For the most of the people, Italy is all about pizza, Tiramisu and pasta.
Of course it is about that too, but it has so much to offer besides food and
renaissance. The inexperienced travelers cannot even imagine.
Nature seen by Mimu
As Italy is stretched in a very interesting shape in the Mediterranean sea,
it has wonderful coastlines both in East and West side of the country.
Eastern Rimini side has sandy beaches and numerous hotels for the massive
sea – sun – sand tourism. The border with France, Western coast and southern
islands, like Sicily offer breathtaking nature and are mixed – rocky and sandy,
have many hidden beaches, luxury resorts with villas, hotels and yachts to stay,
small villages with budget homestays. Water sports are available almost everywhere.
The beaches and water are perfectly clean, water has it’s unbelievably bright
turquoise color. All above mentioned offer it’s authentic architecture, local
cuisine and unbelievably lively Italian character (be aware that three Italians
at one place can already mean a noisy, messy company ;).
Seaside is picturesque but you simply can’t neglect Italy’s mountains.
And the point is that just from the couple of hundred km-s from the sea,
you can find yourself in the local village, next to the mountain lakes
surrounded by the snowy peaks. The main mountain chains are Italian Alps
and Dolomites to the north and Apennines, comparatively low range running
down the peninsula. Those are so attractive for winter sports with the first
class resorts, routes and hotels. And Climbing and mountaineering lovers.
Some climbing spots are available on the seaside also. For more detailed
information regarding rock climbing, check this out here.
Culture and Urban Hints by Mimu
Starting from the Elaine Epoch, Roman Empire, Dark Medievals,
Rennaisance and La Belle Epoch, Italy was the center of the culture,
inspiring and gathering the world culture celebrities , intellectuals and their
masterpieces. Nowadays, cultural centers like Rome, Venice and Florence offer
worldwide known treasures.
If you decide to go to Italy for culture DO NOT go to Florence and Rome in Summer,
better do it at any other season. Firstly it’s unbelievably hot there during that
time, secondly it’s so much packed with the crowd, it will be impossible to feel
the spirit of the place and you will be exhausted by the long lines to the museums.
By the way, museums are quite affordable, but DO BOOK ONLINE in advance, otherwise
you will have to stay in a loooong long line for the tickets and then to enter. When
you purchase your ticket online, you simply can skip the ticket office line first
and then museum entrance line of those who have not been as smart as you.
Reservation shall be done at list two days in advance. Explore those web-pages here.
For Florence, here for Vatican and here for Rome.
P.S Also remember about basic safety of your private belongings, especially in the
crowd. Touristic places are known for thievery, especially in the big cities.
Taste of Italian Life, Cuisine, and hospitality experienced by the elephant
Good hotels are not cheap in Italy at all, in fact these are one of the most
expensive in Europe by our experience, except if you are lucky to get bargain deal
or are a club member of any chain.
But if you want to feel the real Italian hospitality, it’s better to opt home stays
or B&Bs, also widely available.
Of course, Airbnb is a good budget version especially if you travel with friends,
then it comes significantly cheaper. But you will have to eat outside or cook on
your own.
Take into consideration, that Italian breakfast is mostly pastry and wonderful
Italian coffee, which is everywhere of any kind besides hotels. So if you are used
to full American breakfast, you may be disappointed, the richest you may get in B&bs
and homestays is cereals + yogurt/milk and feta cheese.
Generally, variety of coffee, local cheese, pasta, spaghetti, ravioli and pizza is
REALLY HUGE. Meat, vegetarian, with seafood, of any shape and size… For cheese
lovers Pizz Formagio (4 cheese pizza) is heaven, but well done, not every restaurant
can offer you a good one.
Generally, if you want to taste good Italian food, avoid touristic places, look for
the ones, where owner and staff is local, the best is the family business. If you
have chance to travel around Toscana, organize gastronomic tour for yourself… Even
if you are on a diet.. believe it’s worth it.
Wines are also good, but mainly dry, the only sweet or semi-sweet options are Muscat
wine or sparkling.
Transport Hints for big-small transportation
You can get to Italy by any possible way: air, water or land. The air is relevant
for the far distance and all – standard, luxury and low cost airlines operate there.
Arriving to the airport, you can get taxi, train or bus. All are comfortable,
but the bus is the most budget version of the transfer. They are fast,
many companies operate and the competition is quite high,
so they try to catch you outside, near their office, anywhere.
If you travel around Europe, the best way to get to Italy is obviously – fast train.
It develops speed of 280-320 km/h and is much faster than bus, often cheaper then
local low cost airlines, or approximately the same and you save your time on luggage
check, check-in, etc.
Inside the country there are two kinds of trains, already mentioned fast one and
regional. Regional is slower, you have to change trains several times, if you cover
more than 100 km. You shall note that regional train often DOES NOT operate on time
and your chances to skip the train to the next destination are high. GOOD THING is
that you still catch the next train and get to your destination anyway, but of
course later.
The check of the train tickets is rare, but when it happens, very precise.
So do not be tempted to get in without ticket. Fast train seats are indicated in
fats trains and the regional ones are not.
As for the bus, you just can say that you have no money, the worst that may happen,
to drop you on the next station, but if you are not really very tight in budget,
better pay for your travel, or see BLABLACAR.it
P.S trains are per-friendly, especially for such elephants like Mimu 🙂
P.P.S Good option to have a road trip is a car rental, especially if you travel
with friends. It becomes cheaper, allows to explore country in details and be the
master of your time. Companies like Sixt, Avis, etc offer their services in towns
and airports, but better to find online options in advance, as picking car directly
from the office makes a liability to take the full cover insurance, which increases
the rental fee up to Euro 85 and above. You can mix and match you insurance online
as well as pick-up/drop-off locations, etc.. If you decide to pick a car at arrival
by any reasons, ensure NOT to do it at the airport as additional charges apply in
this case.
But be aware that driving in Italy is far away different than in the rest of Europe.
They drive like crazy and scratching and hits is a common thing for them. So full
insurance shall be very useful and convenient point in your hire agreement.
Conclusion by Mimu
From what I have learned about the country, it’s just my personal impression. Do
not judge too strict, I’m just tiny elephant so far…
[Best_Wordpress_Gallery id=”21″ gal_title=”Italy”]