A country in southern Europe most known for its classical historic sites, food, and the Alps in the north.
18
votes
3answers
1k views
Is there a dress code when visiting the Vatican in Rome?
I've heard from friends who have been to Rome that you must cover up when you visit the Vatican as they have a strict dress code.
What does "cover up" mean? I'm sure this wouldn't be a problem in ...
13
votes
4answers
579 views
Is it normal to have something added to the bill in a restaurant in Italy?
I was in a restaurant in Rome and after I got the bill I saw that beside the regular 8€ for spaghetti I ordered there was an additional position that said:
una persona 1.5€
When I asked the waiter ...
13
votes
3answers
510 views
Are there Italian customs that a North American should be aware of?
I'll be traveling to Rome and Venice in late September; are there any physical gestures, meal customs, thanking policies, and so forth that I should be aware of?
12
votes
2answers
786 views
Finding a notary in France / Italy
I sometimes need to have documents notarized while travelling abroad. How can I find a notary in a foreign country? The U.S. embassies and consulates will notarize things for me, but this is ...
12
votes
1answer
200 views
Traveling through Sicily on a budget and without a driver's license
I'm going to Sicily next week and want to travel around the island a bit, but I don't own a driver's license, nor have a lot of money to spend on transport. I've thought about hitch-hiking and trains, ...
11
votes
5answers
327 views
Can I visit the castles/fortresses in the mountains around Turin, Northern Italy?
Three years ago I traveled from Turin to Paris by train, and saw amazing old castles all across the mountains. Are any of them available for a visit? I'm going to rent a car so the transport won't be ...
10
votes
3answers
205 views
Do I need sunglasses in the Dolomites?
I was recommended to have sunglasses when hiking in the Dolomites, as the surfaces are of rather light color and reflect a lot of light.
I was hiking in other areas of the Alps and cross-country ...
10
votes
2answers
1k views
What does “copy of itinerary” mean when applying for a Schengen visa?
The Italian consulate website says under requirements for a Schengen visa:
Applicants for short term visas (up to 90 days) must also present an itinerary of their trip.
What does this ...
10
votes
1answer
155 views
How can I go to a thermal bath in Merano?
Do I need to book a room from a hotel?
Are there any public ones?
What is the cost?
Should I expect nudity in saunas?
10
votes
1answer
127 views
Pass in the Alps that can be crossed by mountain bike?
I'm looking for a pass in the Alps that I can cross with my mountain bike. I know that if there's a road, I could just use it, but my question is a little bit more special.
Ideally this pass ...
9
votes
1answer
83 views
Christmas Markets in Trentino-Alto Adige
I want to visit some Christmas Markets in Trentino-Alto Adige.
Which one is the biggest (in terms of the number of cribs)?
Which has the widest selection of food and wine?
Which has the most ...
8
votes
4answers
315 views
Rome to Paris by train
Can anyone tell me how can I book Rome to Paris train ticket? I am trying
Trenitalia website
but not getting any results.
I want the fastest train, preferably running during the daytime.
Also, can ...
8
votes
4answers
4k views
How to get to Ljubljana (Slovenia) from Trieste (Italy) by Train?
My Italian part of my trip is almost over; currently enjoying Trieste.
I have been using the train around Italy but when I checked the Trenitalia website to see if a train left from Trieste to ...
8
votes
2answers
101 views
Is it worth leaving the hotel in Verona on January 1st?
January 1st is an official holiday in Italy and I wonder if there are some museums, touristic sites, shops or restaurants open on that day. I am not looking for a particular list but going to make my ...
8
votes
1answer
531 views
Hiring a Ferrari in Italy
I am planning a trip to Italy, and would like to hire a Ferrari for a day. I am aware that this will be expensive.
What should I watch out for? When the deductible is 80,000 Euros, I'd assume it's ...
8
votes
2answers
96 views
Public transport from Venice to Arabba
What are the options for public transport to get from Venice (city centre) to the ski resort Arabba on February 23rd (Saturday), return a week later on March 2nd?
I saw a ski shuttle bus mentioned ...
8
votes
2answers
96 views
Search engine of Italian buses
Is there one search engine of scheduled buses in Italy, where I can search timetables of any bus company? Or, if not all of them, at least significant number of companies.
8
votes
1answer
127 views
What to expect from the Ferrari Museum in Maranello
I'm planning to visit the Museo Ferrari in Maranello and I want to know if I would be able to sit in the racing cars (especially the F1-single-seaters).
If I want to avoid the confusion of the big ...
8
votes
1answer
68 views
What visa should I apply for as an Au Pair?
On June 20 I am backpacking around Europe for almost 3 months with friends and then I will be living in Italy for 3 months as an Au Pair. I am unsure what visa I will need to apply for.
Will I need ...
7
votes
4answers
765 views
What precautions should travelers take in Spain/France?
On my last visit in Milano Italy, i went to the Duomo. It was the first day of my trip, and definitely the worst.
On the second I stepped out the subway, "Tourist hunting gangs" jumps from all over, ...
7
votes
3answers
161 views
Are sunny, warm days a pipe-dream in Venice/Rome in late November?
We are taking our first family trip to Europe this Thanksgiving (Nov 16 - 27th). Our itinerary is 3 days in Venice, 3 days in Florence and remaining in Rome (leave from Rome).
Anyone have an idea ...
7
votes
1answer
129 views
Does it make more sense to stay in Lido or Venice?
We'll be in Italy in early October, and plan to stay about 1-2 nights in Venice.
For me, Venice is one of those places where you just HAVE to see if you're in Italy. Kind of like the Great Wall in ...
7
votes
1answer
438 views
STATI Schengen : What does it mean
I am going to Europe for my honeymoon. My entry and exit is from Rome.
My Visa says Stati Schengen, Type C.
I understand Type C is for short term travel. Can anyone help me understand Stati means ?
...
7
votes
1answer
242 views
Advice on a road trip to Dolomites
This year, at the beginning of September, I am planning a road trip with my GF. The plan is to visit some sites in the Dolomites, Italy. Also, I would like to visit Franz Josef Hohe (I was there once ...
7
votes
2answers
3k views
Validity of UK passport required to visit Italy
I am planning a trip to Italy in January of 2012. I am just wondering if I will be allowed to enter the country as my UK passport has less than 6 months remaining until it is due to be renewed.
7
votes
1answer
50 views
Getting from Livorno Centrale station to Moby ferry
I am about to book a "Moby Ferries" ferry from Livorno to Olbia (Sardinia).
Ferry departs at 22:00. The FRECCIABIANCA train arrives at 19:44.
Is it manageable to get from the train station to ferry ...
7
votes
2answers
65 views
Passo Giau parking fee
I'm trying to estimate costs of my car trip, and I'm wondering how much does it cost to leave your car at Passo Giau in Dolomites. If you don't know exact fee, just give me an estimate.
6
votes
2answers
166 views
Weekend in Turin or Genova?
I live in Lyon an plan on spending a long "romantic/relaxing" weekend (3-4 days) in Italy with my gf.
The thing is I want to get there by train, which means I'm pretty limited in my choice: the city ...
6
votes
2answers
241 views
Description of overnight train from Paris to Italy?
I'm currently living in Paris and want to meet up with some friends of mine in Italy. I would love to experience an overnight train. I found a train to Milan on Intercités de Nuit, and I am tempted to ...
6
votes
1answer
112 views
Can tourists visit the Citadel of Alessandria?
A recent question about the Lille Citadelle reminded me of my travels in Italy a decade ago where I was wandering around the outskirts of Alessandria and found a huge old citadel that was seemingly ...
5
votes
4answers
312 views
Paranoid about missing my return flight home from Rome. What to do?
I haven't been to Europe in 11 years. My wife and I (and our 8 year old son) will be taking a trip to Italy this late November. We will be traveling from Venice to Florence to Rome. We will be ...
5
votes
4answers
1k views
Should I get some Euros before I leave the US for Italy?
We will be in Italy this November. Should I get some "walking around money" before I go? I think my bank has reasonable rates.
I know I take the risk of the Euro dropping or the dollar rising. ...
5
votes
2answers
151 views
Do I need to book in advance to see attractions in Italy in October?
I'm planning to go to Italy in around October. I've been told that since Italy is so touristy, it's a good idea to book entry to famous attractions beforehand. Otherwise I may have to wait hours or ...
5
votes
2answers
137 views
How will our November trip in Italy be affected by the quake in May, 2012?
We are flying into Venice, taking a train to Florence (via Bologna), side trip to Pisa and then flying out of Rome.
Other than heartfelt feelings for those who suffered, can we expect delays, ...
5
votes
1answer
164 views
Do I need to stamp my Trenitalia/Trenord tickets?
Is buying a ticket enough? Do I have to stamp ("convalidare") it? What if all the stamping machines are broken? What if I didn't have the time to stamp my ticket?
5
votes
3answers
89 views
Photo ski-passes in Arabba Italy
Are ski-passes in Arabba issued for a particular person (i.e. do they have a photo associated with them)? Does it apply to all durations?
Also are there any free lifts near the town (to teach the ...
5
votes
1answer
197 views
How difficult is train travel in Italy?
We will be in Italy (for the first time) this week! :-)
Our itinerary is:
17th - 20th Venice
20th - 22nd Florence
22nd - 22nd Pisa (quick view of the Leaning Tower)
22nd - 26th Rome
So as you can ...
5
votes
1answer
113 views
Arriving in Venice - Single American Woman
I am traveling to Italy at the end of April/beginning of May and I am traveling alone. I have never been to Europe or traveled anywhere internationally (Canada and Mexico excluded). My flight takes me ...
5
votes
2answers
113 views
What is the fastest way to get from Courmayeur/Aosta to Milan?
We will be crossing the Italian/French border through Mont Blanc via cable cars, which we heard through Rick Steve's article: From France to Italy over Mont Blanc.
We will be starting off in Chamonix ...
5
votes
2answers
67 views
How to get to the airport in Venice, Italy early in the morning?
I am staying near St Marks Basilica. Need to fly from Marco Polo at 6:30 AM in the morning for an international flight, meaning that I have to be at the airport by 5. How do I get there, that early?
5
votes
2answers
155 views
Crossing the French/Italian (Chamonix/Cormayeur) border via cable car
My partner and I will be travelling through Chamonix on the 25th of April, and we were wanting to travel via cable car through to Courmayeur. Are there cable cars that allow us to travel from Chamonix ...
5
votes
2answers
760 views
How to get from Genoa to Cinque Terre?
According to e.g. Wikitravel, there should be "regular local trains with high frequency" from Genoa (Genova) but it doesn't give any details.
Which of the five villages can I get to by train from ...
5
votes
2answers
67 views
Mountain bike routes in Val di Sole, Trentino?
What are some popular, intermediate-level mountain-biking routes in Val di Sole (Trentino, Italy)?
5
votes
1answer
90 views
Is the Italian taxi industry still highly regulated/restricted?
I am researching a trip to rural Tuscany in the summer. It might be necessary to get taxis around. How common are taxis in Italy/Tuscany?
Here in Ireland, the taxi industry used to be highly ...
5
votes
1answer
98 views
What should I do to apply for a Schengen visa without income tax return?
I would like to apply for a Schengen visa to travel to Florence, Italy between 30th June to 8th July where I will be attending EuroPython. My request for the grant has been approved by EuroPython ...
5
votes
1answer
88 views
What volcanoes are there to see in Italy?
I would really like to see a volcano in Italy. The world-famous Vesuvius would be a good choice, but wikitravel describes it as "congested by pensioners", which is a no-go for me. There is the big ...
5
votes
1answer
215 views
Trenitalia, wrong name on ticket, problem?
A friend has purchased a Trenitalia ticket online. The wrong name was entered by accident.
Is this a problem? Are names/IDs checked on Trenitalia trains, or are tickets transferrable? Does anyone ...
5
votes
1answer
172 views
What is the best way to get from Venice Mestre to Lido di Jesolo with a roadbike?
I will arrive in Venice by train at the Mestre station, from there I want to get to Lido di Jesolo with my roadbike. What are my options?
I was considering getting to Venice from Mestre on foot or ...
4
votes
2answers
78 views
Italian equivalent to French St. Tropez or Spanish Marbella?
You got these rich people orientated tourist beach towns like Marbella in Spain and St. Tropez in France.
My question is, which town/city is the Italian equivalent of Marbella or St. Tropez?
I mean, ...
4
votes
4answers
469 views
Travelling from London to Italy's Amalfi Coast. Better to fly or take the train?
Is it cheaper to fly to Naples and take the train from there? How is the Euro rail experience from London to Italy? Would there be a lot of train transfers? Also, if anyone has a recommendation for ...
