Around The World: Italy

Showing posts with label Italy. Show all posts

Food Special - Italy

The local Itialian food which a tourist in Italy should look out for is Pizza, Pasta, Gelato, Wine and Coffee.
Pizza - For a budget traveller, there are many local Pizza shops which sell Pizza on Kilogram basis. These shops have all variety of pizzas displayed in the glass case. One needs to select the type of pizza and tell the shopkeeper number of slices you want to eat. The shopkeeper will then cut the small slices accordingly from the displayed pizza. He will tell you the prize of the Pizza after weighing it on scale. You get one piece of pizza around 1.5 to 2 Euros in these street side shops.

Pasta - We enjoyed pasta dinner prepared at the Hostel Roma, Near Rome Terminie on our first day in Italy.
Gelato - A quick bite of chill Gelato (Icecream) is a must while travelling in Italy. The Gelato is priced according to scoop and you will eat as much as you wish to trun of the heat wave.
Quick Tip - Try buying pizza or Gelato from shop bit away from the local tourist attraction. As shops bank oppoiste the favourite tourist attractions charge you double the amount.
Wine – Italy is famous wine producing mediterranean nation and enjoying atleast one glass of wine in Italy is must. If you are not an expert in wines then I would recommend you to buy cheap bottle of wine from local shop and enjoy it in your hotel room.
Coffee – There are lot of Cafes on each corner of the road. Its fun to taste the strong and hot shot of Express Coffee while enjoying breaks in local sight seeing.

Besides the local food shops, one can find a lot of Mac Donalds shops near the Railway stations. These become handy when you arrive late from your travel and all the local shops have closed down.

Day trip to Venice - Italy

After spending two days in Tuscany, we moved to the city of romance Venice.

Getting to Venice from Florence

Murano Glass Museum

Murano Glass Factory Visit

Roaming in Streets of Venice

St Marks Square or Piazza San Marco

St Marks Basilica

Gondola Ride at Venice

Vapareto Ride

Romantic Dinner by Rialto bridge

End of the day

Luggage Counter at Venice Mestre Station

Local Transport in Venice

Pisa and Tuscany Wine tasting - Florence Day 2

Florence Day 2:
Day 2 was planned for Leaning tower of Pisa and Chinati Tuscany wine tasting tour. We had decided to chill out after tight schedule of attractions in Florence, Italy. Got up late bit late and had our breakfast at the hotel.

Leaning Tower of Pisa:

We took Local train at 9 o clk from Florence terminal to Pisa Central. The train journey is one or one and half hour depending on train service you select.
On reaching the Pisa central, exit the station and cross the road to catch bus to the Leaning tower of Pisa. The ticket cost you around 1.5 Euros for Day. Inform the bus driver or fellow passengers that you want to get down at the Pisa tower. It takes almost 10 minutes to reach the site. The site is huge open ground which hosts Cathedral of Pisa City and bell tower (leaning tower) next to it. For more details you can visit (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leaning_Tower_of_Pisa). As any one else you will be tempted to take your picture with tower, either helping it from falling down or applying full force to make it fall. The farer you take the picture the better effect it gives to it. If you want to climb the Leaning tower of Pisa you have to book tickets in advance or depend on your luck to get one. As limited number of people are allowed to enter the tower at given time. Usually people who plan to take flight back from Pisa airport to home country and visit Tower on the way. After spending hour at the Pisa tower we decided to return back. The bus stop for Pisa central railway station is across street. We climbed in the bus and reached the station to take train to the Florence.

Afternoon Lunch Break:
Just walk out of the Florence station and cross the road. There’s Mac Donald’s in front and there are few cheap and really good Pizza Bars. As the saying goes, ‘If you are in Rome be Roman’, we had our lunch in Pizza Bar. Then headed for the Tuscan Wine tasting tour.

After the wine tasting tour, it was end of day two in Florence. We reached hotel and had dinner. It was time to prepare our self to leave for Venice next morning.

Uffizi & Academia Advance Bookings

These are few essentials to plan your Florence,Italy trip.

Advance Ticket Booking for Academia

Advance Ticket Booking for Uffizi

How to book them?

This can be done though some local travel company in Florence. You can either book them through internet or by calling them.

Time Slots

You need to provide them with suitable timeslots. On confirmation they will send you vouchers. You need to carry printout of those vouchers with you. The timings quoted on your voucher should be strictly followed else you will not be granted entry to the attraction.

Vouchers Exchanged for Tickets at enterance

These vouchers will be exchanged for tickets on arrival. Otherwise you will waste couple of hours standing in queue at each attraction.
Having done this you are all set for day trip to Florence.

Rome Termini to Firenze Santa Maria Novella Station or Florence SMN Station

Getting to Florence From Rome

We caught a 6:30 am Euro Star train from Rome termini to Milan. To reach Florence, the destination train station is Firenze Santa Maria Novella Station. There are many stations in Florence with similar name.

As the breakfast in hotel was served from 7 o clk in the morning, we decided to skip it. We had baught few croissants and nestle Choco milk from the Local super market located in the Rome termini. On our way to Florence we had breakfast in the train while enjoying the Tuscany country side.

The weather in early morning is very pleasant. Abhi doubted on our choice of our clothes and was keen to change to something warm. Unfortunately it didn’t last for long. It was soon bright and warm.

Hotel near Florence Station:

Its advisable to book hotel which is near to the station. We had booked an apartment with kitchen. We checked in the hotel and dumped our luggage. By then it was 8:30 am and we had to rush to Academia.

Attraction of Florence, Italy

After spending a day in Rome,Italy , we headed to Florence the next day.

Day 1 Walking plan for Florence, Italy – Academia, Duomo, Uffizi and Ponte Vecchio and Arno River, Plazzo Vecchio, Piazza Pitti or Pitti Palace.

Day2 Leaning tower of Pisa, Pisa in morning.

Day 2 Wine tasting tour in Chinati Tuscany country side in afternoon.

So the plan was to stay in Florence for two nights.
Please check for Uffizi and Academia Advance Bookings section.

We took Euro Star from Rome Termini to Florence at 6:30 am.

Day 1: Start your day with nice tourist map. We grabbed one from the hotel.

Afternoon Lunch:
On our way to Uffizi, it was bit difficult but not impossible to find a cheap eat out. There are some cheap eat outs near the exit of the Uffizi. Or you have to search one in the near by small lanes. Ideal it should cost you around 4 to 5 Euros person in such eat outs. It was difficult to find water fountains in the area and we had to buy mineral water bottles. Therefore it’s advisable to fill up all the water bottles at the hotel early in morning.

End of the Day 1:
We reached hotel and had shower. Since it had kitchen facility and garden with table and chairs set up. We cooked some instant noodles & boiled eggs. We enjoyed it with some cheap wine bought from near by grocery shop. Next day we went to Pisa and Wine tasting tour in Chinati, Tuscany .

Essentials: things to know before you go to Italy

Essentials:

1) Cash: Most important one. We travelled italy while residing in UK and had British bank debit cards. Last year we had been to swizzterland and had used the HSBC UK

debit card to withdraw money. Since there were no issues we were relectant to carry any cash. The ATM or the Bankomat machine allowed us to sucessfully withdraw 100 Euros at the Ciampino airport. In evening we tried using the ATM at Rome termine and our transactions were declined for all the cards. Even after calling up HSBC and Natwest call centers but the cards were rejected. Ultimately we exchanged few GBP at high rate to pay the Hotel bill for tonight. In the hostel we learnt that there were other tourist who had similar experince. However the good newz was that the British chip and pin cards were declined. Since we had US banks debit card with us, we had to withdraw our emergency funds from that bank. Moral of the story is that one should carry enough traveller cheques while travelling to Italy.
2) Summer clothes, petties, shorts, cotton T-shirts
3) Water bottles: There are lots of drinking fountains around rome. You can fill up your waterbottles using them. The shopkeepers near tourist attractions will try to sell you mineral water for 2 Euros and cold drinks for 4 Euros each. Which is too costly. At the waterfountain, splash bit of water on your hands, face and hair to keep you cool. This prevents you from dehydration and keeps you cool. Remember do not wipe out that splashed water.
4) Snack bars: There is lot of walking involved in these 2 to 3 days so stuff your sack with some snack bars.
5) Sun screen, Sun glasses, Caps, scarfs, fans, umbrella are helpful.
6) Locks and Keys: Italy is famous for pick pokecters and thiefs who snatch valuables from you. So its handy to lock your bags with small travel locks or use safety pins in case you have hand bag.

Rome Tourist Pass for 3 Days

Rome pass: It covers all the Rome attractions and also the local travel for metro and bus network in Rome , Italy. It is valid for 3 consecutive days after its first activated and is very helpful while visiting attractions in Rome , Italy.
Once you reach the Rome terminie you have to head to Platform number 24 to the Rome tourist Information Center. There are many private bus company stalls which might mislead you. You can also get Rome pass at various other tourist information centers located in the city.

The Rome pass has two options: 20 Euro and 25 Euros.
The first option gives you first two Rome attractions free and concessions or discounts on the next onces which you visit. It also includes local travel using metro and local buses. Its advisable to take road map of Rome either from the hotel reception which is sponsered by walking tours. The road map provided by Rome pass is not detailed enough. Trade secret of Rome pass is that we used it to see all attractions and were not charged single penny.

The second option covers first three Rome attractions free and has concession or discounts on others. The local travel is included.

Rome Pass does not cover Vactican Museum though.

With Rome Tourist Pass in your pocket you are now all set to explore the Rome attractions.

Attractions of Rome Italy, Rome in 2/3 Days

If you have plenty of time then rome can be covered in 3 days else two days is enough to see the important stuff.
1) Coloseum,Roman Forma and Palentine Hill,Arch of constantine, ,Pizza Venezia

2) Vactican Church, Vactican Museum,Campidogli, Roman Baths of Carcara.

3) Free stuff - Pantheon,Campo-de-Fiori and Area of Sacara ,Piazza Novona,Sant'Ignazio di Loyola a Campo Marzio,Piazza Colona,Fontana Tevori,Piazza di spagna or Spainsh steps.

Before you read the blog contents, I will advise you to please check the Rome pass section as its big money saver tip.
Day1: Since our return flight was from rome we had decided to see the stuff

which is available for free on the first day. If you have only 2 days then you can skip this section.
From Rome termine we took bus number 40 and headed to the Pantheon.
End of Day1: Next day we caught train to Florence. We visited Florence and Venice and then come back to Rome for last two days. We used our Rome pass on the last two days.

Day 2: Early morning, we flew from Treviso (a cheap flight airport near Venice) to Rome Campiano Airport. Took Bus->Anangina->Metro->Rome Termine->Dumped bags in Hostel->Rome Termini ->Metro-Coloseum.

End of Day2: Took metro straight to Rome termine and headed to our hostel.

Day 3: The thrid day as usual started early morning at 6 o clk. We took metro from Rome termine to metro Ottaviano.
End of Day 3: All ready to pack bags. Get up early next day to catch flight next day to East midlands airport.

Getting to Rome Terminie from Ciampino Airport

Getting to Rome Terminie: We arrived in Rome in morning 10:30 at Ciampino airport. From the airport we had to take Cortal bus (1.2 Euro) which took us to Anangina Metro station. Then took metro A to Rome termini. There are other private bus operaters who quote themselves as 'Offical tour operaters' and have direct connection to Rome City. However they will charge you upto 15 Euros per trip. Also check http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rome_Ciampino_Airport

Piazza Pitti or Pitti Palace

You reach Piazza Pitti if you walk little bit ahead then from the other end of the Ponte Bridge. Its huge Palace with holds museums and gardens and was residence of Renaissance Banker Luca Piti. The palace has entry fee. After spending entire day in the museum we decided to skip interior of Piazza Pitti and took some pictures from outside. After reaching Piazza Pitti, one can get feeling of seeing Oasis in dessert. Well, that’s sort of true, there is water fountain in front of Piazza Pitti and you can fill up your water bottles for your journey back to hotel.

The walking tours map suggest to take U-Trun from the Piazza Pitti but if you are tired then you can skip it and head straight to your hotel.
There is a church which is marked on the walking tours map. When we reached the church, there was service/ prayers being offered. Therefore we were not allowed to visit the church.

Palazzo Vecchio, Florence

The open space in front of Uffizi is called Palazzo Vecchio. You can take your snaps with copy of David standing in the original location of David in front of the Palazzo Vecchio, Florence. An enthusiast can even go and see the interiors of the town hall. But we were tired and decided to drop it.
For more details visit the site http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palazzo_Vecchio

Ponte Vecchio and Arno River

Ponte Vecchio & Arno River

After a nice break of gelato, we marched towards the Ponte Vecchio Bridge & Arno River through the narrow courtyard between the Uffizi wings. The street to bridge along the river side is colluded with many street vendors selling different kinds of artefacts from Florence mementos, jewellery, toys etc. One can see people rowing boats in the Arno River. It’s the oldest bridge over the river and both edges of the bridge are lined with buildings. These buildings were initially housed butchers shops. But are now replaced with Jewelry shops making it must see activity. If you have some extra Euros in your budget one can do some shopping too.

Uffizi

There is a separate window for collection of reserved tickets in front of the Uffizi entrance. As usual there are two separate lines- reserved tickets and non-reserved tickets. It’s worth taking audio guide or visiting the http://www.uffizi.com/ or http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uffizi before you visit Uffizi. You are not allowed to take snaps or film in the Uffizi. You are not allowed to take in water bottles. So either you have to throw them at the entrance. If you are carrying any sack bags then you have to leave them at the reception. After 2 to 3 hours tour in Uffizi you can come out and rest in the big courtyard. Enjoy drink or may be Gelato.

Duomo

The Duomo in Florence is the third largest cathedral in the world. Also known as The Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore. The entrance to the Duomo is free. There is queue in front of the Duomo for entrance. On your way to Dumo spot tourist information centre and grab walking day tour map. You can spend another half an hour inside the Duomo admiring its beauty. The dome of the Duomo is painted by artist Zuccari. For more information on the Duomo please refer the site. Florence Duomo From the exit you can come out and enjoy the Façade, the grand entrance of the Duomo. Bank opposite the Façade is the Main portal – three huge bronze doors adorned with scenes from life of Modonna. On the right of the Dumos entrance is the Ghitto’s Bell Tower. This completes the visit to the Duomo. It’s almost noon and we head towards Uffizi.
Recommended: On the left side of the Duomo is the entrance for the stairs which lead to the dome of the Duomo. It gives you spectacular view of Florence. We skipped that but its worth watching Florence from the top of the Duomo.
Dome

Entrance of the Duomo:

Video Clip inside the Duomo

Afternoon Lunch:

On our way to Uffizi, it was bit difficult but not impossible to find a cheap eat out. There are some cheap eat outs near the exit of the Uffizi. Or you have to search one in the near by small lanes. Ideal it should cost you around 4 to 5 Euros person in such eat outs. It was difficult to find water fountains in the area and we had to buy mineral water bottles. Therefore it’s advisable to fill up all the water bottles at the hotel early in morning.

Academia- David

We had booked 9:15 am slot for Academia Gallery in Florence. The Academia is not mapped on some of the tourist maps. The Landmark for Academia is St Marks Square or Academia itself. It should take you about 1 hour to visit Academia. Yes, this can increase to couple of hours more if you haven’t booked the Academia tickets in advance. (Note: Please refer the advance booking section. ) There are two lines at the entrance- one for reservations and the other is normal line. The Academia has housed the original of original David by Michelangelo since 1873. If you plan to visit Uffizi then the 1 hr visit to academia is worth admiring the only David and the four unfinished prisoners. The David is master piece of Renaissance sculpture. It is one of the two greatest works of sculpture done by Michelangelo. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_(Michelangelo) ) You are not allowed to take snaps of the original sculpture. However there is copy of David in the courtyard of the Uffizi. At the exit there are toilets and get ready for another day through the lanes of Florence.

Tuscany Wine tasting tour

Tuscany Wine tasting tour:

I was keen in watching the Tuscan wine yards and country side.

So I had booked Wine tasting tour using the site citydiscovery.com. This one was the cheapest one available. The original tour operators are CAF Tours and Travels and you can book directly with them at this site CAF Tours. It costs you around 40 Euros per person. This does not include wine yard trip as stated in citydiscovery.com site. A guide picks you at 2 o clk in afternoon from Piazza Stazione, at the corner with Piazza dell'Unità and drops you back at the same point in the evening. It’s the time to relax in the air-conditioned bus and enjoy the picturesque Tuscan country side and Italian Villas.On your way one can see lot of Wine yards and Olive oil plantations. There is half an hour halt to a church. There is small cave where young lady used to live.

Not to mention a restaurant with toilet facilities. The bus then takes you castle which belonged to the Medici Family. A new guide took over from there. She briefed us about the history of the castle and the owners. She then took us around the private rooms of the castle and the Wine cellar in the basement. She explained the process of wine making and the variety of wines grown in that area. At the end of it, there was wine tasting session. We were given 3 different types of wines grown in the near by wine yards. The wine was accompanied with some snacks. The tour operators allow you another half an hour to buy Wine and Olive oil from near by shop. Those who are not interested in buying stuff can enjoy the country side and take some snaps in the mean time. The bus heads to Florence city centre and drops you at the Piazza dell'Unità.

This was end of day two in Florence. We reached hotel and had dinner. It was time to prepare our self to leave for Venice next morning.

Campidogli Museum

The person at the Roman baths ticket window guide you to Bus stop for Piazza Venezia. Reaching the Piazza Venezia you have to climb the steps of the Campidogli Museum which is quiet unnverving if you are tierd. Couple of Snaps on the steps of the Museum is a good idea. The Museum was built on the top of Capitoline Hill and was designed by Michaelangelo. Various artifacts and statues were removed from the Roman Forma and Palantine hill and placed in the Museum. You have to go collect the entrance tickets by validating your Roman pass. The entrance is marked by huge statues of Agustus. The famous She wolf status who suckled Rome's legendary twin founders is placed in the Museum and is must see. However recently there are some controversies going on about the age of statue. (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080711/ap_on_re_eu/italy_how_old_the_she_wolf).

From Campidogli/ Piazza Venezia we took bus to Coloseum metro station->metro to Rome termine->Hostel. That was end of day three.

Click here to go to Rome Main page

Roman Baths of Carcara

Being in Nottingham UK for more then year we always wished to visit the Bath. However we were not able to go there. So visiting Roman baths was inevitalbe in Rome. From Piazza Cavour we headed to see Roman bath. The bus from the Piazza Cavour takes you to San Giovanni in Laterano. One needs to change bus to Carcara. Three bus stops and you arrive at Carcara. You have to walk around to reach entrance. At the entrance you show the magical Roman pass and you are granted free entrance. The Baths are magnificent however there is hardly anything left over there other then the walls. The artifacts discovered during the escavations are now restored and stored in the Vactican Musuem and other museums around the world. Again not to mention, still is the Architectural proficiency of the building backed in 1 century. It is more or less similar to todays Hi-tech gymnasium or swiming pools. If you are planning for 2 day trip then one can skip the Baths.