Restrooms

Standards of cleanliness and comfort vary greatly in Tuscany and Umbria. The type of toilet might be small and low with no seat or even a porcelain hole in the floor with places for your feet. In cities, restaurants, hotel common areas, department stores, and McDonald's eateries tend to have the cleanest restrooms. Pubs and bars rank among the worst. Gas stations also have facilities; again, the cleanliness varies greatly. Carry tissues with you wherever you go, in case there's no paper.

Pay and attendant-supervised restrooms are available in large towns and cities. (You can get a map of the pay toilets in Florence at city tourist-information offices.) Expect to pay or tip 60 European cents. There are restrooms in most museums and all airports and train stations; in major train stations you'll also find well-kept pay toilets for 60 to 75 European cents; in Florence, it's €1 at the main train station at Santa Maria Novella. Churches, post offices, and public beaches don't have restrooms.