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Destination Overview
Rome, the eternal city, has awed its visitors for two millennia. Founded, according to legend, by Romulus and Remus in 753 B.C., Rome was first the centre of the Roman Republic, then of the Roman Empire, and it became the capital of the Christian world in the 4th century. Its ruined antique monuments, many of them concentrated near the former Roman Forum, represent a point of reference for a city that has undergone many transformations through the Imperial, Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque periods, producing in the process an archeological record of amazing density that matches the richness of the history and legends. Today Rome is Italy's vibrant capital.
Here are some websites to help you plan your trip:
http://wikitravel.org/en/Rome
http://www.italycvb.it
http://www.travelplan.it/rome_guide.htm
Time Zone
Rome will be observing Central European Summer Time (CEST) during the RWISO Conference. The time zone offset will be UTC/GMT +2. Click Here to determine the time difference from your location.
Climate
September is a good time of year to visit Italy. Temperatures are beginning to drop and the weather is usually dry. Autumn officially begins on September 23. Temperatures average a low of 60°F to a high of 77°F or 16°C to 25°C.
Passport and Visa
To visit Italy, you must have a valid passport. In some cases the passport must be valid for more than three months beyond your visit. A visa is required for citizens of countries that do not have visa-exempt agreements with Italy. Please contact the nearest Italian Embassy or Consulate for visa requirements. Click Here for more information. Please contact the RWISO office if you need a personalized letter to obtain your Visa.
Travel to Rome
The main airport is Leonardo da Vinci, also known as Fiumicino (FCO). The other airport is Ciampino, where most domestic, and some international, flights arrive. You can get a flight from just about anywhere in the world to Rome. Departure tax is always prepaid with your air ticket into or out of Italy.
Leonardo da Vinci (Fiumicino) airport is 26km (16mi) southwest of the city. One of the most convenient ways to get to the hotel is the Leonardo Express. With departures every 30 minutes, the Leonardo Express connects Roma Termini station and Fiumicino Airport station every day in just 31 minutes. The Roma Termini is adjacent to the Radisson Hotel. Click Here for more information.
Monetary
Italy currency is the Euro. Euro (€) = 100 cents. Please use the following, Currency Converter to learn more about the value of the Euro against other currencies
Currency Exchange: Travelers cheques, checks and foreign money can be changed at banks, railway stations and airports, and very often at major hotels (generally at a less convenient rate).
Credit & Debit Cards: MasterCard, Diners Club and Visa are widely accepted, but many small establishments - shops and restaurants only accept cash.
Tipping: 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.
VAT: The Value Added Tax imposed on various business transactions and purchases is 20%. Value added tax charged on basic products is levied at rates of 4% and 10%.
Electricity
The electrical current in Italy is 220 volts. To use 120 volt appliances you need both a transformer and an adapter plug. Most laptops have an AC/DC adapter built in the cord and a transformer is not needed. However, you will need an adapter plug. Click Here for more about electricity in Italy.
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