Italy essentials 💊🧻🏥
There are many things that are different in italy. Somethings are basic, dealing with food and cultural behaviors. Somethings are important and can be life or death.
Below are important information, that everyone should know before they visit/move to Italy.
Emergency numbers in Italy
If you find yourself in serious difficulty and need help, the single number to call for emergencies in Italy is 112. This is a free number to dial without any prefix: the operator will put you in touch with the most appropriate authority or service.
For needs limited to specific areas, you can call the following numbers:
State Police: 113 (accidents, thefts, etc.).
Fire brigade: 115 (fires, weather emergencies).
Urgent and emergency medical attention: 118 (health-related needs). This number is also relevant for mountain or cave rescue.
Roadside Assistance: at all hours of the day for motorists in emergency, assistance is provided by the Automobile Club d’Italia (ACI), a federation of 106 provincial Automobile Clubs, which represents and protects the interests of Italian motoring. You can contact them on 803.116 or visit the official ACI website.
Forest ranger: 1515
Travel information: 1518
Sea rescue: 1530
Veterinary assistance (my vet of Poste Italiane)
US Embassy & Consulates
There are four US embassies in Italy
Embassy Rome:
For general inquiries, please visit Rome Citizen Services Navigator
Consulate General Milan:
For general inquiries, please visit Milan Citizen Services NavigatorConsulate General Naples:
For general inquiries, please visit Naples Citizen Services NavigatorConsulate General Florence:
For general inquiries, please visit Florence Citizen Services Navigator
Alerts and Messages
See all Messages and Alerts for U.S. Visitors to Italy.
Emergency Assistance
Passports & Citizenship
Local Resources
Federal Programs
Pharmacies
Italian pharmacies do not sell greeting cards, candy, or trinkets. It’s a rather serious place.
The Italian pharmacist wears a white coat. One way to know if a pharmacy is open is by looking for the illuminated green ( sometimes red) cross. If this sign is turned off, then the pharmacy is closed. Most pharmacies are open from 8:30 am - 12:30 pm and from 3:30pm to 7:30pm, pharmacies are privately owned and there are no chain pharmacies as are common in the US.
Similar to the USA, some pharmacies will be closed on Sundays and during the evenings. Considering that pharmacies are the only place that will sell certain medicine ( apsirin, ibruprofen, cold remedies …), this can be frustrating.
If you are visiting Italy I would suggest you pack sufficient medicine to cover you stay.
*NOTE: The word DROGA means illegal drugs (narcotics) in italian.
Supermarkets
Most Italian cuisine is based on fresh and local ingredients.
Majority of people visiting Italy, find themselves eating out. Most want the Italian experience and will eat at restaurants or will take a cooking class while in the country. Even with that, there still are things you might find yourself needing to buy. Water, wine, fruit, snacks for your hotel room/ BNB.
You can get a lot of what you need from the local, outside markets, that most towns/villages/cities have ( weekends are popular for outside markets). You can also get these items, and more home essentials, from a traditional supermarket.
It is good to know the names, of some of the popular supermarkets and the differences in them.
Popular supermarkets:
Conad
Carrefour
EsseLunga
EuroSpin
Coop
Things that are different:
YOU will have to weigh all of your produce. There are scales in the produce department, majority of loose items you will have to bag and weigh. This is not optional. Cashiers do not have scales at the counter to weigh your item.
Whether you want fish (PESCE), meat ( CARNE), cold cuts/ cheese (GASTRONOMIA), or bread/ cakes ( PANE/ DOLCI). When you walk up to the counter, you will see red ticket dispenser and the person behind the counter will call the next number and thats who will be served next. Do not assume are next because you were standing there first.
Bags are not free!
“Baggers” do not exist. You pack your own items.
You pay to “rent” a cart. Coin is returned when you return cart.
Visiting another country can come with many highs and lows. If you would like more information about Italy, or would like to have a discussion on what you should see and where you should visit, click the link below!