Travel Tips in Tuscany, Umbria and Lazio http://www.discoversoriano.com Tue, 13 May 2008 14:44:57 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.2 http://www.discoversoriano.com/images/M_images/joomla_rss.png http://www.discoversoriano.com Travel Tips in Tuscany, Umbria and Lazio http://www.discoversoriano.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=223&Itemid=45 No we don't. We concentrate on your trip once youa re in Italy. We will, however, offer free consulting to any of our guests that ask for it. If you are researching airfare to Italy, here are some resources that may help you out: Based on our own experiences, when scheduling flights to Italy, we generally suggest that our guests take advantage of the larger travel websites to find the best deals. We usually rely on Travelocity (http://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-2816122-10395159) ourselves, but have also found some good fares at Economy Travel (http://www.tkqlhce.com/o5122vpyvpxCFLEJEFFCEDHJGFDG). On one trip we used Priceline (http://www.tkqlhce.com/cf81zw41w3JMSLQLMMJLKNRKKOP) for an emergency 'We have to leave today' trip. While it was disconcerting that you don't know much about your trip until after you have made the purchase, in our one experience, it turned out great. Actually, we wanted to go from Los Angeles (LAX) to Rome (FCO, and our favorite airline for the trip is Lufthansa, but all their flights were either booked or $2,500 each for ECONOMY! We ended up paying something like $400 through Priceline (http://www.tkqlhce.com/cf81zw41w3JMSLQLMMJLKNRKKOP), and wound up on one of the same Lufthansa flights that would have cost thousands. Here are some links to the travel sites discussed above: Travelocity.com (http://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-2816122-10395159) EconomyTravel.com (http://www.tkqlhce.com/o5122vpyvpxCFLEJEFFCEDHJGFDG) Priceline.com (http://www.tkqlhce.com/cf81zw41w3JMSLQLMMJLKNRKKOP) Tue, 22 Jan 2008 09:49:16 +0100 http://www.discoversoriano.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=222&Itemid=45 You will almost certainly save money if you buy any maps you will need before your trip. Be sure to get a national map, and city maps for the cities you will be visiting while you are in Italy. Here are some driving and travel maps of Italy that you can purchase before your trip: Rand McNalley Travel Maps of Italy (http://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-2816122-10460177?url=http%3A%2F%2Fstore.randmcnally.com%2Fcategory%2Finternational%2Bmaps%2Feurope%2Fsouthern%2Beurope.do) Florence Street Map (http://www.dpbolvw.net/click-2816122-10362975?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.maps.com%2Fmap.aspx%3Fnav%3DMS%26cid%3D4%2C1352%2C4%2C61%2C615%26pid%3D552) Milan Street Map (http://www.tkqlhce.com/click-2816122-10362975?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.maps.com%2Fmap.aspx%3Fnav%3DMS%26cid%3D4%2C61%2C615%26pid%3D1402) Rome Street Map (http://www.dpbolvw.net/click-2816122-10362975?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.maps.com%2Fmap.aspx%3Fnav%3DMS%26cid%3D4%2C61%2C615%26pid%3D10953) Sicily Street Map (http://www.tkqlhce.com/click-2816122-10362975?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.maps.com%2Fmap.aspx%3Fnav%3DMS%26cid%3D4%2C61%2C615%26pid%3D16139) Tuscany Street Map (http://www.tkqlhce.com/click-2816122-10362975?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.maps.com%2Fmap.aspx%3Fnav%3DMS%26cid%3D4%2C61%2C615%26pid%3D1427) Venice Street Map (http://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-2816122-10362975?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.maps.com%2Fmap.aspx%3Fnav%3DMS%26cid%3D4%2C61%2C615%26pid%3D16435) Tue, 22 Jan 2008 09:46:06 +0100 http://www.discoversoriano.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=221&Itemid=45 There is no shortage of guide books out there, and your best bet would generally be to go to a book store like Borders or Barnes and Noble. But if you ar elooking for somethign on the Internet, here are some good guides to consider: Lonely Planet ROME (http://www.jdoqocy.com/click-2816122-10362975?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.maps.com%2Fmap.aspx%3Fnav%3DMS%26cid%3D4%2C1352%2C1355%26pid%3D13034) Lonely Planet TUSCANY and UMBRIA (http://www.kqzyfj.com/click-2816122-10362975?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.maps.com%2Fmap.aspx%3Fnav%3DMS%26cid%3D4%2C1352%2C1355%26pid%3D13052) Lonely Planet Venice (http://www.kqzyfj.com/click-2816122-10362975?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.maps.com%2Fmap.aspx%3Fnav%3DMS%26cid%3D4%2C1352%2C1355%26pid%3D13056) Tue, 22 Jan 2008 09:43:58 +0100 http://www.discoversoriano.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=220&Itemid=45 While it is not really neccessary to learn Italian before you take a trip to Italy, Italians really tend to appreciate every attempt you make at communicating in their language. You will find that in the more touristy areas, everyone more or less speaks enough english to communicate with you as needed, but as you get off the beaten path, some Italian skills will be very helpful to you. That said, I really don't like the standard 'Learn a language' courses, because they tend to teach you phrases that are really not used... so you would be just as well simply speaking English in most cases. If you want to pick up some Italian before your trip, I would urge you to at least get started with a real language course. TELL ME MORE Language Learning Software (http://www.tkqlhce.com/6181xdmjdl039272330215A6257). uses advanced speech recognition technology that engages you in real-life dialogues and conversations while you are learning, rather than just having you learn key phrases. While it is not cheap (compared to the 29.95 software out there), it is far less expensive than some of the other real courses, like Rosetta Stone. Another good course is Onlingo. (http://www.jdoqocy.com/r975zw41w3JMSLQLMMJLKPKTKRP) Tue, 22 Jan 2008 09:41:04 +0100 http://www.discoversoriano.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=162&Itemid=45 The answer to this question depends entirely on when you will be here. In the summer months you will find tons of free entertainment in the town's main square. In July, Soriano hosts the world fmous 'Tuscia in Jazz' Festival, which attracts hundreds of jazz artists (including many very famous) and jazz lovers. Regular entertainment in Piazza continues through August. Other than that, there is almost always a festival or event in the area. Additionally, about 20 minutes form Soriano there is a very popular nightclub (for dancing) called Cigni, which attracts many Romans. Soriano has several bars. One, in particular is called 'Rotezzia', which is open Thursday through Saturday after 10:00PM. Basically, the closer you are to July and August, the more choices you will have for nightlife. Mon, 16 Jul 2007 09:55:39 +0100 http://www.discoversoriano.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=161&Itemid=45 The word Soriano comes from an ancient local dialect word for wine grapes. There are two towns named ‘Soriano’ in Italy. One is way down south in Reggio Calabria, and ours is at the northern edge of the Tiber Valley. Since there are two, their names were lengthened to differentiate them. The one in the south is ‘Soriano Calabro’ (Meaning literally ‘The Soriano in Reggio Calabria’), and ours is ‘Soriano nel Cimino’ (Meaning literally ‘The Soriano that is nestled in Mount Cimino’). People generally just say ‘Soriano’. If you talk to someone in Rome about Soriano, they assume you are talking about our town. If you talk to someone in southern Italy, they assume the other. Mon, 16 Jul 2007 09:48:49 +0100 http://www.discoversoriano.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=160&Itemid=45 Our howms are in the village. When you look at pictures of Soriano, look at the tight concentration of houses immediately surrounding the castle. Our places are in there. All within 100 feet of the castle itself. The town center (Piazza) is just below that concentration of houses. So Piazza is literally a one to five walk, if that. In and around the Piazza you will find five bars, several restaurants, a few pizzerias, grocers, fruit/vegetable stands, butchers, etc. Mon, 16 Jul 2007 09:46:27 +0100 http://www.discoversoriano.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=159&Itemid=45 Nowadays it really isn't necessary. You will find ATM machines everywhere, so when you need cash, you should have no problems. Mon, 16 Jul 2007 09:43:47 +0100 http://www.discoversoriano.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=158&Itemid=45 1. In your home Some of the homes have washing machines, and some do not. Please check the details of the home you have rented. In all cases, we will not have dryers, as clothes dryers are extremely uncommon in Italy. We do provide clothes pins and hanging rods. Still, you will find laundromats much easier, very convenient, and very reasonably priced. 2. Laundromats When you check into you home, you will find a Guest Manual that shows you where local resources are. One of these will be the closest laundromat. We have an agreement with some local laundromats that give you a discounted rate, and provide a 24 hour turnaround for both washing and dry cleaning. Sat, 30 Jun 2007 06:43:55 +0100 http://www.discoversoriano.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=157&Itemid=45 Tipping is often a difficult subject since it is so dependant on varied levels of service. In Italy, even more so, since not everyone tips, and not everyone expects tips. Additionally, you will hear many opinions about tipping, so here is a general guide from my personal experience over the years: Porters/Bell-Hops, Others carrying your bags Base this on how helpful they were, and how complex their job was. In a hotel where they simply wheel your bags to your room, €1 to €2 per bag is quite generous. If they are having to lug your bags upstairs, or uphill, €4 to €5 per bag is more appropriate. Drivers / Taxis If you have an hourly or daily driver, even though tips are sometimes said to be included in the bill, it is usually very little. 10% of the bill would usually be appropriate. If the driver really went way out of their way to help you, a larger tip would certainly be appreciated. With Taxis, €1 or €2 is usually quite generous if the driver was pleasant. Restaurants Tipping in restaurants in not expected in Italy as it is in much of the world. All Italian restaurants have a cover charge (called Pane e coperto). Still little, if any of this goes to the waiters. If you want to be generous, 5% to 10% of your bill will always be very well received. Sat, 30 Jun 2007 06:36:48 +0100