SURVIVAL
TIPS
Survival tips in Italy |
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 SURVIVAL
TIPS
FLORENCE
If you are interested in art and history,
places of importance to visit in Florence are : Palazzo
Pitti, Uffizi, Galleria dell'Academia (where Michelangelo's
statue of David is situated), the Duomo (cathedral Santa
Maria del fiore) with it’s famous dome and baptistery,
the Museo dell'opera del Duomo, The ponte vecchio (a
600 year old bridge over the river Arno for pedestrian
traffic only) and piazzale Michelangelo (a famous viewing
point for the whole city).
To avoid long lines at the museums,
it is best to make a booking in advance here’s
the number to call: +39 (for Italy) 055 294 883.
There are many more galleries, etc.
When planning sightseeing, it is not advisable to take
your car into Florence because of the difficulty parking.
Parking restrictions and tow-away areas exist. The best
idea is to take a train or bus in, leaving your car
at one of the rural stations that have free parking
(Santa Maria novella train station is in the centre
of the city) or park your car on the out skirts and
call a cab. We often leave our car in the big car park
of the Sheraton Hotel (as far from reception as possible)
and then ask the concierge to call us a cab (we always
tip him for this hoping he won’t mind that we’re
not guests)
If you would like to park there is
a big pay car park under the station. Open air spaces
marked on the road with blue lines are pay at the meter,
blue with a red dot or red are residents only, yellow
is for handicapped and white is free parking.
Toilets can be used by the brazen
in any big hotel (try to follow your nose rather than
ask, look like you belong) or with a purchase in nearly
every bar.
IN THE COUNTRY:
Almost any town in Tuscany is worth
visiting but may be some stand out because of their
known tourist popularity. Some of these are : Pisa,
Arezzo, Siena (famous for the Palio, a bareback horse
race held each July and august), Lucca, San Gimignano
(known for its ancient towers), Cortona (a town possibly
older than Troy), Pienza, Montepulciano with a fortress
which has existed since the 8th century, Trequanda,
Petroio, where you can find the biggest Terracotta producers,
Chianciano Terme famous for its therapeutically healing
spa resorts.
We really enjoy tooling around the
smaller lesser known villages as well, every medieval
or renaissance hamlet has a treasure to offer you.
DRIVING:
Driving in Italy is very pleasant
on the country roads but some are quite narrow and some
are gravel only. Most areas are very well sign posted.
Don’t try to take your car into the walled medieval
villages, often the streets are too narrow. Park out
side the wall and walk in, it’s good for you and
works up an appetite for more pasta!.
The auto stradas in Italy need care because of the speed
which some drivers attain. It is very important to stay
in the slow lane unless actively over taking. If a faster
car comes up behind you, move over, let it pass. It
is illegal to overtake on the right. Petrol is very
expensive.
If you are worried about driving on
the other side of the road than you are used to, as
long as you have a car from the country you are in,
all you have to think to your self is “Am I the
driver in the middle of the road with the passenger
between me and the curb” It works every time and
is much less confusing than trying to work out left,
right or wrong.
SPEED LIMITS (often ignored by Italians)
50 km/h in urban areas
90 km/h in secondary roads
110 km/h dual carriageways
130 km/h on motorways (autostrade)
You can be penalised by the police
for:
Speeding
Not having your headlights on at all times whilst the
car is in motion
Not putting on a reflective jacket or vest when not
in your car on the Auto strada (your hire car must contain
one by law)
Not putting out a reflective triangle if stopped on
the auto strada(your hire car must contain one by law)
Not putting your seatbelt on.
Driving in bare feet or shoes with out a back or strap
behind the heel such as thongs, flip flops, mules etc.
PARKING:
Parking rules vary from city to city.
Blue definitely means parking is
limited and you either must buy a ticket from a street
machine and display it on your dash board or indicate
the hour of your arrival with a small wheel on the inside
of your wind screen, there will be a sign to tell you
the maximum time allowed.
Yellow definitely means handicapped
or loading zone, do not park in yellow spaces.
Red means resident only parking.
White can mean free parking or can
mean resident only parking. The best bet is to park
in a pay garage. If this is not possible, try to find
a white marked space but read the signs carefully in
case they are resident only.
In both Florence and Siena, the best
place to park is under the station. In Siena, this will
mean a short Taxi or bus ride to reach the centre. There
is also a big pay car park in the Siena stadium (follow
the football signs) In both cities there is ample street
parking although time permitted is usually limited.
In Arezzo we always park on the street.
Be careful entering the centre of
cities as they are usually restricted traffic zones
and have telecameras. The fine will be put on to your
credit card if you have a hire car. With in the next
year it will also be possible for the police to send
traffic and parking violation tickets by post or via
your local police to any EU resident.
HIRE CARS City hire
car offices usually close on Saturday afternoons, Sundays
and public holidays. Airport offices have longer hours
and will often wait for delayed flights. We recommend
a rental car for rural stays. We can organise a rent
a car for you with Hertz for the same price as going
directly to them. You can check this out here: www.intuscany.net/guides/car_rental.htm
EATING
Italian Food Varies from region to
region. Breakfast is usually continental , i.e., juice,
fruit, milk, croissant, packet toast, cold meat, cheese,
coffee, tea, B&Bs that serve dinner will usually
offer local produce (4 courses are not uncommon). Coffee
is never served with dessert, always after.
Cappuccinos or lattes are not drunk
by Italians after 12.00 as the milk is thought to interfere
with the digestion. If you want a long coffee ask for
a “lungo” or “café Americano”
In this case the bar tender will make you an expresso
and then let the machine run on, adding extra hot water.
You can always ask for extra hot or
cold milk. Food and drinks at the bar are cheaper than
at a table. This is because of the extra work involved
for the staff. Some times in quiet country bars this
rule does not apply but in the city it is always the
case. You should tell the bar tender if you intend to
sit down.
Sandwiches never have butter.
Try not to expect the same food that
you have at home.
Restaurants : Must close one day per
week and each owner chooses their own day. Look in the
window and you will see a notice "chiuso ------"
with the day of the week. In this way there are always
restaurants open on any given day.
Trattorias and Osterias are smaller
often family run restaurants usually serving local dishes
and somewhat cheaper than Ristoranti (restaurants) some
bars also serve salads and pasta dishes for light meals.
SUPERMARKETS
You will need a one Euro coin to liberate your shopping
trolley, you get it back when you return the trolly.
Plastic shopping bags are 5cents each (the same price
or slightly less than bought bin liners).
Fruit and vegetables need to be weighed
before you get to the cashier.
All super markets are closed on Sundays
and most are closed Monday morning until about 2.30.
If you are in self catering accommodation, make sure
you check with your host about local supermarket opening
times so that you don’t get stranded with out
food.
OPENING HOURS
In Italy, most shops, galleries, museums, etc close
at 12.30 or 1.00 and reopen at 4.00-5.00 p.m. Banks
are some times open in the afternoon but it’s
best to go in the morning to be sure. Check with your
host.
ELECTRICITY is 220
volts, so Americans will fry their razors, hair dryers,
etc., with out a converter (some times you can get travel
models with two settings), Brits, Aussies etc just will
need an adapter plug as the prongs are different. All
properties at Intuscany will supply hair dryers upon
request.
TELEPHONES You will need a phone card
to use most public phones, buy one in newspaper kiosks
or tobacconists. Cell phones: if you use yours or some
one calls you on it when you are here it will cost you
a fortune. Short message texting is the best idea or
just leave your phone at home (Very liberating)
TOURIST INFORMATION
all cities and major towns have tourist offices. They
are called “Pro loco” and can be very useful,
don’t hesitate to go in, look at the brochures
and ask questions.
SECURITY Petty theft
is common in the cities, do not leave belongings exposed
in the car. Never leave valuables in the car. Watch
out for pickpockets (usually children) in busy areas,
they are competent at their work !
There are several police forces: "la
polizia" deal with most crimes, "carabinieri"
deal with speeding and security. Their uniforms were
designed by Armani !
MEDICAL TREATMENT
Emergency medical treatment is free of charge to any
one presenting them selves at the emergency room. Many
countries, including Australia, The U.K. and the E.U.
have reciprocal medical plans so bring your heath care
cards. If you do need to pay for health care, it is
not exorbitantly expensive as in the U.S.
CURRENCY The local
currency is Euro, it is a decimal system 100 cents =
1 Euro. You can change your money at the bank (expect
long lines) or at a change booth (will cost you slightly
more) or use your credit card when possible and let
your bank worry about the exchange. You will need some
cash for Sundries and some cheaper restaurants. Many
of the properties on our web site require a cash security
deposit, you will be advised about that when booking.
LANGUAGE Italians
are generally easy going and willing to please but it
does help if you learn a few basic words or phrases:
Grazie (grah-tsee-eh) = thank you
Per favore (pair-fah-vor-eh) = please
Buon giorno (bwon-jor-noh) = hello
Buona sera (bwon-ah-sair-ah) = good evening
Si (see) = yes
No (no) = No
Va bene (va beh-neh) = that's fine
Basta (Ba sta) = Stop
There are lots more - a berlitz phrase book is most
helpful
AIRPORTS
The best airports that service Tuscany
are (in order) Florence, Pisa, Rome or Bologna for more
information about getting here and getting around please
click here: http://www.intuscany.net/about/how_to_get_there.htm
BEDS
The standard bed is called a "Matrimoniale"
(matrimonial) it is between King and Queen sized. A
double bed is smaller than Queen sized but bigger than
a single. “Piazza e mezzo” or “letto
Francese” is half as big again as a single bed
and only suitable for two children or a couple very
much in love.
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