1– One great thing about low cost airlines and Italian trains are their fares. Low! With the airlines on the other hand, Its important to understand their game and how they make extra money off of you if you don’t pay attention.
Don’t Get Fooled
2– Train station are the most common place to find pickpocketers so be aware of your surroundings. Gypsies and Roms often gather in groups and while one or two get your attention the others picks your wallet out of your purse or pocket.
As a precaution, don’t engage in a conversation with a stranger unless they are speaking English and or look lost. In bigger stations such as Centrale in Milan and Naples no one is allowedon the platform without a ticket so usually those people are travellers. Nonetheless“occhio“. Keep an eye open as they say in Italy and you’ll be fine.
Know Your Way Around
3– Shuttles often run from train stations to airports but you need to make sure they run when you need it.Give yourself plenty of time as traffic is pretty intense in major cities. If you are taking a taxi ask how much it’s going to cost youbefore you enter.Remember that they may tag on charges for luggage and after hours rates.
Effective April 2018 Uber is illegal in Italy.
If it isn’t an official taxi…walk away
4– Do not let anyone who is not an official taxi take you anywhere. These abusive drivers are all over the sidewalks as you exit the airports or train stations. Sometimes they are right at the arrival areas. Although they are a nuisance and illegal, authorities can’t really get rid of them.Stick with the original visible taxies.
5– Trains are well maintained and comfortable. You don’t have to book a 1st class ticket. I recommend a reservation if you travel in the summer. If you do have a reservation, make sure you get on the right train car otherwise you’ll never get to your seat if the train’s hallway is congested with passengers and their luggages.
In Italy your luggage stays with you at all times, therefore travel light if you can.
Avoid reserving seats, if you don’t mind seating away from each other save your money. Most flights within Europe are for a short distance anyways..
Are you travelling to Italy and are interested in my assistance, or would like to comment on my post? Just drop a line below or contact me privately at info@italiabound.com.
“I’m going to be in Italy but I don’t want to drive everywhere.”
“Then, take planes and trains! “
“Won’t that be too expensive?”
” Not necessarily…”
Alternative ways of Travelling
If you are planning a trip to Italy and want to explore just a region or two then the best way is to rent s car. Especially if the countryside is what you are interested in. If you are limited on time or wanting to see a lot of the country, then maybe you should look at possible alternativessuch as planes and trains.
Flight costs have come down drastically in the last decade thanks to European deregulations and competition. There are several low cost air carriers that offer not only great deals but reach many cities throughout the peninsula.
Courtesy of Creative Commons
You need to be a bit pro active and plan ahead. Figure out the in and outs of these low cost air carriers because if you don’t, the costs can go up pretty fast.
Great Prices and Save Time
How cheap can you fly? Well, about Milan to Paris for 20€ or Milan to Olbia for 36€. I’ve flown from Berlin to Milan for only 9€. That’s right, those prices are dirt cheap but they need to be booked in advance. All of your boarding passes need to be printedin advance as well. If you don’t, you could face fees from the airline. Checkout www.tripsavvy.com for a rude wakening on these discount airlines extra fees. If you do everything they say then you are on “easy” street… or flight.
Often the airports that these airlines use are not the common ones that you may be familiar with. Check which airport you are actually landing in, and plan accordingly. For instance if you travel from Berlin to Milan with Ryan Air, you actually land at Bergamo airport. Although only 50 kilometres from to Milan, Bergamo is an other city entirely.
The Smaller the Airport the Better
Sometimes it’s actually better because these airports are smaller and therefore easier to get in and out. But, for instance, Milan is your final destination, you still have some traveling to do. An other example: Easy-Jet has the whole terminal 2 to it self at Milano Malpensa. A bit tricky for your car rental return, as the drop off is at terminal 1. You need then shuttle to terminal 2 once you dropped off your rental.Nonetheless it’s worth the hassle if you consider that it cost me only 110€ for my whole family of 5 to fly one way to Paris. Luggage fees, assigned seats, taxes included. Soon terminal 2 will have rental pick up and drop off.
Planning is Key
Discount airlines often land only in selected airports so you might need to have a strategy in place. For instance you want to visit Milan, Rome Florence and Sicily.The airline of your choice flies from Milan to Rome but not from Rome to Sicily but it flies out of Pisa to Sicily. I, then suggest to go to Sicily first from Milan visit the island and then get on a flight to Pisa, visit Florence as it isonly 70km away and then take the train to Rome. Enjoy the capital and all its beauties and then you are offto your next destination from one of Rome’s Airports. Of course if you have time at your disposal you could also drive to all these places. Planning is key.
What I’ve done as well in the past, is booking far enough in advance so the costs are really inexpensive and then book two departure days from the same airport just in case I want to spend extra time there. If the price is low and sometimes it’s as low as 9 euros, I would then forfeit one ticket. That’s always less expensive than calling the airline and pay for a change in dates. You’ll know when you do your budget how much you want to spend in transportation and then make decisionsaccordingly.
Easy, Relaxing Train Travel
Trains in Italy are easily available, fast and on time 86% of the time( 2016 Trenitalia statistics ). Second class is just fine and naturally less expensive. Trenitalia is the main train company and their trains hit just about every possible town.
High speed train at Milano Centrale station Courtesy of Daniel Case
But if you are wanting to see passes in the Dolomites, the poppy fields in Tuscany or the lakes in Veneto, then you need to adda car to your trip. Book your train to the town closest to where you want to go and then rent a car to continue your trip. Make sure car rentals are available at those stations. Because trains are often and fast, it makes planning that much simpler.
Milano-Roma on the Frecciarossa for instance is less than 3 hours. That’s 620 km.
The great thing about train travel is that it always arrives and departs downtown. Making iteasy and inexpensive to get to the stations.
Great destinations at your finger tips
Some cities have more than one train station so check to see which works for you. In bigger centres, you can use the public transportation to get to the stations instead of taxis which are expensive and sometimes … questionable. That could be a blog all in itself. Small towns are also connected by train so it makes perfect sense if you are interested in seeing as much as the countryside as possible. Visit www.trenitalia.com and see where you would like to travel to.
Personally I always rent a car as soon as I arrive at the airport and almost alway use it to move about.
I often don’t use a car if I travel between major cities especially if I’m going there for just one or two days. For instance if on one visit I want to go to Milan from my home of Novara, I would take the train. Ittakes only 25 minutes to get there. Parking alone would take that long to find in Milan.
And the best part I just show up at the station as a train usually will be by every 20 minutes. If I miss it, I’ll have a caffè al bar and wait for the next one.
Buying tickets can be done online, at a kiosk in the station or airports or in biglietteria ( ticket booth) in the station.
Photo courtesy of Creative Commons. Typical ticket kiosk at train station
In bigger centres I would avoid the latter. It can be a long wait as many foreigner flock these counters. The kiosks are fast and in any language. It makes the whole process easier.
Online is an other option but at times, I noticed that certain departure times and trains are not available for purchasing. When you purchase on line you are restricted to that particular time departure that you’ve booked. At a kiosks you have the option to get a different train that may be arriving sooner since you are already there.
Which ever choice of transportation you choose is totally based on budget, flexibility and time at your disposal.
Trains are clean well maintained, frequent and fast which makes for a better travel experience.
Till then… Buon viaggio
Are you travelling to Italy and are interested in my assistance, or would like to comment on my post? Just drop a line below or contact me privately at info@italiabound.com.
If you are in Italy and you are looking for unique art and culture, it would be impossible to miss it. Italy is a open air museum and everywhere you go the ghosts of the past are all around you enhancing your experience. One not to miss.
Lets start:
1) Architecture. Art and Culture
The essence of art and culture. It’s everywhere, but sometimes overlooked or taken for granted, even the one dating back from before Christ.
From Roman ruins to Longobards Castles to Etruschian catacombs. The visual experience is endless when you travel throughout Italy, from one part of the country to another, based on who was the ruler or the invader at that time.
Italy architecture constantly changed with unique and refreshing art and culture.
Trieste, for instance, a city reminiscing of Vienna since it was under Austrian-Hungarian control until almost the end of the18th century, contrasts from Torino with its French influence.
La Mole Antonelliana di Torino
Torino was seized by Napoleon until its fall, or Napoli, which was contested betweenthe French and Spaniards dynasties basically up until the Risorgimento or unification of Italy in 1861.
What is amazing about Italy is the uniqueness of its architecture. It is worthwhile to pay close attention to all of its beauty as you travel across the landscapes.
To me a must see is the Reggia of Caserta. Royal Palace from the 18th century and now a UNESCO Heritage Site. Once the home ofCarlo III, Duke of Bourbons and King of the Kingdom of Naples. It’s the largest Royal residence in the world. Need I say more? A must see. reggiadicaserta.beniculturali.it
2) Museums, Art Show and Galleries.
It is well obvious that Italy itself is an open air museum yet you will find something under a museum roof that will excite and inspire you to search for more unique beauties in this amazing country. Italians thirst for art and culture allows for hundreds and hundreds of museums, art galleries and theatres to instil knowledge and entertainment. The museum choices are endless, whether it’s affreschi, paintings, sculptures, modern or antique furniture, or… Yes! Even racing cars.
Museums are everywhere. And you need not be in a big center to take in any of that.
Uffizi Museums in Florence
A must is the Uffizi in Florence . And one of my favourites, ( although it has nothing to do with Italy) is the Museo Egizio di Torino. It’s the largest Egyptian museum outside Egypt. I need to go back there again. I just love it.
3) Archeological sites
In a Country rich of past civilizations it isn’t hard to findarcheological sites toexplore.Naturally theones thatcometo mind are Pompei,pompei.it , Ercolanoercolano.beniculturali.it and of course Rome itself.
Il Colosseo in Rome
In Tuscany or Umbriathere are manyarcheological sites of the mysterious Etruscan civilization.Particular the Necropolis of Cerveteri and Tarquinia not to be mistaken for the Necropoli della Banditaccia also near Cerveteri. If you have the time, you should see both.
Sicily, andCalabria on the other hand are home of many Greek ruins such asin the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento, where The Temple of Concordiareigns over the Sicilianisland.A must see.
Aquileia, founded in 181 BC, in Friuli is rich in Roman ruins, ancient crypts and most recently a newly found Roman port buried under thousand years of dirt grasses and trees. Further north, but by only 40km,is Cividale, founded in. 53 BC by Julius Cesar.
Ponte del Diavolo in Cividale del Friuli.
You can discover the history of the Longobardi. It’s path through different civilizations. Amongst many things you must visit the 3rdCentury Celtic burial crept –Ipogeo Celtico- www.cividale.com deep in the undergrounds of the town. ( get the key from the restaurant next door or at the travel information center ).
What’s is amazing is that all are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
These among many others, are museum, cities and sites that I personally visited and enjoyed, but thousand more are there waitingto be discovered by you. That is Why You Should Go to Italy… It’s An Experience Not Just a Holiday. And if you decide to head over to this wonderful country, I can help.
“Til then…Buon viaggio.
Are you travelling to Italy and are interested in my assistance, or would like to comment on my post? Just drop a line below or contact me privately at info@italiabound.com.
Whether I travel with my family, a group or alone, farmhouses –agriturismo- are my favourite types of accommodations in Italy.
An Agriturismo as well as a Relais such as the one below, set the mood for any vacation. Imagine waking up in a century old villa, or spending some time visiting and even helping out on a working farm. Perhaps indulging in a spa in a XVI century castle.
Relais Canalicchio. Beautifull relaxing stay in a very suggestive setting. A must when in Umbria
Beautifully attended rooms with all the amenities yet surrounded by farms, rolling vineyards or century old woods. Often prices are less than hotels and because you are in the outskirts of town you will feel more relaxed, alive and immerse. You’ll feel at home.
Majestic welcome at Hotel Danielli in Venice
Choose you accommodations wisely
Often you will need a car if you plan to stay in these places. If the plan was to only see Italy by train you’ll need to rethink your trip or your accommodations.
If you have no alternative but to use the public transportation, hotels in the cities are easier for your travels.
Some agriturismi may be able to shuttle you to town or lend you bicycles, but it makes it somewhat more expensive to only rely on shuttles and taxis to get to and from. Everything is possible but often it’ll come with a price.
Book Hotels in the City Only as a Must
If you have a car on the other hand, I would discourage anyone from staying in hotels in the cities. Parking is at a premium. Most cities have ZTL (zones where traffic is limited) if not restricted all together.
limited transit city sign
The traffic itself is heavy even if you may know where you are going. Some hotels are in such old buildings that don’t even offer parking at all. In most cases you book hotel through booking sites, you find a great deal on the room but the parking costs are not mentioned. And, if they do offer parking, sometimes you may have to walk a few blocks to an authorized parkade. Street parking is impossible at best and you’ll likely get a ticket.
Florence for instance is €68 for a parking infraction. I once helped a client who at all costs wanted to stay in downtown Florence. I found the hotel for the price he wanted but the parking was extra- 35€ per night extra, at that time. The problem was also that the garage was quite far and the concierge had to book a pick up time at least two hours before my client needed the car. Hardly convenient, but like most centri storici (an old part of town) the buildings were built way before cars were invented.
Ponte del Diavolo in Cividale del Friuli. Narrow streets in medieval town
Other options of course are AirBnB and VRBO but even then if they are in the city core, parking may come at a premium. Plus, you have to pay in advance and often have no cancellation refund policies. Still, it’s a good alternative for some.
Things to Know Before Booking in an Agriturismo or Farmhouse
When planning your trip, check out the locations and areas you want to visit, and then find an agriturismo that is central, yet has all the amenities that you need.
San Gimignano. Consider your interests when planning your stay
You would want to change accommodations as less often as possible on your holiday, so a well located place makes all the difference. Also, some places may require a minimum night’s stay. So, the more nights you stay, sometimes the lower the nightly rate.
Ask Questions
It’s also a good idea to check what’s included in the daily rate. At some places, the meals are included, and in others just the breakfast. Some are rooms only, others may offer full kitchens. If they offer meals, they may ask you in advance what your meal preferences are.
Once, I stayed in a farmhouse that included a full meal plan (breakfast, lunch, and dinner), and because we were sightseeing during the day they prepared beautiful lunches to take in beautiful picnic baskets. However, that’s not always the case. Always just ask first. And if you are planning to be away lots, maybe a half meal plan or no plan at all is better for you.
Many places offer a lot more than a place to sleep. Research the agriturismo and see what else they offer. You might modify your stay because of the extra curricular activities that they offer. You’ll never know what they have in store for you. Cooking classes, horseback riding or even… picking olives.
Agriturismi are in the countryside and far enough from the centers that a car is necessary. If you don’t have one, make sure that they have a shuttle or some kind arrangement with a transport company. Tour guides will pick you up as well and I’ve arranged for bikes or mopeds to be delivered by rental companies in advance for customers to use.
Ask More Questions…
In many places, English is spoken very well. So although you can book online, I would recommend calling them personally and asking all the questions before booking. Because often, they are family owned and not franchises, the individual on the other line is always very helpful, as negative ratings don’t help their business. So, get acquainted with them. Sometimes prices are better when you call as opposed to simply booking online.
Your Holiday. Make it the Best Ever
Accommodations are a big part of your experience as well as a good chunk of your budget therefore spend the right enough time and money so thatyour holiday is not ruined by it. The more you research the region and the type of accommodation the easier it is in the long run to enjoy a truly amazing adventure.
‘Till then… Buon Viaggio
Don’t forget to read other favorite posts from Italiaboud.com.
Are you travelling to Italy and are interested in my assistance, or would like to comment on my post? Just drop a line below or contact me privately at info@italiabound.com.
I thought I would start a blog about travel. Not so much because I do a lot of travelling but because I’m constantly asked by clients, friends and acquaintances questions about traveling in Italy. I figured, if all these people are constantly asking for help and advice, there must be many more out there that could use the same.
Italy Should not be Cookie Cutter Holiday
There are a lot of travel agents out there and many more websites, and travel bloggers that do a great job telling you what to do, where to go. Often they target the masses, and if everyone does the same thing, well, you hardly will do anything unique or different. Fortunately for me…and for you I bring a different angle that focus on the topic but comes from an insider’s point of view. I lived in Italy, travel often there, speak several of its dialects and am passionate about my homeland.
Unique Personal Experience
I like to think of myself as more of an insider with valuable information rather than a travel savvy person or agent. The people that I’ve helped over the years always seem to be looking for the same information. Yet have different interests and tastes. They want to know where to find the things they need and what to do that is out of the ordinary. I realize that helping my clients not only saves them money but more importantly saves them time. This allows them to enjoy new things that were not in their original plans. It also puts them at ease about where they are going and the uncertainties are alleviated if not completely eliminated.
Diversify Your Visit in Italy
Although I’ve traveled alone as well as with my family all over Europe, Canada, US and Japan, I give my advice only about my homeland, Italy, because I know it well. I no longer live there, but did grow up in Novara in the Piemonte region and traveled intensely throughout it as well into Friuli where my grandmother lived until she was 99 years old. I would never miss visiting that beautiful region and its hidden treasures.
We also skied in Val D’Aosta and sunbathed in Liguria and Tuscany, so all of Northern Italy in particular is like my own backyard. I lived it and loved it as a child, teen and young adult and enjoy bringing my family there as well. All three of my children and my wife (who doesn’t have an Italian background) have been there many times.
Holiday Like Italians Live
What makes these regions so wonderful is the simplicity of how people live and enjoy life to the fullest. It’s how in Novara at ten o’clock at night, we meet friends in the piazza for a gelato or drive 60 kilometres to Monferrato to have a fabulous lunch that takes three or four hours to consume. And, while we eat the children play outside in the gardens. You can’t go more then 10 kilometres without experiencing a new site, whether it’s monasteries, churches, castles, villages on the many picturesque lakes such as Orta, or ferrying off to an island on the Lago Maggiore.
You can travel from Novara to Udine, for instance, and experience completely different sceneries. Here the dialect, which I know, is a mix of Slav, Italian and Austrian. The piazza has the same architectural designs as Venice, although there is no water to be found. Udine was once part of the Serenissima, The Venetian Republic. Do you want great wine. Great food. Friendly people. Breathtaking panoramas, mountains or white sandy beaches,? Then it’s all in one package in Friuli region.
All these regions offer everything a traveler would want for a complete Italian experience. Different from many other touristy areas, in Friuli you will experience and live more like the Italian way. Foreign tourists are scarce and few. I like to promote more areas such as these because in many ways they reflect more of the true Italian lifestyle. Often these areas are overlooked and not incorporated in travel plans.
Expand Your Horizons and Explore Italy Landscapes
Individuals that spend their money traveling often want to go where they know they won’t be disappointed. In doing so, they often miss great opportunities to experience new sites. Not everyone is a Lonely Planet type of traveller. Sometimes if an individual only travels once a year for three weeks, they want the best bang for their buck. And who can blame them. Traveling these days can be expensive and time consuming. Why then waste time figuring out what to do once you have already landed. Planning is essential, but at the same time one must leave something for the unexpected.
So, join me in the blogs to come as I explore Italy and give some insights about places, people, food and culture, and I’ll help you discover places that you should visit but often wouldn’t have otherwise considered or better, never even knew existed.
“Till then… Buon viaggio.
Are you travelling to Italy and are interested in my assistance, or would like to comment on my post? Just drop a line below or contact me privately at info@italiabound.com.
