ROME

Monumento a Vittorio Emanuele II

ROME FACTS & TRAVEL TIPS

FACTS

Official Language: Italian
Currency: Euro
Time Zone: Central European Time (6 Hours ahead of EST)
Population: 4 Million

TRAVEL TIPS

Rome is a wonderful city to visit anytime of the year. If cold weather is an issue for you, then visit Rome during the spring and summer. If you want to save money and see fewer tourists, then visit Rome during the winter and fall.

Currency is the Euro with major credit cards accepted by most establishments. Time in Rome is six hours ahead of New York City. Italian is the official language and some English is spoken by locals. Hotels have the most expensive rates on phone calls, so purchase a phone card for your international calls. The post offices are located throughout the city. The Vatican City Post Office offers special stamps and some of the best delivery times to the U.S. Post office hours are 8:30am-7pm (Monday-Friday) and 8:30am-6pm (Saturday).

Banks are open from 8:35am-1:35pm and 3pm-4pm (Monday-Friday). ATMs are plentiful and the most convenient way to get Euros. Some ATMs may only accept PIN numbers with 4 digits. Passports are necessary for U.S. citizens. Most large stores are open 3:30pm-7:30pm (Monday), 10am-1pm and 3:30pm-7pm (Tuesday-Saturday).

Electricity is different than the U.S., so bring an adapter for your digital camera.

The major Holidays in Rome are New Year's Day, Easter, Easter Monday, Liberation Day, Labor Day, Assumption Day, All Saints' Day, Feast of the Immaculate Conception, Christmas and Santo Stefano. For specific dates, go to the Italian Government Tourist Board website.

Rome is a major tourist destination, so visitors should use common sense when out and about. For more travel tips, go to Unofficial Advice and Observations from Sisters.