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HOTELS:
There
is no lack of hotels in Italy and
the country is dotted with about
40,000 of them. All hotel charges
are fixed in consultation with the
provincial
tourist board. These charges will
vary according to the season,
locality, the type of hotel,
etc… The Italian State Tourist
Board publishes the official list
of all Italian hotels and pensions
(Annuario Alberghi) every
year, which can be consulted
through a travel agent or ENIT,
the Italian State Tourist Board
(see Contact Addresses section).
In all hotels and pensions,
service charges are included in
the rates. VAT (IVA in Italy)
operates in all hotels at 10 per
cent (19 per cent in deluxe
hotels) on room charges only.
Even
though there is no shortage of
hotels it is wise to reserve rooms
in advance, and remember the hotel
rates here are quite high. To
obtain complete prices, ask for
quotations of inclusive rates. You
can stay at cheaper hotels that
the basic amenities along with
room and board. These economy
hotels can be found all over the
country. Bookings can be made
through travel agents or hotel
representatives. The law requires
that you obtain an official
receipt from the hotel at which
you stay.
YOUTH
HOSTELS:
There
are 54 youth hostels run by the
Italian Youth Hostels Association
(Associazione Italiana Alberghi
per la Gioventù), Via Cavour
44, 00184, Rome (tel: (06) 487
1152; fax: (06) 488 0492; e-mail: info@ostellionline.org;
website: www.ostellionline.org).
Listings and opening dates can be
obtained from the Rome Tourist
Office, Via Parigi 5, 00185 Rome (tel:
(06) 4889 9253 or 4889 9255
or 3600 4399; fax: (06)
4889 9250; e-mail: apt.roma@libero.it;
website: www.romaturismo.it).
During the summer season in the
major cities, reservations are
essential and must be applied for
directly from the hostel at least
15 days in advance, specifying
dates and numbers. There are also
student hostels in several towns.
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