Traveling 2 weeks in Northern Italy starting in Venice. Early June. Can anyone give me information on whether an IPad is going to be useful or indeed usable. Is there wireless in Cinque Terra for example. Second question: We are train(ing) it rather than via car. Is there safe baggage storage at the train stations when doing a short stop? And thirdly, any information on a 1/2-3/4 day cooking school either in Genoa or Tuscany area?

Thanks so much for any responses.
Lisa

Some train stations have secure baggage storage rooms for a fee, though usually just the larger stations. Lockers are a thing of the past since they are considered a security risk. Here's a website that shows the larger stations and the facilities there.

http://www.grandistazioni.it/cms/v/i...0080a3e90aRCRD

If you want to know about smaller stations, you might ask here about the particular stations you hope t learn about.

Used my iPad everywhere during a month in Italy last fall. IF your iPad is the AT&T version, you can switch out the mini sim card for 3G service for about 19€ at a TIM store ( I expect they are in Venice) and you will have back up service anywhere there is no free wifi. You can also use googlemaps as a GPS. I used it in Cinque Terre, Rome, Umbria, Lake Como and evrywhere in between. GPS works even better while walking in strange towns, looking for a specific address. Took pictures and sent them to FB on the spot. Posted travel report here on Rome from our hotel at night as the wifi was terrific.

We traveled through Italy last year and had free wifi in all the b&bs we stayed at except in the Cinque Terra.


For a cooking class, check out il Vicario http://www.ilvicario.com

DH and I took a 1/2 class with Katia. We made pasta, two types of sauce, stuffed zucchini flowers, a chicken dish, etc. then we sat down and enjoyed it all with Katia and Fulvio and plenty of vino of course. We left with a booklet of all the recipes we made, and Katia even emailed me her gnocchi recipe after I told her a story of my disastrous attempt. The cost was reasonable, and I wouldn't hesitate to return when we go back to Tuscany.

Thank you so much for the responses. I really appreciate it. Still not sure whether I should bring the Ipad or just use my T-mobile myTouch phone. Trying to travel light. I did find a cooking class in Tuscany with Chef Claudio. The price was reasonable and reviews great. Will post after my experience.