Wayzata World Factbook 1994/World Factbook - 1994 Edition - Wayzata Technology (1994).iso/pc/text/txtfiles/italy.tvl

Text File | 1994-04-11 | 6KB | 114 lines

#CARD:Italy:Travel\Consular Information
Italy - Consular Information Sheet
August 10, 1993

Country Description:  Italy is a highly developed and stable democracy with
a modern economy.  Tourist facilities are widely available.

Entry Requirements:  A passport is required.  A visa is not required for
tourist stays up to three months.  For further information concerning entry
requirements for Italy, travelers can contact the Embassy of Italy at 1601
Fuller Street, NW, Washington, DC  20009, telephone [phone], or the
nearest Italian Consulate General in Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles,
New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, or San Francisco.

Medical Facilities:  Medical facilities in Italy are adequate for any
emergencies that may arise.  Many hospitals in major cities have at least
some personnel who speak English.  Most hospitals are government operated
with patients billed sometime after discharge.  Private hospitals often
expect cash payment before discharge; neither credit cards nor foreign
medical coverage is generally accepted.  Supplemental medical insurance with
specific overseas coverage is often useful in making claims for U.S.
reimbursement of medical expenses.  Further information on health matters
can be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control's international
travelers hotline on [phone].

Crime Information:  Italy has a very low rate of violent crime, little of
which is directed toward tourists.  Petty crime (pickpocketing, theft from
parked cars, purse snatching) is a significant problem, especially in large
cities.  Most reported thefts occur at crowded tourist sites, on public
buses, or at the major railway stations, including Rome's Termini, Milan's
Centrale, Florence's Santa Maria Novella, and the Centrale in Naples.
Thieves usually work in pairs, snatching purses from pedestrians, cyclists,
or even from moving vehicles.  Groups of street urchins are known to poke
tourists with newspapers or pieces of cardboard to divert their attention so
that another urchin can pickpocket them.  Theft of small items such as
radios, luggage, cameras, briefcases, and even cigarettes from parked cars
is a major problem.  Robbers in southern Italy take items from cars at gas
stations (often by smashing car windows).  Tourists driving vehicles with
out-of-town or rental plates frequently lose valuables to the unseen
partners of apparent good samaritans, who divert their attention by offering
to assist with problems such as flat tires.

The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately
to the local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.  U.S.
citizens can refer to the Department of State's pamphlet "A Safe Trip
Abroad" for ways to promote a more trouble-free journey.  The pamphlet is
available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing
Office, Washington, DC  20402.

Terrorist Activities:  In May 1993 bombs exploded on separate occasions in
Rome and in Florence.  The explosion in Rome caused property damage and
injuries.  The explosion in Florence killed five people and injured
approximately forty.  In July 1993, three separate car bombings, two in Rome
and one in Milan, left five people dead and twenty-eight injured.  Most of
the bombs were placed near public buildings (e.g. churches, museums) and all
exploded during non-business hours.  Officials of the Italian government
have indicated their belief that the bombs are the work of criminal elements
or international terrorists.  U.S. citizens have not been the targets of
these attacks.

Drug Penalties:  U.S. citizens are subject to the laws of the country in
which they are traveling.  Those convicted of drug-related crimes in Italy
can expect jail sentences and fines.

Dual Nationality:  U.S. citizens who are also considered to be Italian
citizens may be subject to compulsory military service and other Italian
laws while in Italy.  Those who might be affected can inquire at an Italian
embassy or consulate regarding their status.  In some instances, dual
nationality may hamper U.S. government efforts to provide protection abroad.

Other Information:  U.S. citizens are reminded that certain Alitalia flights
between Italy and various Middle Eastern points (usually Damascus or Amman)
make en route stops in Beirut.  (The State Department warns U.S. citizens to
avoid all travel to or through Lebanon.)

Registration:  U.S. citizens who register at the Consular Section of the
U.S. Embassy or a Consulate may obtain updated information on travel and
security in Italy.

Embassy and Consulate Locations:  The U.S. Embassy in Rome is located at Via
Veneto 119/A, telephone  [phone], fax [phone].

There are U.S. Consulates at the following locations:

Florence, at Lungarno Amerigo Vespucci 38, telephone [phone],
or 217-605; fax [phone];

Milan, at Via Principe Amedeo 2/10, telephone [phone]; fax (2)
29001165;

Naples, at Piazza Della Repubblica, telephone [phone]; fax (81) 761-
1869;

Palermo, at Via Vaccarini 1, telephone [phone].

There is a U.S.  Consular Agent in:

Trieste, at Via Roma 15, telephone [phone], fax [phone].

The U.S. Consulate in Genoa has closed.  The U.S. Consulate in Palermo does
not currently provide consular services. Travelers in Palermo should contact
the U.S. Consulate in Naples.

No. 93-210

This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated April 29, 1993, to add
information on terrorist activities, to inform travelers that the U.S.
Consulate in Genoa has closed, and to revise information on U.S. Embassy and
Consulate locations.

#ENDCARD