strikes?

The threat of strikes are often greater than actually strike. Even when there are strikes, some trains still run. I would be concerned but not overly worried.

This is the Italian website for a comprehensive list of planned strikes. Sometimes they are cancelled, so keep watching. This website is in Italian, so you will need to use Google Translate to help you out. Click on the picture of the calendar to get to the strike pages, then click on "Scioperi Nazionali" for a list of planned national strikes listed by date, affected entities, duration (4-24hrs), and start/stop times.

http://www.commissionegaranziasciopero.it/

You can get more up-to-date information when you arrive at your destination. Ask your hotel for the latest information and advice.

Currently, looking at the National Strikes, there is a 24 hour local public transport and train services strike planned for June 24th. It starts at 9 p.m. on the 24th and ends at 9 p.m. on the 25th. It has been my experience that any trains that are in transit, when the strike begins, will complete their journey. Be prepared, the trains will be crowded and likely to be full after the strike lifts, so plan ahead when you get there. As of now, it looks as though you may need to change your plans for travel that day, but keep watching as things can change.

I am starting to stress! It looks almost impossible to get to florence from venice by bus, and i cannot change our hotel reservations in either city, plus i have a tour scheduled for early the next morning in florence. Does anyone have any helpful advice that could help me? I looked at the driving directions, and it seemed very confusing---like i would have to take 50 different roads.

Some people are telling me it is only certain areas like rome, others are telling me it's nationwide. Can anyone read italian so I know which it is? :)

Jill---check the answers on your other thread.

The Trenitalia website shows the Eurostar and IC trains from Venice to Florence running that day, but that may or may not be a valid indication that those trains will run. According to Tim, the Italian version says at least one Venice to Florence train is "guaranteed" to run during strikes. Either way, you will be able to get a train that day.

Jill,
The good news is that Italians treat news of strikes like Americans treat news of rain. They read in the newspaper a strike is expected the next day and they make adjustments. They refuse to lose sleep over it. A strike may or may not affect you when you are there, and you're right to be aware and look for alternatives, but don't worry too much. Italy's attitude ("relax and it'll all work out somehow") was the best thing I took from my trip.

(I was there a few weeks after 9/11 and my airline went bankrupt just before I was due to return. When I asked my hotelier in Rome what would happen if I couldn't get home, he said, "So you stay." We got home, though it took some work, but I managed to keep cool because after three weeks in Italy, I understood what my hotelier meant: Somehow it'll be ok. Travel is an adventure. Live in the moment.) Good luck and happy travels. Italy is a life-changing experience!

From what I have read online (in Italian), there is a series of strikes planned against various types of transport (plane, bus, boat and train) between June 7 and June 25. They are calling it "giugnio caldo" (hot June). June 25 is the only day mentioned for train strikes, however.

Jill

What are your dates and times because if it does happen it is 9pm on the 24th to 9pm the 25th

Yes, there is a proposed national strike on June 24/25 from 9 PM to 9 PM. CGIL, the largest labor union, will also have disruptions planned in Rome on June 12. However, there are guaranteed train routes and the Leonardo Express always runs (even if it's in buses). For more info on strikes and some links to more info, CLICK HERE

Jill

My advise to you would be to make sure you are in Florence before the strike begins. It might mean one less night in Venice that you have already paid for or just go with the flow and figure there will be one or two trains traveling from Venice to Florence when you need to go.

Jerry and Stelly