From: laurence@spider.co.uk (Laurence Dearling)
Newsgroups: rec.travel
Subject: john earl, North Italy Tour
Summary: Advice North Italy by train
Keywords: Italy, North, Train, Motorscooter
Date: 4 Sep 92 14:41:26 GMT
Followup-To: rec.travel (email failed)
Organization: Spider Systems Limited, Edinburgh, UK.

From laurence Fri Sep  4 10:17 GMT 1992
Received: by trapdoor.spider.co.uk; Fri, 4 Sep 92 10:17:23 GMT
Date: Fri, 4 Sep 92 11:17:22 BST
       
"Re: Tourists" (Sep  1,  1:17pm) INFO REQUEST, TUSCANY/UMBRIA BY
RAIL/etc

Thanks for your interest, John. Email failed, so rec.travel gets it!

By rail you can do really long hikes quite easily.  We did Rome to Naples by
train in 2 hours on the express. This enables visits to Herculaneum, Paestum,
Sorrento, (9500.00 lire buys you a return trip to CAPRI and ANACAPRI on the
SORRENTO ferry), Naples(with care avoid gypsy children, they are awful
thieves and gang up to pickpocket you, otherwise fine) and of course,
Vesuvius and Pompeii (two ii's is the ancient city, Pompei is the modern
town).

You said North however, so I am going to assume you don't mind hiring a Vespa
moped for excursions.  If you haven't seen PISA and the leaning tower, you
should, but don't waste more than half a day on it.  Last time I was there it
had leant so far they were not letting people up the tower.  The cathedral
next door is worth a trip.  In fact the churches, cathedrals and hilltop
fortifications are the major features of the region.

If you are in that area, it would be silly to miss LUCCA, although it has no
particular local unique feature. LIVORNO is coastal but unexceptional.  
Firenze (Florence) is a must, of course,
but don't miss the panoramic view into the valley from the little town of
FIESOLE, only a few miles out to the North.  SIENA has a famous cathedral and
PIAZZA and museum/tower which you really should aim for. It has just finished 
its yearly horserace and flagwaving festival, but the attractiveness will take
you through the best part of a day.

SAN GIMIGNANO has another hilltop fortress worth the trek, and there are
many intervening villages offering an interesting browse.  If you are going
to be adventurous further south, take in Arrezzo, the Lake (Trimensere?) and
once you've got that far you will want to see ASSISI, the home of St.
Francis, venerated around the world for his love of animals. Our Duke of
Edinburgh and the WWF honored him with a plaque at his retreat (hermitage)
just outside the town.  (North East).  The same dirt road takes you on an
exhilarating hike around the mountain tops where local hang-gliding fans
operate, and you descend into a small village with a delightful garden where
you can lunch by a fountain. (I've forgotten my diary with the name).

The whole CHIANTI region boasts its famous wine and the black cockerel sign
which has been a symbol of its quality since 1537.

Sorry, I've run out of lunchtime!  At the risk of appearing patronising, as I
don't know your disposition, may I politely remind you (as an ex-traveller to
the "States") that food you can buy for $6.00 in California or New York will
cost you at least double and will take much longer to arrive in Italy.
(Although they make Eastern Europe look pedestrian).  Service is slick but
not fast.  Chinese Restaurants are cheaper than Italian (actually easier to
find in ROME). 

Beware trying to buy gasoline fuel with credit or charge cards.  Despite signs 
to the contrary, most filling stations apologise for the absence of the
impression machine and urge you to pay cash.  So take plenty, but dollar
traveller's cheques and c/cards are fine for hotels/restaurants IN THE BIG
TOWNS.  
 
Personally, my wife and I took a "get by in Italian" course and spent time
searching out grocery shops (alimentari) where we could order finely cut
parma ham (prosciuto) and cheeses, bread rolls (panini) and huge green olives
to our hearts content, which we would then munch in pleasant surroundings
later.  Most alimentari will actually cut the rolls and add the fillings for
you.  Best of luck and enjoy.

May your God go with you.

Hope other net readers don't mind this (hopefully useful) intrusion!
-- 
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        |         /\8/\    ^~^          Spider Systems Limited, Spider House
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 ////      \\\\  laurence@spider.co.uk Tel: + 44 734 771055 x.480 Fax:771214
Newsgroups: rec.travel