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The
Keys to Successful Auto Travel in Italy:
Drive Fast...Wave Your Arms...Look Italian!
Driving in Italy can be Very expensive!
Gasoline
is around $5 per gallon. The Italian AutoStrada is a well maintained,
high speed tollway. Tolls are very high between major cities,
but excellent time can be made. (Typical toll charges are approximately
5-Euro for
about 100km.)
For best sightseeing along the way,
and for lower cost, we suggest the "S" routes. "S" routes
have either 1, 2, or 3 digits following the "S". Normally the fewer the digits the
bigger/wider the road...but remember this is Italy and consistency does
not exist! The smallest secondary roads vary greatly in size (width), and are
normally indicated by 3 digits. Confused? |
Italian Road "Vocabulary" and Road Signs.
Here is Some Basic Vocabulary you
NEED to Know:
Italian Word/Phrase
English Translation
Uscita
Exit
Entrata Entrance
Deviazione Detour
Proibito
Forbidden
Autostrada 4-Lane Highway (toll)
Parcheggio Parking
Vietato parcheggiare No Parking
Senso Unico
One way street
Area Servizio (Successiva) Rest/Service stop (next)
Centro
Center of town
Per
in the Direction of (town name)
Sans Plomb
No lead petrol/fuel
ViaCard
Express charge lane at toll booth (credit card)
For
sample road signs visit: RoadSigns
A Few Miscellaneous Points:
* Entrances into major cities are
through a "Porto"
For example: a southern
entry into Florence might
be through the "Porto
Romano".
* Speed limits on the Autostrada
are 130k and 110k (rain), but almost no one
goes this slow. The left lane is for passing only, at high
speed...no cruising as in USA.
* Most restaurants have a "cover"
charge for use of the table and for bread in some
cases. Typical "Coperto" is 2Euro. Never sit in a coffee
bar...only tourists do and get charged extra for the privilege (cover charge, plus higher cost for
coffee and pastries -
sometimes double).
* Almost all major attractions can
be found by going to "Centro". |
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