#validating train and bus tickets in italy

[walkswithmycamera]

Rapallo, Liguria ITALY

We're going to be train🚆hopping from Rapallo to Riomaggiore, the furthest village in the Cinque Terre national heritage park and steadily working our way back over the course of the day.

The main Cinque Terre villages aka the '5 Lands' are: Riomaggiore ➡️ Manarola ➡️ Corniglia (387 steps up from the station) ➡️ Vernazza ➡️ Monterosso

But, it hasn't all been plain sailing, so to speak...

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HERE'S HOW WE ROLLED:

NOTE! External links (hightlighted in BLUE) open in the same window, I have to figure out how to resolve this - so PLEASE, use the Back Button on your browser to return to the post thread, or right click to open in a new tab or window. THANK YOU!

The weather forecast we received just a day before we were due to depart on our "Italian Escapade" hmmmm

An orange weather warning was in place for heavy rain, possible flooding and strong winds 🤐 all from the moment we arrived on French AND Italian soil 😭 Dammit, we'd planned long and hard for this trip - we hadn't accounted for flooding!

But, we were lucky… it was dry with pleasant temperatures when we arrived some 2 hours behind schedule at NCE airport 🇫🇷, which was excellent as we had a 20 minute walk to our hotel for the night.

Moving on to Genoa 🇮🇹 the next day by Flixbus we awoke to rain but by the time we'd had breakfast and shipped out of the hotel it was improving and had stopped fully before we reached the bus terminal at T1 NCE Airport.

It was a bit of a grey journey, as can be seen from the image below, but with some fabulous views of ravines and little picturesque French towns hugging the coastline were visible all the way from the high route road.

Next, a refuelling stop just after we passed through the tollbooths at Ventimiglia - WOW! See the image below...

And that wasn't all of it, the driver also put in almost 30 EUR from a second pump. We assumed it was a mixture, a bit like the 'old skool' way of mopeds having to have a measure of two stroke oil.

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Immigration Officials boarded the coach at Ventimiglia, so passports or ID cards had to be produced.

The weather stayed dry through the remainder of the day, although not during the full bus journey - and we eventually reached Genoa at around 14:30hrs (2.30pm in the afternoon), still some 90+ minutes behind schedule owing to a late departure from the Flixbus terminal in Nice.

---000--- We had another overnight stay planned in a hostel closer to Brignole train station.

This meant taking a bus from the Genova Principe area, which was no easy task.

And yes, we finally did uncover the secret that you cannot purchase tickets from the bus driver - they had to be purchased either from a machine or a Tabac shop and each single ticket must be 'validated' in the machine as you board the bus. This was the most difficult part of our transport in and around Italy, as although many blogposts I'd read during the research for this particular trip, all referred to the 'validation' - not one person actually made clear what was involved in this particular process...

Basically, you stick one end of the ticket into the machine which date and time stamps it. The same applies for the majority of train tickets if you purchase card or paper tickets. Usually, there's an indictor line, which states you must keep the ticket to the left side of the slot when you insert it. Please be aware of the rules for your ticket - if inspectors board the train and you have not validated before boarding, you could receive a large fine!

The Bus and/or Metro ticket lasts for a duration of 110 minutes, which allows you to change to another en-route if necessary.

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Meanwhile the next morning, the weather outlook was most definitely although slowly improving, as we made our way into Rapallo by train a little before lunchtime on this, our second full day after departing the UK from LPL John Lennon Airport on our easyJet flight.

Our stay in Rapallo at the Hotel Italia e Lido by the castle was booked for 5 nights and we were most pleased to find our room was ready even though we arrived a little earlier than the official check-in time. So, as the weather was definitely better than we anticipated from the forecast, we dumped our bags and headed to the bus station which we had passed on exiting the train station.

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WE WERE OFF TO PORTOFINO!

We certainly weren't taking any chances that this part of the trip was going to be thwarted. As the saying goes 'make hay while the sun shines' meaning 'do it now.'

Two buses were required, the first being the number 707 from Rapallo to Santa Margherita Ligure (the next proper town) and from there another bus (I believe it was the 782) to Portofino. The cost came to €20 for the return journey for both of us.

Whilst having that drink along the small harbour front at Portofino, one of the waiters began to furl up the large umbrellas, as we watched a dark mist begin to form out of the bay over the Ligurian sea.

We were informed heavy rains were expected in around 20 minutes time, so it was a quick decision and we decided it was probably better to see if we could grab a bus back to the next town and if necessary, sit out the weather there...

But, upon checking out the rather long snake queue for the half hourly small Portofino bus back to Santa Margherita Ligure, we were looking at a 2 hour wait at the very minimum and although a couple of ladies we got chatting with said they were happy to share their taxi with us (when it eventually came), we gave up on the idea... Because every man and his dog were trying to flag down each passing taxi to escape before the threatened bad weather arrived.

So, we took the 5.5km footpath walking route which meanders partly up above the road and for the majority of the time, away from passing traffic.

You can see the route here on Rome2Rio website (our 'go to' for getting from A to B research), or check out the alternative options.

There is a ferry route (you will see the details through the Rome2Rio website link posted above), which runs between Rapallo, Santa Margherita Ligure and Portofino, but due to the predicted bad weather the last one had just headed out for the day and then, wasn't scheduled to run until the weekend due to strong winds approaching...

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And, CINQUE TERRE?

We stuck to our guns and held our nerve for our last full day in Rapallo - we booked the rail tickets for the Cinque Terre part of our tour the day before - and awoke the next morning to this.

Exactly the kind of day we were holding out for!

Yes, we did make it to Cinque Terre - with a few hiccups on the way back, such as a delayed and then a cancelled train which made it a bit awkward getting back from Monterosso and Levanto - plus a little 'argy bargy' over the request for a bathroom break in a bar where they wanted us to order drinks first. Something we were perfectly happy enough to do and had already planned to do so, but they were holding us over a barrel and not pointing out where the mysterious bathroom was.... so we got up and left - after our drinks had been poured, but without touching them. Lots of shouting in our faces and arm waving, but we weren't having any of it.

More will follow on the Cinque Terre, once I've processed my images and thoughts....

Thanks for reading, Shell xx

[hella1975]

it’s so cool that you’re going backpacking I’ve always wanted to do that! do you have any pictures or tips for ppl who want to go?

giving an early twenties gap year girlie a free pass to talk about when she backpacked europe is a DANGEROUS thing yes i will gladly talk in detail at length about it thank you so much. hold my hand. you're not going anywhere. stop struggling.

my europe trip!!!

so we did 11 cities in 9 countries in 28 days (france, belgium, germany, netherlands, czech, slovenia, hungary, austria, italy) staying at least one night in all of them except germany because THAT COUNTRY WANTS ME DEAD. here are some tips for people wanting to do something similar:

the official interrail pass is a LIFESAVER we literally paid ~£240 for a global 7 day pass and it meant we got over a dozen trains that individually would have all been £100+ like you save a STUPID amount of money

you don't have to book all your accom in advance. we booked for the first 2 weeks which was good bc we were still finding our feet and it made it less stressful, but for the last 2 weeks we would book accom literally as we got the train to the place in question and it made it much more flexible bc if we liked a place we'd just stay there another night

hostelworld is a really good app for this, very affordable while still being legit

BUY YOUR OWN PADLOCK! a lot of hostels have lockers to put your things in but will charge extra for a padlock to keep it secure

imo seat reservations on trains are generally a waste of money. take this tip w a pinch of salt bc i travelled in the non-tourist season, but we always managed to get seats on trains no matter how busy it was and booking seat reservations (the single time we did it) led to us wasting about 15 euros each to sit in different carriages, and then we were delayed and missed the 2nd train so didn't even get our booked seats AT ALL and we decided from then on to just firm it and not reserve any and honestly we were totally fine

look into the public transport of the specific place you're in beforehand. it is 100% better to utilise the public transport over getting taxis or walking everywhere but a lot of people get intimidated and waste the fact that most european countries have amazing public transport. the only thing i will say is to just check how people get tickets, if it's tap-on tap-off (a majority are), if it's paper tickets then where to validate them etc etc

if you're a female or female presenting solo traveller then at all times of year this is a VERY COMMON THING and is generally very safe. every hostel offers female only dorms and a lot of other travellers are very chatty, so it's easy to make friends or at least make sure people Know You're There. i had a couple instances of being the only girl in a 12 bed mixed dorm which made me very very antsy, but i was travelling with a man and i always made an effort to seek out any other girls in a hostel and ensure we all checked on each other

don't leave anything out in a hostel unless you're okay with losing it 😭 i thought i'd be okay bc im so paranoid i refused to leave ANYTHING out when i wasn't in the room and some fucker STILL took my goddamn sliders of all things

portable chargers, making sure you have the right adapter, charging your phone at any opportunity etc etc. the last thing you want is a dead phone. it's my mantra when travelling ANYWHERE that as long as i still had my passport and my phone then everything else could work itself out and that's coming from someone whose CARD GOT SHREDDED IN VIENNA AND GENERALLY HAS CARTOONISHLY ROTTEN LUCK WHEN ABROAD. ALWAYS be vigilant about these two things

do the tourist things! go to the famous sights! i mean this so seriously! but also try find little hole in the wall spots too! my highlights of the trip are very traditional things like the colosseum and the eiffel tower and lake bled etc etc we even did a couple big bus tours that were really fun but then i also have the time we went drinking w locals in zaandam and wound up dancing in this really random bar we never would have found otherwise or the restaurant we found in paris hidden behind a whole other building where they sat strangers on the same table and we got a 3 course meal and a bottle of wine for 20 euros like try get a good mix of Known Sights and Hidden Gems

skincare products will be a godsend after one 11 hour train journey too many fr keep some moisturiser on you at all times 😭

on that note also, you'll figure this out as you go but try pack your bag tactically bc there's nothing worse than being 5 hours deep into a train ride and realising you Desperately Want something that you know is right at the bottom of your massive fuck off backpack

i know i said i swear by hostelworld but SOMETIMES hostels work out more expensive than some shitty hotel or an airbnb so make sure to check ALL accomodation options. our last stop of the trip was 4 nights in rome and it wound up being significantly cheaper for us to stay in a 2* hotel right in the middle of the city than it was to get any of the hostels that would have put us on the outskirts

final tip is if this is truly something you want to do then START PLANNING!!! backpacking is a super affordable way of seeing a lot of beautiful countries in one go. it really didn't take me as long as i thought it would to save for this and i'd say if you're being really disciplined you can do the whole thing (the WHOLE thing like travel, accom and spending) for just £1k. i also think staying in hostels and getting trains and lugging a big bag around is actually much more rewarding than doing it a fancy way. like it forces you to interact with the country you're in and that doesn't always happen if you just get fancy hotels. go go go!

here are some of my fav pics!!! tho i am not good at taking pics so bear with also 10 pic limit so ill reblog with more bc i took hundreds

paris:

brussels:

köln:

prague:

[umichenginabroad]

Week 1: Planes, Trains, and Automobiles (+ a Ferry)

Ciao!

In the past week, I have used Italian trains, buses, taxis, a shuttle van, planes, and taken a ferry ride, so this blog post will be dedicated to transportation. 

To begin, I was supposed to fly from Chicago to Dublin, then Dublin to Naples, where CIS Abroad (the company hosting the program) provided transport shuttles to either the dorms or shared apartment accommodations in Sorrento. The initial long-haul flight wasn’t too bad, I read for the majority of the flight and was fed some half-decent food. 

Unfortunately, due to delays on the tarmac in Chicago, I missed my connecting flight in Dublin and had to figure out another way to Naples. I luckily discovered someone else also in my program in my same flight and we navigated Europe together. Since the next flight out to Naples wasn’t until the following evening, we decided to go instead to Rome and then brave the Italian train system to navigate to Naples. 

(Me and a fellow study abroad student taking a shuttle to our new terminal in Dublin)

To preface, figuring out the train system seemed to be one of the biggest learning curves people that I have talked to have encountered in the past, and as such it was something I was nervous about coming to Italy. Trains (and ferries, as it turns out) are frequently late and don’t align with posted schedules, tickets have to not only be bought but also validated at the station, and the platform numbers commonly change right before arrival. We were supposed to be briefed on how to handle it during our orientation the first day, however we were thrown straight in the deep end! We used one of the most common websites for booking high-speed trains, ItaliaRail, and managed to book a train from the Rome airport to the main Roman train station (surprisingly far from the airport), then one from Rome to Naples for a total cost of around 65 euros.

(Red passenger train with volcano in background)

Since the first train was a regional/local train, there were no assigned seats and thus we had to validate our tickets just before boarding through, however for the high speed cross-country train to Naples, since we had an assigned seat, we did not have to validate (something that stressed us out as you can face fines if you don’t properly validate tickets). Thankfully, everyone we talked to was very nice and helped us figure it out. 

Once in Naples, we shared a taxi to the airport with two other travelers we met along the way (5 euros each) and waited until a few others from the program landed and got the last transfer shuttle to Sorrento. Finally, after over 36 hours of traveling (almost 16 more than intended) we arrive with a leg up on the local transport compared to our peers.

Just earlier today, I took a bus with two other friends from Sorrento to Positano, another town along the Almalfi coast, for 10 euros. Getting the ticket was very easy, as the ticket booth at the bus station was clearly marked. The bus was about 30 minutes late, but that is to be expected for Italian buses. After around 45 minutes and many many curvy and windy roads, we got off at Positano and explored the town. On the way back, we bought ferry tickets for 19 euros (cheaper with cash than online) and waited in a long line to board. As with the bus, the ferry was quite late, but actually took less time to get back to Sorrento. I think the ferry is my new favorite form of transportation as I loved sitting on the top deck and watching the coastline go by. 

(view of Sorrentine peninsula from top deck of ferry)

Overall, I am quite proud of myself for figuring out how to get around on the fly, but I definitely took away some important lessons. First, be patient, both with yourself and the transportation. Everyone gets lost/confused sometimes and navigating a new country is daunting. Be willing to ask for help if you don’t know what to do! It’s better than facing fines or unknowingly breaking any transit laws. Additionally, some places only take cash, make sure to always carry some cash! Lastly, if you can, TAKE DRAMAMINE, especially for the buses. I am not one to get car/motion sick, but the switch backs and coastal curves are no joke and all three of us were very close to turning green by the time we got off the bus. 

This post is getting long, but I wanted to share some details of Italian public transportation as that was one of my biggest questions going into this program. 

See you next week!

Marika Ruppart

Mechanical Engineering

Engineering in Sorrento, Italy 

[ivenothingtosaybutillsayitanyway]

I’ve seen so many posts and reels about people that felt like they were scammed while traveling in Italy that I’ve felt compelled to make this.

THINGS TO KNOW IF YOU ARE TRAVELING TO ITALY

(source I’m Italian and I travel a lot)

USING PUBLIC TRANSIT

Disclaimer: some things here might seem obvious and/or don’t apply only to Italy, but not everyone is used to take public transit and the Italian is the one Ive seen lot of people shit on

Do I need to validate my ticket?

the most complains I’ve seen were about the need to validate your ticket so here’s a rule of thumb. If the ticket has your name and an assigned seat on it, you won’t have to validate it. This is true for fast trains (frecciarossa and italo) but also all planes, most ferries and some long haul busses.

If your name isn’t written anywhere on it, if you don’t have an assigned seat, if it looks like this

or it has the word “convalidare” anywhere on it, you need to validate it. It works this way on small distance/slow trains (intercity and regionale but also trains like the ones that go around lake Como or the circumvesuviana or the ones that get you from the airport to the city center), city busses, metros and boats that do a bus like service (think vaporettos in Venice). IF THE TICKET HASN’T BEEN VALIDATED YOU WILL BE FINED.

Where can I validate my ticket?

trains and boats:

You’ll find a small machine at the start of the platform that will print the time and place on the ticket. If you don’t find the machine, it doesn’t work or you are running late you can get on the train and write it yourself with a pen.

busses:

The machine is on the bus, usually there’s two, in Rome they’re yellow. The ticket needs to be put in in the right direction, they usually have an arrow on it to help. If the machines are broken and you have a pen, write the time you got on the bus on it. If you don’t have a pen and someone asks to see your ticket TELL THEM the machines didn’t work.

metro:

You cannot get inside the train if you don’t validate your ticket at the turnstile. Usually there are a lot of them one next to the other so it will be very hard to miss.

side note I was writing this on a train (hence the pictures) someone tried to stab someone else. this was supposed to be a ode to public transit. and they made me call the cops. they where, of course, useless. and i am a little shaken. we’re also an hour late. i swear things aren’t always this bad, but be advised that they can be.

Where can I buy a ticket?

train and boats:

All the tickets you don’t need to validate, the ones with your name on it, you can buy online. Trenitalia and Italo, the two main train companies, both have apps you can also use.

All types of train and boat tickets can be bought at the station/port.

metro:

All metro stations have at least a machine where you can buy your ticket. In most cities (if not all) the ticket you buy in the metro stations is also valid for the city’s busses. In Rome you can also just tap you credit/debit card (or smartphone) on certain turnstiles and it will automatically buy a one trip ticket.

bus:

Most busses first/last stop have ticket machines. Central train stations are also a safe bet. If you are walking around the city the Tabacchi (the place where Italians buy cigarettes, you can recognize them by a T sign outside) also sell them.

Being able to buy a ticket inside the bus varies greatly from city to city. In some cities the driver will sell the ticket to you (sometime they’re pricier than the tickets bought at the station, they are not trying to scam you, is because that isn’t the preferred method and they are trying to dissuade people from slowing down the drivers), in others you might find a machine that only takes coins.

In Rome SOME busses have a machine that only accepts electronic payment.

MyCicero is a app that lets you buy a wide array of tickets on it, if you are in a pickle you could always check if they sell what you are looking for.

How do I know when the train/metro/bus will come?

The train station work just as an airport, you have two panels/screens with arrivals (ARRIVI) and departures (PARTENZE). Each row is about a single train and has all the information you need, the train number, the type of train (freccia, italo, intercity, regionale), where it comes from if it is an arrival and where it goes if it’s a departure, the time (it arrives/departs), the various stops it does and in which platform you can find it.

There is also a place for eventual delays.

Sometimes your stop won’t be the train’s last stop so be sure to check the train number (that you can find on you ticket) and the stops written on the PARTENZE screen.

On the metro you will usually find a screen directly on the platform that informs you about when the next train should come.

Busses are a little bit trickier they depart from their terminus on a schedule but with traffic you can never tell. Google maps tries to give you an estimated time of arrival but in my experience it rarely gets it right. I personally use Moovit (I live in Rome, it worked really well in Ischia too), it’s also very good to keep track of where you have to get out. The app has a free version with ads.

On busses you have to ask for the stop, if you are inside the bus there are buttons you can push that will let the driver know they have to stop at the next stop. If you are waiting for the bus and you see it coming you should step on the edge of the sidewalk and put your arm out. If no one tells the driver to stop THE BUS WILL NOT STOP.

Etiquette

This one is just for me but please follow these 3 simple rules because I take busses everyday and I hate most people I commute with.

1. let people get out before you try to get in. there’s limited space inside and the bus/train won’t leave without you but I will elbow a bitch.

2. put your backpack between your legs. once again there’s limited spaces and you are less aware of you backpack if it’s on your back. Big cities are full of pickpockets and that’s the best way to loose your wallet and/or deck someone in the face because you weren’t paying attention

3. for the love of god use headphones/earphones or silence your phone. it’s 7AM i don’t want to listen to the same 15 seconds of the same pop song over and over again.

HOTELS

When you do your check in 2 things will happen in Italy that don’t happen outside of Europe.

Tassa di soggiorno: even if you have already paid for your room you will be asked to pay the sojourn tax also known as the tourism tax. the prices varies from city to city but is usually just a couple of euros per person per night. This is not the hotel trying to scam you, but it stems from the idea that during your stay you are using public services for a city you don’t pay taxes in.

Asking for your ID: you have to give your ID to the hotel and if you’re not from the EU it has to be your passport. The receptionist will either take a picture of it or photocopy it. If you do a self check in you will be asked to send a picture of your ID. They are not trying to steal your identity, by law they have to declare (to the police!) the identity of the people that are renting their rooms. This is for a variety of reasons: it prevents money laundering, the trafficking of people and it makes it harder for people who are evading the law to move around freely.

[milanmalpensaairportitaly]

Milan Central Station To Malpensa Airport

Milan Central Station To Malpensa Airport

Milan, known for its fashion and design, is also a bustling hub of transportation in Italy. For travelers passing through Milan Central Station en route to catch a flight at Malpensa Airport, there are several convenient options available. Here’s a detailed guide on how to make this journey seamlessly.

1. Malpensa Express Train

The Malpensa Express train is the most popular and efficient way to travel between Milan Central Station and Malpensa Airport. The journey takes approximately 50 minutes, with trains departing every 30 minutes. The trains are modern, comfortable, and equipped with ample luggage storage space, making them ideal for travelers with suitcases.

To catch the Malpensa Express from Milan Central Station, head to the underground platforms located beneath the main station. Look for signs directing you to the Malpensa Express. Once onboard, relax and enjoy the scenic journey through the Italian countryside as you make your way to the airport.

2. Shuttle Bus Services

Several shuttle bus services operate between Milan Central Station and Malpensa Airport. These buses offer a convenient option for travelers with heavy luggage or those looking for a direct route to the airport. The journey takes approximately 60–90 minutes, depending on traffic conditions.

To catch a shuttle bus, exit Milan Central Station and look for the bus stops located outside the station. Be sure to check the schedule and purchase tickets in advance, as buses can fill up quickly during peak travel times.

3. Taxi

For travelers seeking a more personalized and direct option, taxis are available at Milan Central Station for the journey to Malpensa Airport. Taxis offer door-to-door service and can accommodate passengers with luggage. However, taxis can be more expensive than other transportation options and are subject to traffic conditions.

To catch a taxi, head to the designated taxi stands located outside Milan Central Station. It’s advisable to confirm the fare with the driver before starting your journey to avoid any misunderstandings.

4. Rental Car

For travelers looking for flexibility and independence, rental cars are available at Milan Central Station. Renting a car allows you to explore the surrounding area at your own pace before heading to Malpensa Airport. However, parking at the airport can be expensive, so be sure to factor this into your travel plans.

To rent a car, head to one of the rental car agencies located near Milan Central Station. Be sure to have a valid driver’s license and a credit card for payment.

Conclusion

Traveling from Milan Central Station to Malpensa Airport is a straightforward journey with several convenient options available. Whether you choose to take the Malpensa Express train, a shuttle bus, a taxi, or rent a car, you’ll find that getting to the airport is easy and hassle-free. So, sit back, relax, and enjoy the journey as you make your way to catch your flight from Malpensa Airport.

[pigeonlodgeagent]

Global Pass: how many countries can you visit?

The Interrail Global Pass lets you travel in 33 countries and gives you a practically unlimited choice of routes so you can travel however suits you best. The Interrail Global Pass gives you access to all of the participating railway networks and allows you to travel for a set amount of time, with no need to purchase tickets for each journey. This means you can take any route you want and travel as much as you like during the time period your pass is valid. Eurail/Interrail Global Pass (Travel freely through 33 countries) - Available today - Issued instantly - E-pass - Free cancellations - From $212.95 Book

Global Pass: how many countries can you visit?

Time and money can be saved by using this method. Throughout 33 European countries, you will be able to take unlimited rides on the majority of trains. Ticket purchases are not required separately for this event. Taking care of things quickly and easily. There is no need to wait for passes, they are issued instantly. To board the train, you will need to show the ticket code on your ticket. It is possible to cancel your reservation at any time. Get exclusive discounts and offers by signing up today. Whether you're looking for local transportation, attraction tickets, accommodations, or more, we have them all.

Photo by Vidar Nordli-Mathisen Travel Validity - 4 Days Within 1 Month - 5 Days Within 1 Month - Popular7 Days Within 1 Month - 10 Days Within 2 Months - 15 Days Within 2 Months - 15 Consecutive Days - 22 Consecutive Days - 1 Month - 2 Months - 3 Months During the validity period of your Eurail/Interrail Global Pass, you'll be able to take unlimited train rides on most trains in 33 European countries. Includes Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, North Macedonia, Montenegro, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, and the United Kingdom. A wide range of exclusive benefits are available to you Attractions - A 10% discount is available on Disneyland Paris tickets - The Barcelona City Card is now available at a discount of 10% - The Sandeman's New Europe Tours are available with a 20% discount on Madrid Tours - A 20% discount is available on Paris Tours - SANDEMAN'S NEW Europe - for a limited time only - Transportation Free with the BB Intercity bus - Transportation of 50% of FRAM buses What is the best way to use it? Purchasing a pass is the best way to get started Activate your account within 11 months of the date of purchase. You can download the Rail Planner app from the App Store It is easy to plan your itinerary once you have added your pass. A limited number of seats are available for reservation Certain trains are required to have this requirement. It is better to take the train instead of the bus. Please present your e-ticket to the board when you arrive. Important Notes Eligibility Type of Pass Eligibility Interrail Pass Citizens or permanent residents of one of the following countries/regions: European Union:Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden Other applicable countries/regions: Albania, Andorra, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Faroe Islands, Gibraltar, Iceland, Kosovo, Liechtenstein, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, Russian Federation, San Marino, Serbia, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Vatican City. Eurail Pass Those who are not citizens or permanent residents of the countries/regions listed above. The following fees are included in the fee Passes for the Eurail/Interrail system Exceptions to Fees - Fees associated with seat reservations - The inclusions do not include any personal expenses or fees that are not mentioned in the inclusions - As a result of force majeure events such as delays, strikes, bad weather, breakdowns, train cancellations, schedule changes, etc., additional costs may be incurred. There are several policies that apply to tickets - 1. If you want to cancel your reservation in one of the following scenarios, you can do so for free: - As of the date of purchase, the pass has not been activated within one year from the date of purchase. - The pass has been deactivated or it has been activated, but it is before the first day of validity and the pass has been deactivated or activated. - 2. During the following situations, passes can not be refunded or canceled: - Activation of the pass has already begun and the first day of validity of the pass has already passed or may have already begun. - It is important to note that the cancellation request was submitted over 12 months after the pass had been issued. At the moment, partial cancellations cannot be made online due to technical difficulties. A cancellation request can be made by contacting Trip.com customer support if your booking includes a pass that has already been activated and there are at least 7 working days (not including the first day the pass is valid) before the start of the first day of validity of the pass.

  Read the full article

[viaggifintishedirpharma]

Essential Tips Before Travel To Italy

Italy is rated the fifth most visited country in international country arrivals. The rich culture, cuisine, history, fashion, and art. The fascinating coastline, mountains, and beaches. Not to forget it is the birthplace of the Roman Empire and the Renaissance and home to the UNESCO World Heritage cultural sites. Italy is sure has a way of blessing its visitors while creating that longingness to come over and over again. However, before you hop over to this amazing country, shedir pharma brings to you tips to ensure you get the most of your trip. 

 Shedir Pharma srl is a company from Piano di Sorrento (NA) Italy leader in the field of

Wholesale supplements. The company organizes travel and conferences around the globe. Hence, the Viaggi Finti Shedir Pharma is a statement that has discovered to be false after the authorities find out it has no concrete evidence. Then declaring Viaggi Finti as fake. To get a truly awesome experience of the country, shedir pharma walks you through some practical tips that are worth knowing. Read on!

 Dress Appropriately

You will do a lot of walking around while in Italy. Hence, good walking shoes should be a priority. A country with narrow pathways, steep uneven pavements, coupled with having to dodge cars and scooters, having to crossroads. A firm walking shoe is a necessity. Moreover, while visiting places such as a church, follow the dressing guideline. Shorts are not allowed for men and women might be required to cover the arms and legs as well.  Avoid the disappointment of not being allowed to enter simply because of dressing.  

 Buy and Validate Your Bus and Train Tickets

If you have to go anywhere by bus or train, you need to buy your ticket before boarding the train either online or at train offices. However, buying tickets is not enough. Ensure you get it stamped at validating machines to show you are using it right there and then and not trying to use the ticket for multiple rides. Failure to do this might land you some fines. 

 Card is Cool but You Can Never Wrong with Some Cash

While cards are widely accepted in most places such as big restaurants and hotels, it is as well important to have some cash. From buying small items like coffee to shopping at grocery shops, Italians have not all gone plastic, and don’t be surprised if you are asked to pay in cash. In fact, some restaurants might also demand cash, save yourself the stress. 

 Be Careful: Pickpocketers!

Italy wouldn’t be attracting tourists if it isn’t safe. However, it is safe to say be careful of pickpocketers. They are probably where you are visiting and they are quite smart. While in crowded areas, keep your bags closed and guard your belongings. These people are looking for confuse unaware people to prey on. 

 Cappuccino Is For Breakfast, Nothing Else

Here is a good rule of thumb. Italians only take Cappuccino during breakfast and nothing past the mid-morning. The reason behind this for the locals is digestion. When you ask for this drink at anything past 11 am, you might earn yourself some warry looks from the restaurant owners. 

 Be Prepared To Eat Dinner Late

If you enter a restaurant and you find it empty. No, it doesn’t mean they don’t make good food, it’s just not yet time to eat.  In fact, most restaurants won’t open until 7 pm, so if you want to grab something to eat, hop in around 8 pm. If you are however not used to eating late, enjoy embracing this new thing and the culture. 

 Read more...

[geofftarrant]

Christmas in Florence

The flight from Nantes airport in France to Pisa in Italy went smoothly. This was despite the fact that a series of strikes across France threatened to scupper the whole trip. The puzzle that then faced us was the mode of transport to choose to get from Pisa to Florence. It’s about 80km between the two and the time taken by bus or train is very similar. Not having endlessly deep pockets we didn’t even consider a taxi but if you can afford it, I have no doubt that it would be a seamless transition. At the last minute, we opted for the train. It is just a few yards out of the airport to the terminal where you can buy a ticket on the platform for the ‘Pisamover’ for just a few euros. If you are new to Europe, don’t forget to get your ticket validated at one of the machines on the platform. This takes you into central Pisa where you can hop off and go visit the famous Leaning Tower or just buy another ticket on the platform to get you into Florence. The railway station here is pretty central and most hotels are within walking distance. Having just arrived, I recommend that you treat yourself to a gelato or a pizza as a reward. We opted for both (but not at the same time!) and I can’t tell you which we enjoyed the most. Most of the crowds in Florence are centred either around the Ponte Vecchio bridge or the Cathedral of Santa Maria (usually referred to as the Duomo).

We headed for the bridge but in December, at 3.00pm, the sun was dazzling making it impossible to see a thing without shading your eyes. Combine this with pavement to pavement crowds and I didn’t find it a pleasant experience at all. This explains why I was halfway across before I realised that we were actually above the river. In fact, we later discovered that the best way to see this ancient monument was from one of the two adjacent bridges - well worth doing as it is pretty unique being filled on either side with gold and jewellery shops and dating from 1345.

As the sun began to set, we headed back towards the Duomo, determined to see the exterior as soon as possible. Again it was busy but without the dazzling sun the crowds were much more manageable. It turned out to be a ‘wow’ moment. The exterior is stunning but the queue to get inside was crazy. It must have run for several hundred yards so on this occasion and in fact, on several others, we passed. There are actually other Cathedrals in Florence where the interiors are much more worth your time and the queue time is a fraction of that of the Duomo. I’ll get to those at another time.

And so to end our first exhausting day, what better than spaghetti carbonara and a bottle of chianti at one of the many trattorias. There must be hundreds but as we later found out, try to book ahead if you don’t want to be turned away while you watch all the happy diners munching away. Yes indeed. Florence is crowded.

[italyhiddengemz]

How to travel by train in Italy (10 Tips)

How to travel by train in Italy and how to buy train tickets when in Italy is a common Italy vacation question.

To discover less crowded travel destinations in Italy Click Here

The Top 10 Tips to how to ride Italy’s trains and rails among Italy’s big cities like Milan, Rome, Florence, and Venice to tips for buying tickets in small stations in Italy’s charming towns that may not be manned at all times by ticket sellers. For more about how to travel by train in Italy read on. Buon viaggio!

Top 10 Tips to Ride Italy’s Rails

10. Save money by buying bread and prosciutto before arriving at station for food on train. If you don’t bring food the dining car is a very nice place to have a snack on the train.

9. Arrive 30 minutes before departure for stress-free travel.

8. Trains are used by Italian commuters at rush hour so try to plan your train travel off rush-hour and do plan accordingly. Ticket prices will be less expensive off rush hour too.

7. In Italy’s big three Rome, Florence, Venice and all Italy’s big-city stations like Naples, Milan, Bari, Genoa etc. if standing on line or at vending machine to buy ticket beware of pick pockets and other thieves and do always keep an eye on your baggage by keeping it eyesight next to you.

6. Gather belongings before destination so exiting train is smooth and efficient – especially important when exiting train before end of line because train only stops long enough for exiting and entering passengers. Every time you stand up on train in Italy glance back to see what you left behind.

5. Carry change to buy ticket at vending machine in small stations where there is no attendant.

4. Carry-on bags: Keep your bag under your seat or between your legs. If you are going to place it in the overhead compartment, try to place it ahead of your seat location, so you can see whoever reaches into the compartment.

3. If catching the train outside major cities like Italy’s big three Rome, Florence, and Venice be sure to check that the train you get on is the train you want. Many trains travel same track.

2. ALWAYS validate Italy train ticket by stamping it in CONVALIDA yellow box in the station or along the train track platform.

1. Keep an eye on things at all times in Italian train stations and on Italy’s trains. YOU carry your luggage onto the bus, train, truck, or taxi with you. Don’t allow a porter or stranger to take your bag for you. You might not ever see it again. And finally, when you buy a ticket for the Italian train, be sure you actually receive a ticket.

[travel-vip-style]

WONDERS OF ITALY

9 DAYS 7 NIGHTS

Soak in the history, charm and wonders of Italy. Discover ancient Rome, revel in the past and present in Renaissance Florence and roam around the romantic canals and alleyways of Venice.

With a country as beautiful as Italy, travelling by train is a great way to cover as much ground as possible while also taking in the breathtaking sights. Let the smooth ride, great service, and amazing vistas transport you from city to city.

The train tickets and hotel stays are included in the package, along with some meals and many other travel essentials that will help make this trip easy, fun, and unforgettable.

INCLUSIONS

Round-trip flights to Rome (if flight and hotel package option is chosen)

Private airport transfers in Rome

7 nights of accommodation

7 breakfasts

High-speed train between Rome and Florence; Florence and Venice, Venice and Rome (in selected fare class)

3 More Moments activities included:

1-day Hop-On Hop-Off bus pass (valid for 24 hours)

1-day Hop-On Hop-Off bus pass in Florence (valid for 24 hours)

Excursion to Murano and Burano (half-day)

Earn Aeroplan® point

DAY 1 - Depart Canada, Fly to Rome

DAY 2 - Welcome Tom Rome

DAY 3 - Rome At Leisure

DAY 4 - Rome to Florence

DAY 5 - Florence At Leisure

DAY 6 - Florence to Venice

DAY 7- Venice (Mestre): Murano and Burano Island excursion

DAY 8- Venice To Rome

DAY 9 - Rome - Return to Canada

July 7 - 15 $2469 PP

July 13 - 21 $2469 PP

July 19 - 27 $2369 PP

July 27 - Aug 4 $2469 PP

Aug 10 - 18 $2469 PP

Aug 18 - 26 $2469 PP

Aug 31 - Sept 8 $2329 PP

Numerous other dates available. Looking for a longer/ shorter trip, or a different destination? I probably have what your looking for.

Taxes already included in per person prices. Call 780-515-9141 to book.

Payment plans available OAC

[umichenginabroad]

Rome Week 2: Moving and Grooving

Hey y’all!

It has been an eventful week for sure here. In 3 words: class, comrades, and canals. As I have been settling in to the city, class has started to pick up. Fluid mechanics is in full swing (we are already through statics) but Art & Archaeology is the standout for me. Every class is like a 3 hour walking tour of the most (historically) important and interesting parts of the city. We have so far seen the Colosseum, Pantheon, Forum, and all manner of museums and ruins. We really get our steps in during it as well, rarely sitting down as there is so much to see and so little time to see it.

(Me posing in front of the Colosseum)

Rome is an incredibly walkable city, a fact I am enjoying as a welcome change of pace from the car-centered chaos of Los Angeles. The streets are narrow and the sidewalks are wide and well paved. Our neighborhood is centrally located as well, with class a pleasant 15 minute stroll and the historic center maybe 30-45 minutes by foot.

I’ve been walking a lot, but there are some welcome alternatives. I have found that Rome boasts a robust public transportation system, with a network of buses, teams, and metro lines that can get you anywhere you need to go. (Los Angeles’ attempt, by contrast, is pathetic.) A ticket for 100 minutes costs €1.50, and are sold all around the city at small stores called “Tabaccherias” as well as at most bus and metro stations.The penalty for not having one, by contrast, is steep, and the police have no sympathy. I have already been fined for not using a bus ticket correctly. (In my defense, it was one of my first times riding the bus and I had a ticket, just did not validate it correctly. An expensive lesson learned). Both the meteo and the bus are also crowded, especially during peak traveling hours and on the weekends, but the system is relatively clean and safe. Just be careful to not get pickpocketed.

(I didn’t have a great photo for this, but this is me in a Rome metro stop. 📸: Batool Mahesri)

Italy, like most of Europe, also boasts a robust intercity train system that allows us to travel almost anywhere in the country for a relatively small fare. I plan on taking full advantage of this and visit a number of other destinations in the country. This weekend, some of my roommates and I took the train overnight to Venice, a bucket list item of mine. The overnight train was cheaper and allowed us to stay two full days in the city and only pay for one night of accommodations, only sacrificing our sleep schedule.

We arrived in Venice early Saturday morning (and I mean early, 5:35 am to be exact). The city was still quiet because who in their right mind is up at 6 am on a Saturday. I enjoyed this reprive, as the rest of the time we were swamped by crowds. The sunrise over the city was spectacular, and the view of an empty Piazza San Marco was unreal. Our first day we saw the sights, visiting both the Basica di San Marco and the Palazzo Ducale, both of which were incredibly beautiful. The palazzo joins my list of best ceilings in Italy, featuring stunning artwork and intricate carvings that I got lost in. A quick break at the hostel for a nap before we ate dinner and enjoyed the Venice nightlife.

(The sunrise over Venice.)

Venice is unique in its infrastructure and has made adaptations to its public transportation system as such. Besides trains and buses to get to and frok the mainland, the Ancient City boasts a unique network of water buses or “vaporetto”, ferries that travel around the islands and through the main canal to popular locations (and which offer a stunning view of the city by water). One ticket for a vaporetto costs €9.50, but a 2 day pass costs only €35 and includes unlimited bus, metro, and vaporetto access for 48 hours and is well worth it if you plan on taking the vaporetto often. We certainly more than made up for the price of the ticket, taking advantage of it on both days. The bus or train is needed to travel to and from the mainland, which is where the hostel we were staying was licated (along with most cheaper accommodations).

The next morning we slept in before splitting up to see more of the city and its surroundings. Some of us went to the beach but I along with one other were infested in the museums, specifically the Museo Correr. Using the same ticket for the Palazzo Ducale (€15 as a student) we learned all about the history of the city and the area, enjoying art and artifacts from Ancient Greece and Rome all the way through the modern day. The museums are stunningly comprehensive and are a really good value, a must-see of your are into art, history, or just pretty buildings. After the museum and beach we met up for a ride through the canals on what may be my favorite method of transportation yet: the gondola. It was expensive but so, so worth it, and if you end up visiting Venice you must take one.

(View from the gondola)

I write this on the train back from Venice, so I apologize for any grammar or spelling mistakes. If I am to leave you with any message to take away, I leave you with this: visit Venice. The city is stunning and so incredibly unique, there is no other experience like it. It is a bit costly, so budget accordingly, but the experience is so worth it. I already miss it, and will cherish the memories of my visit for a long, long time.

Ryan Ettner

Biomedical Engineering

Engineering in Rome

(Some bonus photos, see alt text for descriptions)

[btravelledblog-blog]

8 Steps to Success: How to Plan Your Trip Abroad

8 Steps to Success: How to Plan Your Trip Abroad

So now that you have officially decided to travel abroad, for work, school, vacation, or otherwise, it is time to start planning your trip!  For most people, the planning process is the most difficult and time consuming part of travelling, since everything feels like a make-or-break decision.  Plus, looking at different prices, customer reviews, and pictures can all be very overwhelming.  With the right planning process, however, your trip and preparation should go fairly smoothly! However, it is important to keep in mind that even with all the planning and preparation in the world, some things are going to go wrong, and that is okay.  Just remember to stay positive, stay focused, remember the end-goal of enjoying the whole trip, and learn to have fun with the little set backs!   With all of that being said, here my 8 Steps to Success to plan your perfect trip abroad!

Step One: Pick a Destination Sometimes picking the one place (or the series of places) you definitively want to go to will be such a tough decision it will make your head spin.  Personally, making the decision of where exactly to go is always very difficult for me, because I want to everywhere and see everything, but here are some of my ideas on how to narrow down your choices.

1. Weather So right now you are stuck between a summer in Italy, Ireland, or Australia.  Maybe one of the first things you should look at is the weather for each destination, and see which one fits the idea you had in mind for the trip.  Obviously, Ireland is going to be a bit cooler and rainier than Italy and Australia, where you can expect dry heat, which may end up swaying your decision.  If you want that heat, and to go see beaches and lakes, then narrow down your choices between Italy and Australia.  However, if you think the cooler climate better suits your needs, go with Ireland!

2. Time of Year Similarly to weather, the time of year can play a key role in deciding where you want to go.  If you want to go to the Dominican Republic to try and learn more about the culture while also enjoying the beach, maybe stay away from April travels to avoid spring breakers.  Plus, different places have cheaper flights during different times of the year, which is super important if you are trying to save (some) money while planning your trip, which we will get more into in Step 2.

3. Recommendations So you looked into the weather, you checked to see when are the best times to visit your choices, you compared prices, and you still cannot seem to decide on one place.  My biggest recommendation, would be to ask for a recommendation!  Friends and family that have already travelled to a destination will probably have a lot of stories and insights on the different countries they have been to, and the experiences they had.  Maybe they found out the hard way that the locals in one part of town are always looking to scam tourists, or the discovered a hidden gem of a coffee shop on the outskirts of downtown.  No matter what they have to say, your friends and family are always a great resource while trying to figure out where to go.

Now, obviously these three tips are not anywhere near all-inclusive, and you are still going to struggle to pick your final destination, but maybe this gave you a better idea of how to start researching.  With that being said, research, ask for recommendations, and good luck!

Step 2: Book a Flight Booking a flight for your travel experience can be very scary, trust me, I’ve been there. You’re probably scared the booking will not actually go through, that you will end up paying more than you should, that there will be additional hidden fees once you get to the airport, among other things. These are all valid fears, and the best way to combat them is to plan and be diligent about doing your research. Here some general tips to help you out:

1. Research cheap airlines There are a lot of cheap airlines out there, like eDreams and Spirit, but you have to be very careful when using them. Most of these cheaper options include minimal amenities: you will probably have to pay extra for any undercarriage luggage, for any food and/or drink during the flight, for overweight luggage, etc. While the airline is not technically trying to trick you (emphasis on technically) you still need to be very careful about reading the fine print of what is all included in your plane ticket, and plan accordingly.

2. Compare cheap airlines to typical airlines Although the above cheaper flights may originally seem like the better deal, add up all of their fees and compare the total price to bigger airlines like United Airways or Iberia. Sometimes, after everything is added together, the prices are almost the same. The bigger airline will always be a little more expensive, but for free unlimited drinks on your 18-hour flight, it might be worth it!

3. Compare One-Way versus Round-Trip Flights Sometimes it can be cheaper to buy two one-way tickets. Other times it can be cheaper to buy one round-trip ticket. Just research and compare prices to make sure you are getting the best deal!

4. Use a Search Engine or Travel Agent For some people, booking the flight with you own research is too daunting a task. And that’s okay! Websites like kayak.com or travelocity are great tools to help you compare different flights. And if you’re willing to shell out a little extra cash for a travel agent to save time and additional stress, there’s no shame in that either!

Booking a flight is scary, but hopefully, with these tips, the process goes a little easier. Just remember: research and compare costs!

Step 3: Find Lodging Once you have you flight booked, it’s time to start looking for your home for the trip! Depending on what kind of trip you plan on going on, you’ll want to stay in different lodgings. If you plan to go all-out for a dream vacation full of food, drinks, and pool time, an all-inclusive resort is the way to go. With an all-inclusive hotel, all of your food, drinks, and typical amenities are included in the fees for your stay. On the other hand, if you literally only need a place to sleep, and are planning on being out and about, exploring wherever you are, a hostel or airbnb may be the right option for you. Hostels and airbnbs can be very similar in price, drastically cheaper than hotels, and offer only the basics so you can save money to spend elsewhere. When I took my weekend trip to Paris, my friend and I stayed in a hostel, and it was perfect for us since we wanted to see all of the city in one weekend, and didn’t care about a fancy hotel. Of course, if you are in between being completely spoiled at an all-inclusive resort and living off of the basics like in a hostel or airbnb, a regular hotel is always an option. Mid-priced hotels are everywhere, and you should have no problem finding something in your price range, with whatever necessities you see fit to have provided for you. My biggest tip while looking at places to stay is to make sure you find yourself a good location. Sure, things will be cheaper the farther away they are from the downtown areas, or the beaches, or the beautiful destinations, but then you will need to figure out how to get to these places. Often times, having to walk an hour every morning, or take a taxi every day, can add to monetary and time expenses, making these cheap and further out locations less of a good deal. Obviously, the best places to stay are going to be more expensive as you move towards the center of the tourist areas, so just try your best to find a happy medium. Be close enough that getting where you want to go isn’t its own mini-trip, but also don’t break the bank for a central location. Finally, make sure you look up lots of reviews for wherever you decide to stay. The pictures may look great, but pictures can always be deceiving. Plus, the hostel may say “great location”, but that’s a very open description and could simply be puffery. Additionally, you want to make sure that wherever you decide to stay is safe. If there are no reviews, do not stay there. If the review says it’s very cheap, but in a bad neighborhood, try looking for something else. Never let saving a few dollars out your safety at risk, it’s really not worth it. Other than that, once again, just research everything, find a place that fits your specific needs, be safe, and start getting excited!

Step 4: Plan Your Excursions So you finally decided on where you want to go, you booked your flight, and are ready to start planning everything you want to do during your trip! In my opinion, this is the best and most fun part of the planning process. Again, the biggest thing you need to do is research. Utilize google, social media, friends and family, and anything else you can think of to look up where you should go, try, and see. Once you have a few places and things to do in mind, look them up specifically to see if there are any guided tours or direct transportation programs to get you there. Or, if you have a little known coffee shop on your docket, just look it up on a map so you can find it yourself! This part of planning your trip should be fun and fairly stress free, so try not to take it too seriously (except for those trips you need to book a reservation for), and remember to leave yourself time to explore. A lot of times you will find the coolest places and have the best experiences from being spontaneous, and just seeing where the journey takes you! So, my advice in a nutshell: research, make a game plan, book everything that needs to be done in advance, and try not to over-plan!

Step 5: Figure out Transportation Planning your preferred method of transportation throughout your trip is super important. There are plenty of different options: rent a car, bus tickets, train tickets, public transit, taxi, Uber, etc. In my opinion, you should probably stay away from renting a car and driving yourself, just because you likely aren’t familiar with the different rules and regulations of driving in a different country; but if you are, go for it! During my trips, I tend to opt for the public transportation option. A lot of times you can buy a pass for a lot cheaper than any of the other options, and then you have free reign of the city you chose to visit. Another important thing to remember is how you plan to get from the airport, to your hotel/hostel/airbnb/etc. Airports are usually pretty far out of the city, and I think that taking a taxi straight out of the terminal to your host location is the easiest route to take. Sure, it can be a little expensive, but you know that you will make it from Place A to Place B, without the stress of figuring out a bus or train station. A good thing to keep in mind about taking a taxi from the airport: there is usually one flat rate to ride in a taxi to your lodgings, so be sure to know if the airport you are in follows this typical European rule so you know you are paying a fair price. For example, in Athens, Greece it was 50 € to go from the airport to anywhere in Athens, and I saw similar situations everywhere I went in Europe. So, take a taxi to your home for the trip (if you’re like me) and then get some kind of public transportation pass (again, if you want to just do what I did). Once you have the pass, make sure you keep a map of all the routes with you, since you probably won’t have Wi-Fi to look up which stop and at what time you need to be there. From there, you should be fine to get to wherever you need to go! My last piece of transportation advice is to plan out bigger weekend trips you want to take as far in advance as possible. Spontaneous trips are incredible, I planned a weekend in Paris on Tuesday and left on Friday, but the planning and execution of the plan will probably go a lot smoother if you are little more prepared than I was. Just follow all of these same steps, and maybe take a bus or train instead of a flight if it’s cheaper, and you’ll be good to go!

Step 6: Pack For an all-inclusive packing list of everything you need to study abroad, or to take with you on a long trip, take a look at my first first blog post!

https://btravelledblog.tumblr.com/post/174197818437/all-inclusive-study-abroad-packing-list-from-the

Step 7: Make a Checklist Make a checklist of all of these things, any other little things you can think of, even stuff you need to buy for your trip, and once something’s done, you get to check it off! You can even make a list of everything you have to do to execute your plan, like I did, but sometimes my list making can be a little excessive, so it’s all up to you.

Step 8: Travel Finally, go on your trip, take lots of pictures, make lots of memories, and have lots of fun!

[mytrainpal]

Travel info about Trains to Florence

Cheap trains to Florence make it easy and cost-effective to travel to one of the centres of the Renaissance. Situated on the Piazza della Stazione, the Santa Maria Novella is Florence's main train station. Every day, trains from Venice, Bologna, Rome, Milan, Turin and many other local cities head to the centre of Florence, which presents world-class art, magnificent architecture and delicious food to every visitor.

 Florence is the capital of the province of Tuscany in central Italy. Immersed in the history of the Middle Ages and Renaissance, the city is known for its fine wines, gourmet food, amazing art and architecture. Every year, millions of tourists flock to the city, many of whom arrive via Santa Maria Novella train station. Trenitalia operates local trains between Campo di Marte and Rifredi train stations in Florence, while the bus network is operated by ATF and Li-nea.

 Trains to Florence Popular Travel Routes

There are several popular travel routes to Florence by train from different leaving cities, such as Rome, Milan, Venice, Paris, London, etc. Take a train to Florence and discover its culture and history. If you have any interest in buying the cheapest train ticket, visit our train ticket purchasing page to Florence now.

 Trains to Florence from Rome

 Distance from Rome to Florence: 162 miles

 Travel Time from Rome to Florence: 1 hour 30min or 3 hours 30 min

 Daily Trains from Rome to Florence: 85

 Trains to Florence from Rome fare: 21.65 - 50

 Train to Florence from Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP)

 Go straight from the airport into the heart of the Renaissance. Find out about taking the train from Milan Malpensa Airport to Florence. Enjoy the lowest available fares on train travel from Florence Milan Malpensa Airport to Florence on MyTrainPal.com.

 Milan's Malpensa Airport (MXP) is the second-busiest airport in Italy, after Rome’s Fiumicino, and one of the main entry points for international travellers. If your heart is set on Renaissance Italy, however, you’ll need to leave Milan and make your way to Florence.

 Distance from Milan Malpensa Airport to Florence: 221 miles

 Travel Time from Milan Malpensa Airport to Florence: 3 hours or 8 hour

 Daily Trains from Milan Malpensa Airport to Florence: 33

 Trains to Florence from Milan Malpensa Airport fare: 41.6 - 157

 Trains to Florence from Lucca

 Travel through the Renaissance era to one of Italy's most beautiful walled cities. Learn about taking the train from Lucca to Florence. The average journey time by train between Lucca and Florence is 1 hour and 35 minutes, with around 41 trains per day.

 Visiting Florence

The Duomo in the centre of Florence is a stunning sight, covered with white and green marble. Incredibly, its red brick dome has not been completed for 150 years after the main building was completed. Today, tourists from all over the world come in groups to visit the masterpieces of Filippo Brunelleschi, which has become a symbol of Florence. Not far from the Duomo is the Basilica di San Lorenzo. It was full of murals and sculptures and buried the graves of many members of the Medici family. Visitors should be aware that many churches, art museums and palaces in Florence use a limited-time ticket system. Due to its connection to the history of the banking industry, private travel agencies in Florence can offer tours on this subject. Most of these tours are the city's artistic and architectural heritage. Shoppers can find high-quality fashion items on Tornabuoni, and excursions to nearby towns such as Fiesole and Setignano are among Tuscany's many tours.

 Want to book a trip online? Find yourself the cheapest train ticket to Florence with TrainPal.

 How to find the cheapest train tickets to Florence With TrainPal

To get the cheapest train ticket to Florence, you need to be very savvy when buying tickets. But don't worry, we are here to give you the best advice to save money. Until you realize it, you will have some extra money to spend in the city instead of just using it to go there!

 Let's start our money-saving list, first of all, be sure to buy train tickets in advance. In some cases, the price of a train ticket will increase as the departure date approaches. So, by buying a pre-sale ticket as far in advance as possible, you will give yourself a better chance of getting a cheap train ticket to Florence.

 Want to know more? Visit our train ticket page for a complete guide.

 When buying advance tickets, try to book your tickets during off-peak hours. When selecting a train ticket, be sure to check all the tickets in the drop-down menu as we will highlight the cheapest off-peak tickets.

 Before you buy a ticket, make sure that the price of your return ticket is actually lower than the price of two one-way tickets. Sometimes one method may be cheaper than the other. The same is true of the chosen arrival station. When you choose "Florence, Any" and a particular train station, try to check their price differences.

 In particular, it is worth noting that if you choose to buy direct train tickets or split train tickets, their final prices will be different. Split train tickets will stop at different stations. Although the time will be extended, in some cases it will be cheaper to buy split train tickets than direct train tickets.

 Are you travelling to Florence with a group of two or more people? Then, you can also get a certain discount on the fare, thanks to the group purchase of train tickets. This is a very useful money-saving technique. Please note that these group tickets are not available for all journeys, and if your journey proves valid and you select from the train ticket drop-down menu, these group tickets will automatically apply. All tickets must be purchased at one time, and all passengers must travel together on the day of departure.

 If you are interested in getting the cheapest train tickets to Florence, don't hesitate to find out more by visiting our train tickets page.

https://www.mytrainpal.com/destination/trains-to-florence

[jeonslilmonster]

Hi sorry this isn’t about kpop but you’re the only italian person i know LOL i’m from korea and i’m visiting italy soon 😊 do you have any tips or suggestions so i don’t stick out as a tourist? you don’t have to reply if it’s a bother haha thanks ❤️❤️❤️

Hey! It’s not a bother at all! 💕 uhmmm well the thing that always shocks foreigners is that we speak really loudly, so yeah, don’t freak out if you hear people screaming, it’s just how we talk lmao 🙈 and yes, we do move around our hands a lot while we speak.Also, it’s common for us to give a kiss on each cheek when we get introduced to someone or even when we’re just greeting someone. We are really friendly people in general 💓Now to the more “technical” things:- don’t ask for spaghetti and meatballs: it doesn’t exist here! Same thing with pepperoni pizza , mac&cheese, pineapple pizza.- “ciao” is an informal way to greet someone. Obviously no one is gonna think badly of you if you say that, but just letting you know that the formal way to greet someone is “buongiorno” (goodmorning) and “buonasera” (Good evening) 😁- every region has his typical food: if you want the real pizza, you should go to Naples. If you want cannoli, you should go to Sicily. You can obviously eat them everywhere in Italy but they’re always better in the region they come from 💓- a thing that always gets everyone shooketh is that PIZZA IS A SINGLE SERVING! THERE’S NO SUCH THING AS ORDERING A SLICE OF PIZZA!-we don’t have Starbucks I’m sorry lol also we drink coffee at the bar. Sitting. You won’t see people walking around with coffee in their hands 💓 also if you order a coffe, you get an espresso ☕️ -most shops are closed between 12 am and 3 pm -if you want to pay your bill at the restaurant, you have to call the waiter and ask for it (it’s considered impolite to rush the clients to pay and leave!) - a thing that maybe it’s obvious but honestly idk hahah I’m just throwing it in here is that it’s really impolite to chew with your mouth open- EAT GELATO -remember to always validate you train or bus tickets (there are machines on buses and in the train stations to do so)-if you visit some churches, you should cover your shoulders and your legs and take off whatever hat you have on ☺️-gondolas are really pricey 😞-a thing you’ll see in restaurants is people “cleaning “ the plate from leftover sauce with bread: it’s called “fare la scarpetta”Now to the basic Italian words that could help you💓💓:- Sì (yes)- No (no)- Ciao (hello)- Buongiorno (Good morning )- buonasera (Good evening)- buona notte (goodnight)- grazie (thank you)- per favore (please)- prego (you’re welcome)- mi scusi (excuse me)-oggi (today)-ieri (yesterday)-domani (tomorrow)-aiuto (help)Sentences:- Parla inglese? (Do you speak English?)- Non lo so (I don’t know)- Non capisco (I don’t understand)- Come si chiama? (What’s your name?)- Mi chiamo... (my name is...)- Come sta? (How are you?)- Signorina (miss)- Signora (mrs)- Signore (mister)-Chiamate un’ambulanza (call an ambulance)That’s all I can think about rn 💓💓 I hope I was helpful! I hope you’ll enjoy your time here! 💕💓💖💗💜💓💕💕💜💖💗

[laurenborrelli]

Allora, va bene

Ever since studying abroad in rome 4.5 years ago, I have been anxious about my next trip to Italy.  Could it possibly live up to the experiences I had while living there?  But it was not a matter of competition.  I have graduated university, moved to Boston, worked in Architecture for 3 years, and traveled to 6 countries since.  I am a different person now - so I tried to be excited to experience the same environment in a different way!

My roommate (Stephanie) for my first two years in Boston had moved to Rome to live with her boyfriend.  Since Kate has never been to Italy and knows Stephanie, we decided to venture together to visit her!  And while Stephanie sporadically moved home just 10 days before our flight...we made the most of quickly booking two new hostels in Rome and forgetting the money we suddenly had to spend.  Everything happens for a reason.  And that reason made our trip even better.

Itinerary:

Thursday, April 19th 2018:  My flight departed Boston at 9:30pm. Kate’s left Chicago at the same time.  As I boarded the plan I got a voicemail of her panting “Lauren - I just made my flight - I ran through security - they held the door for me - see you in Dublin”.  So now that I wasn’t going to end up doing this trip alone, the journey began LOL.  We met in Dublin and shared a pints of Guinness and Magners in an airport with the best amenities I have experienced. 6 hrs later we flew to Rome.  It’s 8pm and we plan to take the train from the airport to Termini Station.  I validate my ticket in the machine - all good.  Kate goes to validate her ticket - rotates the ticket the other way - and pushes her ticket all the way into the machine and gets it stuck.  The train is to depart in 3 minutes and our Italian consists of “scusa me” and “mis dispiace” uhhh ticket-a-stuck? Luckily the snail speed of the ticket attendant to walk over, open the machine, get us our ticket didn’t deter us from running to barely make it on the train. WHEW giggles and sweat overwhelmed us.  We capped on the night by checking-in to our hostel and headed to a spot up the street for food.  The dinner consisted of with bread + nduja spread and two personal pizzas.  Safe to say we went to bed with full bellies and tired minds. 

Saturday:  Kate survived her first night in a hostel!  She talked in her sleep the whole night...which I’m sure the 3 french, 2 british, and one not sure guys were pretty thrilled about!  We were the two girls in an 8 person room...bachelor pad!  LOL JK they were all under 20 y/o but very polite and easy to stay in a room with!  The morning walking tour began with a cornetti and cappuccini at a small cafe where  I used to frequent when I had meetings for a design competition Premio Piranesi.  Moving on to Santa Maria Maggiore, through Monti, around the forum before the crowds, and checked-out my old lunch nook at the Campidoglio.  Then down the stairs along Via Maior Arenula to see where my Cartography classes used to take place and crossed the Ponte Vittorio to check out the Vatican all before noon!  There was a choir singing and thousands of people with matching hats...then suddenly the pope comes strolling out in his glass-less mercedes!  He goes zipping around and suddenly comes within 10 feet of us!!! Kate and I look at each other in awe...ok we saw the pope in our first 24 hours in Rome we can die happy now.  We later found out this weekend was Rome’s birthday, so there was a plethora of activities going on this weekend!  After all of this excitement we FINALLY realized how hungry we were!!  Pizza al taglia at La Boccaccia in Trastevere and found my old apartment! Then around the Pantheon and the journey back uphill to rest our legs at the hostel.  With sunburned noses and hungry bellies we headed in Monti to Pasta Chef.  Its a casual pop-in restaurant with a 4.9 rating on trip advisor - the paper plates and plastic cups makes it not seem like a roman restaurant.  But the food was SO FREAKING GOOD!  Grabbed wine and a tiramisu to go and wandered to check out the Trevi Fountain and Spanish steps at night.  Ahhh what a perfect night cap to an amazing first day in Rome!

Sunday:  Early morning at the Coliseum.  My first time here since it was under renovation before!  We beat (some) of the crowds and scheduled a 12am tour.  We went inside anyways just to compare what it would look like during the day.  As we left the crowds were in full form. Walked around circus maximus and say more bday celebrations kicking off.  A huge parade of gladiators took off and we caught them at the campidoglio.  Porchetta sandwich for lunch at my all-time fave Baccanale in Campo de Fiori. Espresso granita at Tazza D’oro, to Piazza Navona, then up to the Borghese Gardens.  An earth day festival was happening.  75% of the sustainable crafts consisted of spray paint.  Aerosols...earth day...jersey show...it all seemed too ironic.  Spritz and pastries in the gardens and home for a quick nap / packing before the midnight tour!  Made it all the way there despite all of the sketchy guys and cat calls and there was not one entrance point open.  Of course the police barely spoke english and made inappropriate comments so we snapped a quick photo of the colosseum light up and quickly jumped in an uber. So did the ticket booth mean 12pm not midnight?...

Monday:  Delicious breakfast at a cafe before our 8am train to Como!  At our connection in Milan, the second Kate stepped foot on the train it started to depart.  Whew barely made it.  After struggling at the grocery store in Como with our luggage / weighing every produce item (what does the check-out counter do then?) and touching produce without a glove.  We made it on the bus with all of the middle school kids getting out of school...lucky us!  Our airbnb was about 30 mins from Como in a tiny waterfront town called Careno.  The hosts met us at the house, showed us everything, and could not have been more helpful!  We basked in the sun on the beautiful balcony with some snacks and rose.  Ahhh now this is the relaxing part of the vacation.  It was a beautiful ten minute walk down to the rocky beach basically through people’s kitchens.  The water was cold and clear with a couple friendly “buon giorno” heard as we wandered down.  Finished the day with some carbonara on the balcony and Italian dancing with the stars.

Tuesday:  An early bus ride to Bellagio to go kayaking!  Kate’s all-time favorite kayaking tour because it was 20% paddling and 80% chilling.  Just us two on a tour with the guide, Mich.  We asked him any questions we could think of about Italy - even how old kids are when they start smoking.  The answer was 13 btw...  We then had lunch of pizza at a hidden gem he recommended called La Grotta.  Wandered through the shops to buy beautiful ceramics at Magda Guaitamacchi.  The owner was an older woman who spent most of her adult life practicing art in London.  She was the sweetest and really made our afternoon.  We then spent a couple hours hanging at the park at the point.  I did a bit of watercoloring and mostly enjoying the turquoise water against the snowcapped alps.  We then hopped on a ferry home and enjoyed a spritz while on board.  Our airbnb hosts graciously got us a reservation for the only restaurant in the tiny town of Careno.  We had the corner table as the server had grown up with our host.  The meal consisted of multiple courses, each with a particular backstory.  All of the fish was caught in the lake and it was a wonderful way for us to learn about the history of the area.  As we ended with the best limoncello I’ve ever had and bill way too discounted, our server grabbed keys and let us into the church next store.  At first it seemed a bit like a horror scene but actually turned out to be magical and show how selfless his actions were.  We went to bed absolutely stunned how we could meet three incredibly kind and giving people all in one day.

Wednesday: We checked out of our airbnb and trekked down the steep walk to the ferry launch with our suitcases.  After running, sweating, and some last-minute help from our server the previous night (we stumbled upon him opening the restaurant) we made it on the ferry!  A leisurely but packed ride to the town of Menaggio on the Switzerland side.  It was the holiday for Italy’s independence after the collapse of WWII, so transportation and store times were a bit skewed.  Luckily the visitor’s center was open and held on to our luggage free of charge!  We strolled through town and had a beautiful waterfront lunch with sammies and spritz.  After espresso and gelato we grabbed our stuff to take the ferry all the way to the train station in Como.  The town of Como was absolutely packed!  Happy we didn’t spend much time there as we grabbed snacks and took the train to our next destination - Modena!  We arrived and checked into our next airbnb just in time to catch sunset on the rooftop.  People were out drinking and celebrating.  We could hear their cheering and signing resonating form the roof it was hilarious. 

Thursday: We took the train in to Parma for our day filled with food tours!  For my bday, my dad had found a guide who would take us to all local producers in region.  It was just Kate and I on our personal tour with her!  First stop: Parmigiano Reggiano!  The name comes from the rural area of Parma and Reggio Emilia (clever).  We got to see every step of the process and enjoy some delicious samples too.  Next stop:  Lambrusco winery! A refreshing wine with vines that are very young - completely different then my experience in Tuscany. Then to the Proscuitto and Culatello! Delicious meats but the parts hanging in the butcher’s stations were a bit much.  How huge these pigs must be is also quite disturbing... Then to lunch at a small restaurant along a horse race track.  Pretty heavy local cuisine which actually put me to sleep on our car ride back into town...oops!  Finished off the tour with balsamic vinegar.  Very interesting of every age is a blend of the old with the new - different then the rigidity of some aged foods.  With bellies full of very rich indulgences, we headed back to Modena and grabbed aperitivo at this awesome spot in town.  Great vibes, super friendly staff, gorgeous men drinking rose and on bikes, well behaved dogs, a bit of house music, and chips with our spritz...ahhh perfect end to a day once again.

Friday: A full day in Modena and my 26th bday!  Morning at cafe with beautiful, innovative interiors.  Walked around town and stopped in several stores for fun shopping.  Walked through the food market where the Chef Massimo Bottura shops everyday.  I made reservations for us to have lunch at his more casual restaurant Francescetta 58.  Once we arrived, boy oh boy was I treating myself on my bday!  We had a wonderful bottle of white wine with our tasting menus.  Kate got the typical 3 course option and I treated myself to the regional 4 course upgrade.  The dishes were the best I have certainly ever had and we left with the largest smiles on our face.  Best meal ever on my actual bday?...this seemed like a dream.  We then walked off a bit of the food and noodled up to the Ferrari museum.  Pretty cool space with very modern architecture and the cars were pretty sick to see.  The design of each car is so immaculate and just like with any museum, its awesome to see people appreciated the design of something.  Being in the design industry this is something I admire and hope I can implement more in my type of work (even if it isn’t something common in the U.S.).  Ended the day with apperitivo and a late sunset on the rooftop.  And gelato cake in my favorite italian flavor of Amarena. Ah what an awesome day!

Saturday: Took the train back to Rome and arrived at a different hostel for the final leg of the trip.  We grabbed a late lunch at Pasta Imperiale - a casual spot similar to Pasta Chef and then headed to my favorite museum Museo dei Fori Imperiali.  It is Trajan’s market which was accidentally found below ground in a street repair!  I have never been in a building that is an artifact in itself!  Great how interactive it is and puts the extensive Roman history into perspective.  An evening then of apperitivo and walking around Monti with a reasonable bed time.

Sunday: Early morning visit to the Trevi and the Spanish steps before the crowds then hopped on a train to see family an hour south!  It was Kate’s time visiting our extended family and seeing the town our great-grandmother (106 this year!) is from.  Carlo and Paula picked us up from the train station and gave us a beautiful tour of their lush garden.  It was filled with vines for wine, fig trees, strawberry planters, and a beautiful brick oven.  After a delicious lunch we headed up to Ventosa where my great-grandfather is from.  We saw the house my nana gave birth to our grandpa.  We saw her old home that is still abandoned and looks like it was bombed just yesterday.  Then went down the hill to Santi Cosma e Damiano and walked through the church that my nana got married in.  She also left her diamond earrings in the palms of the saints the night before she moved to the U. S....The piazza outside is where my great-grandfather apparently saw my nana coming out of church and realized he wanted to date her.  He had come back from the U.S. to find a nice Italian wife that would move with him... and then there were facebook icons graffitied in the wall next door.  Oh how times have changed!  LOL The views from these tall towns are stunning and the younger family members speak much better english then last time!  So it was fun to converse with time about their recent European travels and what life is like form them living in the larger town of Latina.  Took the train back into Rome in the late evening and grabbed dinner at a fancy food court in Termini Station that our hostel host had recommended.

Monday: Last day in Italy!  We walked all through the city up the Giancolo to see the cannon launched at noon.  We walked around the tempietto and hung in the Villa Doria Pamphilj park.  Then down the hill to the Vatican, to find out that it was completely mobbed and would take us forever to even get inside the chapel.  Next time, Kate!  We grabbed lunch at the most modern restaurant I have seen in Rome called Bar del Fico.  It was great and I hope more like these start to pop up!  Similar type of restaurant that Modena is filled with! Then spent the afternoon bopping into a couple art stores, checking out Ara Pacis and back up to grab spritz in our fave little garden bar at Borghese Gardens.  We even stumbled upon a gelato festival!!!  This was an awesome surprise and while I didn’t have the appetite for it, Kate certainly did!  The flavors were incredibly diverse and unique and she had the largest smile on her face the entire time!  We ended the night grabbing pizza at Alle Carrette.

Changes since my last visit:

Security: This was my first experience going through a metal detector before entering a church!  Man things have changed in Rome since I lived here...but for the better!  Better for this precaution then to have a scary situation inside the church.  To get into St. Peter’s square we even went through many check points - one including the guard making me drink my water in front of them. Ah yes just water no acid ;) 

Spring flowers: This time of year there were flowers growing everywhere!  The wisteria around the wedding cake building made it look a bit less...intimidating.  The pink and white flowers along teh spanish steps were beautiful too.

Old apartment: It’s converted into a beautiful restaurant/hotel.  Which is a relief because the place was falling apart and felt like a lost opportunity when we lived there.  Pretty surreal walking around but not a sappy feeling, just happy that I got to have my time there.  

What will never change:

Coffee:  UGH it’s inevitable to not go a morning without a cappuccino or an afternoon without an espresso. Even kate was having a cappuccino every morning by the end of our trip!  They just prepare it so perfectly well that how could anyone not resist.

Work hours:  We would be in a park in the middle of the day and it would be littered with people!  It was awesome to see how lively and happy everyone was, but why aren’t these people at school or work?... Our Parma tour guide had said full-time jobs aren’t prevalent in Italy now, but is it really THAT bad?

Men:  SO. MANY LOOKERS!  Very few people acted on it but definitely intimidating for walking around in the evening as two girls.  However I did realize if you want to feel good about yourself - go to Italy.  If you want to feel bad - come back to the U.S.!

I feel very blessed that the universe brought Kate and I together for this trip.  The trip never felt overshadowed by my previous experiences and I could not have been happier to spend it with someone I care so deeply about.

[chaletnz]

Italy Day Four: Florence/Rome

Since I killed my feet yesterday with all the walking to, from, and around the city centre I treated myself to a little sleep in. Still, I was checked out long before 10 anyway and left the hostel in search of a nearby breakfast. Not an easy feat since it was Sunday and the one supermarket was closed - along with everything else in the area. On my journey I discovered a huge market that seemed to have just popped up as it certainly wasn't there earlier or I would've noticed. It took me an hour to walk around all of it and I bought a small moka pot for €5 which is the cheapest I've ever seen one. It was a difficult market to walk through though, the Italians are very into pushing and shoving their way through and they don't know how to keep right so they're coming from all directions! Once I emerged in the other side of the market I spotted a small coffeeshop that was in prime position for making a mint by being open today! I lined up with many others to get my cappuccino and croissant (also known as an Italian breakfast), had a little break to refuel and then braved the crowds once more to get back to the hostel. I sat around for a while writing notes for my blog then I decided to go back to the market and get lunch there since I didn't have a lot of options in the neighborhood. On my first lap I'd spotted some nice looking Argentinian smoked pork paninos so I decided to go for one of those and a bottle of water - I managed to successfully order in Italian so when I later asked for a bag to takeaway the other half of my sandwich he was a bit confused that I'd switched to English. I made the walk back to the hostel again slowly, packed up my bag and took the 1.30 train to Rome. It must've been the slow train because it took about three hours to get there! Although I had paid the cheapest fare so that would be right! After riding all the trains in Venice without ever being checked I was surprised that there was an attendant on this train checking them all with a QR code scanner. Once I arrived I saw a Flixbus kiosk advertising cheap tickets to Naples which is my next destination so I picked up my onward ticket while I was here then walked briskly uphill to my hostel for the evening. I checked in, locked away my bag and then gunned it on the metro to the Colosseum since I wanted to arrive before sunset. I opted for the day ticket for all the transport in Rome because it would be valid right up until my bus to Naples tomorrow and since Rome is huge I knew I'd need to utilize the public transport. It was quite a strange phenomenon to walk out of a subway station onto the street and look up to see this centuries old structure in the middle of the sprawling metropolis. Of course the area was very crowded and I'd arrived a little too late to get good photos but it was nice to see it in real life at least! Since I was in the area I went for a stroll around in the gardens and climbed up to a church but it was getting quite dark by then, and the gates had all been closed for the evening. I thought tonight might be aperativo buffet night and I had read about a place called La Zanzara. I took the bus (of course I had to wait about half an hour for it because the public transport in Italy as a whole seems to be pretty pathetic - I don't know how people can get around) and with quiet streets I was optimistic that it wouldn't be crowded and I could go in, ask questions and taste as I pleased. But no, I rounded the corner and found the place bursting at the seams with a queue in front of the door too. I didn't even stop, my mind was already made up about waiting around more today! Instead I walked a short distance to the Vatican City and after some initial confusion as to how to get inside the walled state I found myself following some other tourist-looking types through the gates to St Peter's Square which is, of course, a circle. It was probably the grandest sight of the trip so far - and there have certainly been a few! The St Peter's Basilica was huge and lit up, but to make it more dramatic there were semicircles of pillars stretching round the "square". The space inside was filled with rows and rows of pews from today's Sunday sermon from the Pope. There was also one lone police car in the centre to keep the peace. I walked on, past Sant'Angelo castle and over a decorative bridge then I took a bus back to the hostel as I didn't want to be making my bed in the dark! On the way I checked out all that Rome had to offer and made a list of places to look up tomorrow that looked interesting from my window seat on the bus.