World Country Guide

Accommodation

Hotels
There are about 40,000 hotels throughout the country. Every hotel has its fixed charges agreed with the provincial tourist board. Charges vary according to class, season, services available and locality. The Italian State Tourist Board publishes the official list of all Italian hotels and pensions (Annuario Alberghi) every year, which can be consulted through a travel agent or ENIT, the Italian State Tourist Board (see Contact Addresses section). In all hotels and pensions, service charges are included in the rates. VAT (IVA in Italy) operates in all hotels at 10 per cent (19 per cent in deluxe hotels) on room charges only.
Visitors are now required by law to obtain an official receipt when staying at hotels. Rome is well provided with hotels, but it is advisable to book in advance. Rates are high with added extras. To obtain complete prices, ask for quotations of inclusive rates. Many luxury hotels are available. Cheap hotels, which usually provide basic board (room plus shower), offer an economical form of accommodation throughout Italy, and there is a wide choice in the cities. Again, especially in the main cities, it is wise to book in advance (bookings should always be made through travel agents or hotel representatives). There are many regional hotel associations in Italy; the principal national organisation is Federalberghi, Via Toscana 1, 00187 Rome (tel: (06) 4274 1151; fax: (06) 4287 1197; e-mail: info@italyhotels.it; website: www.italyhotels.it).

Grading
Hotels are graded on a scale of 1 to 5 stars.

Motels
Located on motorways and main roads.

Self-catering
Villas, flats and chalets are available for rent at most Italian resorts. Information is available through daily newspapers and agencies in the UK and from the Italian State Tourist Office or the Tourist Office (Azienda Autonoma di Soggiorno) of the locality concerned. The latter are also able to advise about boarding with Italian families.

Tourist Villages
These consist of bungalows and apartments, usually built in or near popular resorts. The bungalows vary in size but usually accommodate four people and have restaurant facilities.

Camping/Caravanning
Camping is very popular in Italy. The local Tourist Office in the nearest town will give information and particulars of the most suitable sites. On the larger campsites, it is possible to rent tents/caravans. There are over 2100 campsites and full details of the sites can be obtained in the publication Campeggi e Villaggi Turistici In Italia, published by the Touring Club Italiano (TCI) and Federcampeggio. An abridged list of sites with location map, Carta d’Italia Parchi Campeggio, can be obtained free of charge by writing to the Italian Confederation of Campers, via Vittorio Emanuele 11, 50041 Calenzano (Firenze) (tel: (055) 882 391; fax: (055) 882 5918; e-mail: federcampeggio@tin.it; website: www.federcampeggio.it). The Italian State Tourist Office (ENIT) may also be able to supply information.
The tariffs at Italian campsites vary according to the area and the type of campsite. There are discounts for members of the AIT, FICC and FIA. Usually there is no charge for children under three years of age. The Touring Club Italiano offers campsites already equipped with fixed tents, restaurants, etc. For details, contact Touring Club Italiano, Corso Italia 10, 20122 Milano (tel: (02) 85261; fax: (02) 852 6406; e-mail: viaggi@touringclub.it or info@touringclub.it; website: www.touringclub.it). To book places in advance on campsites belonging to the International Campsite Booking Centre, it is necessary to write to Centro Internazionale Prenotazioni Campeggio, Casella Postale 23, 50041 Calenzano (Firenze), asking for a list of the campsites with the booking form.

Youth Hostels
There are 54 youth hostels run by the Italian Youth Hostels Association (Associazione Italiana Alberghi per la Giovent), Via Cavour 44, 00184 Rome (tel: (06) 487 1152; fax: (06) 488 0492; e-mail: aig@uni.net; website: www.ostellionline.org). Listings and opening dates can be obtained from the Rome Tourist Office, Via Parigi 11, 00185 Rome (tel: (06) 488 991; fax: (06) 481 9316; e-mail: info@aptroma.com; website: www.romaturismo.it). During the summer season in the major cities, reservations are essential and must be applied for directly from the hostel at least 15 days in advance, specifying dates and numbers. There are also student hostels in several towns.