Location: Rimini, Italy

Capital: Bologna (regional capital)

Official Language: Italian

Population: 135,034 (2005)

Widely recognized as the No. 1 beach resort on the Adriatic Sea, Rimini is part of Italy’s Emilia Romagna region. It is located near the coast between the Marecchia (the ancient Ariminus) and Ausa (Aprusa) rivers. Important Roman traces can be found in Rimini, including exquisite mosaics and magnificent monuments of the Christian-Byzantine period.

Passport/Visa
U.S. Citizens do not require visas when visiting Italy with a Diplomatic or Official Passport for official stays of 90 days or less. However, a valid U.S. Passport, or a passport from your country of origin is required. Please note: your passport should be valid throughout your stay in Italy.
For more information on passport/visa information, visit: http://www.cibt.com.

Currency
The monetary currency is the Euro which is divided as follows: bills of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, and 500 Euro; coins of 1, 2, 5, and 10 Euro, 20 and 50 cents. For current exchange rates, visit: www.xe.com.

Most reputable establishments will accept major credit cards. Those establishments accepting credit cards will post the logos in their front windows, just as they do in the USA and Canada.

ATMs (Automatic Teller Machines) in Italy are known as Bancomat and can be found in both large cities and small towns. Cirrus and BankMate are the two most popular banking systems in Italy, so be sure the card you bring bears one of these symbols. If you are unsure about the compatibility of your card, contact your credit card company or local bank. It is always a good idea to let your credit card company know you will be traveling out of the country to avoid any usage problems.

Caution: Crowded tourist sites all over the world are subject to pickpocket and gypsy risk. One should always be on alert for these petty thieves. Keep your money hidden preferably in an inside pocket or money belt.

Time
The Emilia Romagna region is on Central European Standard time (Six hours ahead of EST). Daylight savings time is in effect from March to October.

Electricity
The electrical current in Italy is AC - the cycle is 50Hz 220 V. A tourist carrying electrical appliances to Italy should have a transformer, either obtained before leaving the country or bought at an electrical appliance shop in Italy. Plugs have round prongs, not flat; therefore a European Plug Adapter (round pin) is needed.

Water
Bottled water is typically served. You should not whether you want sparkling (gas) or flat (no gas).

Climate
Projected highs and lows for September are: 59° F 76° F and October 52° F and 65° F.

Communication
The international dialing code for Italy is 39. There are many Internet cafes and clubs in Italy for accessing your e-mail. If do not already have one, it is suggested you setup a web-accessible account like Yahoo or Hotmail, for easier access. For a complete list of Italian Internet Cafes, please visit: http://www.ecs.net/cafe/.

Transportation
Public transportation in Rimini is very handy and easy. The municipal bus company TRAM links the entire urban and suburban area of the city and province of Rimini. There are 15 routes linking every corner of Rimini's territory and they all stop at the Railway Station.

Misc
Although normally shops are open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3:30/4 p.m. to 7:30/ 8 p.m., in large cities and tourist areas there is a tendency to stay open from 9.30 a.m. to 7.30 p.m. with possible variations from town to town. Department stores such as La Rinascente, Coin are found in many Italian cities and towns and are open from 9.30 a.m. to 7.30 p.m.

Related Links:
Italy Tourism
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