Here's a few last-minute helpful tips from us at the FSF and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Better safe than sorry is very much our motto, so it's worth arming yourself with a few bits of knowledge that could come to your aid, like having one or two bits of helpful Italian, or knowing what to do if you or one of your mates needs some consular or medical assistance.
Official Advice from the FCO
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office have been in touch with us, giving us their guidance on what services they'll be offering in Rome, along with advice for travelling United fans. For full details and security tips, visit their Champions League Final advice website.
The FCO said:
Whilst last year’s Champions League Final in Moscow saw exemplary behaviour from British fans there were still a number of consular cases involving British fans losing their passports or getting lost themselves and the FCO is issuing advice to help supporters avoid some of the preventable problems encountered by those visiting the Italian capital.
The British Embassy in Rome has a stringent plan in place aimed at minimising issues and providing support for British fans in Rome:
• The FCO will provide a consular team at both major airports (Fiumicino and Ciampino) to be on stand-by for advice and to help British fans in emergencies
• There will be an official meeting point at Villa Borghese and free transport to and from the Stadio Olimpico and the airport
• There will be 36 hours cover from the consulate starting at 08.00 on 27th May, running through to 17.00 on 28th May to deal with any emergencies.
• There will be a team of 30 consular staff devoted to the Champions League Final from 26th-28th May.
• Fans can call 0039 06 4220 0001 for assistance from the British Embassy in Rome
Most of all, we hope that you enjoy the experience of the Champions League final in Rome and take all precautions to stay as safe as you can! Please call 0039 06 4220 0001 should you need to contact the British Embassy in Rome.
Some handy tips from the FSF
If you’re feeling poorly, then look out for ‘farmacia’, which is the Italian for chemist. These are open 24 hours on a rota system – the address of the nearest on-duty pharmacy will be posted on the door of chemists when they are closed. If you are already on medication, we advise that you take it in its original packaging - while this may seem a bit of a pain, it's much easier (and can avoid problems with the language barrier) if you have the full-style information on your drugs, as brand names do differ from country to country.
If things are more serious, you’ll need to look for an ‘ospedale’ or hospital, the largest and most central of which is the Santo Spirito hospital on Lungotevere in Sassia, not far from the Vatican on the west bank of the river.
For the days leading up to the game, don't forget that the FSF's Fans' Embassy will be in Rome, and we are contactable 24 hours a day on +44 7956 121314 - it might be worth just saving that number in your mobile phone before heading out, just in case.
Looking to send a postcard home? Keep an eye out for postboxes and buy your stamps from the ‘tabacchi’, or use the main central post office at Piazza San Silvestro.
If you lose your passport or require any other consular assistance, then the British Embassy can be found at 80, Via XX Settembre. Their phone number is (39) 06 4220 0001.
ATMs are liberally dotted throughout the city, but if you need to change cash then we suggest heading to Termini station which has two offices that work outside of normal banking hours. Most banks will offer ‘cambio’ facilities, but there’s also American Express offices on Piazza di Spagna, or Thomas Cook on Piazza Barberini.
The FSF's handy Italian phrase guide
A few phrases it may be handy to know when getting your way around Rome, so you can hopefully avoid talking English in an Italian accent like that fella from ‘Allo Allo’.
Hello/Good day – Buongiorno
Goodbye – Arriverderci or Ciao
Excuse me – Mi scusi
Please – Per favore
Thank You – Grazie
Where is..? – Dov’ѐ..? (prounced doh-vay)
Do you speak English? – Parla Inglese?
How much (does it cost)? – Quanto Costa?
I’ll have one/two/three/four/five beer(s) – Prendo uno/due/tre/quatro/cinque Birra(s)
