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Travel Excursion:
3-Part series highlights Italy
Florence, Italy - photo by Patrice Raplee
By Patrice
Raplee
Italy, an astonishingly beautiful country overflowing with art, music,
ancient architecture, gourmet cuisine, villas and castles, imbues a
traveler's heart with desire. From the mountainous peaks of the Northern
Dolomites to the steep sunny coastal towns that perch atop cliffs over
the blue Mediterranean Sea, Italy is rapture defined. This month, TE
brings you part one of a three-part exposé that provides essential
travel tips and chronicles the highlights of Florence, the Cinque Terra
coastline, central Italy and the northern small city of Trento.
Milan and Rome are the two major cities for international flights.
Tourists either take a train or rent a car to visit other cities on
their agenda. If you have a week or more scheduled, book a flight into
Milan and rent a car. With the updated autostrades, (freeways) it is
relatively easy to get from one city to the next. The Italian autostrades
do cost however and the price is dependent on how far you drive. Make
sure to check with your travel agent and car rental agencies for the
estimated Euro amount needed for your driving schedule. It is true that
parts of Italy are not suitable driving for the weak-at-heart, so if
this is an issue for you, consider taking the train, or booking a guided
tour. If you plan well and book a room outside of the major cities (the
cost of parking overnight in the major cities is expensive!), driving
isn't too difficult. It also allows you the freedom to see fascinating
parts of Italy that most tourists never get to experience. Links to
car rental agencies, hotels, villas, B&Bs and travel guidebooks
are presented at the conclusion of this article.
There are many important tips for travelers visiting European countries;
however, the most significant advice for Italy is "Become street-wise!"
Italians are wonderfully friendly, but the major cities harbor thieves
that prey on the unwary. Never carry a purse over your shoulder, wear
a fanny pack or leave a wallet in your back pocket. Wear a money belt
that fits securely under your shirt, or just inside the waistline.
When planning your trip, purchase a book on travel tips for the specific
country you wish to visit; this will alleviate common tourist mistakes
and help you make the most of your vacation. TE recommends books by
Rick Steves. Steves' Travel Store carries phrase books, classes, travel
books, maps, guided tours, information regarding Euro passes and a bevy
of other important need-to-know travel info. Steves' books and PBS television
travel shows have become an industry standard. Steves' travel shows
on Public Television present indispensable travel tips and wonderful
visual representations of European countries and vacation destination
sites. For the next three months, Sept. - Nov., Steves' travel show
will air programs on Venice, Florence and Cinque Terra, Italy. Check
local Public Television listings for dates and times, or visit www.ricksteves.com
for program information and Steves' Travel Store.
For travelers with health issues that require medications, make sure
to take ample supplies with you (put medications in carry-on, not in
your luggage), even if you only need cold medication. Stores and pharmacies
do not carry Sudafed, Benadryl or even Ibuprofen.
Finally, take the time to pick up a copy of Italian words and phrases.
Italians, like most of us, appreciate travelers able to speak even a
few sentences and courtesy words. Most Italians speak English in the
larger cities, but if you plan to visit smaller communities, the knowledge
of a few key phrases and questions will garner a friendlier response
from the locals.
Florence is the jewel of Italy. The Famous Uffizi Gallery, where
Botticelli's masterpieces reside, the Galleria dell' Accademia
that houses Michelangelo's magnificent statue of David, the Duomo, Palazzo
Pitti, the PontiVecchio and dozens of other galleries and museums fill
the city with the richest treasures of the Italian renaissance. There
are miles of open street markets where merchants parade their wares
on cobblestone streets and tourists amble along sipping fresh espresso
and licking cones of frozen Gelato while planning what to see next…
Next month follow along with TE as we visit in depth the galleries,
museums, hotels and restaurants of Florence.
For more information on Italy visit
www.travelinitaly.com . For travel information on Europe and Italy
visit www.ricksteves.com.
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