I have a fear of heights and being suspended in air scares me. so what are the funiculars in Italy, on wires or just slanted streetcars?

And you are getting to Italy on a cruise ship? Get over it.

I don't know where there are that many in Italy, but in the Lake Como area, there are cable cars, on "wires", as you call them, up to scenic view points.<BR><BR>There are cog railways in Switzerland, a funicular at Montmartre and in Barcelona, Lookout Mountain in Chattanooga and "Mt." Washington (if I remember the name correctly), in Pittsburgh.<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR>

I think by definition a funicular is a cable-operated railway, so if something is called a funicular, it is on a track. Chairlifts or gondolas are not funiculars, although there may be chairlifts in places (Vesuvius?). There are lots of funiculars in Italy, and Switzerland.

Jane just beat me to it. A funicular is a tram/train on rails usually pulled up by a cable. So it won't be on "wires", or hanging in space.

to the top<BR>

The funiculars are railroad on a STEEP track. The cars are built in steps, since the angle of the track doesn't change.<BR>This is the way it is in Capri, Naples, Orvieto.. anywhere else?

Other funiculars that I know about - in Bergamo, and one just across the Swiss border in Lugano. Also, farther afield in Lisbon and Pittsburgh.

Are these funiculars, like in Bergamo, just to go look out and see the view? or is it like in Montmartre, to traverse a steep climb and see the stuff that's up there?<BR>

I've been on them in Bergamo (recently), Naples and Taormina (both long ago). They are NOT just to see the view! They're to get you up a steep hill. The one in Bergamo was on a steep track. It felt very normal and safe and I took it several times in one day just a litttle over a week ago.

Been on funicular on Capri. Also, there's one in Budapest, Hungary.

Hi,<BR><BR>I've ridden on both types in Italy--the tram-style kind in Orvieto and the cage suspended on a wire kind in Gubbio. <BR><BR>Patti<BR><BR>

Is the funicular in Bergamo expensive? Or free? do you sit or stand? or is more just like an escalator? I'm having some trouble picturing this. Should I plan on making it part of my trip there?<BR><BR>I think that our hotel is in the "Alta Citta". That's up on top of the hill, right?<BR>

The funiculars are inexpensive, generally the price of a city bus. Each car hold about 6 or so people, you can sit or stand. It's on a track, not in the air. It goes up a steep slope, but you always stay even with the ground so you are not slanting. It's not scary at all, you're thinking more of gondolas when you go skiing.<BR>By the way, wasn't there a song - funculi funicula, how did that go?

So, if Jill's hotel is on top of the hill is there any reason to ride the funicular to go DOWN? to see what?<BR>

I've never been able to see much from a funicular, it's basically to get you from point A to point B. <BR>Re: Avoiding the "down" ride - Was recently in Orvieto, so this is fresh in my mind. Along the end of town opposite from the funicular and train station, there was a long winding road (that's how cars and buses get up to the town). So if you really wanted to, you can make that long journey down by not riding the funicular.

Any other thoughts?<BR>

-<BR>I'm stuck on Nutella's comment about the song. Yes, there is a ditty running thru my mind .... da-da-ta, funiculi, funiculaaaaaaaaa ... What's it called ???

A couple of more points...a few people here have mentioned funiculars that are suspended on a wire. Those are not funiculars. <BR><BR>In Begamo, most of the interesting sights are at the top..in the old town. The lower town..at the bottom of the funiuclar is newer, no as much interest. However, the streets closest to the old town...right at the foot of the hill, are somewhat interesting to meander around. Also, if you want a lot of "everyday" kind of shopping stores, they are mostly in the new town.<BR><BR>Its probably worth the ride, jsut for the experience. <BR><BR>Many of the funiculars I have seen are not too long, and therefore, the routes can be walked (especially going down), depending on how fit you are and your energy level at any given time.

The one in Pittsburgh is called the "Incline", and there are two of them going up to Mt. Washington.