Moving2Italy2

Info on some of my blog entries for travel to Italy

2009-11-11T05:48:00.003+01:00

(LAST EDITED/UPDATED: 12 November 2009)

Here are some links on some of my blog entries for travel to Italy:

BLOG ENTRIES

Info on Destination Guides for Tuscany/Toscana, Italy , dated Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Info on guides for Tuscany/Toscana, Italy *, dated Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Info about airports in Tuscany/Toscana, Italy *, dated Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Info About Fare Watcher Web Sites for Flights to and/or from Italy *, dated Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Info on Travel Web Sites: Italy, Europe and wherever *, dated Friday, September 12, 2008
Info on travel insurance for Italy and beyond *, dated Friday, October 26, 2007
Info on Destination Guides for Italy *, dated Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Info on travel deals to Italy *, dated Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Info on Airports in Italy, Airport Guides and How to Get To and From the Airport *, dated Wednesday, November 23, 2005
Info on Travel Guides and Information for Italy , dated Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Info on Travel Tips to Italy *, dated Friday, April 21, 2006
Info on Packing Light and Traveling Light for Your International Trip or to Italy *, dated Tuesday, April 18, 2006

(LAST EDITED/UPDATED: 12 November 2009)

Info on Christmas in Tuscany/Toscana, Italy

2009-11-04T08:47:00.001+01:00

(LAST EDITED/UPDATED: 8 November 2009)

Here are some links on Christmas in Tuscany/Toscana, Italy:

INFORMATION

Christmas in Tuscany – "An unforgettable experience" – 17.12.2007 – Source: intoscana.it – "Official Tuscany Web Site" – In multiple languages
Christmas Holidays in Tuscany – "Food & Drink in the Tuscan Maremma" – Source: Casina di Rosa – "Vacation House in Tuscany" – In Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Spanish

BLOG ENTRIES

Christmas in Tuscany – November 12, 2008 – Nikki Hootman – Location: California, USA – Source: Nikki’s Missive blog of rentvillas.com
Christmas Day Feast is a special occasion in Italian homes – December 23, 2008 – by Cristina – Source: discover TUSCANY Blog of discover TUSCANY

FOOD

Tuscan Christmas Panforte - Panforte Di Siena Recipe – Source: GroupRecipes.com

MISCELLANEOUS

SEE ALSO:

Info on some of my blog entries (URLs) for Tuscany/Toscana, Italy *, dated Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Info on Christmas cribs, creches, nativity scenes and presepi in Italy *, dated Friday, December 12, 2008
Info on or about Christmas Lights in Italy *, dated Tuesday, December 09, 2008
Info about 2009 New Year’s/ Capodanno/La Festa di San Silvestro in Italy *, dated Tuesday, December 02, 2008
Info About Christmas/Buon Natale/Epiphany (La Befana) in Italy, 2008/2009 *, dated Friday, November 28, 2008
Info on 2008 Christmas Markets (Mercato di Natale) in Italy *, dated Tuesday, November 18, 2008

(LAST EDITED/UPDATED: 8 November 2009)

Info for buying "English" language books in Tuscany/Toscana, Italy

2009-10-28T05:53:00.010+01:00

(LAST EDITED/UPDATED: 4 November 2009)

Here are some links for buying "English" language books in Tuscany/Toscana, Italy:

ARTICLES

Anglo American Bookshop in Florence – By Martha Bakerjian – Source: Italy Travel section of About.com
The State of Italian Bookstores: Uno Scandalo Letterario – Joel Calahan – SEP. 17, 2009 – Source: digital emunction

BOOK STORES IN TUSCANY (BRICK AND MORTAR)

BM BOOKSHOP – "The Original Anglo-American Independent Bookstore in Florence" – Location: Firenze – Borgognissanti, 4/r, 50123 Florence, Italy – Source: web site
Book Shop – Location: Siena – 19 Via di San Pietro, 53100 Siena (SI) – Source: web site – In English, Italian
Paperback Exchange – Location: Firenze – Via delle Oche, 4R - Florence, Italy – Source: web site

ITALIAN BOOKSTORES WITH LIMITED BOOKS IN ENGLISH

NATIONAL BOOKSTORE CHAIN (BRICK AND MORTAR)

Feltrinelli International – In Italian Only – large chain bookstore

Locations in Tuscany

BOOK STORES – ONLINE

EUROPE

amazon.co.uk® – "... now delivers hundreds of thousands of additional products to Italy, including electronics, kitchen items, jewellery and shoes." – PLEASE NOTE: prices are in pounds NOT Euros

Books

Books For Study: Back to School/Off to University

Audio Books

Feltrinelli International – In Italian Only – large chain bookstore

amazon.com® – PLEASE NOTE: While prices are in dollars, there may be additional custom duties on items shipped from the USA to Italy.

LISTS OF BOOKSTORES, ETC.

Books – Source: Florence subsection in the Italy section of lonely planet
English Bookstores in Florence – Source: arttrav.com – "italy. art. travel. lifestyle."
Resource Guide to Book Shops in Florence, Italy – Source: Florence Villas – In English, Russian
Tuscany Libraries & Book Exchanges – Source: AngloINFO Tuscany – "Life in Tuscany, in English!"
BOOKSTORES (LIBRERIE) IN TUSCANY

librerie in Toscana – In Italian Only – search results for "librerie in Toscana" – Source: Toscana section of PagineGialle.it – In English, French, German, Italian, Spanish

MISCELLANEOUS

SEE ALSO:

Info on some of my blog entries (URLs) for Tuscany/Toscana, Italy *, dated Wednesday, July 22, 2009

* = Blog entry has been updated.

For your specific interest, please search the web for further information using .

The above links as of this date are/were current. If anyone has any suggestions for any other additional web sites and/or links for reference, please feel free to post your comment and I'll update this blog entry.

Please note: If you want me to reply to your comment or request any further information by email, please include your email address in a separate comment. I will NOT publish any comments with an email address in it.

Broken links: Since November, 2005, I have written over 300+ blog entries with 1,000's of corresponding links/URLs for Moving2Italy2, covering a varied and wide range of topics. In the event if you come across a broken link or a non-functioning link/URL, please post a comment and report the non-functional link. I wish to thank you in advance for assisting me in the ongoing maintenance and the updating of this successful and informative blog.

"English" language books, magazines and newspapers are expensive in Italy. When I was back in the States in June, 2009, my wife and I picked up as many paperbacks that we could carry back with us without going over the current weight restrictions. I carried most of my paperback selections and magazines in a canvas bag as part of my carry-on allowance because it is NOT weighted. However, this situation is changing. Also, when we have friends and family visiting us in Italy, I ask if they don't mind to bring one or two current best sellers or another book that I am interested in reading and leaving them with us. Of course, we reimburse these individuals for their expenditure(s) by either paying for the books in Euros (€) or taking them out to dinner.

One other venue that my wife and I have used to get "English" language books is to attend a book swap that an individual or a group of Expats living in Italy from various countries have organized for part of the day. I have to admit to everyone that I am an individual that enjoys holding a book in my hands and turning the page one by one.

Please help support my efforts to operate and maintain this blog. If you do buy any books from Amazon, please click on the appropriate ad for AMAZON: USA CUSTOMERS or AMAZON.CO.UK.: EUROPEAN CUSTOMERS.

No matter where you live, I thank each reader of this blog for stopping by and viewing this blog entry.

That's it for Wednesday, 28 October 2009: mercoledì, 28 ottobre 2009 and enjoy the day where you are today.

Ciao, Ben

Moving2Italy2 – #1 source of links About, For or On Italy for those individuals moving, traveling or already living in Italy.

Today’s quote is an Italian proverb, author unknown.
"L'unico modo per non far conoscere agli altri i propri limiti, e di non oltrepassarli mai."
"The only way not to let others know your limits, is never to go beyond them."

Please read my wife's blog about our life with photographs in Italy:

Friends and Family in Italy

Going to Spain, read my new blog:

Info About, For or On Spain – a source of links About, For or On Spain for those individuals traveling or already living in Spain.

Please note: The time listed below for this posting is Central European Time (CET)/ GMT+1.

(LAST EDITED/UPDATED: 4 November 2009)

Info about skiing and snowboarding in Tuscany/Toscana, Italy

2009-10-21T05:30:00.005+02:00

Here are some links about skiing and snowboarding in Tuscany/Toscana, Italy:

TUSCANY

Ski Tuscany – Source: web site – In English, Italian
SKI INFOS – Source: Cutigliano section of ABETONE.com – In English, German, Italian
Skiing in Tuscany – Source: Toscana e Tirreno – In English, Italian

SKI AREAS

AMIATANEVE.IT – Source: web site – In Italian Only
Ski – Source: montagna-pistoiese.com – "pistoia tourism, northern tuscany, tuscany mountains, skiing abetone, tourism tuscany, tuscany mountain, hiking in tuscany, mountains in tuscany"

Skiing in Abetone

Snowboard

Ski Slopes in Abetone

Ski Resorts

Val di Luce – "la Montagna in Toscana" – In Italian Only – Source: web site

SKI RESORTS

Cutigliano - Ski resort facts – Source: SKIINFO – In multiple languages
La Montagna Pistoiese – In Italian Only – Source: web site
parco Avventui Doganaccia – In Italian Only – Source: web site

MISCELLANEOUS

SEE ALSO:

Info on some of my blog entries (URLs) for Tuscany/Toscana, Italy *, dated Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Info about skiing and snowboarding conditions and weather in Italy for 2008 and 2009 *, dated Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Info About Skiing and Snowboarding in Italy in 2007 and 2008 , dated Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Info about webcams at ski resorts in Italy *, dated Tuesday, January 09, 2007

Info on or for kids in Tuscany/Toscana, Italy

2009-10-14T22:22:00.005+02:00

Here are some links on or for kids in Tuscany/Toscana, Italy:

COMMENTS/OBSERVATIONS

FORUM/DISCUSSION

Source: Travel Talk > Europe > Italy section of Frommer's

Two Weeks (with Kids) in Tuscany & Florence: A Trip Report – "abukont - 12:53pm Jul 10, 2006 EST"

Source: tripadvisor – "Recommendations for hotels, resorts, inns, vacations, travel packages, travel guides and lots more!"

Tuscany forums: Tuscany with kids - my trip report – "Posted on: 5:24 pm, August 12, 2006"

INFORMATION

Children In Tuscany – Source: In Tuscany
Top 10 Tuscany for Children – "Tuscany for Children" – Source: Tuscany : Overview & Top 10 section of traveldk.com – "from Eyewitness Travel Guides: the world's bestselling travel guides"
Tuscany – "fun things to do with kids in ..." – Source: Travel for Kids – "Your best choice for family travel"
Tuscany Children: Days Out For Kids – Source: AngloINFO Tuscany – "Life in Tuscany, in English!"
Tuscany for children – Source: To-Tuscany.com - Rental Villas in Tuscany – "the Leading Specialist for Villas in Tuscany since 1998."
Tuscany for kids – "Destinations for Tuscany's youngest tourists" – Source: turismo.intoscana.it – "©Official Tourism Site of Tuscany" – In English, Italian

RESOURCES

Italiakids.com – "A complete resource guide for International families in Italy - From events to childcare to travel tips, Italiakids.com offers parents and kids a wealth of information on life in the Bel Paese." – Source: web site

Your Guide to the City... – "Florence and Tuscany with Kids" – " Select a category:"

MISCELLANEOUS

SEE ALSO:

Info on some of my blog entries (URLs) for Tuscany/Toscana, Italy *, dated Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Info about pets inTuscany/Toscana, Italy

2009-10-07T06:30:00.006+02:00

Here are some links about pets in Tuscany/Toscana, Italy

ARTICLES

Dogs are allowed a walk with Old Masters in Tuscany – – March 19, 2008 – Source: Travel News subsection of the Travel section in Times Online
A dog's life in Lucca, Italy – Serenella Leoni, Italian Living Examiner – Source: Italian Living Examiner section of examiner.com™ – "INSIDER SOURCE FOR EVERYTHING LOCAL"

INFORMATION

Source: AngloINFO Tuscany – "Life in Tuscany, in English!"

Essential Information for Pet (Dogs & Cats) Owners in Italy

Pet Travel & Moving to Italy with Animals

PETS IN TOSCANA/TUSCANY

Pets can enjoy more beaches in Tuscany – Source: intoscana.it – "Official Tuscany Web Site" – In multiple languages
Tuscany Dogs, Cats, Pets & Animals – Source: AngloINFO Tuscany – "Life in Tuscany, in English!"

PET FRIENDLY ACCOMMODATIONS

Pet friendly hotel in Tuscany – "Vacation with dog in Maremma Toscana" – Source: Hotel in Tuscany - Maremma Toscana, Rifugio Prategiano – In multiple languages
Tuscany and Umbria - Arezzo Pet Friendly Accommodation – Source: wotif.com

MISCELLANEOUS

SEE ALSO:

Info on some of my blog entries (URLs) for Tuscany/Toscana, Italy *, dated Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Info about Moving Pets to Italy *, dated Friday, April 14, 2006

Info about the weather (meteo) in Tuscany/Toscana, Italy

2009-09-30T06:28:00.008+02:00

Here are some links about the weather (meteo) in Tuscany/Toscana, Italy:

WEATHER IN TUSCANY/TOSCANA

Florence Weather Forecast – Source: AngloINFO Tuscany – "Life in Tuscany, in English!"
Tuscany, Italy - today's weather in Italy – Source: italy-weather-and-maps.com – "home to maps of Italy, current Italian weather conditions, and six day weather forecasts for every Italian region and province."
Weather – Source: turismo.intoscana.it – "©Official Tourism Site of Tuscany" – In English, Italian

Weather – for Tuscany/Toscana (region)
Weather – by province
Forecast
Trend
Satellite Map
Legend

Weather condition forecast in Tuscany and Italy – Source: Welcome Tuscany – In English, Italian
Weather Forecasts for Tuscany – Source: Consorzio LaMMa (Laboratory of Monitoring and Environmental Modelling for the sustainable development) – In English, Italian
Weather Tuscany - Italy – "Weather - Climate - Webcams - Holiday information - Tips & facts" – Source: web site
Weather in Tuscany – Source: Italy Magazine – "The No. 1 Magazine for lovers of all things Italian"
Weather in Tuscany – Source: Welcome Tuscany
Weather in the provinces of Toscana/Tuscany – Source: Toscana e Tirreno – In English, Italian

WEATHER WEBCAMS

Tuscany – "WebCams Weather Forecasts" – views from 95 weather webcams (+ or - on any given day) in Tuscany – Source: Italy section of The Globe Holidays Project – In multiple languages

MISCELLANEOUS

SEE ALSO:

Info on some of my blog entries (URLs) for Tuscany/Toscana, Italy *, dated Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Info about the Weather in Italy *, dated Friday, April 28, 2006

Info on blogs written in Tuscany/Toscana, Italy

2009-09-23T06:02:00.005+02:00

(LAST EDITED/UPDATED: 5 October 2009)

Here are some links for blogs written in Tuscany/Toscana, Italy:

BLOGS WRITTEN IN TUSCANY/TOSCANA

At home in Tuscany – gloria – Location: Tuscany
Daily Mel – "poems and stories and stuff, oh my!" – Mel – Location: Firenze (Florence)
eurobimbo's journey to enlightenment – "life in italy, travelogues, photography, hopes & dreams" – "the tuscany files..." – Tania – Location: Cortona
Experience Tuscany – "Travel to Tuscany without leaving your home…blog!" – Tuscany Man – Location: Tuscany
Florence Journal – Anthony – Location: Firenze (Florence)
Food scribbles – "notes on food at home and elsewhere" – indah – Location: Siena
friends and family in italy – “The joy of Italy often consists of doing ordinary things in extraordinary settings.” Erica Jong. Read about our ordinary things – Martha – Location: Monte San Savino (AR)
Have Dogs, Will Travel – "May 2005 - Two Australians moved to Tuscany where they planned to live for two years. Two weeks later their dogs, Snowy and Dermott, arrived. Four years and a property purchase later, they're all still here." – Robyn – Location: Castiglion Fiorentino (AR)
Life in The City of Flowers – "Me, 2 kids and sometimes a husband (!) living in Firenze, Italy. What we love here and what we don't! Must sees, must haves and more besides. Hopefully you will see our love and enthusiasm for this beautiful city." – Alyson – Location: Firenze
Living in Florence – "An American moves to Florence and this is what happens..." – Melinda Gallo – Location: Firenze
Living Italy – "Experience Italy with me as I discuss both visiting and living in Italy. I provide information on: renting property, off the beaten path tours, getting married in Italy, finding and purchasing property, finding employment, keeping ties with your home country, raising a family in Italy,driving in Italy,regional food, recipes,learning the Italian language,networking and making friends in Italy, bargain shopping in Italy,and much much more." – Lucia – Location: Chiusi, Siena
Livorno Daily Photo – Contributors: Trillian and Vogon Poet – Location: Livorno
Lucullian delights - An Italian experience – "I cook, I take photos and I post the results here. I like to cook genuine food with a lot of taste, I suppose most of us does, and I experiment quite a lot with recipes. What I post here are the successful ones, let's forget about the failures - life's too short!" – Ilva Beretta – Location: Pistoia
Mamma Americana – Christina Irons Lisi – Location: Florence
Moving to Florence – "a do it yourself guide to moving to and living in Florence" – flobugg
– Location: Florence
Olio di Oliva e Sogni di Vino – "Passion for Italy, Language and Wine" – katerinafiore AKA Katie Greenaway – Location: Firenze
Over a Tuscan Stove – "Thoughts and recipes from your Italian life coach-and cooking teacher Judy Witts of Divina Cucina Cooking School Everyone should try being Italian once a day!" – Judy Witts – Location: Toscana

BLOGS WRITTEN IN TUSCANY/TOSCANA BY INDIVIDUALS THAT FORMERLY LIVED THERE

If not now, when? – "One American woman. Twenty acres and a 1650 farmhouse in Tuscany. Random introspection and hilarity, depending on the day." – Viaggiatore – Location: formerly, Monte San Savino (AR), Toscana (Tuscany) – Unfortunately, Viaggiatore has returned to the States

BLOGS WRITTEN ABOUT TUSCANY/TOSCANA BY INDIVIDUAL(S) WHO LIVE ELSEWHERE OR THEIR RESPECTIVE IDENTITY CANNOT BE DETERMINE

Florence and Tuscany Blog – "Photos, stories and tips about Florence, Pisa, Siena, San Gimignano and other places in Tuscany, Italy." – Suzanne Morrison – Location: Edinburgh in Scotland, UK.
The Maremma Travel Guide Blog – "Maremma's beauty will capture your heart, Her wildernesses touch your soul" – ? – Location: Maremma
Siena is Tuscany – "La vita e' breve" – Steve Soper – Location: Rhode Island, United States
Tuscany Blog – "Anticipating a trip to paradise" Under The Tuscan Gun "Every week new, fresh, healthy, traditional Tuscan recipes...delivered!"Marc – Location: ?
Tuscany blog.com – "is your guide to Tuscany on the internet: a journey through this region where you can find a wealth of resources, history and traditions: tourism, culture, art, gastronomy, itineraries, events, and much more." – Multiple contributors – Location: ?
Under The Tuscan Gun – "Every week new, fresh, healthy, traditional Tuscan recipes...delivered!" – 2007-2009 © Debi Mazar & Gabriele Corcos – Location: ?

VIDEO BLOG OF TUSCANY/TOSCANA

Flip Florence – "Videos of Florence with a Flip Mino HD!" – ? – Location: Florence

LISTS

Top 17 Blogs in: Tuscany – Source: NetworkedBlogs – "Blogs are social networks. Are you networked yet?"
top blogs on italy by region – "expat blogs on italy" – Location: Lunigiana and UK – Source: italytutto

tuscany – "All blogs were current at the beginning of May 2009"

MISCELLANEOUS

SEE ALSO:

Info on some of my blog entries (URLs) for Tuscany/Toscana, Italy *, dated Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Info on blogs about Italy written by Expats living in Italy *, dated Tuesday, December 26, 2006
Info on Blogs about Italy, Blog Resources and Lists/Directories of Blogs *, dated Tuesday, November 08, 2005

(LAST EDITED/UPDATED: 5 October 2009)

Info on museums in Tuscany/Toscana, Italy

2009-09-16T07:58:00.005+02:00

(LAST EDITED/UPDATED: 21 September 2009)

Here are some links for museums in Tuscany/Toscana, Italy:

MUSEUMS

FIRENZE/FLORENCE

Museo Ebraico di Firenze (Jewish Museum of Florence) – Source: jewish Florence – "Jewish community of Florence" section – In English, Italian – of moked – "il portale dell'ebraismo italiano" – In Italian Only
MUSEUMS: Florence – Source: Select Italy® – "The Ultimate Source for Travel to Italy"
Uffizi Gallery – Source: web site

Florence Museum

Accademia Gallery
Museo degli Argenti (The "Argenti" Museum, Porcelain Museum and Costume Museum)

Bargello National Museum

Davanzati Palace Museum

Museo delle Cappelle Medicee (Museums of the Medici Chapels)
Modern Art Gallery

San Marco Museum

Stibbert Museum

LIVORNO

Jewish Museum of Leghorn – Source: Comunità Ebraica di Livorno - "Leghorn Jewish Community" – In English, Italian

LUCCA

Lucca Museums – Source: arteutile.net – In English, Italian

LISTS

Musei in Toscana – museum listings are In Italian Only – Source: MyTuscany – "Old tastes of tuscany traditions" – In English, German, Italian

Museums - Tuscany Region Guide – Source: Italiansrus.com
Museums – These web pages are in English – Source: "To live the city" section (parts of it are in English) of Comune di Suvereto – In Italian Only

MUSEUM OF RELIGIOUS ART – Sala San Giusto
THE DOLL MUSEUM – Collezione Maria Micaelli –

Museums and Libraries – "Libraries, art galleries and exhibition rooms in Tuscany Italy" – Source: ToscanaViva.com – In English, Italian

Please make a selection from the pull down menus: "Change Area" and "Please select a district" or choose and click on one of the museums that are listed

Museums and Monuments of Tuscany homepage introduction – Source: Welcome Tuscany – In English, Italian

Museums in Tuscany by major cities – Please click on any city listed in this box on the right-side of the screen

Museums in florence, tuscany, chianti, italy – "Your Guide to Florence" – Source: Travel Guide section of Tuscany.net – In English, French, German, Italian, Spanish
Top Museums to visit across Tuscany – Source: discoverTUSCANY – In English, Italian
Tuscany Museums & Monuments – Source: AngloINFO Tuscany – "Life in Tuscany, in English!"

VIRTUAL

Virtual Uffizi ~ The complete catalogue of the Uffizi Gallery of Florence – Source: web site

MISCELLANEOUS

SEE ALSO:

Info on some of my blog entries (URLs) for Tuscany/Toscana, Italy *, dated Wednesday, July 22, 2009

(LAST EDITED/UPDATED: 21 September 2009)

Info on webcams in Tuscany/Toscana, Italy

2009-09-09T06:19:00.003+02:00

(LAST EDITED/UPDATED: 9 September 2009)

Here are some links for webcams in Tuscany/Toscana, Italy:

WEBCAMS IN SOME CITIES OF TUSCANY/TOSCANA

CORTONA

LIVE WEBCAM in Cortona – Source: CORTONAWEB – In multiple languages

FIRENZE/FLORENCE

Florence City web cam, Italy - "Live webcam from Florence, Tuscany, Italy" – Source: camvista.com – "watching the world by webcam" – In multiple languages
FLORENCE LIVE! – Source: ViewPoints – In English, Italian
Florence Webcam – View from "Kraft Hotel's rooftop, above the 5th floor, and pointed towards Florence center and Brunelleschi's Dome" – Source: Hotel Kraft Firenze – In multiple languages

GREVE IN CHIANTI

Greve in Chianti webcam – Source: Webcams.travel – "The Webcam Community" – In multiple languages

LIVORNO

Web Cam Comune Livorno – Source: WebCam Livorno – In Italian Only

LUCCA

Lucca – Source: MeteoLucca.it – In Italian Only

PISA

Pisa city centre web cam, Italy – Source: camvista.com – "watching the world by webcam" – In multiple languages

PORTO SAN STEFANO

Porto San Stefano – Source: Comune di Monte Argentario

SIENA

Duomo di Siena – Source: Siena On Line

WEBCAMS ACROSS TUSCANY/TOSCANA

Tuscany – views from 60 webcams (+ or - on any given day) in Tuscany – Source: Webcam Galore – In English, German, Italian
Tuscany – "WebCams Weather Forecasts" – views from 95 weather webcams (+ or - on any given day) in Tuscany – Source: Italy section of The Globe Holidays Project – In multiple languages
Webcam in Toscana – This portion of the web site is In Italian Only – Source: intoscana.it – "Official Tuscany Web Site" – In multiple languages

MISCELLANEOUS

SEE ALSO:

Info on some of my blog entries (URLs) for Tuscany/Toscana, Italy *, dated Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Info on Webcams in Italy *, dated Friday, January 12, 2007

(LAST EDITED/UPDATED: 9 September 2009)

Info on some of my Italian language blog entries (URLs)

2009-09-02T06:18:00.008+02:00

Here are links (URLs) to my Italian language blog entries:

ITALIAN LANGUAGE BLOG ENTRIES:

Info on how to ask questions in Italian *, dated Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Info on Italian Vocabulary/Vocabolario *, dated Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Info on Italian Phrases +*, dated Friday, July 06, 2007
Info for the Italian Word of the Day +*, dated Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Info about about Italian Expressions *, dated Friday, May 25, 2007
Info on links for translators of the Italian Language , dated Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Info about Italian dialects in Italy *, dated Tuesday, May 08, 2007
Info on Italian slang *, dated Friday, February 02, 2007
Info on Conjugation and On-Line Conjugator for the Italian Language *, dated Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Info on Learning and Teaching Italian *, Tuesday, November 07, 2006
Info on Podcasts/MP3 Downloads About, For or On Italy *, dated Friday, October 27, 2006
Info about On-Line Language Training in Italian +*, dated Tuesday, August 29, 2006
Info on Miscellaneous Items or Topics About the Italian Language *, dated Friday, August 25, 2006
Info About Italian Grammar +*, dated Tuesday, August 22, 2006
Info on Italian Language Survival Phrases +*, dated Tuesday, August 15, 2006
Info on Italian Language Resources +*, dated Friday, August 11, 2006
Info on Teaching English in Italy *, dated Tuesday, August 08, 2006
Info About On-Line Translation Services for the Italian Language *, dated Friday, August 04, 2006
Info on Italian Proverbs/Proverbi *, dated Tuesday, July 25, 2006
Info on Italian Language Pronunciation +*, dated Friday, July 21, 2006
Info About Italian Language Search Engines *, dated Friday, July 14, 2006
Info about On-Line Dictionaries for the Italian Language *, dated Tuesday, July 11, 2006
Info on Suggested Reference Links for Learning the Italian Language +*, dated Monday, December 05, 2005

+ = Blog entry has a "Sound clip". Please turn on the speakers on your PC.
* = Blog entry has been updated.

For your specific interest, please search the web for further information using .

The above links as of this date are/were current. If anyone has any suggestions for any other additional web sites and/or links for reference, please feel free to post your comment and I'll update this blog entry.

Broken links: Since November, 2005, I have written over 300+ blog entries with 1,000's of corresponding links/URLs for Moving2Italy2, covering a varied and wide range of topics. In the event that you come across a broken link or a non-functioning link/URL, please post a comment and report the non-functional link. I wish to thank you in advance for assisting me in the ongoing maintenance and the updating of this successful and informative blog.

Please note: If you want me to reply to your comment or request any further information by email, please include your email address in a separate comment. I will NOT publish any comments with an email address in it.

DEDICATION

This blog entry is dedicated to the fall semester class, 2009 of young women attending the "first faculty-led" session of Meredith College Study Abroad, Italy program of Meredith College, Raleigh, NC. This program is located at Palazzo Alberti in the city of Sansepolcro which is in the province of Arezzo in the region known as Tuscany AKA Toscana. My wife, Martha, who is a Meredith College graduate and I had the opportunity this past Thursday, 27 August to visit Palazzo Alberti. We had the pleasure and honor to meet these young women (Amanda, Chelsea, Hannah, Jacqueline, Jennifer, Lauren, Lisa, Samantha and Vi Judy) along with Dr. Betty Webb, Director of International Programs and her husband, Mr. John Rose, Signora Sara Andreini, Associate Director of Meredith in Italy, Miss Rebekah Williams, Residence Director and the local support staff.

That's it for Wednesday, 2 September 2009: mercoledì, 2 settembre 2009

Ciao, Ben

Moving2Italy2 – #1 source of links About, For or On Italy for those individuals moving, traveling or already living in Italy.

Today’s quote is an Italian proverb, author unknown.
"Il mondo e dalla parte di chi agisce."
"The world belongs to those who act."

Please read my wife's blog about our life with photographs in Italy:

Friends and Family in Italy

Going to Spain, read my new blog:

Info About, For or On Spain – a source of links About, For or On Spain for those individuals traveling or already living in Spain.

Please note: The time listed below for this posting is Central European Time (CET)/ GMT+1.

Info on outlets in Tuscany/Toscana, Italy

2009-08-26T04:27:00.001+02:00

(LAST EDITED/UPDATED: 1 September 2009)

Here are some links for outlets in Tuscany/Toscana, Italy:

OUTLET CENTERS/MALLS – MULTIPLE STORES

THE | MALL – LOCATION: Exit Incisa off of the A1, direction Pontassieve/Leccio – south of Firenze/Florence – In Arabic, Chinese, English, French. German, Italian, Japanese, Russian, Spanish

From the Home Page, please click on "THE LOCATION"

McArthurGlen Barberino Outlet – LOCATION: Exit Barberino del Mugello off of the A1, direction Barberino del Mugello (FI) – north of Firenze/Florence – In English, Italian

HOW TO REACH US

Valdichiana Outlet Village – Please check web site for hours of operation – LOCATION: Exit Valdichiana off of the A1, direction Foiano della Chiana (AR) – south of Firenze/Florence – In English, German, Italian

How to reach us

INDIVIDUAL OUTLETS

Prada (I Pellettieri d'Italia) – Please scroll down to store name – Location: Levanella (AR), località of Montevarchi – Source: Tuscany shopping subsection of TUSCANY within the DESTINATIONS section of concierge.com – "inspired travel starts here"
PRATESI – Men and Women's shoes

Locations in Tuscany: Ambra (AR), Radda in Chianti (SI), Monteriggioni (SI)

LISTS

Factory outlet Tuscany - Siena - Lucca - Pisa – Source: Factory Outlet Italy – In English, German, Italian
intoscana.it – "Official Website of Tuscany" – Primarily in English, Italian with a drop down menu of other language choices

Outlets in Tuscany – Source: abc Tuscany.com – "travel guide to Tuscany Italy"
Tuscany – Source: PrimeItaly.com – "A chance to get a taste the real Italy"

BLOG ENTRIES/DISCUSSIONS

Outlet Shopping Itinerary in Tuscany – Source: Experience Tuscany – "Travel to Tuscany without leaving your home…blog!"

MISCELLANEOUS

SEE ALSO:

Info on some of my blog entries (URLs) for Tuscany/Toscana, Italy *, dated Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Info on Market Days - Outdoor Markets in Tuscany *, dated Friday, May 16, 2008

* = Blog entry has been updated.

If anyone has any suggestions for other sites and links for reference, please feel free to post your comment and I'll update this blog entry. For your specific interest, please search the web for further information using

Please note: If you want me to reply to your comment or request any further information by email, please include your email address in a separate comment. I will NOT publish any comments with an email address in it.

That's it for Wednesday, 26 August 2009: mercoledì, 26 agosto 2009

Ciao, Ben

Moving2Italy2 – #1 source of links About, For or On Italy for those individuals moving, traveling or already living in Italy.

Today’s quote is an Italian proverb, author unknown.
"Ogni medaglia ha il suo rovescio."
"There are two sides to every coin."

Please read my wife's blog about our life with photographs in Italy:

Friends and Family in Italy

Going to Spain, read my new blog:

Info About, For or On Spain – a source of links About, For or On Spain for those individuals traveling or already living in Spain.

Please note: The time listed below for this posting is Central European Time (CET)/ GMT+1.

(LAST EDITED/UPDATED: 1 September 2009)

Info on venues for "English" language movies and cinema in Tuscany/Toscana, Italy

2009-08-19T06:55:00.001+02:00

(LAST EDITED/UPDATED: 5 September 2009)

Here are some links on venues (places to go) for "English" language movies and cinema in Tuscany/Toscana, Italy:

LOCATIONS

FIRENZE

Odeon Original Sound – Source: The Florence Newspaper
English Language Cinemas in Florence – Source: Florence Accom section of Italy Accom
English Language Cinema in Tuscany – Source: AngloINFO Tuscany – "Life in Tuscany, in English!"

PISA

AAFES Movie Theatre at Camp Darby – NOTE: Access to this military base and its facilities are restricted to USA/NATO military personnel, dependents and their guests. USA/NATO military personnel and dependents must present current and valid identification cards and all guests must have with them a valid picture identification, e.g., passport, carta d'identica (identity) card, etc. to gain admittance onto Camp Darby.

MISCELLANEOUS

SEE ALSO:

Info on some of my blog entries (URLs) for Tuscany/Toscana, Italy *, dated Wednesday, July 22, 2009

(LAST EDITED/UPDATED: 5 September 2009)

Info on food and grocery stores (chain) in Tuscany/Toscana, Italy

2009-08-12T05:15:00.004+02:00

(LAST EDITED/UPDATED: 24 August 2009)

Here are some links for food and grocery stores (supermarket retail chain operation) in Tuscany/Toscana, Italy:

FOOD AND GROCERY STORES (AKA SUPERMERCATI)

LISTS

Business - Grocery shopping – Source: intoscana.it – "Official Tuscany Web Site " – In Chinese, English, French, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish
Hyper, Super and Minimarkets – Source: Tuscany Net

NOTE: The lists above and the following section titled, "GROCERY STORES" are for medium to large chain food retailers in Tuscany and Italy. They are NOT an "alimentari" which is a small neighborhood grocery store (mom and pop or independent grocery store operation).

Supermercati - Centri Commerciali – This listing is In Italian Only – Source: TuscanyPass.com – "Getting the most out of Tuscany" – English version / Saimicadove.it – "Il Portale per Vivere la Toscana" – Italian Version

NOTE: This specific listing contains grocery/food stores of all sizes and some are not associated with medium to large scale retail chain operation. This listing is from the Italian version of the web site.

GROCERY STORES IN TUSCANY/TOSCANA: MEDIUM TO LARGE SCALE RETAIL CHAIN OPERATION – Please note: The physical size of the store ranges from small (store front) to very large either stand-alone building or located in a commercial center

Carrefour Italia – In Italian Only – Subsidiary of Carrefour

On the main page, please click on the "Carrefour" logo at the bottom of the page and then on the next screen, please click on "Dove Siamo" (Where we are) on the dark blue information bar. On the next screen, position your cursor over the Toscana (Tuscany region) and click once. Please position your cursor over the flashing "Carrefour" logo for the address, map location, hours of operation, driving directions, etc. of the Carrefour store in that city.

Conad – In Italian Only

On the main page, please click on "Scegli la tua provincia" (You choose your province)

coop, incoop, ipercoop (COOP Italia) – In Italian Only

On the main page, please click on "Scegli la tua provincia" (You choose your province)
PLEASE NOTE: Not all coops are the same and it can be confusing because the name is the same on all the signs you see and products that you buy in the specific store read coop. Each coop or incoop or ipercoop belongs to a cooperative group, e.g., Unicoop Firenze, Coop Centro Italia, etc. and the various coops issue loyalty cards for their specific cooperative. Which means if you paid a one-time fee of €25 for a loyalty card for just one person at the coop (Coop Centro Italia) in Cortona (AR), it is not valid at the ipercoop (Unicoop Firenze) in Arezzo less than 32 KMs (20 miles) away. Be sure that if you purchase a coop loyalty card, it is from the coop that you do the most shopping at. Unlike in the USA, where you get multiple loyalty cards for family members and they are valid across the State or the nation, in Italy, it is entirely different situation.

DESPAR centro italia – In Italian Only – DESPAR ITALIA – part of SPAR INTERNATIONAL

Includes DESPAR or EUROSPAR stores
From the DESPAR centro italia web page, under "punti vendita" (sale points AKA store locations), please select the "province" in Tuscany/Toscana that you live in and after the screen refreshes, please select the "comune" that you live in, then a page of stores (results) will appear. Please select the store closest to you or the one that you want to go to.

DIMEGLIO – In Italian Only –

On the main page under "Trova il supermercato più vicino", please enter your "Comune, località..." and press "Trove" (find)
In the event it doesn't find your location, another screen will appear with the words "TROVA IL SUPERMERCATO DIMEGLIO PIU VINCINO A CASA TUA" on it and a map of regions where DIMEGLIO has stores located. Please enter your "Regione" (region), "Provincia" (province) and "Località" (locality) OR "Comune/Località" and press "Cerca" (ENTER/RETURN on your keyboard).

Esselunga – Primarily in Italian with some pages in English

On the main page, please click on "Punti vendita" (sale points AKA store locations) and then click on "Dove trovarci, quando siamo aperti" (Where to find us, when we are open)

EuroSpin Group – "is the largest Italian group in the discount food channel."

On the main page, please click on "DOVE SIAMO" (Where we are). On the next screen, position your cursor over the Toscana (Tuscany region) and click once. Please position your cursor over the city on the Toscana region map and click once for the address, hours of operation, map location, driving directions, etc. of the store in that city.

LIDL – In Italian Only – discount supermarket chain, originated in Germany

For stores close to where you live, please click on "Lidl più vicino" on the lower right-side of the Home Page and enter your city and/or your C.A.P. AKA postal code (zipcode)

Pam – In Italian Only

On the main page, please click on "dove siamo" (Where we are)

Penny Market – In Italian Only – discount supermarket chain, originated in Germany

On main page, please click on Negozi (Stores)

Midal S.p.a Distribuzione Alimentari – In Italian Only

Includes Gusto sidis, sidisMini, sidis, MaxiSidis, superSidis , Ipersidis, IPERSHOP, Pantamarket

CEDI SISA CENTRO NORD – part of SISA – In Italian Only

On the main page, please click on "Supermercati" (Supermarkets). On the next screen, with the words "Punti Vendita" (sale points AKA store locations) on it. under the word "PROVINCIA", please select the Italian province you want to go to and press "Conferma" (Confirmation). When the name of the store appears on the next screen, click on the red button with the words "Vai a Scheda" on it, the address and phone numbers for the store will appear on the screen.

Sma S.p.A. – In Italian Only – part of Group Auchan – In English, French

On the main page, please click on "I nostri Supermercati" (Our Supermarkets). On the next screen, position your cursor over the word "Toscana" (Tuscany region) and click once. Please position your cursor over the name of the province on the Toscana region map and click once for the address, hours of operation, etc. of the store in that province.

Includes Punto,

STANDA SUPERMERCATI – In Italian Only

On the main page, please click on "punti vendita" (sale points AKA store locations in Tuscany and other regions in Italy). On the next screen, position your cursor over the word "Toscana" (Tuscany region) and click once. Please position your cursor over the red ball with the letter "i" in white on it next to the city in the province for information about the store, which days the specific store is open and hours of operation

Todis – "il Superdiscount" – In Italian Only

On the main page, please click on "Punti vendita" (sale points AKA store locations in Tuscany and other regions in Italy).

RELATED INFORMATION

ARTICLES

Getting Food and Groceries in Italian Stores and Markets – By Martha Bakerjian – Source: Italy Travel section of About.com
Slow Travel – Source: Food Shops within Italy - Instructions for Visitors under the slow travel italy

Grocery Shopping in Italy (and France) – By Martha S. Taccarino

Shopping at the Large Supermarkets – By Pauline Kenny

BLOG ENTRY

Grocery Shopping in Tuscany – posted by Holly Jacobsen – Date: Monday, June 8, 2009 @ – Source: Sleeps 5 com (blog) – "travel for families with more than two children" – Web site: Sleep 5 com

MISCELLANEOUS

SEE ALSO:

Info on some of my blog entries (URLs) for Tuscany/Toscana, Italy *, dated Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Info on Market Days - Outdoor Markets in Tuscany *, dated Friday, May 16, 2008

* = Blog entry has been updated.

If anyone has any suggestions for other sites and links for reference, please feel free to post your comment and I'll update this blog entry. For your specific interest, please search the web for further information using

Please note: If you want me to reply to your comment or request for further information by email, please include your email address in a separate comment. I will NOT publish any comments with an email address in it.

This blog entry is about supermarket retail food chain operation. These stores come in a variety of sizes.

That's it for Wednesday, 12 August 2009: mercoledì, 12 agosto 2009

Ciao, Ben

Moving2Italy2 – #1 source of links About, For or On Italy for those individuals moving, traveling or already living in Italy.

Today’s quote is an Italian proverb, author unknown.
"E' piu facile sposarsi male che mangiare bene."
"It's easier to end up in a bad marriage than to eat well. "

Please read my wife's blog about our life with photographs in Italy:

Friends and Family in Italy

Going to Spain, read my new blog:

Info About, For or On Spain – a source of links About, For or On Spain for those individuals traveling or already living in Spain.

Please note: The time listed below for this posting is Central European Time (CET)/ GMT+1.

(LAST EDITED/UPDATED: 24 August 2009)

Info about refueling your rental car in Tuscany/Toscana and the rest of Italy

2009-08-05T05:04:00.005+02:00

(LAST EDITED/UPDATED: 11 August 2009)

Here are some links for refueling your rental car in Tuscany/Toscana and the rest of Italy:

REFUELING RENTAL CARS

Be sure to use and select the right fuel for your specific rental vehicle. If you have any doubts or questions (even, if you are at the right type of fuel pump for your rental car), please ask the service station attendant. In Italy, the attendant may be male or female.

The words at the service station for diesel are gasoil or diesel. There is a super and pricier diesel but your rental car does not usually require it unless specifically stated.
The words for lead free gasoline are “senza piombo benzina”.

Along the Autostrata, the service stations usually have an attendant that will operate the appropriate fuel pump. However, it is your responsibility to insure the attendant is pumping the right fuel type into your rental vehicle.
If you see the words, “Fai Da Te”, it means self service and you operate the fuel pump yourself. There is a "cassa" (cashier) located inside the service station and they can answer most questions. However, these individual may only speak Italian.

AFTER HOURS AND SUNDAY OPERATION AT SERVICE STATIONS

Depending on where you are in Tuscany or in Italy, please be aware when refueling the rental/lease car on Sunday and after 7:00 PM (19:00) or there abouts at night, your American credit may not work. If you are on the Autostrada (Italy), there should be no problems. The fuel pumps in the small to medium size town service stations switch over from a international credit card validation to a local one. This has happened to us when we have traveled in France and Italy on Sunday and after closing hours (no attendant on duty).
You may see a service station with its lights on and a sign that has the words "APERTO" (open) or "APERTO SELF-SERVICE" or "24 ORE (hours)" on it but there is no service station attendant or "cassa" (cashier) on duty. However, these pumps usually have a central payment machine/device that will accept Euro (€) bills and Italian credit cards or European "smart" credit cards only.
Please be aware that many European credit cards have an embedded "smart" chip on the credit card in additional to the magnetic strip on the backside of the credit card. This "smart" chip technology allows European credit cards from outside of Italy to be used at service stations after hours and on Sunday. At this time, neither my wife nor myself have the newer credit cards now being issued in the USA that have the embedded "smart" chip technology.
If you have Euro (€) bills, the central payment machine/device will accept them. PLEASE NOTE: It has been my personal experience that most of these central payment machines/devices will NOT refund any overpayment for refueling. This means that if you only have a €50 (Euro) bill and only use, let say €35, out of the €50 to refuel you car, you will NOT get any change back!

MISCELLANEOUS

SEE ALSO:

Info on some of my blog entries (URLs) for Tuscany/Toscana, Italy *, dated Wednesday, July 22, 2009

* = Blog entry has been updated.

If anyone has any suggestions for other sites and links for reference, please feel free to post your comment and I'll update this blog entry. For your specific interest, please search the web for further information using

Please note: If you want me to reply to your comment or request for further information by email, please include your email address in a separate comment. I will NOT publish any comments with an email address in it.

That's it for Wednesday, 5 August 2009: mercoledì, 5 agosto 2009

Ciao, Ben

Moving2Italy2 – #1 source of links About, For or On Italy for those individuals moving, traveling or already living in Italy.

Today’s quote is an Italian proverb, author unknown.

"Per anndare d'accordo co il vicino - devi stare con un-occhio aperto e l'altro non serrato."
"To get on with your neighbours - you must go with one eye open and the other not closed."

Please read my wife's blog about our life in Italy:

Friends and Family in Italy

Going to Spain, read my new blog:

Info About, For or On Spain – a source of links About, For or On Spain for those individuals traveling or already living in Spain.

Please note: The time listed below for this posting is Central European Time (CET)/ GMT+1.

(LAST EDITED/UPDATED: 11 August 2009)

Info on Destination Guides for Tuscany/Toscana, Italy

2009-07-29T06:57:00.000+02:00

Here are some links for destination guides for Tuscany/Toscana, Italy and some of its provinces:

DESTINATION GUIDES

TUSCANY/TOSCANA

Italy: Tuscany – Source: destination guides section of i-escape.com
TRAVEL TUSCANY – Source: DESTINATION GUIDES section of itravelnet.com – "travel directory and travel portal"
Tuscany – Source: Top Destinations within Honeymoons section of Brides.com
Tuscany – Source: Destination: Italy section of Destination Traveler
Tuscany Destination Guide – Simon Heptinstall, TravelMail – Last updated at 16:45 18 December 2008 – Source: TRAVEL Mail section of Mail Online
Tuscany Overeview – Source: DESTINATIONS section of Mr & Mrs Smith – "The boutique and luxury hotel specialists"

BY PROVINCE

FIRENCE/FLORENCE

Florence – Source: Destination section of TRAVEL + LEISURE
A Guide to Florence – Source: Destination: Italy section of Destination Traveler
Italy: Florence – Source: destination guides section of i-escape.com
Online Destination Guide – Source: Travel Guide Directory > Italy section of travelhops.com – "directory of quality travel websites"

LUCCA

Lucca – Source: Italian View

PISA

A Guide to Pisa – Source: Destination: Italy section of Destination Traveler
Pisa Destination guide – Source: Destinations section of easyJet Holidays

PISTOIA

TRAVEL PISTOIA – "Italy travel and tourism destination guide" – Source: DESTINATION GUIDES section of itravelnet.com – "travel directory and travel portal"

SIENA

Siena – Source: wcities

MISCELLANEOUS

SEE ALSO:

Info on some of my blog entries (URLs) for Tuscany/Toscana, Italy *, dated Wednesday, July 22, 2009

* = Blog entry has been updated.

If anyone has any suggestions for other sites and links for reference, please feel free to post your comment and I'll update this blog entry. For your specific interest, please search the web for further information using .

Please note: If you want me to reply to your comment or request for further information by email, please include your email address in a separate comment. I will NOT publish any comments with an email address in it.

That's it for Wednesday, 29 July 2009: mercoledì, 29 luglio 2009

Ciao, Ben

Moving2Italy2 – #1 source of links About, For or On Italy for those individuals moving, traveling or already living in Italy.

Today’s quote is an Italian proverb, author unknown.
"Cavallo vecchio non muta andatura. "
"An old horse doesn't speed up the harvest."

Please read my wife's blog about our life in Italy:

Friends and Family in Italy

Going to Spain, read my new blog:

Info About, For or On Spain – a source of links About, For or On Spain for those individuals traveling or already living in Spain.

Please note: The time listed below for this posting is Central European Time (CET)/ GMT+1.

Info on some of my blog entries (URLs) for Tuscany/Toscana, Italy

2009-07-22T20:15:00.017+02:00

(LAST EDITED/UPDATED: 12 November 2009)

Here are some of my blog entries (URLs) for Tuscany/Toscana, Italy:

BLOG ENTRIES (URLs) FOR TUSCANY/TOSCANA

Info on Christmas in Tuscany/Toscana, Italy , dated Wednesday, 4 November 2009
Info for buying "English" language books in Tuscany/Toscana, Italy *, dated Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Info about skiing and snowboarding in Tuscany/Tosscana , dated Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Info on or for kids in Tuscany/Toscana, Italy , dated Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Info about pets in Tuscany/Toscana, Italy , dated Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Info about the weather (meteo) in Tuscany/Toscana, Italy , dated Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Info on blogs written in Tuscany/Toscana, Italy , dated Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Info on museums in Tuscany/Toscana, Italy *, dated Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Info on webcams in Tuscany/Toscana, Italy *, dated Wednesday, September 09, 2009
Info on outlets in Tuscany/Toscana, Italy *, dated Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Info on venues for "English" language movies and cinema in Tuscany/Toscana, Italy *, dated Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Info on food and grocery stores (chain) in Tuscany/Toscana *, dated Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Info about refueling your rental car in Tuscany/Toscana *, dated Wednesday, August 05, 2009
Info on Destination Guides for Tuscany/Toscana, Italy , dated Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Info on piazzas in Tuscany/Toscana, Italy , dated Tuesday, June 09, 2009
Info about bicycling in Tuscany/Toscana, Italy , dated Tuesday, June 02, 2009
Info on camping in Tuscany/Toscana, Italy *, dated Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Info on national, provincial, theme and water parks in Tuscany/Toscana, Italy , dated Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Info on articles about, for or on Tuscany/Toscana, Italy , dated Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Info About Cantine Aperte (31 May 2009) in Tuscany/Toscana and the rest of Italy *, dated Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Info about the wine roads (Strade del Vino) of the Tuscany/Toscana Region of Italy *, dated Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Info About Transportation in Tuscany/Toscana, Italy *, dated Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Info on tourist offices in Tuscany/Toscana, Italy , dated Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Info on thermal spas/baths (terme) in Tuscany/Toscana, Italy , dated Tuesday, April 07, 2009
Info about the coast of Tuscany/Toscana, Italy *, dated Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Info on ferries from/to Tuscany/Toscana, Italy , dated Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Info on guides for Tuscany/Toscana, Italy *, dated Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Info about airports in Tuscany/Toscana, Italy *, dated Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Info on restaurants/ristorante in Tuscany/Toscana, Italy *, dated Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Info on the "Top Ten" for Tuscany/Toscana, Italy *, dated Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Info on walks/walking in Toscana/Tuscany *, dated Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Info about day trips in Tuscany/Toscana, Italy , dated Tuesday, February 03, 2009
Info on 2009 Events and Festivals (feste or sagre) in Toscana (Tuscany) *, dated Tuesday, January 06, 2009
Info on maps for Tuscany/Toscana, Italy *, dated Friday, September 05, 2008
Info about the grape harvest in Tuscany *, dated Tuesday, September 02, 2008
Info on Market Days - Outdoor Markets in Tuscany *, dated Friday, May 16, 2008
Info on the Toscana (Tuscany) Region of Italy - Part 2 *, dated Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Info on the Toscana (Tuscany) Region of Italy - Part 1 *, dated Tuesday, June 19, 2007

RELATED BLOG ENTRIES (URLs) FOR ITALY

Info on some of my Italian language blog entries (URLs) , dated Wednesday, September 02, 2009
Info about Toilets in Italy *, dated Friday, February 29, 2008
Info on validating tickets for bus, train, etc, in Italy *, dated Monday, January 28, 2008
Info on Destination Guides for Italy *, dated Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Info on how to order coffee/expresso in Italy , dated Tuesday, August 28 2007
Info on dietary/food allergy translations cards for Italy *, dated Friday, August 10, 2007
Info on traveling with your laptop to Italy and abroad *, dated Friday, July 20, 2007
Info on being gluten-free in Italy *, dated Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Info on Low Cost Airlines with Flights out of and to Italy *, dated Friday, April 20, 2007
Info about electrical plug adapters, power strips and voltage converters for Italy *, dated Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Info on Travel Guides and Information for Italy *, dated Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Info on the 20 Regions of Italy *, dated Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Info on Vegetarian Eating in Italy *, dated Friday, November 03, 2006
Info about Cyber Cafes and Internet Points in Italy *, dated Friday, October 20, 2006
Info on Wi-Fi and Hotspots in Italy *, dated Tuesday, June 20, 2006
Info about Food Allergies and Dietary Restrictions in Italy *, dated Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Info about Driving in Italy *, dated Friday, March 17, 2006
Info on Strikes, Demonstrations and Protest Marches In Italy *, dated Saturday, November 26, 2005
Info on On-Line Route Planning and Maps of Italy *, dated Thursday, November 17, 2005
Info for Cell Phones in Italy and Europe *, dated Monday, November 14, 2005

GUEST HOUSE INFO – for those individuals either planning to stay with us or traveling to Italy:

Info for Guests Staying in the Guest House at Podere Covivole *, dated Tuesday, February 05, 2008
Info about the Guest House at Podere Covivole in Italy *, dated Tuesday, September 09, 2008

* = Blog entry has been updated.

A FEW OBSERVATIONS/QUESTIONS:

You may want to have change (coins and small bills) for the tolls roads in Italy. Every now and then, you may run into a automated toll booth that will not recognize your American credit card. The credit card is valid and you may of used it to charge your fuel (gas/diesel) just a few kilometers back and now it is not working. I cannot explain why this happens but it has happen to us in our travels in France and Italy. BTW, at the Monte San Savino Autostrada exit, we only have unmanned and automated toll collection booths.
Try to get a rental car that uses regular diesel fuel. Your refueling costs will be less. You do not need a vehicle that uses premium diesel either and it costs more.
Please check for the closing times for lunch at the rental car company at non-airport locations you plan to use. Unlike in the States, many of the rental car counters in Italy are closed for lunch and/or the afternoon break.
Consider booking your flights into one airport into Italy and returning to the States from a different one. This is called open-jawed booking and while you will read only about round trip airfares from the same cities, this is a valid option and sometimes it can cost less.
Consider leasing a car instead of renting one, if you or any of your friends will be in Italy 18 days or longer. The rates are better, insurance coverage for multiple drivers and you get a brand new car. Here is a blog entry with more details, Info About Leasing a Car for Italy, dated Tuesday, September 19, 2006
Depending on where you are, please be aware when refueling the rental/lease car on Sunday and after 7:00 PM (19:00) or there abouts at night, your American credit may not work. If you are on the Autostrada (Italy), there should be no problems. The fuel pumps at the small to medium size town gas stations switch over from a international credit card validation to a local one.. This has happened to us when we have traveled in France and Italy. However, these pumps usually have a central payment device that will accept bills and local credit cards only.
Will you or any of your traveling companions, be traveling with an unlocked, GSM and quad/tri-band cell phone? You can buy a SIM card in Italy from a cellular network provider, e.g., 3, TIM, Vodafone or WIND by showing your respective country’s passport and not be charged minutes for incoming calls, only outgoing ones – on a pay as you go type plan. I would not recommend getting an international cell phone plan from T-Mobile or AT&T because you will be charged .99/minute for incoming calls and $1.99 for outgoing calls or something in that neighborhood. Most cell phones from Verizon and Sprint uses CDMA technology which is incompatible in Europe except for their international phones but their international rates are as bad as T-Mobile or AT&T. Please read the blog entry, Info for Cell Phones in Italy and Europe *, dated Monday, November 14, 2005
Distances (re: driving time) between towns and cities in Europe are not easy to determine. While using an on-line mapping service or even maps, you may encounter unexpected delays due to road construction, accidents, weather and/or time of day.
Be sure to bring: wash cloths, a few ziplock bags (various sizes) and a small flashlight for each traveler.
There are 2 thermal (water) spas within 20 – 30 minutes of the guest house. The best one of the two, Terme San Giovanni Rapolano, has an outdoor pool with access from the inside of the spa. If you are interested, please bring one of your old swimming suits.

For your specific interest, please search the web for further information using .

The above links as of this date are/were current. If anyone has any suggestions for any other additional web sites and/or links for reference, please feel free to post your comment and I'll update this blog entry.

Broken links: Since November, 2005, I have written over 300+ blog entries with 1,000's of corresponding links/URLs for Moving2Italy2, covering a varied and wide range of topics. In the event that you come across a broken link or a non-functioning link/URL, please post a comment and report the non-functional link. I wish to thank you in advance for assisting me in the ongoing maintenance and the updating of this successful and informative blog.

Please note: If you want me to reply to your comment or request any further information by email, please include your email address in a separate comment. I will NOT publish any comments with an email address in it.

That's it for Wednesday, 22 July 2009: mercoledì, 22 luglio 2009

Ciao, Ben

Moving2Italy2 – #1 source of links About, For or On Italy for those individuals moving, traveling or already living in Italy.

Today’s quote is an Italian proverb, author unknown.
"Chi ama il suo lavoro lo fa bene."
"Those who love their work do it well."

Please read my wife's blog about our life in Italy:

Friends and Family in Italy

Going to Spain, read my new blog:

Info About, For or On Spain – a source of links About, For or On Spain for those individuals traveling or already living in Spain.

Please note: The time listed below for this posting is Central European Time (CET)/ GMT+1.

(LAST EDITED/UPDATED: 12 November 2009)

Info About Ferries along the Amalfi Coast, to Sorrento, Capri and Naples, Italy

2009-07-15T22:45:00.000+02:00

Here are some links about ferries (traghetti), hydrofoils (aliscafi), along the Amalfi Coast and to Sorrento, Capri and Naples/Napoli, Italy in the region of Campania:

FERRY COMPANIES

caremar – In Italian Only
Coop. Sant'Andrea s.r.l. – In English, Italian
La Navigazione Libera del Golfo S.p.A. (LN)
Metrò del Mare – In English, Italian
Gruppo Alilauro

alicost – In Italian Only
aliLauro – In English, German, Italian
Alilauro-Gruson – In English, Italian
Linee Marittime Partenopee (L.M.P.) – In Italian Only

VOLAVIAMARE – In English, Italian

MISCELLANEOUS

SEE ALSO:

Info about Ferries to and from Italy *, dated Friday, March 24, 2006

* = Blog entry has been updated.

If anyone has any suggestions for other sites and links for reference, please feel free to post your comment and I'll update this blog entry. For your specific interest, please search the web for further information using

Please note: If you want me to reply to your comment or request for further information by email, please include your email address in a separate comment. I will NOT publish any comments with an email address in it.

That's it for Wednesday, 15 July 2009: mercoledì, 15 luglio 2009

Ciao, Ben

Moving2Italy2 – #1 source of links About, For or On Italy for those individuals moving, traveling or already living in Italy.

Today’s quote is an Italian proverb, author unknown.
"Chi si volta, e chi si gira, sempre a casa va finire."
"No matter where you go or turn, you will always end up at home."

Please read my wife's blog about our life in Italy:

Friends and Family in Italy

Going to Spain, read my new blog:

Info About, For or On Spain – a source of links About, For or On Spain for those individuals traveling or already living in Spain.

Please note: The time listed below for this posting is Central European Time (CET)/ GMT+1.

Info on piazzas in Tuscany/Toscana, Italy

2009-06-09T05:31:00.000+02:00

Here are some links for piazzas in Tuscany/Toscana:

INFORMATION

Piazza - Definition and Discussion – By Martha Bakerjian – Source: Italy Travel section of About.com

PIAZZAS

TUSCANY/TOSCANA

Piazzas in Tuscany – Source: Things to do section of intoscana.it – "Official Tuscany Web Site" – In Chinese, English, French, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish

BY PROVINCE

AREZZO

Piazza Grande – Source: Destinations section of Fodor's – "FOR CHOICE TRAVEL EXPERIENCES'

FIRENZE/FLORENCE

Monuments, Palaces and Piazzas to see in Florence – Source: visitFLORENCE – "... online travel guide for your vacation in Florence, Italy"
Piazza della Repubblica – Source: Florence section of ItalyGuides.it – "A SIGHTSEEING REVOLUTION" – In English, Italian
Piazza Santa Croce – Source: Things To Do section of Travel + Leisure
Piazza della Signoria (Signoria Square) – Source: Florence section of ItalyGuides.it – "A SIGHTSEEING REVOLUTION" – In English, Italian

LUCCA

Piazza dell'Anfiteatro – Source: Lucca section of ItalyGuides.it – "A SIGHTSEEING REVOLUTION" – In English, Italian

PISA

Piazza dei Miracoli – Source: Pisa section of ItalyGuides.it – "A SIGHTSEEING REVOLUTION" – In English, Italian
Piazza del Duomo in Pisa – Source: Piazzas of Italy section of ULTIMATE ITALY – "Italy Travel Guide - Facts about Italy Tourism & Information on Tourist Destinations"

SIENA

Piazza del Campo – Source: VIDEO section of concierge.com – "inspired travel starts here"
Piazza Del Campo – Source: Piazzas of Italy section of ULTIMATE ITALY – "Italy Travel Guide - Facts about Italy Tourism & Information on Tourist Destinations"
Piazza del Campo – Source: Siena section of ItalyGuides.it – "A SIGHTSEEING REVOLUTION" – In English, Italian
Piazza del Duomo (Duomo Square) – Source: Siena section of ItalyGuides.it – "A SIGHTSEEING REVOLUTION" – In English, Italian
Piazza dei Salimbeni (Salimbeni Square) – Source: Siena section of ItalyGuides.it – "A SIGHTSEEING REVOLUTION" – In English, Italian
Piazza dei Priori (Volterra)

MISCELLANEOUS

SEE ALSO:

Info about bicycling in Tuscany/Toscana, Italy , dated Tuesday, June 02, 2009
Info on camping in Tuscany/Toscana, Italy , dated Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Info on national, provincial, theme and water parks in Tuscany/Toscana, Italy , dated Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Info on articles about, for or on Tuscany/Toscana, Italy , dated Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Info About Cantine Aperte (31 May 2009) in Tuscany/Toscana and the rest of Italy , , dated Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Info about the wine roads (Strade del Vino) of the Tuscany/Toscana Region of Italy *, dated Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Info About Transportation in Tuscany/Toscana, Italy *, dated Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Info on tourist offices in Tuscany/Toscana, Italy , dated Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Info on thermal spas/baths (terme) in Tuscany/Toscana, Italy , dated Tuesday, April 07, 2009
Info about the coast of Tuscany/Toscana, Italy *, dated Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Info on ferries from/to Tuscany/Toscana, Italy , dated Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Info on guides for Tuscany/Toscana, Italy *, dated Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Info about airports in Tuscany/Toscana, Italy *, dated Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Info on restaurants/ristorante in Tuscany/Toscana, Italy *, dated Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Info on the "Top Ten" for Tuscany/Toscana, Italy *, dated Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Info on walks/walking in Toscana/Tuscany *, dated Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Info about day trips in Tuscany/Toscana, Italy , dated Tuesday, February 03, 2009
Info on 2009 Events and Festivals (feste or sagre) in Toscana (Tuscany) *, dated Tuesday, January 06, 2009
Info on maps for Tuscany/Toscana, Italy *, dated Friday, September 05, 2008
Info on Destination Guides for Italy *, dated Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Info on the Toscana (Tuscany) Region of Italy - Part 2 *, dated Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Info on the Toscana (Tuscany) Region of Italy - Part 1 *, dated Tuesday, June 19, 2007

* = Blog entry has been updated.

If anyone has any suggestions for other sites and links for reference, please feel free to post your comment and I'll update this blog entry. For your specific interest, please search the web for further information using .

Please note: If you want me to reply to your comment or request for further information by email, please include your email address in a separate comment. I will NOT publish any comments with an email address in it.

There are many more piazzas in Tuscany than the ones listed here in this blog entry. I would like to ask the readers of this blog entry to leave a comment about their favorite piazza in Tuscany. For this series, I have centered on Tuscany but I am open about hearing about more piazzas throughout Italy for a future blog entry later this year.

That's it for Tuesday, 9 June 2009: martedì, 9 giugno 2009

Ciao, Ben

Moving2Italy2 – #1 source of links About, For or On Italy for those individuals moving, traveling or already living in Italy.

Today’s quote is an Italian proverb, author unknown.
"Giugno tonante, raccolto abbondante."
"Thundering June, abundant harvest."

Please read my wife's blog about our life in Italy:

Friends and Family in Italy

Going to Spain, read my new blog:

Info About, For or On Spain – a source of links About, For or On Spain for those individuals traveling or already living in Spain.

Please note: The time listed below for this posting is Central European Time (CET)/ GMT+1.

Info about bicycling in Tuscany/Toscana, Italy

2009-06-02T05:20:00.001+02:00

Here are some links about bicycling in Tuscany/Toscana, Italy:

INFORMATION

Bicycle Italy - Italian Bicycle Routes and Tours – Source: Things to Do in Italy section of Italy Travel section of About.com
Bicycling in Tuscany – Source: lifeinitaly.com
Bicycling the Tuscan Countryside – Source: DailyVenture
Source: slow travel italy

Bikes and Beaches, Southern Tuscany – © Stephanie Westbrook, 2004
Southern Tuscany: Albinia to Capalbio via Magliano – © Stephanie Westbrook, 2004

Cycling In Tuscany – Source: FlorenceVillas.com
Florence Bike Pages – "Florence and Tuscany by bicycle" – In English, Italian
Tuscany – By Chain Gang Expert Cyclist Ethan Gelber – Source: Destination Guides section of GORP
Tuscany – "Description of bike rides ..." – Source: – Kirby James

BICYCLE PATHS

Bike paths in Florence – Source: Florence Bike Pages – "Florence and Tuscany by bicycle" – In English, Italian

BICYCLE ROUTES/ITINERARIES

Bicycling around Impruneta – "Bicycling routes in Tuscany - Biking in Tuscany" – Source: Impruneta – "home of Tuscan terracotta and ceramics, in Tuscany near Florence
Bicycle routes in Tuscany between Siena and Florence – Source: Greve in Chianti – In English, French, German, Italian
itineraries – Please click on any topic under this heading or any of the other headings – Source: Terre di Siena in bici – In English, Italian
Tuscany bike rides – Source: Florence Bike Pages – "Florence and Tuscany by bicycle" – In English, Italian

MISCELLANEOUS

SEE ALSO:

Info on camping in Tuscany/Toscana, Italy , dated Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Info on national, provincial, theme and water parks in Tuscany/Toscana, Italy , dated Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Info on articles about, for or on Tuscany/Toscana, Italy , dated Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Info About Cantine Aperte (31 May 2009) in Tuscany/Toscana and the rest of Italy , , dated Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Info about the wine roads (Strade del Vino) of the Tuscany/Toscana Region of Italy *, dated Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Info About Transportation in Tuscany/Toscana, Italy *, dated Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Info on tourist offices in Tuscany/Toscana, Italy , dated Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Info on thermal spas/baths (terme) in Tuscany/Toscana, Italy , dated Tuesday, April 07, 2009
Info about the coast of Tuscany/Toscana, Italy *, dated Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Info on ferries from/to Tuscany/Toscana, Italy , dated Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Info on guides for Tuscany/Toscana, Italy , dated Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Info about airports in Tuscany/Toscana, Italy *, dated Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Info on restaurants/ristorante in Tuscany/Toscana, Italy *, dated Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Info on the "Top Ten" for Tuscany/Toscana, Italy , dated Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Info on walks/walking in Toscana/Tuscany , dated Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Info about day trips in Tuscany/Toscana, Italy , dated Tuesday, February 03, 2009
Info on 2009 Events and Festivals (feste or sagre) in Toscana (Tuscany) *, dated Tuesday, January 06, 2009
Info on maps for Tuscany/Toscana, Italy *, dated Friday, September 05, 2008
Info about parking in Florence/Firenze *, dated Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Info on the Toscana (Tuscany) Region of Italy - Part 2 *, dated Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Info on the Toscana (Tuscany) Region of Italy - Part 1 *, dated Tuesday, June 19, 2007

* = Blog entry has been updated.

If anyone has any suggestions for other sites and links for reference, please feel free to post your comment and I'll update this blog entry. For your specific interest, please search the web for further information using

Please note: If you want me to reply to your comment or request for further information by email, please include your email address in a separate comment. I will NOT publish any comments with an email address in it.

That's it for Tuesday, 2 June 2009: martedì, 2 luglio 2009

Ciao, Ben

Moving2Italy2 – #1 source of links About, For or On Italy for those individuals moving, traveling or already living in Italy.

Today’s quote is an Italian proverb from the region of Tuscany, author unknown.
"Buona salute e la vera ricchezza."
"Good health is true wealth."

Please read my wife's blog about our life in Italy:

Friends and Family in Italy

Going to Spain, read my new blog:

Info About, For or On Spain – a source of links About, For or On Spain for those individuals traveling or already living in Spain.

Please note: The time listed below for this posting is Central European Time (CET)/ GMT+1.

Info on camping in Tuscany/Toscana, Italy

2009-05-26T07:25:00.001+02:00

(LAST EDITED/UPDATED: 22 July 2009)

Here are some links for camping in Tuscany/Toscana, Italy:

INFORMATION

Agri-Camping Tuscany – Source: Tuscany Tips – "A Holiday to Remember"
Camping in Tuscany – Source: WelcomeTuscany – In English, Italian

AGRI-CAMPING

Agri-Camping Brezza di Mare – In English, German, Italian
Tuscany Agri-Camping - A Fun Filled Experience in Tuscany! – Source: Agritourism In Tuscany

CAMP SITES

Campeggio Tripesce – In English, German, Italian
Campsites – Source: Riviera Toscana® – In English, French, German, Italian

LISTS

Campgrounds in Tuscany (Italy) – Source: Camperado – "Camping Guide" – In Dutch, English, German
Camping Tuscany, Italy – Source: Roan – In Danish, Dutch, English, French, German
Camping in Tuscany – Source: CAMPING IN ITALY section of EUROPE CAMPING GUIDE – In English, French, German, Italian, Lithuanian, Spanish
Do your camping in Tuscany! – Source: PromoCamping – In Czech, Danish, Dutch, English,French, German, Hungarian, Italian, Polish
Tuscany – Source: Top Campings – In Danish, Dutch, English, German, Italian

MISCELLANEOUS

SEE ALSO:

Info on national, provincial, theme and water parks in Tuscany/Toscana, Italy , dated Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Info on articles about, for or on Tuscany/Toscana, Italy , dated Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Info About Cantine Aperte (31 May 2009) in Tuscany/Toscana and the rest of Italy , , dated Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Info about the wine roads (Strade del Vino) of the Tuscany/Toscana Region of Italy *, dated Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Info About Transportation in Tuscany/Toscana, Italy *, dated Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Info on tourist offices in Tuscany/Toscana, Italy , dated Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Info on thermal spas/baths (terme) in Tuscany/Toscana, Italy , dated Tuesday, April 07, 2009
Info about the coast of Tuscany/Toscana, Italy *, dated Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Info on ferries from/to Tuscany/Toscana, Italy , dated Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Info on guides for Tuscany/Toscana, Italy , dated Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Info about airports in Tuscany/Toscana, Italy *, dated Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Info on restaurants/ristorante in Tuscany/Toscana, Italy *, dated Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Info on the "Top Ten" for Tuscany/Toscana, Italy , dated Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Info on walks/walking in Toscana/Tuscany , dated Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Info about day trips in Tuscany/Toscana, Italy , dated Tuesday, February 03, 2009
Info on 2009 Events and Festivals (feste or sagre) in Toscana (Tuscany) *, dated Tuesday, January 06, 2009
Info on maps for Tuscany/Toscana, Italy *, dated Friday, September 05, 2008
Info about parking in Florence/Firenze *, dated Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Info on the Toscana (Tuscany) Region of Italy - Part 2 *, dated Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Info on the Toscana (Tuscany) Region of Italy - Part 1 *, dated Tuesday, June 19, 2007

* = Blog entry has been updated.

If anyone has any suggestions for other sites and links for reference, please feel free to post your comment and I'll update this blog entry. For your specific interest, please search the web for further information using

Please note: If you want me to reply to your comment or request for further information by email, please include your email address in a separate comment. I will NOT publish any comments with an email address in it.

That's it for Tuesday, 26 May 2009: martedì, 26 maggio 2009

Ciao, Ben

Moving2Italy2 – #1 source of links About, For or On Italy for those individuals moving, traveling or already living in Italy.

Today’s quote is an Italian proverb from the region of Molise in dialect, author unknown.
"Magg viern rattaia."
"In May the winter goes away."

Please read my wife's blog about our life in Italy:

Friends and Family in Italy

Going to Spain, read my new blog:

Info About, For or On Spain – a source of links About, For or On Spain for those individuals traveling or already living in Spain.

Please note: The time listed below for this posting is Central European Time (CET)/ GMT+1.

(LAST EDITED/UPDATED: 22 July 2009)

Info on national, provincial, theme and water parks in Tuscany/Toscana, Italy

2009-05-19T06:35:00.001+02:00

Here are some links for national, provincial, theme and water parks in Tuscany/Toscana, Italy:

INFORMATION

Parks, Nature Reserves and other Protected Areas in Tuscany – Source: welcometuscany – In English, Italian
Parks.it – "The portal about parks in Italy" – In English, French, German, Italian

NATIONAL PARKS

Parco Nazionale Arcipelago Toscano

Parco Nazionale dell'Arcipelago Toscano – In English, Italian

Parco Nazionale Arcipelago Toscano – National Park Archipelago Tuscany – Source: National Parks section of ULTIMATELY ITALY – "Italy Travel Guide - Facts about Italy Tourism & Information on Tourist Destinations"

Parco Nazionale delle Foreste Casentinesi

Parco Nazionale delle Foreste Casentinesi – In English, Italian
Parco Nazionale delle Foreste Casentinesi – Source: National Parks section of ULTIMATELY ITALY – "Italy Travel Guide - Facts about Italy Tourism & Information on Tourist Destinations"

LISTS

Natural Parks In Tuscany – Source: In Italy™ Online
Parks – Source: travel tuscany

PROVINCIAL PARKS

Parco Provinciale dei Monti Livornesi – Source: Parks.it – "The portal about parks in Italy" – In English, French, German, Italian

REGIONAL

Parco Regionale della Maremma – Source: National Parks section of ULTIMATELY ITALY – "Italy Travel Guide - Facts about Italy Tourism & Information on Tourist Destinations"

THEME PARK

Cavallino Matto – In Italian Only – Marina di Castagneto (LI)

WATER PARKS

Acqua Village – In English, Italian

Cecina (LI)
Follonica (GR)

Crocodile Acquapark – In Italian Only – Marciano Della Chiana (AR) – Source: Acquapark.it – [Guide to water parks in Italy]
Tuscany Water Parks – Source: www.italy-hotels-holidays.co.uk – Zettagroup – "Italy Tourist Information"

MISCELLANEOUS

SEE ALSO:

Info on articles about, for or on Tuscany/Toscana, Italy , dated Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Info About Cantine Aperte (31 May 2009) in Tuscany/Toscana and the rest of Italy , , dated Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Info about the wine roads (Strade del Vino) of the Tuscany/Toscana Region of Italy *, dated Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Info About Transportation in Tuscany/Toscana, Italy *, dated Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Info on tourist offices in Tuscany/Toscana, Italy , dated Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Info on thermal spas/baths (terme) in Tuscany/Toscana, Italy , dated Tuesday, April 07, 2009
Info about the coast of Tuscany/Toscana, Italy *, dated Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Info on ferries from/to Tuscany/Toscana, Italy , dated Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Info on guides for Tuscany/Toscana, Italy , dated Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Info about airports in Tuscany/Toscana, Italy *, dated Tuesday, March 10. 2009
Info on restaurants/ristorante in Tuscany/Toscana, Italy *, dated Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Info on the "Top Ten" for Tuscany/Toscana, Italy *, dated Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Info on walks/walking in Toscana/Tuscany , dated Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Info about day trips in Tuscany/Toscana, Italy , dated Tuesday, February 03, 2009
Info on 2009 Events and Festivals (feste or sagre) in Toscana (Tuscany) *, dated Tuesday, January 06, 2009
Info on maps for Tuscany/Toscana, Italy *, dated Friday, September 05, 2008
Info on the Toscana (Tuscany) Region of Italy - Part 2 *, dated Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Info on the Toscana (Tuscany) Region of Italy - Part 1 *, dated Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Info on Restaurants in Italy *, dated Tuesday, August 14, 2007

* = Blog entry has been updated.

If anyone has any suggestions for other sites and links for reference, please feel free to post your comment and I'll update this blog entry. For your specific interest, please search the web for further information using

Please note: If you want me to reply to your comment or request for further information by email, please include your email address in a separate comment. I will NOT publish any comments with an email address in it.

That's it for Tuesday, 19 May 2009: martedì, 19 maggio 2009

Ciao, Ben

Moving2Italy2 – #1 source of links About, For or On Italy for those individuals moving, traveling or already living in Italy.

Today’s quote is an Italian proverb, author unknown.
"Maggio regal gelsomini e rose. Allieta i bimbi e le future spose."
"May offers jasmine and roses. It cheers up little children and future brides."

Please read my wife's blog about our life in Italy:

Friends and Family in Italy

Going to Spain, read my new blog:

Info About, For or On Spain – a source of links About, For or On Spain for those individuals traveling or already living in Spain.

Please note: The time listed below for this posting is Central European Time (CET)/ GMT+1.

Info on articles about, for or on Tuscany/Toscana, Italy

2009-05-12T08:21:00.000+02:00

Here are some links on articles about, for or on Tuscany/Toscana, Italy:

ARTICLES

Cooking Schools in Tuscany – "Hands-On Lessons in La Cucina Tradizionale" – By Clay and Joanna Hubbs – Source: TransitionsAbroad
Maybe the Best Way to Integrate into Florence Life is...Not To... – by Loren Taylor – Source: The Florence Newspaper
Observer Escape section of The Observer (Sunday paper), sister publication of the Guardian Unlimited – "Best daily newspaper on the world wide web" – found in the travel section on the Guardian Unlimited web site

How Tuscany brought out the artist in me – "Phil Hogan discovers his inner artist on a painting holiday in Tuscany" – Sunday June 3 2007
Tuscany on two wheels – Tom Robbins, Sunday April 23 2006

TRAVEL section of The New York Times

36 Hours in Florence – By DANIELLE PERGAMENT, Published: June 3, 2007
Exploring Tuscany's Lost Corner – By TIMOTHY EGAN – Published: May 21, 2006
Florence, Then and Now – By ADAM BEGLEY – Published: November 30, 2008
Italian Renaissance – "Style Map" – By JACKIE COOPERMAN – March 22, 2009 – TMagazine section
Tuscan Summer: Food, Wine And Music Galore – By JENNIFER CONLIN, Published: May 27, 2007
Savoring Tuscany a Glass at a Time – By JENNIFER CONLIN, Published: April 15, 2007
The Riches of Lucca – By MARK BITTMAN, Published: September 24, 2006
Secret Tuscany – By JANINE DI GIOVANNI – Published: May 21, 2006

Tuscany – Source: ITALY Magazine – "THE NO.1 MAGAZINE FOR LOVERS OF ALL THINGS ITALIAN"
Tuscany in winter brings shivers of delight – "Sure, it might be cold and rainy, but it's also the off-season, so the tourist spots are less crowded, and hotel prices and airfares are a bargain." – By Susan Spano, Reporting from Siena, Italy – 04:56 PM PDT, March 13, 2009 – Source: Travel section of the Los Angeles Times

ARTICLES – MULTIMEDIA

Chocolates in Tuscany – slideshow – Photo: Chris Warde-Jones for The New York Times – Source: Travel section of the New York Times
Delectable Lucca – "Mark Bittman discusses his favorite restaurants and trattoria in Lucca, the Tuscan town in Italy." – Source: Travel section of the New York Times

MISCELLANEOUS

SEE ALSO:

Info About Cantine Aperte (31 May 2009) in Tuscany/Toscana and the rest of Italy , , dated Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Info about the wine roads (Strade del Vino) of the Tuscany/Toscana Region of Italy *, dated Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Info About Transportation in Tuscany/Toscana, Italy *, dated Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Info on tourist offices in Tuscany/Toscana, Italy , dated Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Info on thermal spas/baths (terme) in Tuscany/Toscana, Italy , dated Tuesday, April 07, 2009
Info about the coast of Tuscany/Toscana, Italy *, dated Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Info on ferries from/to Tuscany/Toscana, Italy , dated Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Info on guides for Tuscany/Toscana, Italy *, dated Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Info about airports in Tuscany/Toscana, Italy *, dated Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Info on restaurants/ristorante in Tuscany/Toscana, Italy *, dated Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Info on the "Top Ten" for Tuscany/Toscana, Italy *, dated Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Info on walks/walking in Toscana/Tuscany *, dated Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Info about day trips in Tuscany/Toscana, Italy , dated Tuesday, February 03, 2009
Info on 2009 Events and Festivals (feste or sagre) in Toscana (Tuscany) *, dated Tuesday, January 06, 2009
Info on maps for Tuscany/Toscana, Italy *, dated Friday, September 05, 2008
Info on Destination Guides for Italy *, dated Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Info on the Toscana (Tuscany) Region of Italy - Part 2 *, dated Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Info on the Toscana (Tuscany) Region of Italy - Part 1 *, dated Tuesday, June 19, 2007

* = Blog entry has been updated.

If anyone has any suggestions for other sites and links for reference, please feel free to post your comment and I'll update this blog entry. For your specific interest, please search the web for further information using .

Please note: If you want me to reply to your comment or request for further information by email, please include your email address in a separate comment. I will NOT publish any comments with an email address in it.

That's it for Tuesday, 12 May 2009: martedì, 12 maggio 2009

Ciao, Ben

Moving2Italy2 – #1 source of links About, For or On Italy for those individuals moving, traveling or already living in Italy.

Today’s quote is an Italian proverb, author unknown.
"Le ore del mattino hanno l'oro in bocca."
"The morning hours are the most precious of the day."

Please read my wife's blog about our life in Italy:

Friends and Family in Italy

Going to Spain, read my new blog:

Info About, For or On Spain – a source of links About, For or On Spain for those individuals traveling or already living in Spain.

Please note: The time listed below for this posting is Central European Time (CET)/ GMT+1.

Info About Cantine Aperta (31 May 2009) in Tuscany/Toscana and the rest of Italy

2009-05-05T05:07:00.000+02:00

Here are some links for Cantine Aperte (31 May 2009) in Tuscany/Toscana and the rest of Italy:

(PLEASE NOTE: In some regions of Italy, Cantine Aperte is a two day event*.)

CANTINE APERTA

Cantine Aperte (Open Wine Cellars or 'Open Wine Cantinas') – Annual event – Last Sunday in May, in some regions, it includes the last Saturday in May. What this means is that wine cellars of the Movimento Turismo del Vino association throw open their doors and you can sample some of the best wines in Italy. – In Italian Only
CANTINE APERTE - Tutta Italia – In Italian Only – Source: ItalianoDoc

LISTS

List of some cantina including fattorias, agricolas, associates, etc. participating in or information on Cantine Aperte in a specific region of Italy – In Italian Only unless otherwise noted – Source: Movimento Turismo del Vino

Abruzzo

“CANTINE APERTE” per l'ABRUZZO <-- NEED TO FOLLOW UP
List of Cantine by Province
itinerari della regione (routes of the region)

Basilicata

CANTINE APERTE 2008 BASILICATA <-- NEED TO FOLLOW UP
List of Cantine by Province
itinerari della regione (routes of the region)

Calabria

Cantine Aperte 2009 news – Updated 1 May <-- NEED TO FOLLOW UP
List of Cantine by Province
itinerari della regione (routes of the region)

Campania

Cantine Aperte 2008 – map and list of participating cantine <-- NEED TO FOLLOW UP
List of Cantine by Province
itinerari della regione (routes of the region)

Emilia Romagna <-- NEED TO FOLLOW UP

List of Cantine by Province

itinerari della regione (routes of the region)

Friuli Venezia Giulia – In English, German, Italian – Note: Italian version contains more detail and information

Cantine Aperte 2009 news – Updated: 28 April 2009
30th - Saturday and 31st - Sunday -- two day event*

Map – In PDF format
List of Cantine by Province
itinerari della regione (routes of the region)

Lazio

Cantine Aperte 2009 news – 7 April 2009
CANTINE APERTE 2009
30th - Saturday and 31st - Sunday
List of Cantine by Province
itinerari della regione (routes of the region)

Liguria (Current information not available as of this date) <-- NEED TO FOLLOW UP

List of Cantine by Province
itinerari della regione (routes of the region) – Note: None were listed

Lombardia – In English, German, Italian

Cantine Aperte 2009 news – Updated: 27 April 2009

Cantine Aperte 2009 – map and list of participating cantine

List of Cantine by Province
itinerari della regione (routes of the region)

Marche

Cantine Aperte 2009 News – Updated: 30 April 2009
List of Cantine by Province
itinerari della regione (routes of the region)

Molise (Information not available as of this date) <-- NEED TO FOLLOW UP

List of Cantine by Province
itinerari della regione (routes of the region)

Piemonte (Information not available as of this date) <-- NEED TO FOLLOW UP

List of Cantine by Province
itinerari della regione (routes of the region)

Puglia

Cantine Aperte 2009

List of Cantine by Province
itinerari della regione (routes of the region)

Sardegna (Information not available as of this date) <-- NEED TO FOLLOW UP

List of Cantine by Province
itinerari della regione (routes of the region)

Sicilia

Cantine Aperte 2008 – Le Cantine – list of participating cantine <-- NEED TO FOLLOW UP

List of Cantine by Province
itinerari della regione (routes of the region)

Toscana

Cantine Aperte 2009
GUIDA CANTINE APERTE
List of Cantine by Province
itinerari della regione (routes of the region)

Trentino Alto Adige

Cantine Aperte 2009 news – Updated: 28 April 2009
Cantine Aperte 2008 – Cantine & Distillerie – map and list of participating cantine
Tastings, Guided visits, etc.

List of Cantine by Province
itinerari della regione (routes of the region)

Umbria

Cantine Aperte 2009 news – Updated: 28 April 2009
Cantine Aperte 2009 – list of participating cantine
List of Cantine by Province
itinerari della regione (routes of the region)

Valle D'Aosta

Cantine Aperte 2008 <-- NEED TO FOLLOW UP

List of Cantine by Province
itinerari della regione (routes of the region)

Veneto

Update – 16 April 2008 <-- NEED TO FOLLOW UP
Cantine Aperte 2008 – list of participating cantine
List of Cantine by Province
itinerari della regione (routes of the region)

BLOG ENTRIES

Cantine aperte wine event – dated: 2007-05-05 – Source: Florence night&day

INFORMATION

Cantine Aperte – Source: Azienda Agricola Buccicatino Umberto
Cantine Aperte, wine and the pleasures of the "tastings" craze – Source: Barilla
Tuscany - Cantine Aperte (Tuscan Open Kitchen) – Travel Guides – Source: lastminute.com

OTHER EVENTS

Events in Tuscany, May – Source: knowital.com
May Festivals in Italy – By Martha Bakerjian – Source: Italy for Visitors section of About.com

MISCELLANEOUS

SEE ALSO:

Info about the wine roads (Strade del Vino) of the Tuscany/Toscana Region of Italy *, dated Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Info About Transportation in Tuscany/Toscana, Italy , dated Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Info on tourist offices in Tuscany/Toscana, Italy , dated Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Info on thermal spas/baths (terme) in Tuscany/Toscana, Italy , dated Tuesday, April 07, 2009
Info about the coast of Tuscany/Toscana, Italy *, dated Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Info on ferries from/to Tuscany/Toscana, Italy , dated Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Info on guides for Tuscany/Toscana, Italy *, dated Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Info about airports in Tuscany/Toscana, Italy *, dated Tuesday, March 10. 2009
Info on restaurants/ristorante in Tuscany/Toscana, Italy *, dated Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Info on the "Top Ten" for Tuscany/Toscana, Italy *, dated Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Info on walks/walking in Toscana/Tuscany , dated Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Info about day trips in Tuscany/Toscana, Italy , dated Tuesday, February 03, 2009
Info on 2009 Events and Festivals (feste or sagre) in Toscana (Tuscany) *, dated Tuesday, January 06, 2009
Info on maps for Tuscany/Toscana, Italy *, dated Friday, September 05, 2008
Info about parking in Florence/Firenze *, dated Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Info on the Toscana (Tuscany) Region of Italy - Part 2 *, dated Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Info on the Toscana (Tuscany) Region of Italy - Part 1 *, dated Tuesday, June 19, 2007

* = Blog entry has been updated.

The above links are current. In the event of a broken link or if anyone has any suggestions for other sites, please feel free to post your comment and I'll update and/or correct this blog entry.

My wife and I have attended Cantine Aperte, five times in the past 6 years, twice in Tuscany and once in Marche and twice in Umbria. Depending on the region, there may be an initial €5 charge and you will receive a wine glass and a wine glass holder.

While most of the samplings of wine are free, at some cantinas, fattorias and agricolas, there may be an additional charge for their premium wines and/or they may ask for a contribution to defray food costs.

Please note: If a cantine is not a member of the Movimento Turismo del Vino, it is not listed above. Some regions have not provided information about their respective participation in Cantine Aperte. As soon as I see it on the Movimento Turismo del Vino web site, I'll update this blog entry. If anyone has any information on Cantine Aperte they would like to share or an update, please feel free to post it as a comment or send me an email MSG.

That's it for Tuesday, 5 May 2009: martedì, 5 maggio 2009

Ciao, Ben

Moving2Italy2 – #1 source of links About, For or On Italy for those individuals moving, traveling or already living in Italy.

Today’s quote is a Sicilian proverb, author unknown.

"Voi stari di saluti sempri chinu? Mancia sempri ova e trinca bonu vinu."
"Do you want to be always in good health? Always eat eggs and drink good wine! "

Please read my wife's blog about our life in Italy:

Friends and Family in Italy

Going to Spain, read my new blog:

Info About, For or On Spain – a source of links About, For or On Spain for those individuals traveling or already living in Spain.

Please note: The time listed below for this posting is Central European Time (CET)/ GMT+1.

Info about the wine roads (Strade del Vino) of the Tuscany/Toscana Region of Italy

2009-04-28T09:05:00.000+02:00

Here are some links about the wine roads (Strade del Vino) of the Tuscany/Toscana Region of Italy:

INFORMATION

Tuscany Wine Roads – Source: tripadvisor® – "get the truth. then go.™"
The wine roads of Tuscany – Source: waytuscany – In English, German, Italian
WINE TRAILS OF TUSCANY (Strade del Vino) – Source: TUSCANY GUIDE – "an insiders' guide to holidaying, travel, accommodation, art, history, events and shopping in Florence and Tuscany"

BLOG ENTRIES/FORUMS

Guide to Tuscan wine trails – posted: Saturday 31 May 2008 by Alison – Source: dolcevita

WINE ROADS BY PROVINCE

AREZZO (AR)

Strada del Vino Terre di Arezzo – In English (Version not functioning), Italian

La Strada dei Sapori Valtiberina – In English (Version not functioning), Italian
La Strada dei Sapori – In Italian Only

FIRENZE (FI)

Strada del Vino Chianti Colli Fiorentini – In Italian Only
Strada del Vino di Montespertoli – In English, French, German, Italian
Strada dei Vini Chianti Rufina e Pomino – In English, German, Italian

GROSETTO (GR)

Strada del Vino Monteregio di Massa Marittima – In English, Italian
Strada del Vino Colli di Maremma – In English, Italian
Strada del Vino di Montecucco – In Italian Only

LIVORNO (LI)

Strada del Vino Costa degli Etruschi – In English, Italian

LUCCA (LU)

Strada del Vino Colline Lucchesi e Montecarlo – In Italian Only

MASSA-CARRARA (MS)

Strada del Vino Colli di Candia e di Lunigiana – In English, Italian

PISA (PI)

Strada del Vino delle Colline Pisane – Source: Wine trails in Tuscany – In English, French, German, Italian, Spanish

PISTOIA (PT)

None listed

PRATO (PO)

Strada Medicea dei Vini di Carmignano – Source: Associazione Turistica Pro Loco di Carmignano

SIENA (SI)

Strada del Vino di Montepulciano – Source: Wine trails in Tuscany – In English, French, German, Italian, Spanish
Strada del Vino Vernaccia di San Gimignano – In Italian Only – Source: Città del Vino Associazione Nazionale – In English, Italian, Spanish

LISTS (TUSCANY AND OTHER REGIONS)

Strade del Vino – In Italian Only – Source: Città del Vino Associazione Nazionale – In English, Italian, Spanish
Le Strade del Vino e dei Sapori in Italia – In Italian Only – Source: Turismo del Vino

Toscana - Le altre strade – Please scroll down to the end of this article to see the list of other wine roads in Tuscany

If anyone has any suggestions for other sites and links for reference, please feel free to post your comment and I'll update this blog entry. For your specific interest, please search the web for further information using

Please note: If you want me to reply to your comment or request for further information by email, please include your email address in a separate comment. I will NOT publish any comments with an email address in it.

That's it for Tuesday, 28 April 2009: martedì, 28 aprile 2009

Ciao, Ben

Moving2Italy2 – #1 source of links About, For or On Italy for those individuals moving, traveling or already living in Italy.

Today’s quote is an Italian proverb from the region of Tuscany, author unknown.
"Aprile freddolino, molto pane e meno vino."
"April a little cold, lots of bread and not much wine."

Please read my wife's blog about our life in Italy:

Friends and Family in Italy

Going to Spain, read my new blog:

Info About, For or On Spain – a source of links About, For or On Spain for those individuals traveling or already living in Spain.

Please note: The time listed below for this posting is Central European Time (CET)/ GMT+1.