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IGLTA FAM Puglia: Italy's Southern Pearl by The Evolved Traveler
8 Days / 7 Nights 20 Guests April 28, 2020 - May 5, 2020 P a g e | 2
Introduction The South-eastern Region of Italy often referred to as the “Boot of Italy,” including Puglia, has long remained one of Italy’s best-kept secrets. It is pronounced “Pul-ya” or “A-pul-a” - more frequently in English. One of the region’s claims to fame is that silent-film star Rudolph Valentino was from here. Aside from this, the world’s spotlight has bypassed this gem, much to its benefit – and ours!
Puglia is unquestionably a treasure unto-itself, undeniably on par with its more renowned Italian siblings such as Campania and Tuscany. Yet, it is one of the least explored regions of Italy. From the Baroque capital of Lecce to the wonders of UNESCO World Heritage towns Alberobello and Matera, or the olive groves that carpet the landscape to the seaside hamlets with unspoiled beaches, Puglia retains a rustic and tangible authenticity. Locals live off the same land, growing food as their ancestors have for generations. Here, it is not uncommon to be greeted with welcoming smiles from ladies making Puglia’s traditional orecchiette pasta or to be invited in by a local cheesemaker, to taste today’s creation. Life is slower and simpler in Puglia. Though its history runs deep with the influences of neighboring, and sometimes invading, Greeks, Normans, Byzantines, and Spaniards, today, Puglia is rich in its own culture and unspoiled way of life. It is undeniably Italy in the most traditional and authentic form. It is, indeed, Italy’s “undiscovered pearl.”
HIGHLIGHTS OF “Puglia: Italy’s Undiscovered Pearl”
• Exploring the UNESCO World Heritage cities of Matera and Alberobello • Traditional breadmaking in Matera • Accommodations in traditional Masseria • Country tour in electric cars • An evening in the seaside village of Ostuni • Puglian cooking lesson • Dinner in the renowned Grotta Palazzese cave restaurant in Polignano a Mare • Visit historic Lecce • Lunch in a private palazzo in Lecce with a Pizzica Dance and Taranto music performance
Accommodation Destination Start End Basis Room Type Duration
Aquatio Suite Hotel Matera Apr 28 Apr 30 B&B Deluxe Room 2 Nights
Masseria Torre Coccaro Puglia Apr 30 May 5 B&B Deluxe Rooms 5 Nights
Key B&B: Bed and Breakfast
Price $6,495 per person based on double occupancy
$7,545 per person based on single occupancy
Internal Air: $350 roundtrip Milan/Bari (subject to change)
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The Giveback from your journey by The Evolved Traveler
• 65 trees will be planted in reforestation efforts in each guest's name to help offset carbon footprint through our partnership with Carbonfund.Org
• A $200 donation will be donated in each guest's name to the IGLTA Foundation
Included • Planning, communication and operational Set-up • Accommodations at 5-star hotels, room categories noted in the itinerary • Breakfast daily and most meals as noted in the itinerary • Sightseeing provided by private deluxe A/C vehicles as noted in the itinerary when required • Private excursions as noted in the itinerary • Experienced English-speaking private guides for daily sightseeing as noted in the itinerary • Entrance Fees to all sites, monuments, and museums per itinerary • Bottled water during transfers and tours • Porterage at airports (where available) • Transfer assistance in all cities • Local taxes
Excluded • International Air • Internal Air (Milan/Bari roundtrip) • Visa (if required) unless otherwise noted • Meals not noted in itinerary • Gratuities to the local drivers, guides, hotel staff • Airport and departure taxes • Travel Insurance • Any item not noted as included
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Day 1: Milan to Matera (Tue, April 28)
Located in the remote southern Italian region of Basilicata, the tranquil town of Matera serves as the capital of the Matera province. The town is set in a wild area of mountains, dense forests and vast stretches of coastline, dotted with ancient Greek and Roman ruins. Dubbed 'La Citta Sotterrane', which means ‘Underground City’, Matera boasts a wealth of sites below the surface. These include numerous churches such as Santa Barbara, San Giorgio al Paradiso, San Pietro Caveoso and Madonna de Idris, all accessed via a tunnel in the ancient crypt of San Giovanni. Make sure to visit the historical centre, Sassi (meaning stones), a UNESCO World Heritage Site which features prehistoric grottos, networks of houses connected by a labyrinth of alleyways and tunnels.
Day 1 Itinerary Arriving at Milan's Malpensa Airport, you will be met upon arrival and transferred to Linate Airport for our 3:05 PM group flight to Bari. Your international flight should arrive in Milan by noon to safely make this connection.
Together, we will fly to Bari in Italy's Puglia region, a flight of one hour and thirty-five minutes, before continuing to Matera where our journey begins.
Labeled, "The Shame of Italy," in the 1950s, Matera is now recognized for the historical treasure it is and has garnered a great deal of awareness as of late. It is one of Italy's most "in" destinations as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the 2019 European City of Culture, as well as the setting for numerous movies including "The Passion of the Christ," "Wonder Woman," and the soon-to-be-released James Bond film, "No Time to Die." While Matera is gaining attention, it still retains an undiscovered and mystical air.
Our time in Matera will be made even more exceptional with a stay at the Aquatino Cave Luxury Hotel & Spa. Opened in 2018, the Aquatino is a modern-day homage to the historic dwellings of Matera.
This evening we will enjoy a welcome cocktail and dinner at L'abbondanza Lucana.
Overnight: Aquatio Suite Hotel Located in the heart of UNESCO’s Sassi World Heritage Site, Aquatio Suite Hotel offers accommodation in Matera, Italy. The rooms and suites featured were designed and furnished by the famous architect Simone Micheli. All units come equipped with air-conditioning/heating, Wi-Fi, TVs with pay-per-view, safes, minibars, and coffee machines. Guests can enjoy breakfast in the breakfast room, and lunch and dinner is available at the on-site restaurant which serves dishes from the Basilicata region. Leisure facilities include a bar, a heated indoor swimming pool, a spa, Turkish baths, and a fitness centre.
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Included Dinner
Day 2: Matera (Wed, April 29)
Day 2 Itinerary Enjoy a leisurely morning to catch up after your travels. Sleep in, enjoy the spa or perhaps enjoy a Cappucino taking in the stunning scenery and celebrating your arrival in Italy.
We will gather this afternoon for lunch at the popular Soul Kitchen. Since Pietro Marrocolli and his brother, chef Domenico Marrocolli, opened their doors in 2013, Ristorante Soul Kitchen has quickly become one of Matera’s most raved-about restaurants for its modern take on classic Basilicata cuisine.
Following lunch, we will begin our walking exploration of Matera. The town is spread out along the top of a ravine over the Bassento River Valley. Almost dizzying in its compact complexity, the essence of Matera is found in the Sassi, the ancient heart of the city. The Sassi, two districts the northern being Barisano, and the southern is Caveoso, is entirely carved out of the face of the calcareous rock, which is known as tufa stone, is a system made of dwellings carved out of the steep slopes of the valley.
Inhabited since the Palaeolithic era, little has changed in Matera as many of the more "modern" homes are still little more than caves, though some have been painstakingly sculpted from the limestone into actual walls, ceilings, floors, and rooms. In some areas, whole rock-cut streets and rows of homes can be visited. This area takes its name, “La Gravina,” from the river. Elegant and multi-faceted buildings are interspersed with underground mazes and cave labyrinths, forming one single stunning landscape.
Our excursion will take us to both the external and subterranean highlights of Matera, including the Cisterna, Casa Grotta, and Chiesa Rupestre.
We will return to the hotel late this afternoon and have some time to relax before departing for dinner.
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Dinner this evening will be at Le Baccanti. Baccanti is as classy as a cave can be! The design is simple glamour against the low arches of the cavern; the dishes – perhaps ash-baked potato with stracciatella cheese and crumbled taralli (crackers) or ravioli with pezzente (pork sausage) and beans – make refined use of robust local ingredients; and, the gorge views are sublime.
Included Breakfast
Lunch
Diner
Day 3: Matera to Fasano, Puglia (Thu, April 30)
Day 3 Itinerary After breakfast, we will engage with one of Matera's most renowned traditions, breadmaking! From the hotel, we'll walk to one of the oldest bakeries in town where the master bakers, who have baked Matera bread in the same manner for generations. The bakers will explain the processes of making the famous bread. revealing the traditional methods with the flour obtained from the local wheat, the durum, long leavening times, how the bread is cooked in a wood oven.
The most unique aspect of Matera bread is that until the 1950s, the families of Matera kneaded their own bread at home and brought it to the bakery for cooking. To differentiate, and recognize their bread, every family stamped their brand on the dough. That’s why the stamps for bread are a typical handicraft product of Matera.
Our guide will lead us through a few of Matera's other marvels late this morning before we have some free time for lunch.
After lunch, we will depart for Masseria Torre Coccaro, our home for the next five nights.
Masserie, (plural of masseria) are quite common in the Puglia region of Italy, particularly between Bari and Brindisi. Typically, they are a farm or country house or estate, much like a ranch or plantation in the United States, or a hacienda in Spain. Masserie were abundant between the 16th to 18th centuries.
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The 1990s saw a push to restore many of the masserie to bed & breakfast, hotels, and restaurants. In most cases, great efforts were taken to retain the original architectural elements which are typically white medieval stone walls, spacious rooms, stone kitchen fireplaces, arched hallways, and marble floors.
Masseria Torre Coccaro is considered one of the best messeria in the region. A five-star property, it was formerly a large, fortified farm, complete with watchtower, built to fend off invading Turks. Remnants of troughs can be found in some bedrooms, while underground caves once used as olive mills are now a luxury Aveda spa. The gardens feature an outdoor pool, chaise lounges and day beds concealed by pomegranate trees, bougainvillea and hibiscus. Each of the elegant guest rooms and suites at the Torre Coccaro features a private garden and a patio. All have a wireless iPod connection and free Wi-Fi, and some include a fireplace or spa bath. It won't take long before you know you are somewhere exceptional when you have arrived at Masseria Torre Coccaro.
Overnight: Masseria Torre Coccaro Masseria Torre Coccaro is a luxury hotel which is situated on a vast estate overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. The rooms have vaulted ceilings with linen sheets and down pillows. There are junior suites in the antique tower and a large suite with a private pool.
Featured at the hotel are two restaurants. Services offered include a spa, a range of olive oil treatments and yoga and tai- chi lessons. Facilities include wireless high-speed connectivity, a horse-riding centre, a cooking school and free mountain bikes for rides to the beach or in the countryside.
Basis Bed and Breakfast
Included Breakfast
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Dinner
Excluded Lunch
Day 4: Valle d’Itria & Ostuni (Fri, May 1)
Situated in Italy’s Apulia region and facing the Adriatic Sea, Ostuni is famous for its sumptuous olives, idyllic beaches, and ancient, labyrinthian Old Town. Also known as the ‘White City’, the Old Town allows travellers to get lost among its bright, classic, Mediterranean houses or marvel at the intricate frescoes of the Ostuni Cathedral. Ostuni as a whole is blanketed by olive groves, forming an integral part of its extraordinary culinary scene. Gourmands can visit a hundred-year-old olive oil farm, see traditional olive mills, or simply delight in the world of flavour on offer at the many award-winning restaurants. Long stretches of soft sandy beaches lapped by warm, azure waters provide the perfect locations for leisurely afternoons in the sun. Don’t miss the chance to see a 25 000-year-old fossilized human skeleton at the Museo Civilta Preclassiche della Murgia Meridionale.
Day 4 Itinerary Today, we will set out for a genuinely fun and engaging excursion using modern technology to enjoy the traditions of the past.
We will depart for Ostuni after breakfast, approximately 30 minutes away. There, we will pick-up ourTwizy! A Twizy is a compact electric vehicle by Renault with zero-emissions, seats two people, and is unlike anything we have in the US - and it is super fun to drive!
Our destination from Ostuni will be the Valle d'Itria (Itria Valley) and the historic towns of Cisternino and Locorotondo. The Valle d'Itria is Italy's olive grove, producing 40% of the country's olive oil. It is also abundant with citrus orchards and vineyards.
Today's unique journey allows us to get off the beaten track and discover Puglia's authentic country roads, with the historic Trulli homes and small villages that dot the landscape, witnessing life in the region much as it has been for generations. We will stop at a traditional shop where local salami and fresh cheese are produced for a taste before continuing to Cisternino, one of "The Most Beautiful Villages in Italy." Like Matera, its heritage can be traced to the Palaeolithic period, but as of late, it is being recognized for its sustainability and Sustainable Tourism efforts. Cisternino received the "Bandiera Verde Agricoltura" (Agriculture Green Flag) for its outstanding policies on protecting the territory as well as the "Bandiera Arancione (Orange Flag) of the Touring Club" for the quality of the tourism offered.
We'll take some time to explore Cisternino before taking a break to enjoy a local coffee and gelato.
During our "electric trek," we will gather the ingredients along the way for a picnic lunch before making our way back to Ostuni, where we will spend the remainder of the day.
The stunning seaside Ostuni, called “The White Town,” is a medieval village with picturesque alleys and whitewashed houses brightened with colorful geraniums, an amusing maze of streets reminiscent of an Arab Kasbah or the Greek Isles.
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We will have a guided walk in the historic center with a visit to the 15th-century Romanesque-Gothic Cathedral renowned for its beautiful 24-ray rose window portal. We'll continue to Piazza della Liberta, the town's main piazza, where we can also visit the archaeological excavations of the ancient walls and the defensive tower before strolling along Cattedrale Street lined with local artisan, craft, and food stores.
Finally, take some time to explore independently and enjoy a leisurely dinner on your own before returning to our masseria later this evening.
Included Breakfast
Lunch
Day 5: Polignano a Mare (Sat, May 2)
Day 5 Itinerary This morning brings an additional, and fun, “alternative" vehicle excursion.
After breakfast, we will depart for Montalbano, where we will collect and be fitted for our bicycles to begin a relaxing and delightful ride through the Puglian countryside. Our journey takes along a bike path that used to be the ancient Trajan Road that connected Rome to Brindisi. Today, the trail is more apt to be used to explore the Centennial Olive Groves, olive trees, and groves that have existed for hundreds and even thousands of years. It is estimated that there are up to 60 million trees in Puglia! Our two-wheel excursion will immerse us in the historic olive tree and oil culture of the region. We will learn about the production of olive oil over the centuries, which included everything from lamp oil to extra virgin olive oil, we well as the masserie, which today still plays a vital role in the local economy.
One of our stops will be at the Dolmen nearby Montalbano, a prehistoric stone monument dating back 4000 years. Then, we'll continue along the trail of the ancient Trajan Way, leading us to a working masseria for a tasting of local organic cheese.
A photo stop will be made along “Postcard Road,” so named for the idyllic imagery and backdrops often used in movies, before we reach a traditional Masseria for lunch.
After lunch, we will make our way back at a leisurely pace with some time to relax at our masseria before an evening out.
Late this afternoon, we will make our way to Polignano a Mare, Puglia's gorgeous, picture-perfect medieval village, perched on a high and jagged coastline. Here, we will enjoy time to wander through this Italian gem before a genuinely unique and memorable dinner at Grotta Palazzese. Considered one of the "10 Most Spectacular Restaurants in the World," this stunning restaurant is carved out from the face of the cliff limestone, jutting out 74-feet above sea level, allowing diners to watch the waves lap the shores just beneath them.
We will return to our masseria later this evening.
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Included Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 6: Alberobello (Sun, May 3)
Situated in Italy’s breath-taking Apulia region, an hour’s drive southeast of Bari, Alberobello is a charming and wonderfully picturesque destination famous for its unusual and extraordinary ancient buildings. Known as ‘trulli’, the whitewashed, conical dwellings that cover the town’s landscape offer the chance to see a well-preserved example of a specialised prehistoric building technique, which has earned the town a UNESCO listing. The gnome-house-like structures are now used as houses, bars, restaurants, and hotels, but the area has preserved its authentic charm and is still inhabited by many local Italians. The food on offer is of a high standard, including excellent traditional meals, and is well-priced. Excellent views of the entire sprawl of the village can be seen from the Piazza del Popolo Belvedere Trulli.
Day 6 Itinerary Today, we will enjoy some time to sleep-in, relax, enjoy a spa appointment or all the above!
The day will be at leisure until lunchtime, and then it will be time to don an apron! We will step into the kitchen of Masserie Torre Coccaro with the chef for a Puglian cooking lesson using fresh, local ingredients. Once the cooking is done, it is time to enjoy the fruits of our labor! Abundanza!
After lunch, we will depart for Alberobello, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and named as one of Conde Nast's, "15 Most Charming Small Towns in Italy." Alberobello certainly has a storybook feel to it with its famed Trulli homes, a small dwelling built from the local limestone, with dry-stone walls and a characteristic conical roof. It is a traditional and simple type of structure, and while they are renowned in Alberobello as homes, sometimes in its most basic form, they are used as a shed among the olive groves. Our walking tour will provide us with all the history, legends, and stories surrounding Alberobello and the Trulli.
Dinner this evening will be in Alberobello, at the acclaimed IL Trullo d'Oro or Golden Trullo. Situated in an authentic Trullo, built in the early 1800s, IL Trullo d'Oro is renowned for its traditional dishes, use of local products, and interpretation of time-honored regional recipes.
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We will return to our masseria after dinner.
Included Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 7: Lecce (Mon, May 4)
Day 7 Itinerary Our final day takes us to Lecce, the central city on the heel of Italy, and certainly one of the most beautiful towns of southern Italy.
While it is often referred to as "The Florence of the South,” Lecce is a virtual, living open-air museum with exhibits of the Roman Empire, the Medieval, and Renaissance eras, and its most renowned jewels, the Baroque monuments of the 16th to 18th centuries.
Our exploration of Lecce will begin at Piazza Sant' Oronzo with the 2nd century Roman Amphitheater, which once held up to 20,000 spectators. Today, the amphitheater, which is only partially excavated, is a backdrop to the lively piazza and the perfect example of how Lecce's past and present live harmoniously together.
We will continue to the Santa Croce Basilica. Taking nearly two-hundred years to complete, one could take days studying the eclectic features of its ornately decorated facade. We will enjoy taking time with our guide to explore this Baroque masterpiece revered by some and reviled by others.
Nearby, we will have some free time at Piazza del Duomo, one of southern Italy’s most magnificent squares, perfect for strolling amongst the traditional artisan shops or sitting with a cappuccino and watching local life.
This afternoon we will be welcomed into one of Lecce's private palazzos by the owner to be his guests for lunch. Adding to this special occasion will be a Pizzica Dance and Taranta Music performance, a popular and traditional style of dance and music in Puglia.
We will return to our masseria later this afternoon.
This evening we will gather for our farewell dinner on the private beach of our masseria recalling the unique and memorable experiences of our week in Puglia and the fun and excitement that lies ahead at the IGLTA conference in Milan.
Included Breakfast
Lunch
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Dinner
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Day 8: Puglia to Milan (Tue, May 5)
The vibrant metropolis, Milan, it the capital of Italy’s Lombardy region, in northern Italy. Always at the forefront of international fashion, Milan’s sophisticated glitzy facade has afforded it a reputation for superficiality and excessive consumerism. However, beneath its exterior hides a treasure trove of historical and architectural delights: from its glorious Gothic churches, Baroque mansions and Art Nouveau palazzos, to the striking, modern skyscrapers of the Porta Nuova financial district. Must-see sites include the spectacular Duomo Cathedral, the glass-vaulted Galleria, and of course La Scala, one of the world’s most famous opera houses. Milan caters for a broad range of interests: those in search of some glorious designer retail therapy will be well sated, but so too will those looking for fascinating historical sites and remarkable architectural marvels.
Day 8 Itinerary After breakfast, we will depart for the Bari airport and our group flight to Milan.
Our flight departs Bari at 1:00 PM and arrives in Milan's Linate airport at 2:25 PM. Enroute to the IGLTA host hotel, we will have a brief orientation tour of Milan with stops at the historic Duomo and nearby Galleria.
Late this afternoon, we join our IGLTA friends for the 2020 conference!
Included Breakfast
Lunch
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Transport
Flight Information Date Flight Airline Departure Airport Time Arrival Airport Time Class Ref
28 Apr Scheduled Milano Linate Airport Bari Karol Wojtyla [LIN] Airport [BRI]
5 May Scheduled Bari Karol Wojtyla Milano Linate Airport [BRI] Airport [LIN]
Transfers Date Company Pick Up Drop Off Time Vehicle
28 Apr Milan–Malpensa International Milano Linate Airport Transfer Airport [MXP] [LIN]
28 Apr Bari Karol Wojtyla Airport [BRI] Aquatio Suite Hotel Transfer
30 Apr Aquatio Suite Hotel Masseria Torre Coccaro Transfer
5 May Masseria Torre Coccaro Bari Karol Wojtyla Transfer Airport [BRI]
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Travel Information
It is easy to understand why Italy is one of the world’s most celebrated tourist destinations. This is a country that truly does have it all: exquisite landscapes, an abundance of art and architectural treasures, world renowned museums and a national obsession with decadent food and fine wine. Not to mention the country’s sun-kissed olive groves, glacial lakes, fiery volcanoes and snow-capped peaks. Dive the clear green waters of the Mediterranean, browse the market stalls in Naples or experience the diverse wildlife inhabiting the country’s national parks. And if you find the vast range of choices overwhelming, take some advice from the locals: sit back, relax and take a moment to indulge in the “bella vita” (the good life). As they say: when in Rome!
Banking and Currency Currency
Italy uses the European monetary unit, the euro (€).
Euro bills come in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, and 500; coins are worth 1 cent of a euro, 2 cents, 5 cents, 10 cents, 20 cents, 50 cents, 1 euro, and 2 euros. Local merchants may refuse to accept €200 and €500 bills due to the prevalence of counterfeit bills.
Traveller's cheques, cheques and foreign money can be changed at banks, railway stations and airports and very often at major hotels (albeit usually at a less advantageous exchange rate). It is expensive to change foreign currency in Italy; exchange bureau fees are high. Banks will only exchange currency for their own customers.
There are no restrictions on the import or export of local or foreign currency. However, amounts exceeding €10,000 or equivalent must be declared if travelling from or to a country outside the European Union.
Banking
Bank opening hours are regulated by law, they open at 08h30 and close at 13h30 for lunch. They open again in the afternoon at 15h00 and close at 16h00 from Monday to Friday. There are banks that open on Saturdays.
ATMs in Italy are known as Bancomat and can be found anywhere in large cities as well as in small towns. Using a credit card, or even better, a debit card or your local bank (ATM) card is very easy. One must first locate either the Cirrus, Plus, VPay, or BankMate symbol (on the Bancomat and on your card), to ensure the card is usable at that particular unit. If you are unsure about the compatibility or the banking systems, contact your credit card company or local bank.
Travel, Transport and Getting Around Alitalia (AZ) (www.alitalia.com) is the main domestic carrier. Other local budget operators are Meridiana (www.meridiana.it), Air One (www.flyairone.it), Windjet (www.volawindjet.it) and AirAlps (www.airalps.at). For the best
P a g e | 16 deals on flights to Italy, travel out of season. Otherwise book ahead at peak times such as Easter week, the summer holiday period of July and August, and Christmas.
Italy has many regional airports offering good coverage of the whole peninsula. While flying may be the best option when travelling the length and breadth of the country, shorter routes are better served by the high-speed train network. Italy has well developed public and private transportation options. The Italian rail network is extensive, especially in the north, generally eclipsing the need for an alternative such as bus or air (both of which, however, exist to some extent). While a number of private railroads exist and provide mostly commuter-type services, the national railway, Ferrovie dello Stato, also provides a sophisticated high-speed rail service that joins the major cities of Italy from Naples through northern cities such as Milan and Turin
Self-drive car hire services are available in most cities, airports and resorts. Many international and Italian firms operate this service. Booking online, in advance, generally yields the best prices. The minimum driving age is 18. Speed limits are 50kph (31mph) in urban areas, 90kph (55mph) on ordinary roads, 110kph (68mph) on dual carriageways and 130kph (80mph) on motorways. Dipped headlights are compulsory outside built-up areas during the day. All vehicles must carry a red warning triangle. Seat belts are compulsory. Note: Fines for driving offences are on-the-spot and particularly heavy.
All EU member states’ driving licenses are recognised in Italy. In practice, many car hire agencies also accept many non- EU licences such as those from Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the US. Drivers from other countries will need an International Driving Permit. Visitors must carry their logbook, which must be in their name as owner, or have the owner's written permission to drive the vehicle. A driving licence or a motorcycle driving licence is required for motorcycles over 49cc.
There is a very efficient inter-city bus service. The buses are modern, comfortable, fast and well equipped. They also provide a very economical way of traveling around the country.
There are a lot of islands off the coast of Italy, including the major ones of Sardinia and Sicily, so naturally there are a lot of ferries traveling backwards and forwards.
Food, Drink and Cuisine Advice Standards of hygiene, in relation to food health and safety in Italy, are generally high in hotels, restaurants, pubs and nightspots. Restaurants are subject to food safety control legislation, which is implemented by local government. Regulations include certification and regular inspections by health inspectors to ensure hygienic standards are maintained.
It is safe to eat fresh fruit, vegetables and salads, and to put ice in your drinks. Italy's fish, meat and chicken are of excellent quality, so there is no need to limit yourself when enjoying the local cuisine.
There are two cardinal rules of Italian cuisine - eat locally and eat seasonally. Imported foods are changing this picture, but faithful Italian cooks would never eat asparagus, tomatoes or artichokes out of season. Food is part of the rhythm of life, and so Italians eagerly await the arrival of seasonal ingredients from mushrooms in the fall to wild strawberries in the spring.
Tap water throughout Italy is safe to drink and to cook with when taken from taps in urban areas. Not all tap water in rural areas is safe for consumption, so take precautions if necessary.
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Climate and Weather The climate varies considerably from the north to the south of Italy. In the north of the country - the area between the Alps and the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines - the climate is harsh, with very cold winters and very hot, particularly humid summers. In central Italy the climate is milder, with a smaller difference in temperature between summer and winter and a shorter and less intense cold season than in the north; summers are longer, but the sultriness of the northern cities is mitigated by the sea. In southern Italy and the islands winters are never particularly harsh, and spring and autumn temperatures are similar to those reached in the summer in other areas of Italy.
Clothing and Dress Recommendations Summers can be steamy, but shorts are still regarded as resort wear by most Italians. Cotton slacks or capri pants for women are a stylish alternative. The appeal of jeans is universal, and a quality pair matched with a sports shirt or blouse is acceptable casual wear in Italy. Pack a sweater or light jacket for travel in spring or early fall. Winters, even in the south, can be chilly, and a wool jacket or coat is a wise choice. Italians tend to regard down jackets and vests as ski resort wear. A small raincoat or travel umbrella is a smart accessory to have year-round.
Women should dress modestly in Italy; churches and some museums often require it. Signs outside many churches detail clothing that is not permitted: usually shorts, bare arms, low-cut dresses and short skirts for women; and shorts, bare arms and tank tops for men.
Electricity and Plug Standards For the most part, electrical sockets (outlets) in Italy (Repubblica Italiana) are their own standard, the "Type L" Italian CEI 23-16/VII. Also reported to be in use is the "Type C" European CEE 7/16 Europlug. If your appliance's plug doesn't match the shape of these sockets, you will need a travel plug adapter in order to plug in. Travel plug adapters simply change the shape of your appliance's plug to match whatever type of socket you need to plug into. If it's crucial to be able to be able to plug in no matter what, bring an adapter for both types.
Electrical sockets (outlets) in Italy (Repubblica Italiana) usually supply electricity at between 220- and 240-volts AC. If you're plugging in an appliance that was built for 220-240-volt electrical input, or an appliance that is compatible with multiple voltages, then an adapter is all you need. If your appliance is not compatible with 220-240 electrical output, a voltage converter will be necessary.