Rome (Roma) Italy Port Guide

Civitavecchia port is 50 miles Northwest of Rome. If you've visited Rome and are looking for a relaxing visit to the picturesque area around uscany! I highly recommend excursions to" arquinia # an ancient town with an impressive museum $alle del %arta # olive trees! a vineyard and a hotel&resort uscania ' an ancient walled town with (reathtaking views $illa )ante # a gorgeous Renaissance garden *olsena # a picturesque lake area +rvieto' a top tourist destination with an awesome ,uomo If you only have a few hours in port! explore -ivitavecchia. It's a short walk from the ship to the train station in -ivitavecchia for a self'guided tour of Rome.

CAVEAT I've tried to (e accurate! (ut recogni.e things change. /lease verify information for your travel plans. +pinions expressed are my own. 0ou are free to use and share this document! (ut do not use it for commercial purposes. his port guide is protected (y copyright law ' see the last page of this port guide for more information

Tom Sheridan
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Table of Contents
Getting around the Civitavecchia port Heavy traffic holidays & ships in port Trains to Rome a!or tourist sites in Rome #tunning 3$%o virtual photo tours of &atican &atican open hours Rome hop)on bus tours Ho+ to ma,e your o+n maps of Rome Tar-uinia an ancient to+n & impressive museum 2 3 4 " ' ( *% ** *3 &alle del arta- a vineyard and a hotel.resort *4 Tuscania) an ancient to+n +ith breathta,ing vie+s */ &illa 0ante) a gorgeous Renaissance garden *$ 1olsena) a pictures-ue la,e area *$ 2rvieto) a top tourist destination3 an a+esome 4uomo *" Common -uestions ) getting 5uros3 ship6s internet3 etc7 *' 8ic, 8oc,ets 43 2% 1ac,ground re port guides 2*

Civitavecchia (chE-vE-ta-vek-ya)
-ivitavecchia has a population of 12!000 and serves as the ma3or cruise&ferry port and the main starting point for sea connection from central Italy to 4ardinia! 4icily! %alta! unis and *arcelona. he massive Forte Michelangelo was completed in 5565 to defend the port for Rome. he port is large and cruise ships dock a long distance from the entrance. 0ou cannot walk through the port! (ut there are free shuttle (uses which run a(out every 55'70 minutes (etween the cruise ships and the entrance. he photo elo! shows the (us stop next to Forte Michelangelo. 8alk across the street toward security and through the gate. urn left in front of the %c,onald9s to head into town and the open air and farmers market or go straight to walk along the hotels and shoreline for scenic views and to go to the train station.

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ake your camera to photograph the monuments! flowers and trees in (loom in the spring! and activity at the :armers %arket. ;n3oy a cappuccino at an outdoor cafe. 4ome people go swimming along the (each. here are not many places to shop nor many things to do! this is a small town< It's a short walk from the cruise ship shuttle (us stop to the open air and farmers market. I'm not sure when they are open! check at the local shops and hotels. he market covers several (locks= it's huge with lots to see such as a whole (uilding with fresh fish<

"eavy Tra##ic $ Italian "oliday% and &hip% in Civitavecchia Port

Italian holiday% can e a pro lem #or the traveler' >pril 75 # )i(eration ,ay %ay 5 # %ay ,ay" :or a full week! Italy shuts down and traffic can (e un(elieva(le< ?une 7 # :estival of the Repu(lic ?une 7@ # Rome honors 4aints /eter and /aul ,uring the first week of %ay! local trains (etween -ivitavecchia and Rome can full so they do not stop to pick up passengers from -ivitavecchia. he main intercity trains can run an hour late during holiday and heavy traffic periods. his can (e a pro(lem for the self'guided traveler taking a train (etween -ivitavecchia and Rome. In %ay 7050! the only passengers on our /rincess ship who got a seat on the local train to Rome were those who AranB from the ship's port (us to get the first train to Rome. /rincess chartered a special train car for cruisers to&from Rome. >lthough ship sponsored tours and private tours can (e expensive! you will (e assured to get to&from your destination. 8hen relia(le travel is important! I (elieve it's wise to schedule travel via the cruise line such as in the first week of %ay in Italy. *; :+R;8>RN;,<

To determine %hip% in port( )o to !!!*crui%ett*com

his site lists all cruise ports and the schedule of all ships in port (y date. -lick on the third menu item A/ortsB

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&croll do!n to +Italy,* Thi% %ho!% all the crui%e port% in Italy*

Click on Civitavecchia (Rome) and on -ay ./00* The %creen elo! appear%* 1ote that on the 02th o# -ay( there are %i3 crui%e %hip% in port* The Port 4oad i% 05(622 pa%%en)er% on tho%e %i3 crui%e %hip%* Ima)ine almo%t 07 thou%and people tryin) to )et to Rome at the %ame time88

In %ay! 7050 our /rincess ship announced the num(er of passengers disem(arking cruise ships was so high that the wait for a taxi to Rome would (e 1 to 5 hours<<< If your cruise ends in -ivitavecchia! /R;'/)>N how you are getting from the ship to Rome. I'd use the ship's transfer service for relia(le travel to Rome.

Pick Pocket%
The ri%k o# ein) pick pocketed increa%e% dramatically !hen you travel to a i) city( cro!ded touri%t %ite%( u%e pu lic tran%portation( etc* 9rom the moment you enter a train %tation in Civitavecchia until you return to the crui%e %hip( you are at ri%k* &ee pa)e ./ o# thi% port )uide #or more in#ormation*

Train% #rom Civitavecchia to Rome

he train station is half a mile walk from the port entrance. It's on flat! paved sidewalks (ut you cross cur(s at intersections. &ome people !alk to the train %tation dra))in) heavy lu))a)e* I !ouldn:t* TRAVE4I1G ;ET<EE1 CIVITAVECC"IA A1= R>-E ;? TRAI1' ,epending on which train you take and where you disem(ark! it's a 15'@0 minute train ride to Rome. two kinds of trains= namely! local and the (igger! faster inter-city trains. here are

4ocal train%" hey stop at almost every station and are around 2 ;uros round trip. hey stop at Roma 4an /ietro station! which is only a short walk to the $atican. 8hen the trains are full! they will not stop to pick up passengers from -ivitavecchia to Rome. -heck schedules on www.trenitalia.com Inter-City train%' hese trains only stop at ma3or stations. 0ou can (e assured you will get on the train (ecause passengers (ook in advance. *ut during extremely heavy traffic such as ma3or holidays! these trains may run an hour late. -heck www.Rail;urope.com for schedules and pricing. *elow is a first class! one'way ticket at @"52 >% on %ay 5Cth from -ivitavecchia to Rome ermini Dthe main stationE. 4econd class tickets are
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a(out F 55'51. Note this price is G4 dollars! F 5C H 56 ;uros.

Italian trains may go on strike! (ut they usually post the strike time&date in advance so you can plan accordingly. It:% le%% than a hal# mile #rom the crui%e %hip %huttle u% %top to the train %tation*

<alk on either %ide o# the %treet( ut cro%% to the 1orth %ide o# the %treet y the "otel de 4a ville ecau%e the road divide% near the train %tation* >ther!i%e( you !ill have to !alk up a #li)ht o# %tair% #rom the %treet to the train %tation* If you want to take a train on your own! get to the station early (ecause the trains are less crowded and you'll have more time in Rome. *e sure to check the train schedule on the we(sites mentioned on the previous page. 8hen you get to the train station! don't stand in line to (uy a ticket. Io to the to(acco&newsstand through the archway on your right and (uy the ticket. It's the same ticket and price! (ut service is faster (ecause customers don't engage in lengthy conversations with newsstand sales people. *e sure to punch&date'stamp your ticket in the machine near the train tracks. ickets are only valid for a day. <"IC" TRAI1 &TATI>1 I1 R>-E@ The clo%e%t %top to the Vatican on local train% i% Roma &an Pietro. >ll of the trains should go to Roma ermini Dthe main station in RomeE. It's a (it longer of a ride than 4an /ietro station! (ut I like it (ecause the Jop'on (us to tour Rome is in front of the station. I like to take photos from the upper deck. >ll of the Jop'on (uses stop at the $atican so you can get on&off at there.
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The map elo! %ho!% it:% a out 0A// #eet #rom &* Pietro train %tation to Vatican City

Thi% !e %ite (link elo!) ha% help#ul touri%t in#ormation on &aint Peter:% ;a%ilica and Vatican' It has directions on how to get to $atican sites (y walking! (us! or metro. It also points out common mistakes people make such as going to the wrong location for the entrance to the 4istine -hapel. >nd it includes information on open times! dress code! etc! etc.! etc.< his will help you plan your vacation. http"&&saintpeters(asilica.org&touristinfo.htm

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-aBor Touri%t &ite% in Rome (Roma)

9* Roma #an 8ietro t e c!osest trai" statio" to t e #atica" 92 &atican City #aint 8eter6s 1asilica, $ museums, 5 ga!!eries a"d t e #istine Chapel. F!as % otogra% & is "ot %ermitted i" t e #atica" 'useum, a"d "o % otogra% & i" t e (isti"e ) a%e!. #isitors weari"g* s orts, s!ee+e!ess T-( irts or ,!ouses or are "ot %ermitted to e"ter (t. Peter-s .asi!ica or t e #atica" 'useums. 8ia::a #an 8ietro ca" o!d 400,000 %eo%!e a"d t e area is surrou"ded ,& 2$4 /oric co!um"s, desig"ed ,& .er"i"i. 93 Castel #ant6;ngelo - a fortress ,ui!t ,& 0m%eror 1adria" as is mauso!eum i" 132 3./. 94 8ia::a <avona - o"e of t e most ,eautifu! s4uares, domi"ated ,& .er"i"i-s im%ressi+e 5Fou"tai" of t e Four Ri+ers-. 'a"& outdoor cafes. 9/ 8antheon )i" Pia66a de!!a Roto"da i" t e ce"ter of t e )it&, is t e most %erfect of t e a"cie"t mo"ume"ts. First erected i" 27 ..). 9$ &illa 1orghese ) t e most famous of Rome-s %ar8s, i"c!udes t e Ga!!eria .org ese, a %!easure %a!ace created ,& )ardi"a! .org ese i" 1613. 9" 8ia::a di #pagna 9(%a"is (te%s: - "amed after a %a!ace t at oused t e (%a"is 0m,ass&. T e o!dest feature of t e area is t e .arcaccia Fou"tai", de%icti"g a si"8i"g ,arge. T e 137 ste%s were ,ui!t ,& t e Fre"c to co""ect t e Fre"c ;uarter at t e to%, to t e (%a"is ;uarter ,e!ow. 9' =ontana di Trevi Tre+i is t e most famous fou"tai" i" Rome. <ocated o" #ia /e!!a 'uratte, t ere is a roma"tic !ege"d t at 5w oe+er tosses i" a coi" wi!! o"e da& retur" to Rome= 9( 8ia::a &ene:ia ) t e uge mo"ume"t to #ictor 0mma"ue! >>, ,ui!t i" 1211 of w ite mar,!e, t e !argest outdoor a!tar i" 0uro%e, >ta!&-s 5Tom, of t e ?"8"ow" (o!dier-. 9*% The Colosseum - 972 3./.: at Pia66a!e de! )o!osseo, is 3"cie"t Rome-s ,est 8"ow" mo"ume"t a"d was t e are"a of games a"d g!adiators. 3rc of )o"sta"ti"e, "e@t to t e )o!osseum, was erected i" 315 3./. T e Forum, adAoi"i"g t e Pa!a"ti"e 1i!!, is "ow a mass of rui"s. 9** Roma Termini Train #tation t e mai" statio" i" Rome.

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&TC11I1G 2D// VIRTCA4 T>CR o# the &i%tine Chapel

his is a must see we('link http"&&www.vatican.va&various&cappelle&sistinaKvr&index.html -lick your mouse and drag it left&right to pan or up&down to view the ceiling&floor.

&TC11I1G 2D// VIRTCA4 T>CR o# &aint Peter:% ;a%ilica

Click on thi% !e -link http"&&www.vatican.va&various&(asiliche&sanKpietro&vrKtour&index'en.html he image (elow appears showing ;N ,I::;R;N )+-> I+N4 :+R $IR G>) +GR4 8hen you are logged onto the we(site -lick on any of the ;N num(ered locations to see a different virtual tour -lick your mouse and drag it left&right to pan or up&down to view the ceiling&floor. his is the largest church in the world so it needs 50 times more coverage than the 4istine -hapel <<<

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Vatican area map %ho!in) u% %top% ( elo!)*

CACTI>1 $ ARE T"E &ITE& ?>C <I&" T> VI&IT >PE1@@@

>verheard at the crui%e %hip travel de%k( +<hat do you mean the &i%tine Chapel i% not open* I:ve traveled 57// mile%( your crui%e ook li%t% the Vatican( and no! you are tellin) me the %ite% are clo%ed8, I recommend you check and dou le-check !hen the touri%t %ite% you !i%h to %ee are open ;E9>RE you plan your vacation* 4aint /eter's *asilica is the largest church in the world. 4aying %ass and praying is the priority. 8hen the /ope is saying %ass outside! you can't get into the *asilica. >nd you can't wander around in a church taking photos during %ass. Vatican -u%eum >pen "our% -heck this we(site http"&&mv.vatican.va&6K;N&pages&.'Info&%$KInfoK+rari.html >pen %onday to 4aturday" the icket +ffice is open from @ am to 1 pm. he %useums close at L pm. Clo%ed 4unday Dexcept the last 4unday of every month! free entrance from @ am to 57.60 am= the %useums close at 7 pm unless it coincides with ;aster 4unday! the 7@th of ?une D4t. /eter and /aulE! 75th and 7Lth of ,ecem(er D-hristmas and 4t. 4tephenE. :ree entrance also the 72th of 4eptem(er ?anuary 5! L :e(ruary 55 %arch 5@ >pril 71 D;asterE! 75 D;aster %ondayE %ay 5 ?une 7@ D4t. /eter and /aulE >ugust 51! 55 Novem(er 5 ,ecem(er C DImmaculate -onceptionE! 75! 7L

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PiaEEa &an Pietro ( elo!)

The photo elo! %ho!% the main train %tation !ith the loadin) point #or "op-on u%e%*

Roma ermini is the main train station. Near the front exit to the station! you will find desks where they sell day'passes for Jop'+n (uses. he tickets are around 77 ;uros. It's a great way to see ma3or tourist sites. 4earch the we( for Jop'on (us Rome! Italy +ne of the we('links is" http"&&www.viator.com&tours&Rome&Rome'Jop'on'Jop'off',ou(le',ecker'*us' our&d555'6576R+%+/;N he full tour loop takes @0'570 minutes and you can ride the (uss all day. his we(site has a notice re changes in (us stops"
Ba"uar& 2011 Tra+e! 3!ert Rome 'u"ici%a!it& 3ut orit& wi!! im%ose "ew regu!atio"s a"d restricted access for a!! o%-o" o%-off tours i" t e cit& of Rome. >t wi!! im%act t e "um,er of sto%s a+ai!a,!e. T e a,o+e eig t 9$: sto%s are co"siste"t a"d co"ti"ue to gi+e +isitors a com%re e"si+e tour of t e cit&. Cew sto%s wi!! o%e" u% t roug out 2011 ,ut ca""ot ,e guara"teed at t is stage. T e& wi!! i"c!ude Pia66a de!!a Re%u,,!ica, sto%s c!ose ,& to t e Tre+i Fou"tai", (a"ta 'aria 'aggiore, (a"tD3"ge!o a"d Pia66a .ar,eri"i. T ese c a"ges are ,e&o"d our co"tro! a"d im%osed wit out "otice ,& t e !oca! Rome 'u"ici%a!it& 3ut orit&, t erefore t e e@act iti"erar& wi!! ,e ad+ised o" t e da& of tra+e!.

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Tip% on creatin) your o!n cu%tom map% #or your vacation'

It i% ea%y to create detailed map% showing your hotel! a specific tourist site! restaurants! etc. 0ou could print out the maps as individual pages or design them so they can (e pasted together to create 6 foot wide folding maps. he process of creating custom maps involves these steps" 5. 9ind the location% you !i%h to %ho! on your map* 0ou can pinpoint a location on Ioogle maps (y searching A4panish 4teps! Rome! ItalyB. *ut this doesn't work for the /antheon. o pinpoint the /antheon! you have to search Ioogle maps for A4anta %aria ,ella Rotonda! Rome! ItalyB. 8hen you're not sure how to find a site on a map! do a A!e B search for A/antheon! Rome! ItalyB to find a site that gives the Italian name for that location. Gse that Italian name to search Ioogle %aps. 7. &ave the map you %ee on your computer monitor to a Bp) #ile* 0ou need screen capture software. I like %84nap 6.0.0.21. It's a small program for snapping DcapturingE images from selected parts of your computer monitor screen and saving them as 3pg files. It's :R;; to download and use from this site http"&&download.cnet.com&%84nap&6000'7027K1'5057177C.html 6. Cu%tomiEe the map !ith your photo editin) %o#t!are* Gse photo editing software to add text! arrows! a distance scale! etc. to your map. 8hen you save the map from as a photo D3pgE file! that file will have a distance scale somewhere near the (ottom of the map. Gse your line draw icon to create a line to that exact length on the map! then move that line to the location where you wish to display it and enter text for the distance on that scale. hen crop the map to the desired si.e. 0ou can also electronically stitch multiple maps into one (ig map using the panorama feature of your software. 4ome of the maps I use in port guides are actually three feet wide if printed at full si.e. 1. >pen your ro!%er and your photo editin) %o#t!are at the %ame time* +pen your photo editing software and display the map you wish to edit. 4hrink down the view (y clicking on the A'B at the top of the window. Now open your (rowser and do a Ioogle map search of the area where you want to add more detail. :ind a site (y searching on A4panish steps! Rome! ItalyB. )ook carefully at that location! now open your photo editor and pinpoint that same location on your custom map. Repeat this process to add exact location for the sites you wish to pinpoint on your custom map. It's easy and fun<

E3ample o# a cu%tom map* 1otethe #ull( printed %iEe o# thi% map i% over A inche% !ide* :irst! I searched Ioogle %aps for A4panish 4teps! Rome! ItalyB. his pinpointed the location D>E. I used %84nap software to save the screen as a 3pg file. I loaded this file into my photo editing software. hen! I searched the we( for revi :ountain! Rome! Italy. he first site showed AItalian" :ontana di reviB. I switched to Ioogle maps and entered A:ontana di revi! Rome! ItalyB. his pinpointed it on the map. I entered an arrow and text in my photo editing software. hen I placed my line draw tool on top of the map scale on Ioogle maps and moved the scale to a location I wanted to he final step would (e to crop the map.
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display it and entered 500 :t. as the scale.

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A #e! Photo% o# Rome

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TarFuinia $ an ancient to!n !ith an impre%%ive mu%eum

arquinia is an ancient town with an impressive museum. >nother part of the city is more active with cars! (uses and many stores for locals. It didn9t appear to have a lot of shops for tourists! (ut it's an attractive! peaceful city to visit and to walk around to take photos. +n our tour! the guide gave us the opportunity to spend time in the museum or to walk around. +ur tour ended with a demo and free ice cream at a restaurant. arquinia is 56 miles D75 kmE H a half hour drive from -ivitavechhia. >(out L000 tom(s were dug into the soft volcanic tufa and some were painted inside with colorful frescoes. /aintings date from the Lth to 7nd centuries *-. >(out 55 tom(s are open each day for visitors. ;ntrances to tom(s are covered with small (uildings as shown in the upper right corner of the photo a(ove. +ur tour did not stop at the tom(s. I'm not sure I would walk down a narrow stairway into cramped quarters to see painted tom(s= I'd go to the museum.

A he ;truscans were Italy's first real civili.ation and arquinia was one of the 57 ;truscan cities. It has the (est collection of ;truscan tom(s 3ust outside the main town. 8alking around arquinia touches many facets of a city that a(sor(ed the (est of civili.ations from the ancient history of Italy. he gastronomy of the city follows the ancient recipes of the past and is very close to the Roman cuisine. >mong the local dishes to try are pasta dishes with nuts= homemade soup with vegeta(les! (acon and (read! cheese and pepper spaghetti! fettuccine with mushrooms! gnocchi and the homemade stro..apreti.B 4ee http"&&italythisway.com&places&tarquinia.php for more information.

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Valle del -arta $ >live tree%( a vineyard( and a hotelGre%ort

If you wish to visit a vineyard! consider $illa Jotel $alle del %arta Resort. It overlooks arquinia's old city walls and fields which lead down to the sea. It's surrounded (y vineyards and liquors are made on site. $alle del %arta is 56 miles D75 kmE H a half hour drive from -ivitavechhia. he tour might (e com(ined with the ancient city of arquinia. Trivia Fue%tion' 8here does virgin olive oil come fromM An%!er' Ggly olives. $alle del %arta is a relaxing! scenic area to visit. he walk from the (us to the resort is short. %any wines and liquors are availa(le for tasting and sale. 8e were treated to a good spread of snacks! cheeses! 3ams! liquors! wines! (read! olive oil! etc. %usic was provided for our entertainment. %ost of us on the tour concluded this would (e a good place to spend a few days on vacation and it would (e a great setting for a wedding.

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Tu%cania $ an ancient !alled to!n !ith reathtakin) vie!%

4ituated in the romantic countryside of uscany! you'll find the small town of uscania. he population is C000 and it's only a 5500 foot walk from the town entrance to the scenic overlook of the *asilica of 4an /ietro and countryside. uscania is encircled (y massive walls with high towers . he area has several churches and ancient (uildings. uscania is only 7C miles D15 kmE H a 50 minute ride from -ivitavecchia. Gnlike other tourist sites! it's rare to see crowds here. It's a quiet! peaceful! ancient walled town with (reathtaking scenic views. his is not a place to shop! it's a place to take in the (eauty of Italy! relax with a cup of coffee! and take postcard shots with your camera.
Gate to #cenic 2verloo,

In the C century *.-.! uscania was a powerful ;truscan town. It was a very wealthy place in the past. +ver the centuries! control of the area changed. It flourished in the 1th century and (ecame a Roman town in the 6 rd century *.-. It was an important medieval center in the L th to the 57th century and declined to a modest! (ut illustrious center of the /ontifical 4tate in the 5Lth century.

th

#an 8ietro basilica >right side of photo above? +as built in the 'th century and reconstructed in the **th century in Romanes-ue 0ombard style7 There are t+o to+ers3 a bishop6s palace3 and the remains of a fortified citadel from the **th century.

Church in to+n near the fountain7 5ntrance gate to Tuscania >belo+?

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Villa 4ante $ a )or)eou% Renai%%ance )arden

$illa )ante is in the town of *agnania! )a.io. $illa )ante (egan as a medieval hunting park. In the 55th century! ownership changed to cardinals who constructed (uildings and improved the garden to (ecome one of the (est Renaissance gardens in Italy. Renaissance gardens were designed as statements of power and wealth. hey are more important than the houses of the time and dominate the landscape. $illa )ante's formal terraces rise up from the town which was redesigned during the same period (ut which still has a very medieval feel to it. $illa )ante is 6@ miles DL7 kmE H a one'hour ride from -ivitavecchia.

;ol%ena $ a picture%Fue lake area 5L miles DC2 kmE H a 5.5 hour ride from -ivitavecchia /ort
*olsena is the largest lake of volcanic origin in ;urope. he water is clean thanks to a sophisticated purification system in the area and a(sence of pollution'generating industries. Restaurants! trattorias! pu(s and pi..a parlors galore offer the gastronomic delicacies of the area. :ish is outstanding! (ut meat also has a place. /ork is processed and cooked in countless ways" sausages! chops! ri(s! liver! prosciutto and the typical porchetta! seasoned with wild fennel. )am( is also popular roasted! scottadito Dgrilled chopsE and in stews. )ocal wine is from the ;st< ;st<< ;st<<< of %ontefiascone. >nd ro(ust wines are produced from various types of grapes that prosper on the slopes of the $olsini hills. +ne of our most memora(le excursions from -ivitavecchia was a /rincess tour that included stops at uscania! $illa )ante! and *olsena. he tour (egan with a drive through country where the (us had to stop for sheep on the narrow road. he scenery was outstanding and the tour was very comforta(le i. e.! not much walking and a relaxing visit to each area. 8e did not encounter crowds. he tour included an un(elieva(le lunch at a hotel in *olsena with windows overlooking the lake. he food and wine were fantastic<

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>rvieto $ A Top Touri%t =e%tination

+rvieto is one of the most dramatic hill towns in Italy perched on a plateau atop huge cliffs. It has a Amust'seeB Duomo. Restaurants and shopping are a(undant. >nd there are many photo opportunities< he Duomo is one of the most impressive examples of medieval architecture in Italy. 4tarted in 57@0! it took almost four centuries to complete. he facade is decorated with mosaic which is stunning after a rain if the sun shines while the facade is still wet. +rvieto is one of the few places outside Rome with a /apal /alace. 4everal /opes spent time here (efore moving to >vignon! (estowing +rvieto with a wealthier than normal set of religious monuments. +rvieto is the main center for ma3olica pottery. >lso! there is (ron.e and ala(aster. +ther handicrafts include lace! wrought iron! and wood products. 8hite wine is produced in the vineyards of near(y hills.

Caution' >rvieto i% D0 mile% (0/. km) H a t!o-hour u% ride #rom Civitavecchia* The %hip:% tour included lunch in a cro!ded re%taurant that ran out o# #ood due to many u% tour%* <e !a%ted time on a ca#eteria-type lunch* 1e3t time( !e:ll take a private tour #or etter control o# the %chedule and more time to e3plore the to!n* There i% a lot to %ee in >rvieto*

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Common @uestions R5 Cruising

E3chan)in) -oney C%in) Credit Card% in Europe "o! -any Crui%e &hip% Are In Port@ C%in) the Internet on the &hip
de(it cards at > %9s. 4earch the we( and talk to your financial institutions to determine the (est cards for you to carry in ;urope.

E3chan)in) -oney
-urrency exchange is complicated due to hidden fees of organi.ations who exchange money. here's the Aofficial exchange rateB which changes every day! the money handlers Aexchange rateB! cost of the transaction! additional fees! and different exchange rates to A(uyB vs. AsellB a currency. -ruise ships and independent money changers in airports are poor places to exchange money. he (est place is an international (ank > %! (ut your G4 financial institution may add AadditionalB fees to the transaction. If we fly to ;urope! we use the > % machine of a ma3or (ank in the airport. If we are arriving in ;urope on a ship from G4>! we go to the > % at the first port where we can get ;uros. Note # Ii(raltar uses their own A/oundsB! not ;uros. %ake sure you are getting ;uros. *ank of >merica and 8achovia charge 6N over the official exchange rate plus a F 7 to F 5 fee per > % transaction. alk to your (ank to find which ;uropean (anks accept their > % cards and do Ioogle searches on > % cards in ;urope to find sites such as this link (elow" http"&&flyerguide.com&wiki&index.php&-redit&,e(it&> %K -ardsKandK:oreignK;xchange 8e only use ;uro cash for ca(s! coffee! and small item purchases. >lso! you always need several ;uro coins in your pocket for pu(lic toilets. +ur largest purchase with ;uro cash is for personal tour guides. > few people like travelers checks. 4ince my (iggest purchase with ;uros is private guides and I don't know any guides who accept travelers checks! I don't use them. ypically! > % machines limit the withdrawal to 750 ;uros. %y wife and I can collectively withdraw 500 ;uros DF 200E a day (ecause our > % cards have different num(ers for the same account. 8e use *ank of >merica

C%in) Credit Card% in Europe

-hose a credit card that gives you the most favora(le rate. 8e use -apital +ne credit cards for all purchases in ;urope to get the Aofficial exchange rateB with no fees. *;:+R; you travel! contact all of your financial institutions and tell them when you will (e traveling! the countries you are visiting! and which credit card account num(ers you will (e carrying with you. +therwise! the (ank may shut down your credit card (ecause they suspect fraudulent use. If that happens! your card will not work until you talk to the G4 (ank. >sk your credit card company if they offer any special assistance to travelers. >merican ;xpress has a good support program for their customers in ;urope. hey will help you in many ways. 4ome credit card companies will give you a cash advance in ;urope even if you do not have identification (ecause your passport has (een stolen. hey require you to go to a ;uropean (ank and talk to you (y phone to verify your identity. +ne of the credit card companies gave me a Asecret passwordB for my use in ;urope so they could AidentifyB me from any phone I used to call the (ank. I usually sign up for fraud and identity insurance with my credit card company 3ust (efore leaving for ;urope and pay F C&month. 8hen I return to the G4! I cancel the insurance. %ake a list of the credit card account num(ers you are carrying on vacation with all the details on the card and contact information. I keep this list and a photocopy of my passport in my shaving kit and on my computer which I can access worldwide via www.car(onite.com.

"o! -any Crui%e &hip% Are In Port@

8hen a port is crowded! you can encounter pro(lems with travel due to congestion causing delays on trains and on the highways. >nd you may have a long wait for a ca(. >nother issue is that the cruise ship may dock at a less convenient location in the port or even divert to a different port in another city. It happens<

To determine %hip% in port( )o to !!!*crui%ett*com

his site lists all ports and the schedule of all cruise ships in port (y date. -lick on the third menu item A/ortsB. In this example (elow! I show information for the port of -ivitavecchia for Rome.
Rome-04-10-2011 Page 1$ of 21 For more guides, see www.TomsPortGuides.com

&croll do!n to +Italy,* Thi% %ho!% all the crui%e port% in Italy*

Click on Civitavecchia (Rome) and on -ay ./00* The %creen elo! appear%* 1ote that on the 02th o# -ay( ./00 there are %i3 crui%e %hip% in port* The Port 4oad i% 05(622 pa%%en)er% on tho%e %i3 crui%e %hip%* Ima)ine almo%t 07 thou%and people tryin) to )et to Rome at the %ame time88

In %ay! 7050 our /rincess ship announced the num(er of passengers disem(arking cruise ships was so high that the wait for a taxi to Rome would (e 1 to 5 hours<<< If your cruise ends in -ivitavecchia! /R;'/)>N how you are getting from the ship to Rome. I'd use the ship's transfer service for relia(le travel to Rome.

C%in) the Internet on the &hip

If your primary use of the ship's internet is for email and if you're traveling with a laptop computer! there is a simple way to minimi.e internet connection time and to have excellent email performance. I spend @5N of my time reading and writing email and only a small fraction of time sending&receiving email. Most people on cruise ships read and write their email while actively connected to the internet. hey spend a lot of money on internet minutes and complain a(out the high cost and slow! email internet connection. Jere's a solution to this pro(lem. ,ownload the :R;; 8indows )ive software to your laptop *;:+R; you go on a cruise. Gse this we( link http"&&explore.live.com&windows'live'mailMosHother <indo!% 4ive -ail is one of a half'do.en programs in 8indows )ive ;ssentials. I also like the :R;; <indo!% 4ive Photo Gallery for editing photos 8indows)ive %ail can help you organi.e your life all in one place on your /-. >dd and see multiple email

accounts in email programs like +utlook! %ail! Jotmail! Imail! and 0ahoo<. ;ven see your email! calendars! and contacts when you don't have an Internet connection. he software is lighting fast and user friendly. Install it and click on A>dd ;'mail >ccountB to recogni.e your multiple email accounts (y entering the email addresses and passwords you use for those addresses. hen click the A4yncB (utton in the main menu. he software connects to your email accounts! downloads a copy of all your email onto you laptop and then uploads&sends any new emails you've written from your laptop. It does N+ delete the original email at the server where your email resides. %ake sure it disconnects from the server and the ship's internet service when it's done. TIP' Install the software on your laptop and synchroni.e it with your email accounts *;:+R; you go on a cruise. +ne passenger installed the software on the ship and tried to synchroni.e with three weeks of unread&3unk emails on his server. Jis laptop ran a long time to synchroni.e hundreds and hundreds of unread emails and required many internet minutes on the ship<

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Pick Pocket%
Pick Pocket% Are "ere To &tay
/ick pockets have (een around for a long time and are here to stay. 8e encounter so many in ;urope (ecause it's easy to cross (orders. /ick pockets are usually AgypsiesB from another country. down. 8henever possi(le! leave passports in the safe in your room. N;$;R have the same credit card account as your spouse. >)8>04 have different credit card accounts so if your wife loses her card! yours still works. *uy a money (elt and neck security pouch. ,istri(ute valua(les in more than one security pouch on your (ody.

Are Pick Pocket% =an)erou%@

Not normally. >ll they want is your money! prefera(ly cash. In $enice! pick pockets keep the cash and drop your wallet in a mail(ox so the police can try to return it.

Pick Pocket% Are C iFuitou%

The ri%k i% hi)her at maBor touri%t %ite%( in cro!d%( i) citie%( port citie%( train %tation%( and on pu lic tran%portation* 8hen you're at the revi :ountain or 4panish 4teps in Rome! (e assured there are pick pockets in the crowd. ,on't (e comforted that police are present. /olice rarely have time to deter petty crime of pick pockets. >nd don't think you are safe in a house of God. I've seen pick pockets follow tourists into churches.

Calculatin) ?our 4o%% to Pick Pocket%

+ne of the most costly items to lose is your G4 /assport. *een there= done that. %y wife's purse was stolen with (oth passports the morning of our flight from Ourich to G4>. :or planning purposes! I assume you need F 7700 and four days to resume travel. If you lose your passport on a :riday! you'll have to travel to the G4 em(assy at a different location in that country! go to the em(assy on %onday >%! and you'll have your passports in 6'5 hours. hen you can (ook your plane (ack to G4> for uesday. he high cost is (ooking 1 days hotel on an urgent (asis! traveling to the G4 em(assy in another part of the country! paying for meals! and cost to re(ook flights to the G4>.

;e <ary o# A))re%%ive Pick Pocket%

:or me! *arcelona is a trou(lesome city. /ick pockets impersonate policemen. hey ask for your identification which is usually in your wallet. >nd they work in teams throwing white 3unk out of windows landing like (ird shit on a traveler. he accomplice rushes to help the wary traveler and (rushes him off while stealing everything in his pockets. I'm also trou(led (y aggressive pick pockets in Naples. *ut in most other cities in Italy! it's a simple matter of always wearing a money (elt and a neck security pouch.

Iey 4earnin)%
,on't carry passports in a purse unless you never set it

Chec, the +eb sites belo+ for the latest pic, poc,et scams before you travel7 8ic,poc,et #cams Reported in Rome Ataly General Pickpocket &cam% All Around Italy Pickpocket &cam% in 9lorence Italy Pickpocket &cam% in -ilan Italy Pickpocket &cam% Reported in 1aple% Italy Pickpocket &cam% in &icily Italy Pickpocket &cam% in Venice Italy Child Pickpocket% in Venice

The +eb site belo+ has every conceivable safety device you may +ant to th+art pic, poc,ets httpB..+++7corporatetravelsafety7com.

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;ack)round RE Port Guide%

Crui%er% <ant Port In#ormation
he typical cruiser wants to know where the ship will dock! whether you can walk from the ship to near(y towns! what there is to see! and what the options are for self'guided and organi.ed tours. hese questions are partially answered, at best! (y cruise lines! tour (ooks! and local tourist (ureaus. posts at www.-ruise-ritic.com to ask your questions. here are many -- knowledgea(le mem(ers who are willing to help (y sharing their information. /lease reali.e that I spend a hundred hours minimum to write a port guide and I'm working on do.ens of guides< I hope you understand.

Goal o# Port Guide%

%y port guides are written from the perspective of the cruiser focusing on answering these questions and pointing out travel issues unique to each port. In $enice! an important issue is how to get to your hotel considering the pro(lem of schlepping luggage up and down (ridges. In -ivitavecchia DRomeE! an important issue is heavy traffic and congestion when 51!000 people on cruise ships all want to get from the port to the eternal city.

A out the Author

:or 77 years I had international assignments with ma3or corporations. his involved extensive travel throughout the world. I worked in ;urope and lived there. >nd I've vacationed in ;urope for 61 years. %y goal is to help you plan a cruise knowing what to expect! what the issues are! and what your choices are so that your cruise vacation will (e as great as mine.

Teddy ;ear
I use eddy*ears,ad as my we( name. Jere she is! my pedigree golden retriever who flunked dog training school and likes to chew the edges off our oriental rugs. >ny(ody want a (ad puppyM ?ust kidding! she's my pride R 3oy. Regards

<here To Get the Port Guide%

I have a new we(site to post all my port guides" www. oms/ortIuides.com Check thi% %ite re)ularly (ecause I will (e adding new guides. %y plan is to write guides for do.ens of ports in ten ;uropean countries to start<

?our 9eed ack i% Important

Plea%e %hare any %u))e%tion% on ho! to improve the port )uide% to e more help#ul in plannin) your crui%e vacation* All idea% are !elcome8 &end me an email at' oms/ortIuidesPgmail.com Qindly note that I do not have time nor the knowledge to respond to every question every cruiser may have a(out the details of each port and tourist destination. Gse the

Tom Sheridan

Copyright <otice
'& %ort guides are %rotected ,& co%&rig t !aw. Eou are free to use t em for "o"-commercia! %ur%oses, to attac t em to emai!s a"d distri,ute t em as e!ectro"ic or %ri"ted fi!es, ,ut &ou ca""ot se!! t em. Eou are free to %ost t e %ort guide %df fi!es o" we, sites. .ut it is ,etter to %ost a !i"8 to m& we, site. T is ma8es it easier for %eo%!e w o use t e guides to see t e "ew guides a"d o,tai" t e !atest u%dates. 0ac guide e"ds i" t e date it was %u,!is ed or !ast u%dated. For e@am%!e, t e guide for Rome is FRome-04-10-2011.%df=. ?se t is !i"8 for m& we,siteG www.TomsPortGuides.com

Cou cannot change my port guides and must leave this copyright notice intact7 T e guides are e@c!usi+e!& ow"ed ,& T omas ( erida". > ca" ,e co"tacted ,& emai! atG TomsPortGuidesHgmai!.com

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