|
|
|
| Useful Information |
Information desk
General information can be obtained from the Reception Desk of the conference located in the conference centre during conference operating hours, which will generally be between 08.00 - 19.00 hrs.
Passport/Customs
Italy is a EU member. To entry into Italy from other EU country, you need only a valid identity card.
Nationals of the following countries require a valid passport but do not require a visa for visits up to a maximum of 90 days: Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, El Salvador, Estonia, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, Israel, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Singapore, United States, Uruguay, Venezuela.
Nationals bearing ordinary passports of the following countries are subject to visa obligations:
Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Bielorus, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central Africa, Chad, China, Colombia, Comoro Islands, Congo, Congo (Democratic Republic), Côte d'Ivoire, Cuba, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican (Republic), East Timor, Ecuador, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, The Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Granada, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Macedonia (the Former Yugoslav Republic of), Madagascar, Malawi, Maldives, Mali, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Micronesia, Moldova, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, North Korea, Northern Marianas, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Papua-New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Solomon, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Syria, Tajikistan, Taiwan, (non-recognized territorial entity), Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Western Samoa, Yemen, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia-Montenegro), Zambia, Zimbabwe.
Nationals of San Marino, the Holy See and Switzerland do not require a visas in any case.
For further information see http://www.esteri.it/visti/index_eng.asp
Bank/Currency/Credit card
Currency in Italy is Euro (EUR, €). The exchange rate in December 2005 was around:
| |
Currency |
|
EUR |
1 |
USD |
= |
1,1811 |
1 |
CAD |
= |
1,4062 |
1 |
CHF |
= |
1,5488 |
1 |
GBP |
= |
0,6868 |
1 |
JPY |
= |
140,41 |
1 |
DKK |
= |
0,1341 |
1 |
SEK |
= |
0,1045 |
1 |
NOK |
= |
0,1267 |
1 |
BGL |
= |
0,5113 |
1 |
ROL |
= |
0,2743 |
Exchange rates in Italy can fluctuate and can be different between banks and exchange offices, therefore participants are advised to check rates before exchange.
See http://fxtop.com/en/cnv.htm for current official exchange rates.
In Chiavenna there is an agency of Banca Popolare of Sondrio, located 10 minutes far from conference hotel (see map). The bank has one ATM, that accept also Eurocheque, Eurocard/Mastercard, Visa, Visa Electron, Visa Plus, Cirrus, Maestro, American Express, Diners Club International, Aura and JCB cards. It dispenses both Euro and Swiss Frank banknotes.
Most major credit cards, like Visa and Master Card, are accepted at hotels and most large shops. However, other accommodation and smaller shops will only accept cash.
Electricity and plugs
Italy has 220 volt AC electricity. The plug system in Italy has two round pins, like the photo below (1. Classic plug; 2. Schuko plug). If your system is different, it is advised to get adapters before travelling to Italy.
First Aid/Health Medical Centre
In Chiavenna there is an hospital (http://www.aovv.it/chiavenna.htm) with an emergency room. In case of an accident or medical emergency please dial 118 for an ambulance and 113 if police is needed.
Insurance
All participants should have their own insurance for accidents, medical support, loss of property. Neither the conference organisers nor the conference centre can take any responsibility in this respect.
Services available in Chiavenna
Travel agencies
The conference organisers will not be in a position to make travel arrangements for participants. However there are some travel agencies in the city that are able to help participants. As soon as possible a list of local travel agencies will be available on this web site.
Post Office
Poste Italiane Spa
Viale Giacomo Matteotti, 3
23022 Chiavenna (SO)
Tel: 0343 220111
Tipping
In the restaurants and other locals usually the prices includes service and there is no tipping. There is usually no tipping also in taxis.
Climate/weather
In April the average temperatures are between 10°C and 15°C and there could still be some snow. Therefore, be prepared for cold temperatures, especially up the mountain and at nights. Bring your rain coat and umbrella. On the other hand, pick daily temperature, can easily be higher than 20 °C, so you'll have to bring some t-shirts.
|
|
|