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Andre Piazza twitter: @AndreAtDell http://www.linkedin.com/in/andrepiazza
Andre Piazza Hostelling International
@AndreAtDell #Travel
Italy by Car Travel class

Agenda
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Hostelling International
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Why Italy? Why by Car?
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Logistics
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Cities: Rome, Assisi, Cinqueterre, Florence
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Time-allowing: Q&A
Italy by Car @AndreAtDell #Travel 2

What is HI-USA?
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Travel
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Hostels
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Programs
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Volunteers
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Social Media:
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Twitter: @HIAustin
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http://www.hiusa.org/texas/austin/austin Italy by Car @AndreAtDell #Travel 3

<< To help all,
especially the young,
gain a greater understanding
of the world and its people
through hostelling >>
HI-USA’s Mission Italy by Car @AndreAtDell #Travel 4

Why Italy?
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Natural Beauty… and related activities: hiking, skiing, etc
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History and Culture
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Food and Wine
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Arts
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Legendary automakers and race
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Soccer “Calcio”
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Religious sites
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Language Italy by Car @AndreAtDell #Travel 5

Why by Car? (versus train)
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Flexibility in plans (vs. rigidity of train schedule)
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Flexibility of routes and spontaneity (vs. railroads)
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Off the beaten path
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Get to places otherwise not accessible
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In case things happen… easier to re-route or change plans
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Romance of a classic movies
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Convenience
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Luggage (quantity and weight) for shopping
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Independence from taxi rides or walking under elements
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Bucket list / challenge yourself
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Cons:
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Trains are worry-free once you’re in
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Traffic is chaotic in bigger cities and highways (Rome)
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High probability of getting involved in a fender-bender
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Bureaucracy of paperwork and poor quality of customer service Italy by Car @AndreAtDell #Travel 6

Where’s Italy? Italy by Car @AndreAtDell #Travel 7

10,000 feet view Italy by Car @AndreAtDell #Travel 8

Italy Quizz
1.
Legendary automakers
2.
Romeo and Juliet
3.
Where crusaders left to go to Holy Land
4.
Italian Alps
5.
Not Italy – conquered by Napoleon
6.
Fashion capitol
7.
Where pizza was gifted to the Queen
8.
Separatist movement
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Why is the Italian National soccer team jersey blue?
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Where’s Italian (the language) originally from? Italy by Car @AndreAtDell #Travel 9
b
d
e
f
g
a
c
h

Airfare
Prices: round trip, Austin - Rome
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Low season (Mar–Jun; Sep–Nov): $900- 1200
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High season (US or IT summer): $1700+
Airlines:
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AA, United (hubs in Texas)
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Delta (hub in Atlanta)
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US Airways (hub Charlotte)
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Aeroitalia, British Airways, Air France departing from East Coast Italy by Car @AndreAtDell #Travel 10

Visas and Vaccination
Visas:
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U.S. citizens are NOT required to have a visa to visit Italy
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Up to 90 days stay within 180 day period
Vaccination:
•Not required to show proof of vaccination at this point (Aug 2014)
•Medicine for travelers’ diarrhea may be handy Italy by Car @AndreAtDell #Travel 11

Money
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Use ATMs inside banks for withdrawals
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International Credit Cards accepted widely
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Restaurants, shopping and establishments in general
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Widely accepted: Visa and Mastercard
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Some places: Amex
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Discovery NOT accepted
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Remember to call your credit card company BEFORE departure
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Request credit card with chip before departing (handy on subways)
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Always have cash handy for attractions, transportation, street vendors, snacks Italy by Car @AndreAtDell #Travel 12
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Currency: Euro
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Exchange Rate (Aug 2014)
1 Euro ~ USD 1.32
0.76 Euro ~ USD 1

Where to Stay
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Start at
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Usually good value with variety of options and great reviews
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Ability to cancel within 48 hrs prior to check in at zero charge
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Before locking hotel via Booking.com, check the hotel’s website for cheaper fare and more available dates
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After locking hotel via Booking.com, check the hotel’s website for cheaper fare
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Choose neighborhoods that fit your plan / budget
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Alternatives:
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Network of hostels
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Airbnb (big cities) or in-person (countryside) for family stays / B&Bs Italy by Car @AndreAtDell #Travel 13

Renting a Car
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Wide range of prices… English interface tends to be more expensive
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SiXT tends to be more affordable than other brands
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Shop pre-packaged / bundled options (car, insurance, # days)
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Avoid “compact” categories… choose (European) mid-sizes upward
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Doesn’t feel safe
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Not enough engine for road situations
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Pay with a credit card that offers free insurance (CDW + LDW + Accidents)
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Then… Decline any protections (saving 50-70% of Total Rental Cost)
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Buy a GPS in advance (not always available for rental)
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European (if traveling anywhere else)
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Italy only Italy by Car @AndreAtDell #Travel 14

Getting around
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Avoid high season, especially August (Ferragosto = Italian vacation month)
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Free Wi-Fi available in some places. Skype Wi-Fi or Boingo: pay-as-you-go
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Look for (city) permits on taxis and credentials for their agents / reps
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Airports: Negotiate fare with taxi drivers PRIOR to onboarding vehicle
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Free Apps can be of great help: Triposo and Pocket Guide
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Subways are usually safe and inexpensive; yet, available only in big cities (Rome, Milan, etc)
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Download Metro Apps for free (iOS, Android)
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City buses are usually ok. Need to know the itinerary to assess safety
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Phone call apps: Viber works great for FREE calls and messages (Android, iOS and Win) Italy by Car @AndreAtDell #Travel 15

Food
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Pasta is the name of the game
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Understand pasta textures and sauce combos
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Each region has their specialties. Favor that
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Delicious seafood; poultry, pork, beef; salami, cheese
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Dessert is traditionally fruits of the season. Gelato, never forget
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Pizza – who doesn’t like it?
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Trendy places, lots of reviews: Italy by Car @AndreAtDell #Travel 16

Wine
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Favor the local wine as much as possible
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Brunello di Montalcino
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No point drinking beer or milk Italy by Car @AndreAtDell #Travel 17

Cultural Etiquette
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English is understood in most places, but not always (especially countryside)
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(Reasonable) Contact and affection are customary, signs of good will
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Gesticulation is a given; speaking out loud sometimes a good sign
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Minimal personal space: public transportation and attractions
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Bargaining is a tool to avoid rip-offs in street transactions; not customary in establishments Italy by Car @AndreAtDell #Travel 18

Safety
Real threat: Pickpocketing
Pervasive: public transportation, downtown, touristic attractions, beaches…
Solution: CONTEXT and AWARENESS
Dos:
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Be conscious of your surroundings
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Where are you coming from? Where are you going to?
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Who’s your company / around you?
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What are / will you be doing?
•Carry fake / disposal wallet; Split money in two pockets
•Use safe in hotels for documents and money
•Operate ATMs from inside the bank
Avoid: in big cities
•Walking alone at night
•Wearing fancy clothes, jewelry or feature gadgets:
–Rings, earrings, watches, smartphones or cameras included
•Extremities of Rome subway Italy by Car @AndreAtDell #Travel 19

Calcio La Squadra Azzurra / Gli Azzurri
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Serie A (National Championship)
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Season ends in May
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Book directly with local team
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Email first > Call them next
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Mandatory in-person pickup by showing passport Italy by Car @AndreAtDell #Travel 20

Roma… Amor
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Very few resources in English. Solutions:
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Rent or download a touristic guide
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Take your favorite guide with you
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Take those Touristic Buses to get around
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Be prepared to walk… hike really Italy by Car @AndreAtDell #Travel 21

Roman Forum

Italy by Car
@AndreAtDell #Travel 23

Fontana di Trevi

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Paintings
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Tapestry
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Sculptures
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Objects
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Ancient world through Renaissance Italy by Car @AndreAtDell #Travel 26
Vatican Museums

Italy by Car
Vatican Museums

Italy by Car
Saint Peter’s Basilica

Cinqueterre Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, Riomaggiore
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Some hiking trails might be closed in winter or spring (due to rains) Italy by Car @AndreAtDell #Travel 29

Cinqueterre Monterosso al Mare Italy by Car @AndreAtDell #Travel 30

Cinqueterre Vernazza Italy by Car @AndreAtDell #Travel 31

Cinqueterre Corniglia Italy by Car @AndreAtDell #Travel 32

Cinqueterre Manarola Italy by Car @AndreAtDell #Travel 33

Cinqueterre Riomaggiore Italy by Car @AndreAtDell #Travel 34

Maranello
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Ferrari Museum
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Ferrari track (no pictures allowed, book in advance along with museum entrance)
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Drive a Ferrari in the streets (> 80 euro) Italy by Car @AndreAtDell #Travel 35

Florence The city breathes art Italy by Car @AndreAtDell #Travel 36

Countryside
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Tuscany
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Assisi (Umbria) Italy by Car @AndreAtDell #Travel 37

Buon Viaggio!
Andre Piazza
@AndreAtDell
�ݺ�ߣshare.net/Apiazza

@AndreAtDell
�ݺ�ߣshare.net/Apiazza
Q
A
&

Useful Links
•
This presentation on �ݺ�ߣshare: http://www.slideshare.net/apiazza/italy-by-car-travel-class
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Visas:
–
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_requirements_for_United_States_citizens
•General recommendations for Visa, Safety:
–http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/country/italy.html
–http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/italy Italy by Car @AndreAtDell #Travel 40

Italy by Car http://www.meetup.com/Hostelling-International-Austin-Travel-Events-Club/events/194899762/ http://www.rei.com/event/59587/session/96328
What if you could get to know one of the most fascinating countries at your own pace? We will explore Rome's historic sites, crisscross the fields of Tuscany, hike the mountains and the coast of Liguria, be inspired by the Florence's art and ride a Ferrari car in Maranello while enjoying the very traditional Italian cuisine. In this travel class, you will learn how to plan an itinerary, lodging and meals along with exclusive tips for renting / driving a car in Italy and securing tickets for Serie A Italian soccer matches. Italy by Car @AndreAtDell #Travel 41

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