Update: Outbreak of Marburg Hemorrhagic Fever in Angola Declared Over (Updated November 18) Measles and International Travel (Released November 15) Hurricane Disaster in the Southeast U.S (Updated September 23) Types of Travel Notices Travelers' Health Automated Information Line PHONE: 877-FYI-TRIP toll free (Information about ordering the Yellow Book and International Certificates of Vaccination and recorded messages on travel-related health topics) VIA EMAIL: Contact Us Form Malaria Case Management Hotline Health care providers needing assistance with the diagnosis or management of suspected cases of malaria, may call the CDC Malaria Hotline: 770-488-7788 (M-F, 8am-4:30pm, eastern time). Emergency consultation after hours, call: 770-488-7100 and request to speak with a CDC Malaria Branch clinician. Date: December 27, 2005 Content Source: National Center for Infectious Diseases, Division of Global Migration and Quarantine Home | Policies and Regulations | Disclaimer | e-Government | FOIA | Contact Us Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,1600 Clifton Rd, Atlanta, GA 30333, U.S.A Tel: (404) 639-3311 / Public Inquiries: (404) 639-3534 / (800) 311-3435

Central America Travel

Centralamerica.Com Nicaragua - The most informative Nicaraguan site on the internet presents NICARAGUA Welcome to Nicaragua, rich green tropical land of mountains and volcanoes, lakes and rivers, lush rain forests and broad sun swept beaches. Nicaragua is the largest of the Central American republics. Her neighbors are Costa Rica on the south and Honduras on the north; this sparkling isthmus is bordered by the Caribbean on the east and the Pacific on the west. From the menu below you can learn about Nicaragua and the travel opportunities available. Our travel advisors will be happy to help you with your planning. You may contact us by calling our international toll free number 800-948-3770 or by sending e-mail to Nicaragua@centralamerica.com. Centralamerica.Com also offers travel web sites for Costa Rica , Belize , Guatemala & Panama . Learn a Little About Nicaragua Information about Nicaragua's climate, government, currency, etc. Maps of Nicaragua with major highways. Descriptions of Nicaragua's most popular national parks & protected areas. A collection of pictures from scenic Nicaragua. Nicaragua Travel Pages Home pages for a selection of Nicaragua's best hotels. Alamo Rent a Car - High quality vehicles and legendary service. Daily flights from Managua to the main cities and islands of the country Day Tours from Managua, Granada or Montelimar Designed for travelers with interest in specific regions. The Complete Nicaragua Surfing Guide. Developed for persons who want to discover the highlights of Nicaragua and Central America. All pages on this website © Centralamerica.Com1997-2004 All Rights Reserved

Air Travel

International Air Transport Association About Us Board of Governors Director General and CEO Corporate Secretary History Human Resources Organisation Our Offices Membership Airlines Freight Forwarders Industry Suppliers Travel Agencies What We Do Aircraft Operations Airport Development and Infrastructure Cargo Finance Passenger Policies and Regulations Safety and Security Simplifying the Business Products & Services Business Solutions Events Publications Training IATA Store Pressroom Press Releases Speeches Statements News Briefs CEO Briefs Industry Facts DG's Biography IATA in the News Airlines International About Us Membership Careers Work Groups What We Do Products & Services Pressroom which contains the background images -- Press Releases 30 November 2005 Passenger Traffic Growth Slows, Freight Remains Flat 24 November 2005 Chirac Tax: Biting the Hand that Feeds Development Speeches 14 December 2005 Global Press Briefing - Industry Remarks, Geneva 30 November 2005 Remarks to AACO AGM, Yemen Current Issues Avian Flu - Aviation and Communicable Diseases IATA in the News 16 December 2005 Airlines to Rebound in 2007 Source: The Standard (China) 4 November 2005 Airlines must meet IATA benchmark Source: All Africa IATA (International Air Transport Association) represents some 265 airlines comprising 94% of international scheduled air traffic. This Week's Jet Fuel Price: $73.3/b Ö Source Platts. More... World Air Transport Statistics 2004 Passenger and Freight forecast until 2009 IATA international traffic monthly statistics Other publications on Air Transport forecasts and statistics IATA 2006 Priorities Simplifying the Business Safety Audit (IOSA) Security Environment Fuel Action Campaign EU Block Exemption EU Denied Boarding Legal Symposium, Feb 12-14, Hong Kong IATA / Asian Aerospace Aviation Summit, Feb 20th, Singapore Regional and country pages Contact Us FAQ Privacy Policy Help Terms of Use ©2004 International Air Transport Association. All rights reserved. Search powered by