Comments to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Marianna on February 27, 2011 at 8:14

Ciao Gary

I landed back in Australia last Friday after 4 weeks in Italy. Still trying to rebalance my body rhythms...

Caught one day's snow the second day I arrived in my home town of Torricella Peligna (will post some photos soon), but so much fell that the streets were snow-covered for days. The remainder of the time I was in Italy was cold, but not bitter, some days were grey and others sunny. I hear since coming back that there's been another cold snap. Looks like the weather was good to me!!!!

The points you've highlighted as advantages are the reason why I like travelling in the colder, low season months. However, another disadvantage is that some places are closed.

If you want to do a lot of exploring yourself it's easier without crowds and luggage is easier to cart around if the trains aren't full. And, finally, yes you are correct in using the preposition 'di'.

A presto

Marianna 

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Gary Chow on March 1, 2011 at 13:37

Ciao Marianna

Thanks for your reply. Yes, I just found out the downside you mentioned; that is, about some places being closed in winter.

I've always wanted to see a ballet or opera at la Scala in Milan but just found out their season closes in November. Che peccato! And you know what was on in November? Swan Lake!!

I've got my trip more or less mapped out now so just a case of booking. My poor credit card is going to take a hammering.

Gary

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Marianna on March 4, 2011 at 14:27

Ciao Gary - sorry it's taken a little time to reply to your query about December in the Cinque Terre.

I've only been there in early June--just before the crowds and heat. However, of all the Italian regions, Liguria is blessed with the most temperate climate. So, even in winter its climate is generally warmer than in much of Italy. As a result, there is only a relatively short period when tourists don't visit. Furthermore, such are the cultural attractions of the region, that there is plenty to do even when the climate isn't hot enough for long stints by the seaside.

But while Liguria is virtually a year-round attraction, there is an influx of both Italian and European tourists during the high season, which extends from May to the end of September. If you want to enjoy Liguria's cultural pursuits March and April or September and October are more suitable months, when the weather is cooler and the hotels quieter.

In 2009 I stayed at a B&B in La Spezia called 'Il giardino in citta' (wwwgiardinoincitta.it) and found it outstanding--the proprietors couldn't do enough for you--however they had just opened for business! Although there's not much to do in La Spezia, there are frequent and regular train services to the Cinque Terre and up the coast, to Genova. If you want, I can contact them and find out if they close for business during the year. Let me know...

Hope I've been of some help to you, Gary

A presto

Marianna 

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Rosina Edeling on March 9, 2011 at 10:07

I lived in Turin for a year and arrived there in December. It looked like a winter wonderland, it was so beautiful. Gary can you ski? If you ski then the ski fields is where all the action is in winter. Even if you can't ski, it's fun just to people watch. The weather is milder down south and in some places it doesn't snow at all but expect lots of snow up north. Driving is not too bad as they clear the roads but most people up north keep chains in their cars so it might be worthwhile learning how to put them on.

I would advise buying a pair of cheap non-slip boots to wear on the icy paths. You can buy them in most marketplaces in winter. Also take a pair of warm gloves and a lined coat. That particular winter it got down to -33 degrees Celsius. Apart from that, Italians don't allow themselves to stop living just because it's cold. They rug up and still go about their daily business.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Gary Chow on March 9, 2011 at 11:18

Hi Rosina

Thanks for your feedback. I've actually decided to postpone my trip until next spring. After much pondering, I don't think winter would be very good for what I had in mind.

Gary

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Liana on March 9, 2011 at 11:19

Hi Rosina,

Thanks for your reply and the tips - My husband and I are going to Italy in December and he is a mad skiier and wants to go skiing - did you ski and where did you go? How did you find it cost wise, is it expensive - lift passes etc?

I think you may be the Rosina I knew from when we were teenagers - is that right? If it is not, excuse this as rambling from a women who has had too much coffee this morning :-). If you are - a big hello, it's been a long time!

Ciao

Liana

 

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Rosina Edeling on March 9, 2011 at 14:40

Yes it's me Liana. Both Cerdon girls and I went to school with Maria, your sister! I used to go to Sestriere which is probably the closest to Turin. You can catch a bus in the morning from Turin and catch one back in the afternoon. The trip takes about 90 mins. but apparently that's because it picks up passengers in little villages along the way and takes the long route up to the mountain. When driving it only takes about 30 minutes because you can take a more direct route. The bus fare was reasonable and you could take your own ski gear too. It used to stop at Pragelato, which is smaller than Sestriere and a bit easier to ski.

Cost wise it was comparable to Australian ski fields but that was many years ago. I think a lift pass was actually cheaper in Italy and, of course, there seemed to be more choice in what you could eat and drink there too. The Europeans really have the whole ski thing running efficiently.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Liana on March 11, 2011 at 13:09

Hi Rosina,

It's nice to catch up after all these years! My daughter is/was a Woolwich girl (carrying on the Marist tradition) What where you doing in Turin and when was it? Is your family from Torino?

I travel to Italy every 3-5 years - even though there are so many places to see in the world I'm always drawn to go back. As I mentioned the next time, at the end of this year, we'll be in Europe for 1 year - So exciting, especially to not have to rush around as I have done on my other trips.

Thanks again for the info. I remember going to a Dolomite ski field with Maria and Nick in my early twenties - it was a bit intimidating as every one look soooo good - you know 'La bella figura' - It will be interesting to see if I feel less intimated this time - see if I have grown at all LOL, although face planting in the snow while learning to ski is never a good look!

Ciao ciao

Liana

 

• ▶ Reply