The Economist reports that, not only are low-cost carriers like Ryanair and easyJet giving the eternally-in-peril Alitalia a run for its money on some domestic air routes (more on that in a moment), but that the trains are shaping up to be an even better option on long hauls.
A new high-speed track on the Bologna-Milan line will cut 30 minutes off the travel time; by the end of 2009, a similar project should be finished for Bologna-Florence, slashing travel time from 60 to 30 minutes.
Planes still sound faster, right. Well remember: A 90 minute flight actually eats up approximately five hours of your time (give yourself an hour on each end to get to and from the airports, check in at least an hour early for your flight, and pad that with another 30 minutes for luggage retrieval, missed airport trains, and the wise decision to arrive at the airport a wee bit early).
Still, you can't argue with low prices from no-frills airlines--and air connections are a lot faster than trains for going from, say, Milan down to Apulia or Sicily.
The article cites only easyJet's new route connecting Rome's Fiumicino airport with Milan's Malpensa airport, but know that easyJet also flies from Rome to Bari and Palermo, and from Milan to Naples, Apulia (Bari, Brindisi), Sicily (Palermo, Catania), Lamezia, and Sardegna (Cagliari and Olbia).
Meanwhile, Ryanair--which is making a strong bid to oust Alitalia from its own market--now flies from Milan to Rome, Apulia (Bari, Brindisi), Sicily (Palermo, Trapani), Lamezia, and Sardegna (Cagliari, and Alghero); from Rome to Milan, Venice, Trapani, and Sardegna (Cagliari, Alghero); from Bologna to Apulia (Bari, Brindisi), Lamezia, and Sicily (Trapani); and from Pisa to Bari, Lamezia, Sicily (Palermo, Trapani), and Sardegna (Caglieri, Alghero).
Also in the article: more news on the announced rival to the Italian state railways that is aiming to provide high-speed service between Rome, Milan Turin/Torino), and Venice in 2011.
Showing posts with label Catania. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Catania. Show all posts
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Sicilia -- Sicilian Carousel
One of the most interesting places to go whilst in Italy is Sicily. It is a truly beautiful campeggio that is different from anything found on mainland Italy. With its wild history of occupations, from the Greeks to the Romans to the Normans to the Arabs and Spanish, time has fused together bits and pieces from all these societies to form a truly unique land. Proud and beautiful the people retain characteristics from all their ancestors, and although they are sometimes stereotyped as mafiosi they have so much more to offer.
Taormina is famous for its shopping, offering everything from pret-a-porter to haute couture. The ancient city sits on top of a hill, and truly one of the most breathtaking things to do on the island is to sit in the Roman theater whose ruins frame the sea and the volcanic Mount Etna in the distance. At the bottom of the hill, reachable by cable car, there are wonderful beaches and coves that invite you to take advantage of the warm sea.
Siracusa is an ever growing cosmopolitan city 50 minutes south of Catania, reachable by bus or rail from the airport. The modern city continues to grow and expand while the ancient city, Ortigia, which sits on an island connected by bridges, stays locked in time. Right over the bridge on Via dell'Apollonion lay the ruins of a temple from the Hellenistic Age, whose builders transformed the island when they invaded. On the Passeggio Aretusa you will find the only fresh water spring outside of Egypt that grows papyrus, a beautiful spot facing the harbour and perfect for people watching. At the eastern tip of the island you'll find where all the Sicilians are hiding during the hot lunch hours. Accesible from a staircase at street level you can descend onto an outcrop of massive rocks where you'll find everyone sdraiati, taking in the sun and swimming in the waters below.
The best way to reach Sicily from mainland Italy is to book a flight at a low fare on Vola Wind Jet from Roma, Pisa, Milano, Torino, Venezia or Verona into Catania or Palermo. If you happen to be in Palermo during the last week of September be sure to stop by the International Cous Cous Festival for a tasting of the best cous cous dishes from North Africa.
For more information on Sicily and the rest of Italy check out your camera into Italy.
Ciao,
Alessandra
Taormina is famous for its shopping, offering everything from pret-a-porter to haute couture. The ancient city sits on top of a hill, and truly one of the most breathtaking things to do on the island is to sit in the Roman theater whose ruins frame the sea and the volcanic Mount Etna in the distance. At the bottom of the hill, reachable by cable car, there are wonderful beaches and coves that invite you to take advantage of the warm sea.
Siracusa is an ever growing cosmopolitan city 50 minutes south of Catania, reachable by bus or rail from the airport. The modern city continues to grow and expand while the ancient city, Ortigia, which sits on an island connected by bridges, stays locked in time. Right over the bridge on Via dell'Apollonion lay the ruins of a temple from the Hellenistic Age, whose builders transformed the island when they invaded. On the Passeggio Aretusa you will find the only fresh water spring outside of Egypt that grows papyrus, a beautiful spot facing the harbour and perfect for people watching. At the eastern tip of the island you'll find where all the Sicilians are hiding during the hot lunch hours. Accesible from a staircase at street level you can descend onto an outcrop of massive rocks where you'll find everyone sdraiati, taking in the sun and swimming in the waters below.
The best way to reach Sicily from mainland Italy is to book a flight at a low fare on Vola Wind Jet from Roma, Pisa, Milano, Torino, Venezia or Verona into Catania or Palermo. If you happen to be in Palermo during the last week of September be sure to stop by the International Cous Cous Festival for a tasting of the best cous cous dishes from North Africa.
For more information on Sicily and the rest of Italy check out your camera into Italy.
Ciao,
Alessandra
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
