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Money
The currency of Italy is the Euro. For conversions use this useful currency converter website.
The major international credit cards, such as Visa, can be used to get cash in the automatic cash dispensers that you'll find outside any bank across the
Marche - don't forget your PIN code. Travellers cheques in major foreign currencies can be cashed in banks.
The most popular bank in the Marche is - surprise, surprise - La Banca delle Marche which boasts branches in even the most outlandish corners of the region. Banks open Monday to Friday 8.30-13.30 and one hour in the afternoon sometime between 14.30 and 16.00, varying between one bank and another.
Credit cards in place of cash transactions are now as widespread in Italy as in Northern Europe and the States. All but the humbler guest-houses and
simpler restaurants in central Italy now accept them as do all petrol stations. The most common card sign in central Italy is Carta Si, which includes Visa, Mastercard and Eurocard.
Post and telephones
Post offices are open weekdays and Saturday from 8 am to 1.30 pm. Offices in
larger towns stay open until 7 pm. If you just want stamps get them from a tobacconist where you see the "T" sign.
Post offices will hold letters addressed to individuals on the move until collected in person. The envelope should carry the name of the recipient, the
words Fermo Posta and the name and post code of the locality. The recipient pays a fee and must show identification to collect the letter.
Standard pay phones, found both on main streets and in some bars usually only take phone cards, ask for a carta telefonica, available from post
offices, tobacconists and many bars; you must break off the top left-hand corner before use. In principal towns Telecom Italia has offices where you can take a cabin and pay for your call afterwards. Calls from
your hotel will usually cost appreciably more than from standard pay phones.
Note that all Italian telephone numbers must now be dialled with the full area code even for local calls. If calling from abroad the initial "0" of the
area code is no longer omitted.
To make international direct-dial calls from Italy use 00 + your country code. For directory enquiries within Italy dial 12. For information on
international calls, dial 176; to make operator-assisted international calls dial 170.
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