From my long experience getting around in Italy, I’ll tell you about the ins and outs of the Italian train system, taking the bus in Italy, when it’s better to travel by plane than by train in Italy, the best locations for renting a car in Italy, and rules of the road in Italy-which to follow and which to ignore. Hiring a private driver in Italy is a stress-free form of travel that eliminates the schedules of public transportation, and the hassles of parking and traffic – you can even go by private boat! We take the worry our of travel on our guided tours in Italy, and will assist you with your pre and post tour travel plans so that the rest of your trip to Italy goes smoothly.
Posted In: Hiking & Walking Trails in Italy, Hip Trip Tips for Travel in Italy, Italian Food Traditions & Recipes, Travel Notes from Tours in Italy
Taralli are crunchy ring-shaped crackers that are traditional in Puglia, and we learn to make them on our Pleasures of Puglia tour. Here’s the recipe for making taralli at home.
Continue Reading »Posted In: Hiking & Walking Trails in Italy, Hip Trip Tips for Travel in Italy, Provocative People & Cool Places in Italy, Travel Notes from Tours in Italy
After long negotiations with the Getty museum, the stolen Goddess of Morgantina has finally returned to Sicily. Off we go to Aidone to welcome her back.
Continue Reading »Posted In: Hip Trip Tips for Travel in Italy
High speed train travel in Italy just got a lot more interesting with the new Italo, the privately owned NTV train service that has customer comfort at its core, and aims to be major competition for state-owned Trenitalia
Continue Reading »Posted In: Hip Trip Tips for Travel in Italy, Interesting Festivals & Events in Italy, Provocative People & Cool Places in Italy
The weekend of March 24 & 25, 2012 the organization called “FAI” (Italian National Trust) sponsors guided visits of 670 sites all over Italy, most of which are not normally open to the public.
Continue Reading »Posted In: Hip Trip Tips for Travel in Italy, Interesting Festivals & Events in Italy, Italian Food Traditions & Recipes, Stories of Life in Tuscany & Sicily
The almond harvest in Sicily at the Mastri di San Basilio farm takes place at the height of summer. Join Anita as she ventures into the August heat in search of pizzuta almonds fresh off the tree.
Continue Reading »Posted In: Hiking & Walking Trails in Italy, Hip Trip Tips for Travel in Italy, Provocative People & Cool Places in Italy, Travel Notes from Tours in Italy
Art galleries, sculpture studios, and great restaurants make the Tuscan town of Pietrasanta a highlight of our Cinque Terre walking tour in Italy.
Continue Reading »Posted In: Hip Trip Tips for Travel in Italy, Interesting Festivals & Events in Italy
Celebrate Italy’s artistic and cultural heritage with FAI, the National Trust of Italy, and unique attractions not normally open to the public the weekend of March 26 & 27, 2011.
Continue Reading »Posted In: Hip Trip Tips for Travel in Italy, Interesting Festivals & Events in Italy
In honor of the 150th Anniversary of Italy on March 17, 2011, celebrate with free entrance to state museums and archeological sites
Continue Reading »Posted In: Hiking & Walking Trails in Italy, Hip Trip Tips for Travel in Italy
A few special wildflowers bloom in autumn in Italy, like fragrant saffron crocus and bright yellow sternbergia, a daffodil masquerading as a crocus.
Continue Reading »Posted In: Hip Trip Tips for Travel in Italy, Understanding the Culture & Customs of Italy
Parking in Italy can be a challenge, from squeezing into a tiny space to deciphering a parking sign. Here are parking tips to avoid getting a parking ticket in Italy, and where to find a guardian angel.
Continue Reading »Posted In: Hiking & Walking Trails in Italy, Hip Trip Tips for Travel in Italy, Interesting Festivals & Events in Italy, Stories of Life in Tuscany & Sicily
The San Lorenzo beach in eastern Sicily was the setting for the recent release of nine loggerhead sea turtles (caretta caretta) by the Sicily Wildlife Fund.
Continue Reading »Posted In: Hiking & Walking Trails in Italy, Hip Trip Tips for Travel in Italy, Interesting Festivals & Events in Italy, Italian Food Traditions & Recipes, Italian Wine, Cellar Visits, and Wine-Tasting in Italy, Travel Notes from Tours in Italy
Hiking Italian style means gourmet cuisine in the Dolomites, where Michelin-starred chefs have created special dishes served at mountain rifugi during the “Peaks of Gastronomy” initiative.
Continue Reading »