Business Tips

Dress Code: Italians take dress very seriously, therefore smart clothing should be worn, especially in business settings where it is recommended that both men and women wear suits. Outside business, casual clothing is fine, but stay tidy if you don't want to feel out of place. Italians dress up whenever possible, so wear a jacket and smart trousers to restaurants and theatres.

Greeting Someone in Rome: The Italians are keen on the most enthusiastic forms of greeting. Hugs, kisses and handshakes are all bestowed upon meeting a friend, or even a mild acquaintance, regardless of sex. However, foreign visitors are not expected to join in with these warm hellos except, of course, for the handshake, which is compulsory both socially and in business.

Rome Business Hours and Banking: Italian banks are open on weekdays from 08:30 or 09:00 to 12:30 or 13:00 and from 14:20 or 15:00 to 16:00. Commercial office hours vary from one industry and sector to another but in general, most will operate somewhere between 08:30 and 18:30, Monday to Friday.

Smoking: Since January 2005, smoking has been banned in all enclosed public places that do not offer sealed off rooms equipped with smoke extractors. The controversial new law covers bars, restaurants, offices, public buildings, public transport and cinemas. Smokers face fines of up to €275, whilst businesses could be hit for €2,000.

When to Visit - Arts, Events, Weather

La passeggiata must be the most renowned and charming Italian social custom where each evening families and friends take an early evening stroll with the intention of 'seeing and being seen'. In Rome, the piazza cafes fill up rapidly as friends meet and catch up on news.

A number of festivals take place throughout the year including 'Settimana dei Beni Culturali', which takes place in April when public museums and sites of interest are open free of charge for a week.

'Fiera Internazionale di Roma' (Rome International Trade Fair) takes place between May and early June. This is one of the region's most important annual fairs.

'Festa di San Giovanni' in June includes dancing and singing that continues throughout the night. This saint's day finishes with a candlelit religious procession.

'Estate Romana' (Roman Summer) is a lively summer festival that runs from late June to the end of September where hundreds of cultural and musical events take place in parks, squares and streets throughout the city. Highlights include Teatro dell'Opera's summer season in the Stadio Olimpico, rock concerts on an open-air stage in Testaccio, outdoor cinema on Tiburtina Island and classical performances in the Villa Medici gardens and the Cloisters of Bramante.

'Festa di Noantri' in mid-July when some of Viale Trastevere and the surrounding streets are blocked to traffic. Filled with stalls, it stays open until the early hours of the morning and culminates with a firework display.

November brings 'Tutti Santi' (All Saints' Day), followed by 'La Commemorazioni dei Defunti' (or Tutti i Morti), a celebration of mass conducted by the Pope and held at Il Verano Cemetery.

'Carnevale' in Piazza Navona takes place on or around 5th January and lasts until dawn the following morning. Visit What's On In Rome for month-by-month event information.

Weather wise, Rome is perhaps best enjoyed in spring or autumn, when the masses of tour groups are also thinner on the ground. Rome is handed over to tourists in August, when most Romans take extended coastal holidays and the majority of shops and bars are closed. Peak summer months can be uncomfortably hot whilst winters are mild.

Public Holidays 2005

1 January: New Year's Day
3 January: Bank holiday
6 January: Epiphany
25 March: Good Friday
28 March: Easter Monday
25 April: Liberation Day
2 May: Bank Holiday
30 May: Spring Bank Holiday
2 June: Republic Day
24 June: Florence Patron Saint's Day
29 June: Rome Patron Saint's Day
15 August: Ferragosto
29 August: Summer Bank Holiday
1 November: All Saints Day
7 December: Milan Patron Saint's Day
8 December: The Immmaculate Conception
25 December: Christmas Day
26 December: Feast of St Stephen

Value for Money Sightseeing

Many of Rome’s top attractions are free to enjoy, from the elegant piazzas, ornate churches and classical museums and galleries. St. Peter's Basilica, the Roman Forum, Capitoline Hill, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, Pantheon, the exterior of the Colosseum and Castel Sant'Angelo, the Mouth of Truth, Piazza Navona, Appia Antica, Galleria Nazionale Di San Luca and Aula Ottaganale can all be appreciated without paying, as are the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel on the last Sunday of each month.

The Roma Archeologia Card costs €20 includes the entrance to nine major sites in Rome including the Colosseum, Terme di Caracalla, Terme di Diocleziano and Villa dei Quintili. The card is valid for a week and is available from the attractions themselves and the Visitor Center of Rome Tourist Board (APT) in Via Parigi 5. The Appia Antica Card (€6) covers entrance to the Baths of Caracalla, the Tomb of Cecilia Metella and the Villa of the Quintili.

EU citizens under 18 and over 65 are entitled to free admission to state museums and art sites, with 50% off for under 25s, and those in education. Similar incentives apply for municipal museums and art sites.

Disabled Travelers

Rome is not the most disabled-friendly city largely due to the number of hills, raised pavements and cobbled streets. Buses are wheelchair-friendly whilst remaining public transport in Rome is partially accessible. Leading visitor attractions are a mixed bag: a lift is provided to the top of the Colosseum, whilst the Vatican's Sistine Chapel is only accessible via the long route through the Vatican museums. General information and assistance is available from A.N.T.H.A.I. (Associazione Nazionale Tutela Handicappati ed Invalidi) at downtown Rome's Corso Vittorio Emanuele 154, 00186 Roma, tel. 011-39-06-6821-9168; Accessible Italy offers guided tours for disabled travelers. More accessibility information on different types of accommodation, transport and attractions.

Visitor Essentials

Tourist Advice: The Rome Tourism Office is located at Fiumicino Airport and at via Parigi 5. If you have up to four days in Rome, consult their online recommended itineraries. There are nine Informa Rome tourist information kiosks, at locations including Termini Station, Castel Sant’Angelo, Via del Tritone and Trastevere’s Piazza Sonnino.

Telephones: Public telephones accept euro coins, tokens and phone cards, sold in tobacconists, newstands and post offices. Many public phones now accept international credit cards.

Internet cafes: Rome has a growing number of net cafes - popular venues include EasyEverthing on via Barberini and Internet Cafe on via Cavour.

Emergencies: The military police (carabinieri) and civil police (polizia) are contactable by telephoning 113. For medical help, call the 24-hour, English-speaking Medline on 06 808-0995 or the Rome American Hospital on 06 2885062/4. The fire service can be reached on 115; road assistance on 116. Embassies can assist in the last resort: the American Embassy is located at Via Veneto, 119/a, 00187 Rome, the British Embassy at via XX Settembre 80, 00187 Rome.

Banks: Italian banks are open Monday to Friday from around 8:30 am to 1:30 pm and from 3 - 4 pm, though some banks in tourist areas stay open all day during the week. Most banks close on weekends and national holidays.

Theft Warning: Popular tourist and shopping areas such as the Colosseum, Via Condotti, Via Nazionale and Via del Corso invariably attract pickpockets. Take particular care at Rome's Termini Station.

Rome Tipping Advice

Tipping is not mandatory although it is customary, depending on whether or not you feel it is deserved. If so, an amount between 5% and 10% of the bill should be tipped. Some restaurants in Rome include gratuities in the bill, as well as the cover charge.