Thanks for the helpful tips, Steve and Bob

How do I get from Naples to Positano or Praiano?

a. Circumvesuviana to Sorrento and SITA bus.

b. by Steve James
Message: The easiest route for Praiano with luggage is:

- train to SALERNO, then
- bus/boat to AMALFI, then
- bus/taxi to PRAIANO

1. NAPLES-SALERNO
From Naples it's a 35-40 min train ride to SALERNO. Trains are frequent.

[N.B. If you're coming from Rome it's best to get a direct ROME-SALERNO Eurostar or Intercity train. Journey time approx 2.5 hours]

2. SALERNO-AMALFI
This is quickest by boat (35 mins).
Boats leave from the Piazza della Concordia harbour (- 500m from the railway station).
The ticket kiosk is out along the jetty.
You can find timetables online in the summer.

Alternatively you can reach Amalfi from Salerno by bus, but this takes approx 70 mins.
Buses leave from outside the railway station.

3. AMALFI-PRAIANO
This is a 20 min ride by Sita bus (or taxi)

by Ira

Very good advice from Steve.

When you exit the train station keep walking until you get to Via C.Mauro at the end of the plaza. Follow this to its end (about 3 blocks). The Pzza della Concordia will be slightly to your left. Follow this through what looks like a parking lot to the jetty.

See www.multimap.com.

Traghetto schedule last year was
Salerno (P.zza della Concordia) ? Amalfi: 3.5 E 35 min
08,40 - 09,40 - 11,30 - 14,10 - 15,30

c. by GAC

There's an even easier way: take one of the four SITA buses direct from Naples to Amalfi, then transfer to another SITA bus bound for Praiano. Connection in Amalfi could not be simpler (get off one bus, get on the second bus). No walking required. Be aware that bus service from Naples to Amalfi is Monday through Saturday ONLY. The fare is about 3.15 Euro to Amalfi, another Euro to Praiano. Check schedules and fares at www.sita-on-line.it

Here's an example:
lv Naples (Porto Immacolatella, near Ferry ships) 10:00 a.m.
ar Amalfi 11:55 a.m.
lv Amalfi 12:15 p.m.
ar Praiano 12:40 p.m.

This would be faster than taking the train to Salerno, then the bus all the way to Amalfi.

Directions to the Leonardo da Vinci train from FCO to Rome TE:

Author: BATUFFOLINA
Date: 02/11/2004, 12:12 pm
Message: ... the station is not on the ground level at Fiumicino, but on the upper (elevated) level.

As soon as you clear customs, at terminal C go LEFT (but dont go out of the terminal!!!) and take the automatic stairs DOWN (the sliding ones, I dont know how they are called in english, sorry). Then walk a little bit straight ahead and then take other automatic stairs UP (it is weird I know). Turn RIGHT following the (to trains) signs and then LEFT and you'll find yourself in the Station. You can purchase the ticket either at the train counter or at the tobacconist, same price. Remember to punch the ticket in the yellow machines at the beginning of the platform. Trains every 20 minutes or so, only first class, and the price is about 10 euros per person. This Leonardo Express train connects Fiumicino to Termini ONLY, so no way to make mistakes.

ITALY STRIKES:
www.seekitaly.com/news/from_roma.html click-on 'Strikes, Demonstrations, etc. in Italy'
http://www.trasportinavigazione.it/A...i/scioperi.asp In Italian but easy to figure out, ENAV is air traffic controllers and FS are the national trains. Regards, Walter

How do we book a tour of the Parma cheese producers?

Zimmerer
Date: 02/19/2004, 06:47 am
Message: My husband and I went on a culinary tour of the Emilia Romana in Italy this weekend and loved it. We toured a Parma Prosciutto producer, a Parmesan producer, and a Balsamic Vinegar producer (from Reggio Emilia not Modena). We had a great time and learned a lot. I had a hard time finding information about culinary tours in this region, so I thought I might share some information with other food fanatics.

I have listed web links to a private tour group and to several consortiums (one for each product). You can find tour and contact information in English at each website.

Consorzio del Parmigiano Reggiano
http://www.parmigiano-reggiano.it
Consorzio del Prosciutto di Parma
http://www.prosciuttodiparma.com
Consorzio di Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale di Reggio Emilia
http://www.acetobalsamicotradizional...glese/home.htm

The consortiums of producers (cheese, vinegar or proscuitto) were created to protect and guaranteeing the geographical origin, the production process, the quality and the content of products produced in the province.

To find a package tour, tailored to your needs, I have listed the company we used. I?m sure other companies exist.
Parma Golosa
http://www.parmagolosa.it
This is the company we used to visit 3 small producers in six hours.

Have fun!

I have gotten some good comments on a guide for the Cinque Terre. His name is Sean Risatti and can be reached at [email protected] He charges 50E for an all day trek and will consider private tours as well.

topping this great info thread on Italy

Q. Where are good places to eat in Tuscany:

GOOD EATS IN TOSCANA !
I have never been labeled as ? BOB THE GOURMET?. However, here are some of the best places to eat in Tuscany based on feedback from my clients and others. Reservations are suggested for most:
* inexpensive ** moderate *** expensive
__________________________________________________ ____

FLORENCE: Osteria del Cinghiale Bianco ** Borgo S. Jacopo 43

SIENA: Osteria le Logge ** Just off the Campo?great for lunch
Cane e Gato *** A fixed menu feast?must reserve !

LUCCA: Buca di San Antonio ** Near San Michele?very pleasant
Il Giglio ** Piazza del Giglio?a favorite with locals

COLLE VAL D? ELSA: Arnolfo *** Excellent gourmet cuisine

SAN GIMIGNANO: Le Vecchie Mura * Good Tuscan fare?not fancy

MONTERIGGIONI: Il Pozzo ** Rustic taverna in ancient fortress

CASTELLINA : Al Gallopapa** Varied menu in heart of Chianti

MONTEFOLLINICO: La Chiusa *** Creative Tuscan cuisine

MONTEPULCIANO: La Grotta ** Excellent?near San Biagio Church
Osteria Acquacheta* In the village?for lunch

PIENZA: Latte du Luna ** Best choice in this lovely village

SAN QUIRICO: Trattoria al Vecchio Forno * Authentic Tuscan fare

MONTALCINO: Boccon di Vino** Excellent?fixed menu at lunch
Grappolo Blu * You will find the locals here

PITIGLIANO: Osteria Il Tufo Allegro * A treat in this ancient village

In addition,

In Florence

Il Ritrovo Via de? Pucci 4/A Best food for the price Has fish. Full dinner w/wine abt 40E pp
From Pzza San Giovani (NW corner of the Pza del Duomo) walk one blk East to Via dei Martelli. Go left to Via dei Pucci. Turn Right. Look very carefully on left. No sign. Door could be locked. Ring bell.

ttt

I am planning a trip to Italy in Sept. and appreciate you starting this thread. It is so nice to have someone do something POSITIVE on this site. I find most people very helpful, but i have to say there are a couple people that regularly respond to questions in a condescending hostile manner. I always find your postings to be very helpful and your idea of condensing so much useful information was nothing short of brilliant. If people are irritated by other peoples questions I don't know why they take the time to respond. They should be spending precious time in repairing whatever is going on in their lives to make them so mean. We all know who they are. Thanks again Ira for being such a wonderful resource person.

Thank you, smack

topping this superb thread

How do I get from Rome to Siena?

1. From Rome Tiburtina Station take the SENA bus direct to Siena.

Schedule at http://www.sena.it/ita/activenews.as...WCTTNG07866458

2. From Rome TE take the train to Florence SMN. Exit the train station and go to the SITA bus stop across the street on Via S. Caterina de Siena.

Train schedules at www.trenitalia.com/en
Bus schedules at http://www.sita-on-line.it/

New travelers to Italy. All this info extremely helpful. Thanks to all. My biggest concern is a husband who likes to taxi instead of walk. Can we do that easily from place to place in Florence and Rome?

Lots of taxis in Rome. Restaurants and hotels can call them for you quickly, and there are many taxi stands throughout the city.

Hello - Love this thread. I have bookmarked it and revisit it often.

I'm not a car expert, so with regards to Bob's tips on driving -- is a compact/manual car powerful enough to get around the hilltowns? We are basing ourselves in Montalcino (after flying into Florence) and planning side trips to Siena, Cortona, and many stops in between each... Thanks!!!

Underground Rome: Church of Saints Giovanni e Paolo Excavations Reopened To Public (Roman Houses)
Author: Walter
Date: 01/19/2002, 11:46 am
Message: The Church is located ~400m south of the Colosseum. Regards, Walter
www.iht.com/articles/45384.htm
www.underome.com/sub/giopao2.html
Author: ParadiseLost ([email protected])
Date: 03/27/2004, 09:13 am
Message: I visited this site a couple of months after I posted this. Back then you were only allowed access on a guided tour. The tour I took was in English at 7pm, the tour and guide was very good. The entrance is 6e and only 3.5e more with a guide.
I revisited this sited last week and it is now open to general public access, no tour required.
Signs telling the history of the site, individual rooms, paintings, etc are very detailed (long) and in Italian & English.
Tough to read if there are a few people trying to read them at once. If you can, book an English tour to get the most out of this site (details below) but it is still worthwhile to visit on your own. Also if it isn't roped-off go to into that area i.e. upstairs or into a small modern hallway (entrance into the museum), etc, it just seemed to me these areas were off-limits but they weren't. The small museum is *very* nice.
Opening Hours: 1000-1300 & 1500-1800, Closed Tues & Wed, no photos and wheelchair accessible
Phone & FAX: 06 70454544
The Church is SS Giovanni e Paolo located in the Piazza di SS Giovanni e Paolo. The site entrance is located in the southwest corner of the church on Clivo d. Scauro (Clivus Scauri a Medieval street probably ancient with 7 brick arches) between the 1st & 2nd arch on the downhill side. (View if approaching from the West just above Via d. S. Gregorio standing on the Tram tracks at Sal d. Gregorio) www.davidhewson.com/images/clivus.jpg also
www2.siba.fi/~kkoskim/rooma/pages/SSGIOPAO.HTM (Historical info) http://roma.katolsk.no/giovanniepaolo.htm (Site website in Italian & e-mail address) www.caseromane.it [email protected]
Regards, Walter

Cars are a personal choice. We find the compact models to be adequate and the best value. Our last trip was a Ford Focus that we enjoyed in the hill towns. Easy to park and enough zip to get up the hills. Go to slowtrav.com to see the trip report.

Oplontis 'Villa Poppea' A Beautiful Roman Villa Between Pompeii and Herculaneum.
Author: ParadiseLost ([email protected])
Date: 03/27/2004, 05:12 pm
Message: If you buy the combo 'Pompeii and Ercolano/Herculaneum' ticket for 18e this site is also included (along with Boscoreale and Stabia).
This large intact suburban villa shouldn't be missed if you have time, it's only ~200m from the Torre Annunziata Circumvesuviana Station (other signs will also I believe read 'Oplontis-Villa of Poppea' at the station) and very easy to find. It can be seen in an hour if you're in a rush.
  It's the Circumvesuviana Station just before Pompeii Scavi if you're coming from Naples or just after if coming from Sorrento. It's on the Naples-Sorrento Line (Herculaneum/Ercolano & Pompeii) and also the 'Naples-Sarno via Poggiomarino' Line (which goes to Herculaneum/Ercolano but not Pompeii).
  The wall paintings are fantastic as is the general overall site. Exit the Torre Annunziata Circumvesuvana Station and turn Left (the only choice is either left
or right ). In ~70m the street ends in a "T", turn Right, in 40m cross an intersection and in ~90m the site and entrance will be on the Left (can't miss it).  Between the intersection and the site also on the left will be an Info office (Oplontis banner & signs again can't miss it, the man that runs this is very nice & helpful) you might want to pick-up a guidebook there as there are none at the site nor audioguides. The guidebook will say 'OPLONTIS The Villa Poppea' which can also be bought at other sites (Pompeii, Herculaneum, tourist shops, 5.20e).
  It's believed that this villa belonged to the glamorous Poppea who was Nero's mistress who later became his 2nd wife.   In 65AD he kicked the pregnant Poppea in the stomach and she died. By this point Nero had aleady killed his mother and 1st wife! I've read that Poppea might have had a role (Nero's ear) in their deaths also.   
There are 2 clues to this being Poppea's Villa. 1st an amphora was found in the villa's latrine with the inscription 'Secundo Poppaeae' meaning 'To Second (slave or freedman) of Poppea'.   Also this villa like Pompeii, Herculaneum and surrounding area was badly damaged in the 62AD earthquake and was being repaired. But for some reason work had stopped and was unfinished before the 79AD eruption. No one was living or working in the house when Vesuvius erupted. Was the restoration halted after Poppea was murdered in 65AD? Nero only had 4 yrs left in his reign and was consumed in building his Domus Aurea (Golden House) in Rome. After Nero's suicide there was a brief civil war and then Vespasian became Emperor thus ending the 'Julio-Claudian' Line, so the villa if Nero's property was probably confiscated? There has to be a logical reason restoration work stopped and this beautiful piece of real estate was abandoned for years? Besides the beautiful wall paintings, atriums, fountains, huge outdoor swimming pool etc. There is one small area that is rather unique. Go to http://historichouses.simshost.com/page49.htm at the bottom of the page click-on 'home plan, and notes', then click-on the villa's floor plan.   See above the "8" and across the corridor in a room there is what looks like an upside-down U or |_|. That room is the w.c./toilet, see the short hallway going to the right then to another short hallway going up & down. The bottom of that hallway exits into that long left-right hallway between the number 5 and 8 and the top of that short up/down hall exits outside even though it looks like it is still inside the villa. That is where you might want to visit.
Your visit will start in the upper left corner entrance and you will work your way thru the villa. When you get to the *large* outdoor swimming pool #7 on the rightside of the plan, you will see that long left/right hallway with stone benchs along the wall. Walk down it and just before it ends and after the benches there will be a couple of steps on the right that enters that short up/down hallway mentioned above. Go into it and turn left and visit the w.c. The stone basin on the right is where the 'sponges on a stick' were kept in water. And if you didn't know :), Roman toilets had a bench seat with a hole cutout in it where they sat but also a U-shaped cutout in the front connected to the hole they sat on. The sponge-stick was their toilet paper and inserted in the front, they were rinsed/cleaned in a small water channel at their feet. This water channel was feed with water from the overflow of the stone sponge-stick basin. In public w.c.'s the sponge-sticks were kept in a basin of brine (salt & water).
  The seats are gone, probably wooden, in the public w.c. they would be marble usually.
  But what is really unique is a men's urinal in this w.c. behind a wall. This is something I have never seen or heard of before. Plus it must be further proof that this villa was owned and commanded over by a woman :).
  Ok go back out to the short up/down hall and turn left. On the left wall is an inscription covered in plexiglass.   This graffiti is in Greek written by Beryllos who was probably a slave and hoped to be remembered. It reads "Mnesthei Beryllos" translated "Be Beryllos remembered".
  The villa was empty though but perhaps he was fleeing and sought refuge in the villa. And that would be the safest place in the villa, narrow hall with small rooms nearby all with strong walls=strong roof. Roofs collapsed in Pompeii due to the weight of the plumace stones and ash killing many people.
  Also he would have been only a couple of meters from the open doorway to the outside if the ceiling started to go. And able to watch the Hell their Gods had unleashed upon them.   No bodies were found at the villa so perhaps he (and his group?, master, mistress, family?) decided to take their chances in trying to flee again.
Who knows, maybe he made it!
Regards, Walter