Mercedes E-class

Mercedes S-class

Mercedes Viano

Tips

AMERICAN EMBASSY
There are two official U.S. embassies in Rome : one to the Italian government and the other which represent the U.S. to the Vatican. Americans in need of services must go to the U.S. Consulate, 121 Via Veneto . The Consulate can provide the following services: Register your address and presence here, issue new passports, register your child's birth and give advice about dual citizenship, witness and notarize documents, provide Veteran's and Social Security benefits, process income tax, assist with voting needs and selective service registration, help with legal formalities in case of death inform your family if you are in difficulty, and provide a list of doctors and lawyers. The Consulate cannot give you money, settle your disputes or get you out of jail. They can only ensure that you are being treated according to the laws of the host country. Tel. 06.46741

AMERICAN EXPRESS:
The offices of American Express are at Piazza di Spagna 38 (tel. 06/67641 ). The travel service and tour desk are open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5:30pm and on Saturday from 9am to 12:30pm (May to October the tour desk is also open on Saturday afternoon from 2 to 2:30pm). The financial and mail services are open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm.

ANTIQUES:
Some antiques, regardless of private ownership or foreign origin, are considered part of the patrimony of Italy and may not be exported. So before you buy that Etruscan vase find out whether you can take it with you or whether you will have to return to Rome yearly to visit it!

BARS:
Most bars charge different prices at the counter then at the table. You may want to check posted prices before sitting down and decide if you feel it is worth spending $5 for a cappuccino and the pleasure of sitting at a sunny sidewalk café. Once seated you may sit there for as long as you please. If you choose to sit at table the waiter will bring the check.

BUSES AND METROS:
Tickets may be bought from ATAC/CO.TRA.L. windows at start or end of a line, tobacco shops, newsstands and vending machines. The METROBUS ticket cost € 1.00 and is valid for 75 minutes from the beginning of the trip. Bus tickets can also be used on the subway (metro) but are only valid for one ride instead of the allotted seventy-five minutes on the buses, which is printed on the tickets. It is wise to buy a number of bus tickets at one time to offset the non-functioning ticket machines, or unavailable tobacco shops or kiosks where they are sold. It's also available to have extra bus tickets for night use for the same reasons mentioned above; only more so in the very late night hours. Monthly passes are available. However, passes cannot be used to travel the airports. Pass holders board at the front of the bus, Italians do not usually show their 'tessera', but you should be ready to do so if asked. Ticket holders board from the rear of the bus and must validate their ticket on a little orange machine. NEVER board without a ticket or a pass, if inspectors come on the bus the fine being without a ticket is € 51.
The subway or METROPOLITANA runs from 5:30am until 11:30pm. The last train leaves the capolinea at 11:30

BUSINESS HOURS:
In general, banks are open Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 1:30pm and again from 3 to 4pm. A U.S. bank in Rome is Citibank, Via Abruzzi 2 (tel. 06/478171 ). Shopping hours are governed by the 'riposo' (siesta).
Most stores are open year-round Monday to Saturday from 9am to 1pm and then from 3:30 or 4pm to 7:30 or 8pm. Most shops are closed on Sunday.

CAR TOWING:
If your automobile was towed away, you probably parked in an illegal zone. The way to find your car (unless you are planning a bit of insurance fraud) is to call the Vigili Urbani, (tel. 67691), and give them the registration number, brand of car, and place from which it was removed. They will tell you where to collect your car, but only after you pay the fine or 'multa'. Pay the designate amount at the Cassa of the Vigili Urbani, Via della Consolazione, 4 (Consolation Street), or at the Post office by Conto Corrente No. 54785001 in the name of the Comune di Roma - Comando Vigili Urbani, Servizio di Rimozione Veicoli. Take your receipt with you when you retrieve your car!