Page 434 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Europe

432  IT AL Y AND GREECE

Travel Information enjoyable way to negotiate the
narrow streets of historic town
Italy has transportation systems of varying efficiency, from centers. Trams still run in some
the modern road, bus, and rail networks of the north to the cities such as Milan and Rome.
slower and more antiquated systems of the south. Numerous Taxis must be met at official
airlines operate flights to the country’s major airports. taxi stands or reserved by
telephone; in theory, you
Highways are good, but busy at weekends and peak periods, cannot hail a taxi in the street.
and delays are common at Alpine passes. Train travel is Most Italian cities and towns
inexpensive and services generally frequent, although they have a bus system which is
can be overcrowded during local holidays. The major Italian inexpensive, comprehensive,
cities have a number of transportation options and that most and as efficient as traffic will
suited to the tourist varies from place to place: the bus is allow. Bus stops are known as
fermate, and buses (autobus)
more practical in Rome and the metro in Milan. usually run from about 6am to
midnight. Train stations are
Sicily, and the Amalfi Coast. invariably linked to the city
Flying to Italy
Several firms organize fly-drive centers by shuttle buses. Tickets
Flight destinations and routes packages. In winter, ski (biglietti) must usually be bought
change frequently, but United packages to many Alpine before boarding the bus, and
Airlines, Delta, and American resorts are available. Specialty are available from kiosks, bars,
Airlines all operate regular walking, gastronomy, and art and tabacchi (tobacconists).
flights to Italy from the United tours are increasingly common. Buses are boarded via the front
States. Air Canada flies from and rear doors and exited via
several Canadian airports, and the central doors. Tickets are
Qantas has flights from various Domestic Flights validated by being punched
Australian airports to Rome. Alitalia, Air One, and Ryanair run in machines on board.
Alitalia offers regular services regular services between many
to the United States and Europe. Italian cities. Long-haul
It may be more convenient and passengers can transfer Getting Around Venice
less expensive for long-haul to domestic flights in Rome The water buses (vaporetti) are
passengers to take a budget and Milan. an entertaining form of public
flight to London, Frankfurt, Paris, As internal flights can be transportation in Venice,
or Amsterdam before continuing expensive, and busy at peak although most journeys within
their journey to Italy from there. periods, trains are a good the city can easily be covered
Meridiana also has direct flights alternative. Flights to airports on foot. The main route for the
to Italy from New York. in the north can be disrupted water buses is the Grand Canal.
Low-cost airlines easyJet by fog in the winter. They also link the city to the
and Ryanair offer flights from islands in the lagoon. Tickets
various UK airports to numerous Traveling in Cities can be purchased from kiosks
Italian destinations according at each stop, and the main
to the season. Milan and Rome both have routes run every 10 to 20
Rome’s Leonardo da Vinci a metro system known as la minutes until early evening.
(Fiumicino) and Milan’s metropolitana (metro for short). For general inquiries, contact
Malpensa are the key airports Rome’s network amounts to just the ACTV Information Office.
for long-haul flights into Italy. two lines – A and B – which Gondolas are a luxury form
Milan’s Linate airport handles converge at Stazione Termini, the of transportation. Sharing can
European flights. city’s central train station. Several make it cheaper. Before
stations are useful for key sights, boarding, agree on a price
but the system is designed for with the gondolier. Traghetti
Charters and commuters and carriages are (gondola ferries), on the other
Package Deals
usually stiflingly hot in summer. hand, are an inexpensive,
Package holidays to Italy are A third metro line is under convenient way of crossing
usually less costly than traveling construction, with the first the Grand Canal.
independently, unless you are stretch open in 2014. For those with sufficient
on a tight budget and are Milan has three principal lines funds, the most practical means
prepared to make use of youth – MM1 (the red line), MM2 of traveling around Venice is
hostels and campsites. Rome, (green), and MM3 (yellow) – by water taxi. These motor-
Florence, and Venice are often that give easy access to the boats run from 16 water taxi
offered as separate or linked city’s main sights. ranks and can reach the airport
package deals, and many Cars are a liability in all city in 20 minutes. Extra charges are
operators have packages to centers and many have a large made for luggage, waiting,
Tuscany and Umbria, the limited-traffic zone. Walking is night service, and calling out
Lakes, the Riviera, Naples, usually the easiest and most a taxi.

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