Shops in Italy close on Monday morning and Sunday, except jeweler's shops that  are open on Monday too. Opening time is 09:00/12:30 a.m. 16:00/20:00 afternoon. Most of the shops in Tourist towns don't close for lunch time. Every shop accept US$, ask for the change rate to a bank office because it changes every day. The best way is to use credit card where accepted, or US$ cash everywhere, you will save money if you don't change money on board in advance.

Watch to the gypsies, you can meet them, very young and in little groups, sometimes in Florence and Rome. 

Public toilettes are very difficult to find in Italy. If you need it enter in a Coffee Bar, drink an espresso and ask for the bathroom ( "bagno" in Italian language).

Train tickets are not expensive but train service quality is not excellent. Most of the trains for short trips don't have air conditioned. Don't forget to ask to the railway station employers if the train is straight to your final destination or if you must get a connection somewhere. Remember to stamp the ticket before getting the train printing it trough special yellow machine inside train stations on both ways.

You can find some taxi on the pier on your arrival, they are at your disposition for any kind of request, tourist tours or a transfer to the train station or downtown.      If you need just a local transfer ask the price to the driver, not on board of your ship, because different docks means different mileages and different prices! Maybe somebody on the ship remember the price of the last trip but the ship doesn't dock every time at the same pier! Ask personally, ok?

If you decide to book a cab for a tour, don't try to negotiate the price, drivers are not allowed to do that, but choose the best solution for you, cab and driver, settling in advance to the driver every place where you like to be transported by cab.

Remember that, in any case, the best solution, if you decide for a tourist tour by cab, is to book in advance! That is the way to have the car, the driver and the tour that you prefer FOR SURE!, skipping the risk not to find what you want between the cabs waiting on the pier!