Italy

Italy: New “Residents Only” Water Bus in Venice, Michelangelo’s “David” May Move in Florence

Date: January 24th, 2008 |

It isn’t news that annually Italy is flooded with tourists, but the recent reactions of Florence and Venice are noteworthy. Officials in Florence are studying ways to relieve congestion in the heart of the city and one option being considered is to move Michelangelo’s “David” out of the Galleria dell’Accademia, where it has stood since [read more]

Italy: Venice to Begin Residents-Only Ferry Service

Date: October 18th, 2007 |

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Beginning in January, Venetians will have their own ferry service on the Grand Canal. Non-residents will be banned from boats on the new service that will run from Piazzale Roma to Piazza San Marco. Cost will be one euro as opposed to six euros for vaporettos, the normal wa [read more]

Italy: Baggage Chaos at Leonardo da Vinci Airport in Rome

Date: August 8th, 2007 |

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Officials scrambled to resolve a baggage impasse at Rome’s Leonardo da Vinci Airport Aug. 7 after thousands of bags for outbound flights were left unloaded and arriving passengers had long waits for theirs. Italy’s transport minister vowed to add some 80 new staff to clear out the congestion and try to improve normal operations. The [read more]

Italy: Garbage Still Piling Up in Naples

Date: July 11th, 2007 |

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Garbage collection in the province of Naples has been disrupted since May, creating possible health risks throughout the region. Debris has been piling up for weeks and some residents have been burning the accumulating mounds releasing potentially toxic fumes. Authorities have been removing garbage from the tourist areas such as the port of Naples and [read more]

Italy: Strikes to Affect Air, Rail Transport

Date: June 6th, 2007 |

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Strikes could affect air and rail service in Italy later this month. Alitalia technicians plan to strike for four hours June 18 and Italy’s air traffic controllers have called a four-hour strike for June 25 from noon to 4 p.m. Italian State Railroad workers intend to walk out for 24 hours J [read more]

Italy: Tourists Pay More, Sometimes Way More, for Same Services in Venice

Date: October 31st, 2007 |

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The London Sunday Times reported widespread price gouging of tourists in Venice, where cafes, restaurants and bars routinely charge different prices for different nationalities, and considerably less for locals. The head of the Venice branch of Italy’s consumer protection agency called the problem an epidemic, and the overcharging is significant. In one case a couple [read more]

Italy: Strikes Could Affect Travel in Rome, Lombardy

Date: October 11th, 2007 |

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Alitalia employees plan a four-hour strike Oct. 25 in Lombardy to protest plans to cut flights from Milan’s Malpensa airport as the struggling airline reorganizes. The walkout could cause significant flight delays and cancellations. An eight-hour strike by some 3 ½ million public workers to protest government economic reforms is scheduled for Oct. 26, with [read more]

Europe: Extreme Weather Plagues Britain, Continent

Date: July 25th, 2007 |

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Extreme weather is plaguing Europe, with England suffering its worst floods in 60 years and intense heat contributing to forest fires in southern Italy and across the Balkan peninsula. Romania saw temperatures above 100 for seven straight days, while a fast-moving brush fire drove thousands of tourists out of hotels and campsites to the beaches [read more]

Italy: In Rome, Beware Fake “Centurions” and Drunken Tourists

Date: July 4th, 2007 |

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A common tourist activity in Rome is to pose for a picture outside the Colosseum with a “centurion” in full gladiator garb, but beware the expense and risk. All expect a fee for their services and the cost can be exorbitant, but worse, some renegade centurions have become overly aggressive and in a recent incident [read more]

Italy: Garbage Piles Up in Naples

Date: May 30th, 2007 |

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Naples and surrounding towns have thousands of tons of garbage accumulating with nowhere to put it. The last remaining landfill accepting garbage was due to be filled within days and new dump sites have been blocked by citizens concerned about environmental damage. The crisis is affecting Naples and the historic site of Pompeii among other [read more]