Italian communicability is famous all over the world. Naturally, Romans made sure that their guests don’t experience any communication-troubles during their visit:
Phone
Public Telephones
Public telephones are available throughout Rome. A local call from a public telephone requires coins or calling cards (carta telefonica), available at tobacco shops, news stands or bar (coffee shops). Note that many public telephones only accept calling cards; little less numerous are the ones accepting credit cards. When phoning in within the city, always dial the area code before the number. Example: to call a Rome number dial 06+ telephone number.
Long distance Calls (Interurbana)
Calls between major cities can be dialed directly on the public telephone by using the proper area code number. The use of calling cards is strongly recommended. Calls from Italy to the U.S. and Canada can be dialed directly (dial 01 plus area code plus phone number).
Area Code (Prefisso Telefonico)
Following are the area code numbers for some of the principal cities of Italy. Example - a call from New York to Rome would be dialed as follows:
011 + 39 (Italy) +06 (Rome) 123456789 (Phone Number)
Mail
Postage costs vary with each country, destination and weight. The standard price for international postcards and letters is between Euro 0,41 and Euro 0,77. The post office is marked with a yellow round sign with a p.t. in the middle. The hours are from 8:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. on weekdays and 8:30 a.m. till noon on Saturdays.
Post Offices:
Roma Quirinale
Via del Quirinale 30
Roma succ.047
Via di Porta Angelica, 23
Remember you can buy stamps from a tobacco shop and drop your mail in a postbox (poste). Postboxes are red and posted on random buildings throughout the city. Make sure you drop your letter in the correct outgoing slot. The slot on your right facing the postbox should say "per tutte le altre destinazioni". Slide your letter in that one. There are also international boxes which are not as common around the city. They are blue.
Internet Cafes
No matter how responsible you try to be with your phone card, you can run up
quite a bill when you call your parents/ your kids/ your significant other. E-mail may be an alternative and less expensive mean of communication.
Whatever e-mail service you use in your daily life, I would set up web-access mail for your trip (like the mail offered by Yahoo!, Hotmail, etc.). It is the easiest to use abroad since the only software and configuration you need are built right into the browser. Set this account up before you leave home, so you don't waste valuable time abroad.
It is getting easier and easier to find Internet cafes and clubs in Rome. Some, among many:
Bibli
Via dei Fienaroli 23 (Trastevere), is also a bookstore and cultural association, they serve brunch every day, courses offered in Internet. Hours: 11-midnight.
Forum
Via San Giovanni in Laterano 34, Pizzeria
Freedom Traveller Internet Point
Via Gaeta 25 (near the main train station), Tel: 39-06-4782-3862. There are 24 computers on two different floors and a lounge for watching satellite TV, and a bar. Open daily 9am to midnight.
Hackers
Via Sebastiano Veniero 10-16 (near the Vatican), restaurant, beer, pizza, state-of-the-art computers. Tel: 06-3973-9268
Internet Cafe
1) Via Salaria 170 (Trieste), Tel: 39-06-84411977, drinks, lessons, Hours: Monday-Friday 10-2, Saturday and Sunday 16-2. Ask for Signora Emmer.
2) Via dei Marrucini 12 (San Lorenzo), Tel: 39-06-4454953, drinks, snacks, lessons, 22 computers. Dedicated line. Possibility to download your mail from AOL. Hours: Monday-Friday 9-2, Saturday and Sunday 17-2.
Kaos
Via Cartoni 125 (Monteverde), Tel: 39-006-5370738, pub-birreria, serves sandwiches and salads, 15 computers connected to ISDN line, Star Trekkies meet Friday evenings, Hours: 21-2am, Sunday 16-2am, closed Friday.
Palomar
Via Gustavo Bianchi 7 (Testaccio), Tel: 39-006-5754632, cafe, bar, bookshop, snacks. Hours: Monday - Saturday 14:30-24, closed Sunday (winter closed Sunday)
Rimaweb
Via del Portico d'Ottavia 2/a (historic center), Tel: 39-06-6889-1356, you'll find a welcoming atmosphere and a multilingual staff for cruising the net or getting advice for a trip and/or booking tickets or a vacation. They even have special offers. Hours: 9-19:30 every day.
The Netgate
Piazza Firenze 25, Tel: 39-06-6893445. There are 28 computers available. Hours: 10:30-21 daily. Discount of 10 percent for students, 20 percent for students at language schools for foreigners. Also offer discounts at McDonalds and Planet Hollywood.
X-Plore
Via dei Gracchi 83/85 (Prati), Tel: 39-0348-701722, beer, soft drinks, and snacks. Hours: 15-1am, Saturday 15-2am, closed Sunday.
