Will be staying on the eastern coast near Gargano Peninsula this winter and information about this area seems to be hard to find. Am a newbie to Italy and any info at all would be great. Also are there in tips on Italy in the winter. Got my guidebook today which will be helpful on some weekend trips but nothing on the east coast at all.
Posted by
Boise, ID, USA
2186 posts
Get Lonely Planet Puglia and Basilicata. It will help. Gargano is wonderful. We also loved Trani, and we traveled all over the south - but not in winter. If you have specific questions I'll be glad to try to answer.
Posted by
OP
Boulevard, Ca
3 posts
I know a couple Italian phrases but will there be atleast some shopkeepers etc that will know english? Any good hotels or restaurants that stand out ? Is there fees to enter the national forests? Hopefully not too many questions. Thanks Deb
Posted by
Campbell River, Canada
361 posts
Hi Deborah, We too have been looking at the east side of the peninsula. I found this website www.pugliaturismo.com We haven't made up our minds whether or not we will be going there. Too many regions, too little time. One of the RS tours goes to the Gargano peninsula , Vieste I think, so maybe there is someone that has taken this tour that can give you more info re: English speaking residents. The RS office could probably help you too. Hope that this helps you. Sherry
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
44 posts
For additional information, I would post your question at www.slowtrav.com
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32212 posts
Deborah, some additional information would be helpful. How long are you planning to stay in that part of Italy? Also, as a "newbie" to Italy, why did you choose that particular area? ¶ I've been to Vieste on the Gargano Peninsula and really enjoyed my stay there. However, I'm not sure what it will be like in the winter or whether all the Hotels will be operating? ¶ The public transportation there is not as developed as other parts of Italy, so a car will probably be necessary. Note that for driving in Italy, each driver will require the compulsory International Driver's Permit, which must be used in conjunction with your home D.L. Cheers!
Posted by
San Jose, CA
1994 posts
Deborah, I spent time in San Giovanni Rotondo (which is a little inland, but still on the peninsula) a year ago in Jan/Feb. FYI, it was quite cold (at least for me, but I live in San Francisco area), and there was sleet. There was little English spoken, even though the town is an international pilgrimage center. I seem to recall finding some useful info in an old Blue Guide (but I'd confirm that before you buy the current guide), but mostly I used the internet.
Posted by
OP
Boulevard, Ca
3 posts
Thanks to everyone for the website info. We will be there 3 months. I need to look into the drivers permit. There was a guide on lonely planet that had a chapter on the area. Thanks Sherry for anwering the winter question.
Posted by
Lawrenceville, Georgia
693 posts
You can get an international driving permit at the Triple A (AAA) if there's one in your town. Their website also has a mail-in application you can print out and send in with $15, 2 passport photos and a copy of your driver's license. The web site says it may take 6 weeks to get it back....