INFORMATION
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INFORMATION
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| GETTING TO THE MARCHE |
| BY AIR The easiest and cheapest way of arriving in the regions from the U.K. is on one of the Ryan Air new daily low cost flights from London Stanstead to Ancona, Pescara, Bologna Forli and Rome. Flight times are around 2 hours and the airports are convenient for main line stations. |
| BY RAIL Competitive air fares make the train journey only worth while when combined with a cut price rail pass, allowing further rail travel within Italy. The inter rail pass provides economic and unlimited travel in Italy and throughout Europe. If you are under 26 or a Senior Citizen there are further tempting discounts- enquire at a main railway station for details. Motor rail services are available from Calais terminating at Rimini, although expensive, it can save you a days travel and you have the convenience of your own car. |
| BY CAR The Marche is a two day journey from Britain, with an overnight stop advisable in Southern France or Switzerland. It is possible to travel by motorway from Calais to within 15 miles from the villa, routes can be provided on request. Using you own car gives you the advantage of taking home with you a few cases of local wine or produce.All the major International Car Hire Companies are represented at the Airports, although it can be more economical to book the car hire with the Airline or before you travel |
| FERRIES Ancona is one of the most important ports on the Adriatic for regular, all-year car and passenger ferries to Greece, Croatia, Turkey and Cyprus, for more information contact the port of Ancona on 071-56789. |
| DRIVING IN THE MARCHE Drivers need a current licence and if it is not the pink EU type, it should be accompanied by a translation in Italian, available from the Italian State Tourist Office in the U.K. or at the frontier offices of the Italian Automobile Club. (A.C.I.) If travelling in your own car you need the vehicle registration book, you will also need your insurance certificate, with a policy extension (a green card) Motorists must have all their documents on their person whilst driving. The only toll motorway in the Marche region is the Bologna/Pescara A14. The real point of a car is to leave the crowded highways to meander along the Marche's often deserted inland country roads. Many of the regions smallest roads are unmetalled gravel "white roads" that are usually well kept. The area's antique towns were never built for cars, and you will find that some historic centres are now closed to traffic, but adequate car parking spaces are normally available, making exploration of these ancient |
| NATIONAL HOLIDAYS January 1st and 6th; Easter Monday; April 25th; May 1st; August 15th; November 1st; December 8th; 25th and 26th. Towns also close on the feast day of their patron saint. The fortnight around August 15th is the peak summer holiday period for Italians, when everyone flocks to the beach. |
| LANGUAGE The Marchigiani possess the best of northern and southern Italy- you will really meet extravagant displays of Neapolitan emotion or the cool indifference of Milan. Try speaking a few words of Italian and your welcome will be that much warmer. If you can only master one line, at least try asking in Italian if people speak your language- parla Inglese? Remember that outside the main tourists spots, you will not necessarily find people who can speak English. French is a common second language and German is catching on. In the end, however, enthusiastic gestures and smiles will usually get the message through. |
| CLOTHING Travel light, even in your own car. Formal clothes are unnecessary unless you are going to a formal function. A smart outfit, however, for the evening stroll and dinner could make you feel less like a tourist. Many visitors who would never dream of visiting their own churches back home in shorts and halter top get huffy when frowned upon for doing it in Italy- respect convention and cover up bare flesh when visiting religious places. While light-weight clothing is essential in high summer, you'll need a sweater or jersey and a raincoat in the Spring and Autumn. In Winter expect cold weather and dress up warmly. |
| TRAVEL DOCUMENTS Citizens of the non-Schengen Treaty E.U.Countries, the U.S.A and numerous other countries only require a valid passport for visits not exceeding 3 months. Consult your travel agent or your nearest Italian Consulate. |
| MONEY Credit cards in place of cash are not yet as wide-spread in Italy as in Northern Europe and in the area of the villa, virtually not accepted at all, only petrol stations tend to accept them, and restaurants in larger towns. There are however, plenty of Automatic Cash Dispensers which will accept most major credit cards and bank cards. You will need to remember your Pin Code. The largest bank in the area is BANCA DELLA MARCHE. Bank opening times are generally Monday to Friday 8.30-13.30. and 1 hour in the afternoon between 14.30 and 16.00 depending on bank |
| POST AND TELEPHONES Post office are open week-days and Saturdays from 8.00am to 1.30.pm Post offices will hold letters addressed to individuals on the move until collected in person, the envelope should carry the name of the recipient,the words FERMO POSTA and post order of the locality. Standards payphones, found on many main streets and in many bars, take 100 200 500 lire coins. Most also now take phone cards- ask for a carta telefonica, available in units of 5000, 10,000 and 15,000 lire |
| FOR FURTHER INFORMATION Le Marche Region Tourism Department 0039-071-8062284 or Fax.0039-071-8062154. or e-mail Servizio.turismo@regione.marche.it |
| MAPS The best map of the area for motorists and cyclists is the 1:250,000 Touring Club Italiano map of the Marche, which you can get free from the Marche R |
| FREEPHONE INFORMATION LINE A freephone Linea Verde service operates during the summer period with English language operators on 800 222111 but you can only use it when you are in Italy |
| ITALIAN STATE TOURIST OFFICES 1 Princes Street, London. W1R 8AY |