I've done this trip by train -- except in two parts at different times!In Montecatini Terme, there are two rail stations on the same line, and I think all trains stop at both. Take a train to Viareggio, and then to either Vernazza or Monterosso al Mare (or both!). Some services are direct, but for some you have to change at Pisa Centrale or La Spezia.When I travelled from Pisa to the Cinque Terre, I bought a ticket to Monterosso, but got off and explored Vernazza before going on to Monterosso.I always plan my Italian train travel on the FS web site, but I've never tried buying my ticket on line.http://www.trenitalia.com/
From a television programme I saw on my last visit, celiac disease is widely-known in Italy in the restaurant business. However, none of the establishments in the programme were offering gluten-free pasta. Instead, they had non-pasta options available. (Gnocci, for example.)I have seen gluten-free options on pizza menus.
The cruise ship port is on the Western side of the main islands of Venice. I haven't arrived by ship myself, but I have arrived by rail, and the station is also on the West side.Everywhere in the city itself is accessible on foot, but the usual way is to take one of the water buses.If you wanted a hotel that is easily walkable from the port, try searching for one in the vicinity of Piazzale Roma.
Any device for the UK will also work in Italy. They work by sensing current flow in the main supply wire.The UK once used 240 volts and Europe 220, but both have been standardised on 230 volts for decades now. That means that the calculation to derive power from current is correct.
I've been to Spello several times on day trips and like it very much. There is a frequent competition for the best flower-dressed house, and the residents always have the old streets and alleys packed with blooms. The town is probably most famous for its "infiorate" when, for one day, the streets are paved with flower petals in fantastic patterns! (Next year it's 17th/18th June).From a practical point of view, I've always had a car when I visited, so I can't advise on public transport. I know there's a railway station, which is a big advantage, although it's a long and steep walk from the centre of town.Quite near, down on the flat plain are the Fonti del Clitunno, a series of limestone pools which are the source of the river Clitunno. It's one of my favourite places. To me there seems to be a great sense of peace next to the water under the trees.
We spent Christmas 2012 in Verona, with day trips to Milan and Venice, and had no problem with shops, restaurants or museums being closed, other than normal Winter timetables.On Christmas day itself we cooked our own meal, but I think there may have been restaurants operating, although if so, probably booked long in advance.The citizens of Venice hadn't done much in the way of Christmas lights and so on, but then Venice itself is magical all year round.
The coastal strip around Pescara wasn't to my taste: not very scenic and overdeveloped for the seaside holiday trade. I drove down the coast though, and the further South I got, the more it looked like my idea of the "real" Italy. (Probably an imaginary Italy in my head!)But I liked inland Abruzzo more. Sulmona is beautiful. I haven't been to L'Aquila since the 2009 earthquake, but I hope it has recovered (and recovered from Berlusconi's "help" as well).
Not really an on-topic contribution here, but I'm halfway through the Montalbano novel "August Heat", which involves the investigation of a Sicilian builder/developer. Until I read the above, I had no idea how unrealistic it was!In all the parts about building work everything is very casual, and "health and safety"? No such thing! I suppose Andrea Camilleri has never been on a building site.
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I've done this trip by train -- except in two parts at different times!In Montecatini Terme, there are two rail stations on the same line, and I think all trains stop at both. Take a train to Viareggio, and then to either Vernazza or Monterosso al Mare (or both!). Some services are direct, but for some you have to change at Pisa Centrale or La Spezia.When I travelled from Pisa to the Cinque Terre, I bought a ticket to Monterosso, but got off and explored Vernazza before going on to Monterosso.I always plan my Italian train travel on the FS web site, but I've never tried buying my ticket on line.http://www.trenitalia.com/
From a television programme I saw on my last visit, celiac disease is widely-known in Italy in the restaurant business. However, none of the establishments in the programme were offering gluten-free pasta. Instead, they had non-pasta options available. (Gnocci, for example.)I have seen gluten-free options on pizza menus.
The cruise ship port is on the Western side of the main islands of Venice. I haven't arrived by ship myself, but I have arrived by rail, and the station is also on the West side.Everywhere in the city itself is accessible on foot, but the usual way is to take one of the water buses.If you wanted a hotel that is easily walkable from the port, try searching for one in the vicinity of Piazzale Roma.
Any device for the UK will also work in Italy. They work by sensing current flow in the main supply wire.The UK once used 240 volts and Europe 220, but both have been standardised on 230 volts for decades now. That means that the calculation to derive power from current is correct.
I've been to Spello several times on day trips and like it very much. There is a frequent competition for the best flower-dressed house, and the residents always have the old streets and alleys packed with blooms. The town is probably most famous for its "infiorate" when, for one day, the streets are paved with flower petals in fantastic patterns! (Next year it's 17th/18th June).From a practical point of view, I've always had a car when I visited, so I can't advise on public transport. I know there's a railway station, which is a big advantage, although it's a long and steep walk from the centre of town.Quite near, down on the flat plain are the Fonti del Clitunno, a series of limestone pools which are the source of the river Clitunno. It's one of my favourite places. To me there seems to be a great sense of peace next to the water under the trees.
We spent Christmas 2012 in Verona, with day trips to Milan and Venice, and had no problem with shops, restaurants or museums being closed, other than normal Winter timetables.On Christmas day itself we cooked our own meal, but I think there may have been restaurants operating, although if so, probably booked long in advance.The citizens of Venice hadn't done much in the way of Christmas lights and so on, but then Venice itself is magical all year round.
The coastal strip around Pescara wasn't to my taste: not very scenic and overdeveloped for the seaside holiday trade. I drove down the coast though, and the further South I got, the more it looked like my idea of the "real" Italy. (Probably an imaginary Italy in my head!)But I liked inland Abruzzo more. Sulmona is beautiful. I haven't been to L'Aquila since the 2009 earthquake, but I hope it has recovered (and recovered from Berlusconi's "help" as well).
Not really an on-topic contribution here, but I'm halfway through the Montalbano novel "August Heat", which involves the investigation of a Sicilian builder/developer. Until I read the above, I had no idea how unrealistic it was!In all the parts about building work everything is very casual, and "health and safety"? No such thing! I suppose Andrea Camilleri has never been on a building site.