The currency of Italy is the Euro, with one Euro equalling 100 cents. Notes come in denominations of €500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of €2 and 1, and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents.

Money can be exchanged at many bureaus, banks, hotels and train stations. Traveller’s cheques are accepted very widely, though to avoid additional conversion charges these should be in US Dollars, Pounds Sterling or Euros.

ATMs are widespread through Italy and major international credit and debit cards are accepted.

See:

Visa:               http://www.visa.com/atms/

MasterCard:  http://www.mastercard.com/cardholderservices/atm/

The import and export of both domestic and foreign currency is unlimited, though amounts of around €12,500 and above must be declared on entering and leaving the country, sometimes with special dispensation required.

General banking hours in most areas are from 0830 to 1330 and from 1500 to 1600 Mondays to Fridays and from 0830 to 1300 on Saturdays, though hours vary through the country. Normal shopping hours are usually from 0830 to 1230 and 1530 to 1930, Mondays to Saturdays.

Formal suits are expected of business meetings along with obvious politeness – punctuality is expected and visitors should be very respectful of religious beliefs, owing to Italy’s strong bonds with Catholicism. English is widely spoken in business circles, but a knowledge of Italian would be a great help.

Service charges are included in hotel and restaurant bills, but it is customary to tip around ten percent for exemplary service