Any Travels

Driving is fun
Driving is fun but gas (petrol) is very expensive and tolls on the Autostrada are astronomical. Bring a debit card of credit card for refilling the gas tank because most gas stations are closed at night and even weekends in smaller towns but you can fill the tank yourself as long as you have a credit/debit card. Trains are a terrific way to get around but strikes still occur occasionally and you can find yourself kicked off a train suddenly because of a strike. Be flexible and just ask some locals what to do.

Point to point train schedule on line
I am using a wonderful web site to plan my point to point train travel around Tuscany. It is www.bahn.de It is in english, french and italian. I have printed out train schedules of the places I will be traveling to during my 3 week Tuscany vacation. This way I will know ahead of time what different times the train goes to my destination, what days of the week it runs and etc. It does not give the fare. It tells you how long it takes and gives you the list of stops between the two towns. This is very handy because one train might get from Figline to Florence in 17 minutes and the next one might take an hour because it stops at every little town in between. Hpe this tip helps someone else. 10 more days and I will be on my way to Belle Tuscany!!!

Bus Travel Within Cities and Towns
Most cities and towns in Italy (but not many villages) have a bus system. They are cheap and efficient. Bus stops are called fermate . Buses are called autobus . Tickets are called biglietti . You buy your ticket BEFORE YOU board the bus. In small towns, you can buy the ticket at the Tobacco shops or bars which display the bus company's sticker. You can purchase discounted tickets, day-or week-long visitors' tickets. Board the bus via the FRONT & REAR DOORS . Exit the bus viea the CENTRAL DOOR . Tickets must be VALIDATED by punching them in machines at the front or rear of the bus. Fines are big if you are caught without a validated ticket!!! Whenever we used a bus, we found them to be clean, on time, and very inexpensive.