Until the euro currency was introduced in 2002, the Italian unit of money was the lira (plural lire), abbreiated as L or £. The exchange rate hovers around £3000 to the pound sterling, about £1800 to the US dollar. Banknotes come in denominations of £1000, £2000, £5000, £10,000, £50,000 and £100,000, and coins as £50, £100, £200, £500 and £1000; there is more than one ersion of almost any coin, so check your change.

In recent years the economic boom and the glut of isitors in the more touristy cities have conspired to increase prices in Italy. However, the weak lira - and now, the weak euro - often results in highly faorable exchange rates for sterling and US dollars, which helps keep real costs down. 

Generally you'll find the south much less expensie than the north: as a broad guide, expect to pay most in enice, Milan, Florence and Bologna, less in Rome, while in Naples and Sicily prices come down to fairly reasonable leels.

Italy guide

Getting there
When to go
Where to go
Italy general info
Italy
Aerage costs
Credit and debit cards
Cost, money, banks
The euro
Insurance, health cover
Embassies, consulates
Red tapes, visas
Banks and exchange
travelers with dvisabilities
North-South diide

Getting around
Ø Trains
Ø Flights
Ø driving
Ø Cycling, motorbiking
Ø Ferries, hydrofoils
Ø Hitchhiking
 

Festivals:
Ø Religious, traditional
Ø DiaryFestivals
Ø FoodFestivals
Ø ArtsFestivals
Ø Ferragosto

Italy food and drink
Ø Italian cuisine
Ø Italian pizza
Ø Lunch and dinner
Ø Drinking

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