Fodor's Travel Talk Forums - Helpful Information: Italy 2

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Thanks for the post, elaine.

((I))

Information on Ostia Antica

http://www.frommers.com/cgi-bin/[email protected]^[email protected]

Walter ParadiseLost
updated again, instructions on going from Rome to Ostia Antica daytrip day trip

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34619236

I was searcing for the name of a restaurant that we enjoyed in Florence, and came across this website put together by a professor of photography who runs workshops in Florence every summer. It has great general advice about arriving by air from the US, navigating the train system, and,of course, comes complete with photos. The restaurant by the way was da Memmo on via San Gallo, and the professor recommends it along with another place we liked, Accademia on Piazza San Marco.

http://www.artsci.wustl.edu/~photo/florenc.html

Thanks to all who have contributed.

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Ira, could you help? I tried to add the URL to this thread, at the old Helpful Info thread and it didn't work.
Thanks, :-B

Hi VS,

Good idea.

I did it for you.

((I))

Driving tips for Italy:
DRIVING IN ITALY & SOUTHERN EUROPE

Q. SHOULD WE DRIVE IN ITALY?
A. Of course you should if your driving skill & confidence would allow you to drive a rental car in Vermont, Colorado or California. But, be advised of these tips:
* Avoid driving in the major cities except for picking up or dropping cars
* Have good maps—study them in advance—and have a good navigator
* Stay in the right lane except when passing and use your rear view mirrors

Q. WHAT CAR SHOULD I GET AND WHERE DO I GET IT?
A. It is best to rent your car before you leave for Europe. The best source we have found is AUTOEUROPE [800-223-5555] who is a broker for several car vendors. They will quote you prices to include the variables that are often omitted by others, such as unlimited mileage, full mandatory insurance coverage, and VAT taxes. The best model will depend on your needs, but for best value we suggest you select a compact car with manual transmission. Automatics are available but will cost you about 30% more and may limit your model options & pick up locations.

Q. ARE ITALIAN DRIVERS AS CRAZY AS I HAVE HEARD?
A. Yes & no! They are certainly aggressive, but they are also more skilled than many USA drivers—both are a function of necessity. Italy is one of the most crowded countries in the world and the drivers have evolved these characteristics
* They are notorious tailgaters. If that bothers you, pull over and let them past.
* On the AUTOSTRADE they will drive fast, but will stay in the right lane except when passing and will use their blinkers when passing—you should too !
* They will often pass on 2-lane roads with traffic coming. Frankly, they expect you, and the oncoming car, to adjust to the shoulder and make 3 lanes of traffic.

OTHER ROAD TIPS FOR YOUR DRIVING SANITY:
1. Learn the meaning of the sign “ SENSO UNICO” and take heed [ONE WAY ].
2. Be sure to get your ticket when you enter the AUTOSTADA system & be prepared to pay the toll when you exit it [ rule of thumb—300 km=15 Euro]. You can use your credit card in the VIA lane at the toll both, or buy a debit VIACARD in advance.
3. Do NOT attempt to follow road numbers—that will frustrate you. But, do pay attention to the directional signs that point to your destination [ TO MONTALCINO]. And, be aware if that road leads eventually to a larger city [ ROMA—SIENA ETC.]
4. Unless you have a diesel car, you will want to fill the tank with benzina from the green pump. Most stations will pump gas for you and will take credit cards.

NOTE: As of 2005, an International Drivers Permit[IDP] is required in Italy.
You can obtain them from your local AAA office. You will need a valid US driver’s license, two passport photos, and $10. The photos can be taken at the AAA office.

seeing both San Gimignano and Siena on one day trip from Florence

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34705429

WOW! Between this thread and #1 I have so much info to digest before our trip in Feb'06! Thanks everyone. I am so happy that I found out about these Fodor Forums before our trip (first one!) You all are terrific!

Ira -
I just read your posting for the Accidental Tourist Cooking Tour from last May. I checked out the website and have asked them for more info. We will be in Florence on Feb 23-26,'06 and had wanted to do something outside the city but realize it will be quite cool (ok, maybe downright cold). What a wonderful, sunggly way to spend time - wine tasting and making pasta! Perfect climax to our Italy trip! I can hardly wait! Thanks!

Domestic air travel in Italy:

www.alpieagles.com is a low cost airline.

If you are planning on flying Alitalia, ordering from the http://www.alitalia.co.uk/
site is the same price as in Italy - much lower than when ordering from the US site.

((I))

For various travel tips:

"A different kind of Italy trip report"

http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...p;tid=34731454

Getting to Tivoli from Rome

rkkwan
Date: 01/13/2006, 12:49 pm
Buses is the way to get to Tivoli. Much faster and frequent than the train, and it drops you much closer to Villa d'Este. [The train station is on the other side of the river.]

Take the Line B Metro to P. Mamolo (2nd to last stop). The blue Cotral buses terminates in the upper level (ride two flights of escalators). 1.6 Euro to Tivoli. Bus every 20 minutes, and takes about 45min to get there.

There's local bus to get from Tivoli to Hadrian's Villa. We didn't have time to do last time, so didn't ask for the bus number.