Page 562 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Italy

560  TR A VELLERS ’ NEEDS

modation may be in single­ or
mixed­sex dormitories, though
many hostels also have small
private rooms. A room in a
private house is another cheap
option, often offering small but
clean rooms. Bed­and­breakfast
accommodation is available
but is of variable quality.
The Centro Turistico
Studentesco can help students
find rooms in university
accommodation across Italy.
This is not limited to students,
The multi-level terrace of the Raphael in Rome (see p573) however, particularly in the
summer, when resident
sporting activities (see p610). Note students are on holiday.
Checking In and Out
that there may be a minimum A peaceful alternative is to
Italian hotels are legally obliged stay requirement at some of stay in a convent or monastery
to register you with the police, these establishments, especially with guest accommodation.
which is why you’ll always be during peak season. The annual The rooms are clean, if a little
asked for your passport when Agriturist publication can be spartan, and they are usually
checking in. This is a mere forma­ found in the central tourist office in a secluded area. Note that
lity, and your passport should in Rome, in regional offices and strict rules may be the price
be returned to you within an in bookshops. Other self­catering for a cheap room: most have
hour or two. options can be arranged early curfews and many will not
Checking­out through specialized admit members of the opposite
time is usually agencies such as sex even when with their
before noon, Villas4you and spouses. There is no central
although some Simply Travel before agency dealing with these,
larger hotels may you leave for Italy, but they are included in the
extend your but, again, make ENIT accom modation lists for
checking­out time sure you do this each region.
upon request, but well in advance, as
only if your room is accommodation
not already can be booked up Mountain Refuges and
Camp Sites
reserved for months ahead.
another guest. There are also Basic accommodation in huts
All rooms must be so­called residenze, and refuges is available in
vacated on time, found in the ENIT moun tainous areas where there
but most hotels Al Sole, Venice (see p563) accommodation lists. are hiking trails. Most of these
will allow you to These are halfway huts are owned and run by
leave your luggage in between hotels and self­ the Club Alpino Italiano, whose
a safe place to be collected catering flats, and usually offer headquarters are in Milan.
later in the day. cooking facilities and some sort
of restaurant service.
For stays of several months or
Self-Catering and more, accommodation agencies
Agriturismo for apartments in the city
Across rural Italy, there are more centre, as well as the nearby
than 2,000 farms, villas and countryside, can be found
mountain chalets offering under Immobiliari in the Pagine
reasonably priced self­catering Gialle (Yellow Pages).
or hotel­style accommodation
as part of the Agriturismo
scheme. Options range from Budget Accommodation
beautifully kept villas or ancient As well as the International Youth
castles with first­class facilities, Hostels Association (AIG in Italy),
to simple rooms in the family tourist offices in the major cities
home on a working farm. Some have lists of hostels. Prices start
places have excellent restaurants, at around €12 per person per
which serve farm and local night (€15 during peak season),
produce, while others can and are much lower than even A boat carrying visitors’ luggage to a hotel
arrange riding, fishing or other the cheapest pensione. Accom­ in Venice

560-561_EW_Italy.indd 560 4/5/17 10:47 AM
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Practical template “UK” LAYER
(Source v1.1)
Date 13th August 2012
Size 125mm x 217mm