Cinque Terre trail updates

Hi,

I am looking to go to Cinque Terre in September this year. Does anyone know the current status of the trails. I know there was a land slide a couple of years ago. I want to make sure that all of the trails are now open

Thanks

Alex

Sardinia Somebody must have been there!

We have a month here in July and have most places booked except the last few days from Alghero down to Cagliari. We want to be close to the beach. Just basic accomodation is fine, we have a rental car and thought a couple of nights before we fly out just relaxing would be great. But finding somewhere isn't easy and Sardinia seems to have less replies to questions than anywhere else we have been in the last 15 years or so.
If you have been there, loved where you stayed or know of somebody else who has been we would be delighted to hear from them. We haven't booked yet on La Maddelena? probably foolish but hope the one we want may have a cancellation before July.
So come on let us know what you loved there is it all too commercial and high end, surely not. maybe a great little restaurant in Alghero of a little pension halfway down the coast. Anyone, we would love to hear f... more »

Biking Mt. Vesuvio, any info appreciated.

Hi all,

I've been looking for info on biking the Mt. Vesuvius as a day trip, without much success. Anyone done it?

I know there is a company offering guided trips, but we'd prefer to do it without guiding. Preferably on some trail with mountain bikes, not only roads. We also need to rent bikes. Any information is very welcome!

Thanks

The truth about speeding tickets in Italy..

Hello everyone,

We have long been renting cars for our Italian holidays, and every time wondered at how the speed limits seem to not really be followed by anyone.

I have, countless times, been in areas with a posted speed limit of, say, 50 kph, and I was literally the only one driving at that speed, while all other cars were overtaking us (often also honks/light-flashes/gestures). Many times, those 50kph areas were straight portions of clearly out-of-town and non-residential roads, and I would have felt it 100% safe&reasonable to accelerate to at least 70kph. However, I have already received a speeding ticket from one of those holidays, and would rather not take my chances.

I am just wondering which one of these scenarios most likely explains the fact that almost no-one else on the road has the same "fear" as me:
1) Italian drivers have speed camera detectors and thus only... more »

Please Help !!! question about mistake buying train ticket from trenitalia

I purchased for online ticket from trenitalia.com website and selected an ECONOMY ticket from Roma termini to Napoli Centrale

But I found that my wife already bought the same route!!!

So we have 2 pairs of tickets (from Roma termini to Napoli Centale) in the same time but different seats.

Can we exchange one pair of tickets to another route ?

thanks

Roman Villa

Hi

Im heading to Italy in October. Does anyone know if theres any accommodation in an actual roman villa/castle? We're pretty flexible about locations but prefer the northern half of Italy

We're a family of 6 adults travelling.

Thanks

Sicily - where to go around Palermo for 2 and half Days?

Hi,

I have just booked flights to go to Sicily for 5 days, no where near enough time I know, but this will hopefully be the first of many visits. The plan is to arrive in Palermo mid-June and stay there for 2 days. We are then hiring a car for 2 and half days to go and explore. I wondered if anyone could give us some advice on where to go for these days. Ideally, it would be within an hour and half drive from Palermo, it would be located by a nice beach with good food and a romantic atmosphere. I also love history so if it can be within reasonable driving distance of some interesting sites, that would be an extra bonus. We would be staying Fri-Sun if this makes any difference.

I would really appreciate any advice as all of Sicily looks amazing and I am finding it so hard to narrow it down to one or two locations!

Many thanks in advance
Steph

Wine tasting, cheese tasting, restaurant & general tips - Montepulciano

Dear fellow travellers,

I very much value the tips I have received on the Thorn Tree in the past and hope for some useful information for our upcoming trip to Tuscany. Although not as exotic as destinations in the past I am very exited!

We are a couple on their late thirties travelling with our three year old daughter.

We leave on May 25th and will spend two weeks in a rented house between Montepulciano and Montalcino. Between San Giovanni d'Asso & Montisi to be exact.

This was a rather last minute decision so I am not as meticulously prepared as I otherwise would be.
My apologies in advance.

I would very much appreciate any advice you have to offer on the following in the region:

• wine tasting (I am finding a lot of overpriced daytrips catering to Americans - would prefer smaller, more personal but could deal with big if the surroundings are must see)
• cheese t...