florence travel tips, information of visa and language of florence

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Travel Guide

Travel Guide » Europe » Florence

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Florence

(Italy)

Florence's lofty domes and sacred art will make your senses reel.

The cultural and historical impact of Florence (or Firenze) is overwhelming. Close up, however, the city is one of Italy's most atmospheric and pleasant, retaining a strong resemblance to the small late-medieval centre that contributed so much to the artistic and political development of Europe.

Its striking buildings, formidable galleries and treasure-crammed churches attest to the Florentine love of display. Even long after it had set on the political and economic horizon, Florence upheld its elegant appearance: its skyline, all russet rooftops and lofty domes, is indeed picturesque.

Tips for you

	Tipping

	Most eating establishments have a cover charge, ranging from € 1.00 to € 6.00. You have to factor in the service charge of 10% to 15%. Since most places include this, further tipping is strictly optional. Most locals don't bother adding any more unless they have been particularly overwhelmed by service and quality. In bars, Italians often leave any small change as a tip, often only € 0.05 or € 0.10. Tipping taxi drivers is not common practice, but you should tip the porter at higher class hotels. Bargaining is common in flea markets but not in shops, although you might find that the proprietor is disposed to giving a discount if you are spending a reasonable amount of money. It's quite acceptable to ask if there is a special price for a room in a pensione or hotel if you plan to stay for more than a few days. Indeed, there is no harm in trying to bargain down room prices.

	Language Tips

	Official Language(s) - Italian Other Language(s) - French, German, Slovenian, Albanian

	Visa Info

	EU citizens require only a passport or ID card to stay or work in Italy for as long as they like. They are, however, required to register with a questura (police station) if they take up residence and obtain a permesso di soggiorno (permission to remain for a nominated period). Citizens of many other countries, including the US, Canada, Brazil, Australia, New Zealand, Israel, Switzerland and Japan, do not need a visa if entering as tourists for up to three months. Passports may not be stamped upon entry, so that three-month rule can be interpreted with a certain flexibility. If you are entering for any reason other than tourism (for instance, study) or plan to remain for an extended period, insist on having the entry stamp. Without it you could encounter problems when trying to obtain a permesso di soggiorno. Non-EU citizens who want to study at a university or language school must have a study visa. These can be obtained from your nearest Italian embassy or consulate.