Mailing addresses/Phone system

Emily,

I had the same issue for a different reason. I did a web search for Italian address formats and found a website that showed what they should look like. The URL for the site I found is http://bitboost.com/ref/international-address-formats.html

Have a great time in Italy! I will be there for 12 days in March (Mantova, Padova and Bologna with a side trip to Milan at least one day)

As to phone number, they can vary in length. You always dial the whole number no matter how many digits.

Italian phone numbers have two parts: area code and phone number. The area code is from two to four digits and begins with a zero, unless it is a cell phone, then it begins with "3". Example area codes: Rome 06, Florence 055, Siena 0577. The phone number is six or seven digits.

Be sure and get a cell phone before you leave and then get an Italian SIM card when you arrive so you can always be reached. Note that for cell phones in Italy, incoming calls are free - i.e. they do not charge you for time as in the U.S. From the U.S., calling a fixed Italian phone is cheaper than calling a cell phone.

Also get a calling card, also available over there for calling back to the U.S. from a fixed phone. It will be cheaper than calling from your cell phone.

See my posting in Rick's Technology section on "Finding a cell phone for use in Europe"

Thanks for the help!