Mail

SENDING MAIL HOME
Airmail letters (lightweight stationery) to the United States and Canada cost 1,250 lire for the first 19 grams and an additional 400 lire for every additional unit of 20 grams.
Airmail postcards cost 1,000 lire if the message is limited to a few words and a signature; otherwise, you pay the letter rate.
Airmail letters to the United Kingdom cost 750 lire; postcards, 600 lire.
You can buy stamps at tobacconists.

Receiving Mail
Mail service is generally slow; allow up to 10 days for mail from Britain, 15 days from North America.
Correspondence can be addressed to you care of the central post office.
Letters should be addressed to your name, "c/o Fermo Posta, Palazzo delle Poste, Piazza San Silvestro, Roma 00186."
You can collect it by showing your passport or photo-bearing ID and paying a small fee.
American Express (Piazza di Spagna 38, tel. 06/67641) also has a general-delivery service.
There's no charge for cardholders, holders of American Express Traveler's Checks, or anyone who booked a vacation with American Express.

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