Italy's posta prioritaria, the local equivalent of first-class post, generally works well. It promises delivery within 24 hours domestically, three days for EU countries, and a week for the rest of the world.
Stamps are sold at post offices and tobacconists (marked out front by a large T) only. Most post boxes are red with two slots, one marked per la città (for Cagliari), and the other marked per tutte le altre destinazioni (for all other destinations).
Many post offices have long opening hours (08:00 - 19:00), while the rest maintain the traditional 08:00 - 14:00 Monday through Friday, and 08:30 - 12:00 on Saturday and any day before a public holiday. Each post office displays a list at the door of the nearest open one when it is closed. For further postal information, phone the central information office (80 31 60) or visit www.poste.it.