Homesick? Its easy to keep in touch!
Telephone
The country code for Italy is 39. Florence's area code is 055. When dialing an Italian number from abroad, you no longer drop the initial 0 from the local area code. For example, to call Florence from New York City, dial 011 + 39 + 055 + local phone number. When dialing locally in Italy, you must now dial the area code (055 + local phone number), the same as you would when dialing between areas.
Directory & Operator Information
For general information in English, dial 176. To place international telephone calls via operator-assisted service, dial 170 or long-distance access numbers.
International Calls
Since hotels tend to overcharge, sometimes exorbitantly, for long-distance and international calls, it is best to make such calls from public phones, using telephone cards.
You can make collect calls from any phone by dialing 172-1011, which will get you an English-speaking operator. Rates to the United States are lowest around the clock on Sunday and between 10 PM and 8 AM (Italian time) Mondays through Saturday.
From major Italian cities, you can place a direct call to the United States by reversing the charges or using your phone credit card number. When calling from pay telephones, insert a coin that will be returned upon completion of your call. You automatically reach an operator in the country of destination and thereby avoid all language difficulties.
The country code is 1 for the United States and Canada, 61 for Australia, 64 for New Zealand, and 44 for the United Kingdom.
Public Phones
Some pay phones accept only coins, others only carte telefoniche (calling cards).
Prepaid carte telefoniche are prevalent throughout Italy and more convenient than coins. You buy calling cards (values vary) at post offices, tobacconists, most news stalls, and bars. Tear off the corner of the card and insert it in the slot. When you dial, its value appears in the window. After you hang up, the card is returned so you can use it until its value runs out. The phone card called Time Europa (about EUR26) is a good value, allowing you to call Europe and the United States at only EUR.28 per minute during peak hours, although conventional phone cards remain cheaper when used from 10 PM to 8 AM and on Sunday.
Mail
The Italian mail system is notoriously slow. Allow up to two weeks for mail to and from the United States and Canada, about a week to and from the United Kingdom and within Italy. Posta Prioritaria, a priority mail service for Italy and abroad, promises speedier delivery, and Postacelere, a special delivery service for Italy only, guarantees delivery within one working day.
Letters and postcards up to 20 grams sent Posta Ordinaria, or regular mail, cost EUR.41 to Italy, Europe, and countries around the Mediterranean Basin, and EUR.52 to the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Delivery is from three to five days in Italy, about six days within Europe, 10 days around the Mediterranean Basin, and 14 days to the U.S., Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
The Italian post office aims to deliver Posta Prioritaria, or priority mail, within one working day (plus the day of mailing) to destinations in Italy, three working days to the rest of Europe, four or five working days to countries of the Mediterranean Basin, five or six working days to the U.S. and Canada, and seven or eight working days to Australia and New Zealand.
A standard Posta Prioritaria letter, weighing up to 20 grams (and measuring 14 to 23.5 centimeters by 9 to 12 centimeters) costs EUR62 for Italy, Europe, and countries of the Mediterranean Basin, and EUR.77 for the U.S., Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. A package weighing the maximum 2 kilos (and measuring the maximum 34.3 by 35 by 5 centimeters) costs EUR8.06 for Italy, Europe, and countries of the Mediterranean Basin, EUR16.53 for the U.S. and Canada, and EUR20.66 for Australia and New Zealand. Stamps can be purchased at the post office or in tobacco shops; a special Posta Prioritaria sticker (free) is necessary. The envelope can be mailed at the post office or dropped in any letter box or in one of the 3,000 or so special Posta Prioritaria letter boxes.
Postacelere, for destinations in Italy only, guarantees delivery within one working day (Saturdays included, Sundays and holidays excluded). Envelopes sent Postacelere cost EUR7.23 and may not weigh more than 3 kilos nor exceed 45.5 by 32.5 centimeters. They can be sent only from a post office, where you must fill out a special mailing form.
Contact
Informazioni Poste Italiane (PHONE: 160; 800/009966 toll-free, EUR.30, www.poste.it) for information.
Cyber Cafes
CyberOffice
Via San Gallo 4/r, Tel: 39-055-211103
Internet Land
Via degli Alfani 43r (center of Florence), Tel: 39-055-2638220
Internet Train
Via Guelfa 24/r, Tel: 39-055-214794
Via dell'Oriuolo 25/r, Tel: 39-055-2638968
Netgate
Via Nazionale 156/r, Tel: 39-055-2347967
Via Sant'Egidio 12/r (near the Duomo), Tel: 39-055-2347967
Via Cavour 144/r, Tel: 39-055-210004
Via dei Cimatori 17/r (near Piazza Signoria), Tel: 39-055-219491
Netik Internet Point
Via dell'Agnolo, 65r, Tel: 39-055-242645
Res Futur@e
Via delle Ruote 14r, Tel: 39-055-461635
www.Village
Via Alfani, 11/13r, Tel: 39-055-2479398
