Trains, boats, and planes. When we get to Italy, we'll be on a plane, a train, and a boat. Rome > Milan > Cadenabbia on Lake Como.
Join us for our travels to the Lake Country bodering the Alps, by train to Florence, by train to Rome, and train and car to Montalcino. Stay tuned.
It's a challenge to pack for 23 days in Italy in a 24 X 16 carry-on and a tastefuly large handbag, but incredebly liberating. Contents include 2 pair of black pants, a black dress, a body-hunging black skirt, a black cashmere sweater, a black cashmere sweater-wrap, several camisoles, and 1, repeat, 1 pair of comfortable evening shoes, a cashmere scarf, 1 pair earrings for day and a smashing pair for night, and one of your nicer necklaces, and that's it for jewelry.
How to streamline cosmetics. I'll be travelling to 5 different areas. The first day in each city, I have my hair washed and styled, thus eliminating packing any hair products, and I look and feel great. And I bring that which needs to be cleaned to the local lavanderia. By the way, your clothes will never be so pampered.
Hint. If you don't check a bag, you are ready for any flight cancellation - just take your bag and you are first in line at the substitute flight.
My 1 pet peeve: I bring my own airline-size down pillow and mini-size cashmere blanket. I am prepared for any uncomfortable terminal, any plane, any train, or hotel. When I am on vacation, it's all about me feeling good and the elimination of stress.
We are ready to board.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Marco Polo Airport transfer Venice Mestre,Lido,Cruise Ship
Marco Polo Airport transfer to Venice and Mestre Train Station and Transfer to Cruise Ship:
Directly outside the main terminal are several bus stands. The bus routes are well marked.
For those traveling from Venice by train from Mestre train station to Padua, Verona or other Veneto destination, take the bus outside the station to Mestre Station.
It may be easier going by bus directly from Marco Polo Airport to Padua. Bus runs on regular schedule, every half hour. The trip is about 1 hour and costs about 4 Euro.
Click here to go to the SITA website.
select VENEZIA AEROPORTO TESSERA as the departure point and PADOVA AUTOSTAZIONE as the arrival point.
For Cruise Ship Transfer from Venice Airport Marco Polo for 3 Euro you could take the atvo bus from Marco Polo to Piazzale Roma. The buses are every twenty minutes and cost 3 euros and there is plenty of luggage space. From Piazzale Roma you could take the cruise ship shuttle (FREE), or a land taxi, or walk the short distance.
For those staying near Santa Lucia Station in Venice also take the atvo bus to Piazzale Roma which is Venice's main bus station located on the Grand Canal. Please click here for directions from Piazzale Roma to Venice destinations.
For those staying in Central Venice and the Lido you'll take a free-shuttle service to the dockside where you can either take the public water-bus (Allilaguna Line) or a private water taxi to Venice . The public water-bus has limited stops taking about 45 minutes to complete the journey from the Marco Polo Airport to St. Marks in Venice. It makes three stops at Fondamenta Nuove, St Marks and the Zattere.
From either of these stations navigate your way to your hotel.
If you find a porter offering to carry your bags to your hotel, negotiate a price first.
Private water-taxi rates vary greatly depending on the location of your hotel, number of passengers and amount of luggage. Again, if you decide to go private, negotiate a price first.
Directly outside the main terminal are several bus stands. The bus routes are well marked.
For those traveling from Venice by train from Mestre train station to Padua, Verona or other Veneto destination, take the bus outside the station to Mestre Station.
It may be easier going by bus directly from Marco Polo Airport to Padua. Bus runs on regular schedule, every half hour. The trip is about 1 hour and costs about 4 Euro.
Click here to go to the SITA website.
select VENEZIA AEROPORTO TESSERA as the departure point and PADOVA AUTOSTAZIONE as the arrival point.
For Cruise Ship Transfer from Venice Airport Marco Polo for 3 Euro you could take the atvo bus from Marco Polo to Piazzale Roma. The buses are every twenty minutes and cost 3 euros and there is plenty of luggage space. From Piazzale Roma you could take the cruise ship shuttle (FREE), or a land taxi, or walk the short distance.
For those staying near Santa Lucia Station in Venice also take the atvo bus to Piazzale Roma which is Venice's main bus station located on the Grand Canal. Please click here for directions from Piazzale Roma to Venice destinations.
For those staying in Central Venice and the Lido you'll take a free-shuttle service to the dockside where you can either take the public water-bus (Allilaguna Line) or a private water taxi to Venice . The public water-bus has limited stops taking about 45 minutes to complete the journey from the Marco Polo Airport to St. Marks in Venice. It makes three stops at Fondamenta Nuove, St Marks and the Zattere.
From either of these stations navigate your way to your hotel.
If you find a porter offering to carry your bags to your hotel, negotiate a price first.
Private water-taxi rates vary greatly depending on the location of your hotel, number of passengers and amount of luggage. Again, if you decide to go private, negotiate a price first.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Italy Travel-Caffes of Turin (Torino)
Turin (Torino) caffes have been a hotbed of new style and ideas since ideas were acceptable. Its architecture reflects the political and social experiments of the day. The best remain, which in Turin are endless cafes inside endless porticoes.
Pub crawl or pub golf in Turin is not difficult.
Turin's caffes are most famous for its coffee and hot chocolate:
pur e fiur (coffee and cream)
pur e barba (coffee and chocolate)
Bicerin (coffee, chocolate, and cream)
Bicerin: pour coffee into the cup first, followed by smooth chocolate and a layer of cold cream.
Click here for a video of Turin and history of chocolate in Turin.
Bicerin, originally called e‘n poc de tut is the most popular.
We love to go on a café crawl to compare drinks and atmospheres. Turin is home to four of Italy’s 18 best cafés, as chosen by Italy’s gastronomic bible Il Gambero Rosso. Try all of the Gambero Rosso-chosen cafés— Baratti & Milano, Platti, Mulassano and Neuv Caval 'd Brons. Also, you must check out Al Bicerin and Caffé Torino. But if you have only time for three, don’t miss these:
Caffé Baratti & Milano, Piazza Castello 27, Turin
Baratti chocolate take it in the cafe. Take home a bag of sweets and creamy gianduiotti, Turin’s hazelnut flavoured chocolates.
Caffé Al Bicerin, piazza della Consolata 5, Turin
Al Bicerin is the place to have a drink and soak up Turin’s history. Bicerin was first invented in the late 18th century, and became popular with the aristocrats, who would go after Sunday Mass for an after homily caffeine pick me up. Cavour, the political mastermind of the Italian unification, was a regular during Sunday Mass in Turin. Don't let the history fool you into thinking this place doesn't know how to serve espresso.
Caffé Mulassano, Piazza Castello 15, Turin
The Mulassano espresso is one of the best in town.
This Italy travel video cafes of Turin brought to you by the Italian Broadcasting Company, visit its 24/7 video on demand anywhere anytime Italy TV network, Web Vision Italy.
Pub crawl or pub golf in Turin is not difficult.
Turin's caffes are most famous for its coffee and hot chocolate:
pur e fiur (coffee and cream)
pur e barba (coffee and chocolate)
Bicerin (coffee, chocolate, and cream)
Bicerin: pour coffee into the cup first, followed by smooth chocolate and a layer of cold cream.
Click here for a video of Turin and history of chocolate in Turin.
Bicerin, originally called e‘n poc de tut is the most popular.
We love to go on a café crawl to compare drinks and atmospheres. Turin is home to four of Italy’s 18 best cafés, as chosen by Italy’s gastronomic bible Il Gambero Rosso. Try all of the Gambero Rosso-chosen cafés— Baratti & Milano, Platti, Mulassano and Neuv Caval 'd Brons. Also, you must check out Al Bicerin and Caffé Torino. But if you have only time for three, don’t miss these:
Caffé Baratti & Milano, Piazza Castello 27, Turin
Baratti chocolate take it in the cafe. Take home a bag of sweets and creamy gianduiotti, Turin’s hazelnut flavoured chocolates.
Caffé Al Bicerin, piazza della Consolata 5, Turin
Al Bicerin is the place to have a drink and soak up Turin’s history. Bicerin was first invented in the late 18th century, and became popular with the aristocrats, who would go after Sunday Mass for an after homily caffeine pick me up. Cavour, the political mastermind of the Italian unification, was a regular during Sunday Mass in Turin. Don't let the history fool you into thinking this place doesn't know how to serve espresso.
Caffé Mulassano, Piazza Castello 15, Turin
The Mulassano espresso is one of the best in town.
This Italy travel video cafes of Turin brought to you by the Italian Broadcasting Company, visit its 24/7 video on demand anywhere anytime Italy TV network, Web Vision Italy.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Italy Travel: Volterra Etruscan Museum
Italy travel in Tuscany explore the Etruscan civilization with a stop in Volterra at the Guarnacci Etruscan museum.
The permanent collection offers a comprehensive overview of the historical development of the Etruscan Volterra - known then as Velathri.
The permanent collection offers a comprehensive overview of the historical development of the Etruscan Volterra - known then as Velathri.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Piazzale Roma Transfer to Venice and Train Station
Piazzale Roma is the public bus terminal and parking area in Venice. Parking facilities are available at Piazzale Roma. Information can be found on the Azienda Servizi Mobilità S.p.a. website.
Here's a video about public transportation in Venice - how to ride the boats.
You may take a private water taxi or use the public water-bus service in order to arrive to your final destination within the City
Public Water Transport In From Piazzale Roma - Venice
The vaporettos, or public water-buses, run 24 hours a day, less frequently after midnight. A number of lines travel on different routes at varying speeds, throughout the City. You will need to buy a ticket before boarding. Tickets cost € 3,50 for a one way journey, and € 5,00 if traveling along the Gran Canal. The ticket does not include the supplement you will need if you have luggage. A three day pass costs € 22,00.
The main vaporetto numbers are:
o Number 1 - Piazzale Roma to Venezia Lido. This boat stops at every stop along the Grand Canal.
o Number 82 - a circular route that runs throughout Venice, leaving in two directions from Piazzale Roma. Anti-clockwise to Piazza San Marco stopping at Tronchetto, the Island of Giudecca, Zattere and Piazza San Marco. Clockwise, travelling along the Grand Canal with stops at Rialto, Accademia, Piazza San Marco and the last stop at the Lido.
o Number 41 - a circular anticlockwise route around Venice, which stops at the island of Giudecca, Piazza San Marco, Murano, Fondamenta Nuove and Piazzale Roma.
o Number 42 - a circular clockwise route around Venice. The boat does not travel through the Grand Canal but goes around the north of Venice stopping at Ferrovia, Tre Archi, Fondamenta Nuove, Murano, San Marco, and Piazzale Roma.
o Number 51 - a circular route going clockwise, stopping at Piazzale Roma, Ferrovia, Tre Archi, Fondamenta Nuove, Hospital, and Lido.
o Number 52 - a circular route travelling anticlockwise stopping at Zattere, San Marco, Lido. From the Lido it continues anticlockwise to the hospital, Fondamenta Nuove , Ferrovia and Piazzale Roma
o Number 61 and Number 62, which travel only between Piazzale Roma and Lido, with stops at Zattere, and San Marco.
o Number 3 and 4 travel exclusively between Tronchetto and San Marco via the Grand Canal with stops at Piazzale Roma, Ferrovia, San Samuele, San Marco and Tronchetto.
There are many landing stages (docks) at Piazzale Roma, so be sure to ask before you board the vaporetto that it is going in the right direction. For further information on the Vaporetto services within the City Centre check the ACTV website.
Here's a video about public transportation in Venice - how to ride the boats.
You may take a private water taxi or use the public water-bus service in order to arrive to your final destination within the City
Public Water Transport In From Piazzale Roma - Venice
The vaporettos, or public water-buses, run 24 hours a day, less frequently after midnight. A number of lines travel on different routes at varying speeds, throughout the City. You will need to buy a ticket before boarding. Tickets cost € 3,50 for a one way journey, and € 5,00 if traveling along the Gran Canal. The ticket does not include the supplement you will need if you have luggage. A three day pass costs € 22,00.
The main vaporetto numbers are:
o Number 1 - Piazzale Roma to Venezia Lido. This boat stops at every stop along the Grand Canal.
o Number 82 - a circular route that runs throughout Venice, leaving in two directions from Piazzale Roma. Anti-clockwise to Piazza San Marco stopping at Tronchetto, the Island of Giudecca, Zattere and Piazza San Marco. Clockwise, travelling along the Grand Canal with stops at Rialto, Accademia, Piazza San Marco and the last stop at the Lido.
o Number 41 - a circular anticlockwise route around Venice, which stops at the island of Giudecca, Piazza San Marco, Murano, Fondamenta Nuove and Piazzale Roma.
o Number 42 - a circular clockwise route around Venice. The boat does not travel through the Grand Canal but goes around the north of Venice stopping at Ferrovia, Tre Archi, Fondamenta Nuove, Murano, San Marco, and Piazzale Roma.
o Number 51 - a circular route going clockwise, stopping at Piazzale Roma, Ferrovia, Tre Archi, Fondamenta Nuove, Hospital, and Lido.
o Number 52 - a circular route travelling anticlockwise stopping at Zattere, San Marco, Lido. From the Lido it continues anticlockwise to the hospital, Fondamenta Nuove , Ferrovia and Piazzale Roma
o Number 61 and Number 62, which travel only between Piazzale Roma and Lido, with stops at Zattere, and San Marco.
o Number 3 and 4 travel exclusively between Tronchetto and San Marco via the Grand Canal with stops at Piazzale Roma, Ferrovia, San Samuele, San Marco and Tronchetto.
There are many landing stages (docks) at Piazzale Roma, so be sure to ask before you board the vaporetto that it is going in the right direction. For further information on the Vaporetto services within the City Centre check the ACTV website.
Friday, September 5, 2008
Italy Travel: Parma - Tortellini, Puccini, Prosciutto and Parmesan
Parma, in the Emilia Romagna region of central Italy is well known worldwide as the home of Prosciutto di Parma ham and Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, both of which come from the Parma area of Emilia Romagna.
In the United States many people eat Parmesan cheese with their pasta, which is no relation to Parma Italy or Parmigiano Reggiano cheese.
Prosciutto di Parma and Parmigiano Reggiano are integrally linked through the process of raising pigs, feeding the pigs, and milking the cows. All the methods are tightly controlled, which results in fine food that may only be found in this area on the slopes of the Po Valley.
These food curing processes date back to the Etruscans and then after the ancient Romans adopted the Etruscan food curing practises when they inhabited these areas from about 200 B.C. Click here to tour Parma by video with author Isabella Dusi.
Parma Italy is also know as the home of tortellini, a type of pasta, and to the famous opera composers like Puccini, Toscanini, and Verdi who all spend time in this beautiful city in the Po Valley in Emilia Romagna.
For more information and to see video about Parma Italy, visit Web Vision Italy, your camera into Italy travel.
In the United States many people eat Parmesan cheese with their pasta, which is no relation to Parma Italy or Parmigiano Reggiano cheese.
Prosciutto di Parma and Parmigiano Reggiano are integrally linked through the process of raising pigs, feeding the pigs, and milking the cows. All the methods are tightly controlled, which results in fine food that may only be found in this area on the slopes of the Po Valley.
These food curing processes date back to the Etruscans and then after the ancient Romans adopted the Etruscan food curing practises when they inhabited these areas from about 200 B.C. Click here to tour Parma by video with author Isabella Dusi.
Parma Italy is also know as the home of tortellini, a type of pasta, and to the famous opera composers like Puccini, Toscanini, and Verdi who all spend time in this beautiful city in the Po Valley in Emilia Romagna.
For more information and to see video about Parma Italy, visit Web Vision Italy, your camera into Italy travel.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Naples chefs slam over-priced pizza
From the Times Online, August 31, 2008 - Italy’s restaurant trade was accused of ripping off tourists last week in a mass protest by catering workers on the streets of Naples. Delighted tourists in the Piazza Dante were handed free margherita pizza as members of the Neapolitan Pizza Chefs’ Association (APN) served up thousands of pizzas as a protest against the rising cost of Italy’s most famous export.
“Consumers beware,” warned the APN president, Sergio Miccu. “A margherita pizza shouldn’t cost more than £2.80,” adding that the average cost of producing the quintessential Neapolitan dish is just 96p.
“In some cities I’ve seen margherita pizzas being sold for £8,” said the regional agriculture chief Francesco Borelli. “Considering the low cost of the raw materials, that’s real financial speculation.”
Public dissent against overcharging is increasing across Italy. Two weeks ago, an English tourist called police to a bar in Tusa, in Sicily, after being charged £28.95 for three sandwiches; and a German couple who recklessly ordered a lobster lunch at an outdoor table in St Mark’s Square, Venice, paid the restaurant £400 for the experience.
Two-tier pricing is another rip-off, with forestieri - foreigners - frequently paying one rate and locals paying another. “In many cities there are two or more distinct price lists,” explained Marco Donzelli of Codacons. “Residents pay one price, which increases slightly for Italian tourists and is decidedly steep for foreigners.”
To visit the home of the pizza margherita, invented for Queen Margherita, click Brandi Pizzeria.
“Consumers beware,” warned the APN president, Sergio Miccu. “A margherita pizza shouldn’t cost more than £2.80,” adding that the average cost of producing the quintessential Neapolitan dish is just 96p.
“In some cities I’ve seen margherita pizzas being sold for £8,” said the regional agriculture chief Francesco Borelli. “Considering the low cost of the raw materials, that’s real financial speculation.”
Public dissent against overcharging is increasing across Italy. Two weeks ago, an English tourist called police to a bar in Tusa, in Sicily, after being charged £28.95 for three sandwiches; and a German couple who recklessly ordered a lobster lunch at an outdoor table in St Mark’s Square, Venice, paid the restaurant £400 for the experience.
Two-tier pricing is another rip-off, with forestieri - foreigners - frequently paying one rate and locals paying another. “In many cities there are two or more distinct price lists,” explained Marco Donzelli of Codacons. “Residents pay one price, which increases slightly for Italian tourists and is decidedly steep for foreigners.”
To visit the home of the pizza margherita, invented for Queen Margherita, click Brandi Pizzeria.
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