Italy Venice Lands. Palladian Villas and Prosecco vineyards group tour

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1 INDEX p. 2 ITINERARY p. 2 ROUTE PROFILE p. 4 ACCOMMODATION AND MEALS p. 4 ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE p. 5 BIKES AND ACCESSORIES p. 7 BY YOUR SIDE p. 7 ACCOMPANYING MATERIAL p. 7 LUGGAGE Italy Venice Lands Palladian Villas and Prosecco vineyards group tour Palladian villas in Vicenza and Treviso Botanical Garden of Padua, a Unesco site Polenta and baccalà (polenta and stockfish) Cabernet, red wine p. 8 DOCUMENTS AND PRACTICAL INFORMATION p. 10 CURIOSITIES Tour code IT053 Activity Bike and Hotel Tour type Guided tour Level Route Circular tour 280 km GOOD TO KNOW 1. Please read carefully these Tour Notes before leaving and bring them with you on holiday. Tip: you can also save this file in your phone or tablet. 2. Prior to your departure you will receive the Final Tour Details containing the last indications for your bike tour (emergency phone number, hotel list etc ) 3. For this tour you will receive the complete set of Greens guides: cycling guide and maps. Last updated on 14/03/2017 _ valid until October 2017 page 1 / 11

2 Tips and extras on site People no longer expect to be tipped as a matter of course, but hardworking and courteous staff are pleased if you round up the bill. On the menu of most restaurants the cover bill is listed at the bottom: it can be 10-15% of the bill, whereas in pizzerias it amounts to a couple of Euros. No tip is then expected. Local taxes Some cities charge a tourist tax. These taxes are not included in the sale price of the tour and must be paid directly by you at check-in or check-out at the hotels. This fee varies depending on the hotel category, on the season and the number of days of stay. It is usually between 1 and 4 per person per night. At the beginning of 2017 the following local taxes (per person per night) were valid, but during the season some variations may occur: Vicenza: ; Bassano: 3/4* hotels 1 ; Treviso: 3* hotels 1.60, 4* hotels 1.80 ; Mestre: 3* hotels 2.40, 4* hotels 3.10 ; Venice: 3* hotels 3.50, 4* hotels 4.50 ; Chioggia: 3* hotels 0,80, 4* hotels 1 ; Padua: 3* hotels 2, 4* hotels 3. ITINERARY Introduction Cycling this sophisticated corner of Italy is a real pleasure: admire the elegant villas of the Venetian nobility, scattered in the whole region... discover Vicenza, architect Palladio s personal showcase and part of the World Heritage List since taste a typical grappa in Bassano, famous also for its covered wooden bridge... cycle through the Prosecco vineyards between Asolo and Treviso... explore the timeless fascination of Venice by foot and by water... take a walk in the charming Chioggia, affectionately known as Little Venice... discover the city centre of Padua, home to one of the oldest Italian (and European) universities. This tour belongs to the European classics, curling between the Alps and the Adriatic sea. Day by day 1. Vicenza Individual arrival. A nice and cosy historical city centre characterised by the buildings of the famous architect Andrea Palladio (16th century). 2. Vicenza Bassano del Grappa (40 km) From Vicenza you cycle towards Marostica, famous for its castle and the chessboard in the main square. The last stop is Bassano del Grappa with its covered wooden bridge and the famous grappa. 3. Bassano del Grappa Treviso (65/40 km) You enter Asolo, which represents the only real uphill section of our ride. The downhill run takes you to the land of Prosecco vineyards and on Maser, until you reach Treviso. 4. Treviso Mestre/Venice (45 km) Leaving Treviso behind you, follow the course of the River Sile up to Casale. At the end of the trip Venice awaits you for an evening among canals and narrow streets. Accommodation is in Mestre, Venice mainland. 5. Mestre/Venice Chioggia (35 km) Leaving Mestre this morning, you head into Venice pedalling on the 4 km bridge della Libertà, then to Tronchetto harbour. From here you take a ferry along the canal Giudecca to Lido. This is the most exciting day, pedalling on the two narrow islands that divide the sea from the lagoon: the island of Lido, with the ancient hamlet of Malamocco, once capital of the Serenissima Republic, and the island of Pellestrina, with its long wild beaches. 6. Chioggia Padua (60 km) You will be pedalling along the two rivers that carried trade in and out of Venice in this area centuries ago: Bacchiglione and Brenta. You continue on to Strà, famous for the majestic Villa Pisani. On arrival in Padua, you will find the great basilica dedicated to St. Anthony, the Last updated on 14/03/2017 _ valid until October 2017 page 2 / 11

3 historic Caffè Pedrocchi and Prato della Valle. 7. Padua Vicenza (50 km) The Bacchiglione River points the way out of the the city and you reach Costozza, a little town at the foot of the Berici hills. The bike path passes in front of Villa Rotonda, the most famous of the Palladian villas. Just before entering Vicenza you see the Villa Valmarana ai Nani with its marvellous frescoes by Tiepolo. 8. Vicenza Departure after breakfast. Tour programme variations Due to organisational reasons, weather conditions or provisions issued by local authorities, the itinerary may be subject to some changes before and/or during the holiday. Along the way you may find temporary deviations (for example road works) which cannot be foreseen; any changes to the route will be discussed and decided by the Tour Leader. ROUTE PROFILE Route profile Total length: 270/295 km Total vertical up: 530 m Terrain: 85% tarmac, 15% unpaved Train connection among the overnight stays: every day Possibility to shorten the itinerary by taking the train: day 3. The itinerary is completely in the low-lands except for the 1 km slope in Asolo. You ride on secondary streets with low traffic or paved bike paths. Brief itinerary: Day 2: Vicenza-Bassano del Grappa (40 km, vertical up 100m) Watch out for the traffic when you cross the provincial road 111 and when you follow the provincial road 248 on a short stretch. There are a few hundred metres on dirt roads before and beyond Marostica. Day 3: Bassano del Grappa-Treviso: (65 km, vertical up up 300m) The degree of difficulty is medium because of the hard 1.5 km slope uphill to reach Asolo and because of the total length. The cycle track that runs at the foot of the Montello is sometimes unpaved but in very good condition. Watch out for the traffic along the final part of the stage, between the village of Ponzano Veneto and Treviso. Possibility to shorten the stage of 25 km by taking the train from Montebelluna to Treviso (with one change in Castelfranco Veneto). Day 4: Treviso-Mestre (45 km, vertical up 0 m) Today you ll ride mainly on the cycle path along the Sile river (75% of the whole stage), partially on unpaved surface. Day 5: Mestre/Venice-Chioggia (35 km, vertical up 0 m) Today s stage is divided into two parts. The first part is from Mestre to Tronchetto Island from where by ferry-boat you will sail towards Lido Island along the Giudecca Canal and you can admire Venice and its famous Piazza San Marco. In Venice, city of canals and bridges, for obvious reasons it is forbidden to cycle. We remind you to use the train if you want to reach Venice from Mestre. The second part goes from Lido San Niccolò to Chioggia, and here you will find numerous beaches. Navigation (24h ACTV ticket included only for Cat. A/A+, bike not included): - about 35 minutes by ferry-boat from Tronchetto to Lido S.Niccolò; - about 10 minutes by ferry-boat from Alberoni to S. Maria del Mare; - about 25 minutes by motorboat from Pellestrina to Chioggia. Day 6: Chioggia-Padua (60 km, vertical up 0 m) The degree of difficulty is medium because of the total length of the stage. You will cycle in total about 7 km on dirt roads along the embankment of the rivers and canals. Watch out for the traffic when you leave Chioggia, when you have to cycle on a short stretch along the road Romea. Day 7: Padua-Vicenza (50 km, vertical up 130 m) Last updated on 14/03/2017 _ valid until October 2017 page 3 / 11

4 The stage is not difficult. The few and short stretches on a dirt road are all in very good condition and the arrival in Vicenza is almost all the time on cycle tracks. Activity level Easy cycling in mostly flat areas, with only few short climbs and descents. Little effort required, suitable for most people. How to shorten the stages In Italy there is a good train service offering bicycle transport. This low-cost option will allow you to reach the next city in case of rain or bad weather, or if you prefer to visit a city at your own pace instead of cycling. Trains with bicycle compartments are usually regional trains and are indicated with a bicycle symbol on the carriage and also on the timetables on display in the station. The cost of the ticket for a passenger varies according to the distance covered, whereas for the bike it is always 3.50 (valid for 24 hours on the entire Italian network). Tickets can be bought directly at the railway station or at a Tabacchi shop. We remind you that in Italy it is compulsory to validate the ticket before getting on the train. For further information on timetables and prices you can consult All the towns of this tour are connected with the train. If one day you don t want to cycle, you can skip the stage by taking the train. Please note that not every stage is served by a direct train connection but it could sometimes be necessary to change train. If you want to shorten the itinerary by taking the train, you can do it only on day 3: Day 3: Bassano Treviso You can shorten the stage by 25 km from Montebelluna to Treviso with a change in Castelfranco Veneto ( ACCOMMODATION AND MEALS Accommodation We personally choose all the hotels mindful of your comfort as well as the proximity to cycling paths and any relevant local sites. The hotels of this tour are mainly 4* hotels, with some 3* hotels. All rooms have en suite facilities and air conditioning. When you book the tour please specify the type of room requested: - double room is a room with one double bed - twin room is a room with two single beds - triple room is usually a room with one double bed and a single bed or a rollaway. Meals Breakfast: in hotels, international breakfast with a varied buffet is usually served. Lunch: it is never included. You may find some indications for the lunch break in your Girolibero Greens Guide. Dinner: half board service includes 7 dinners (3-course meals) and beverages are not included and have to be paid on the spot. Sometimes the chosen restaurant is not in the hotel, but in the surrounding area. Normally half board dinner includes: first course, main course and fruit/dessert. On day 4 the dinner takes place in Venice. Diets and allergies If you are vegetarian, gluten-intolerant, allergic to some specific ingredients/substances or if you suffer from any other kind of allergies please indicate it at the moment of booking. We will pass the information to the hotels, but we cannot guarantee that all dietary requests will be met. Sometimes it is difficult to find particular food, for example gluten-free food, so we suggest you to bring some own snacks as a small supply. Last updated on 14/03/2017 _ valid until October 2017 page 4 / 11

5 ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE Upon arrival The first tour day is the day of arrival at the first hotel and is included in the package tour. You start cycling the following day. There is not a required time of arrival but please consider that the exact time and place of the welcome briefing/bike delivery will be communicated later on in the Final Tour Details. Please be aware that usually hotel rooms are not ready before 3:00 p.m. At the hotel reception you will find also the Information Pack if you haven t received it by mail. Parking: if you arrive by car, you can park the car in Vicenza for the whole duration of the tour. You ll receive all information in the Final Tour Details. How to get there VICENZA is connected with the following airports: Verona: 60 km, Treviso: 70 km, Venice: 90 km, Bergamo: 165 km, Milan: 250 km VENEZIA MARCO POLO (VCE) - Connection city bus + train: - from airport to Venezia Mestre train station: the Fly Bus ATVO shuttle service and also the bus ACTV line 15 leave every 30 minutes (transfer: about 20/25 min; ticket: 6-8 ); - from Venezia Mestre train station to Vicenza: there are frequent direct connections to Vicenza (transfer: approx. 50 min; ticket: about 6-15 depending on the type of train). TREVISO CANOVA (TSF) - Connection taxi or city bus + train from Treviso: - from airport to Treviso train station: by taxi (transfer: 15 min; cost: 15 ) or by bus line no. 6 (transfer: 15 min; ticket: 1.30 ); - from Treviso train station to Vicenza: frequent train connections (transfer: approx. 60 minutes, price about 5-19 depending on the type of train). Connection shuttle bus + train from Mestre: - from airport to Venezia Mestre train station: the service ATVO offers every day a connection between the airport and the station of Venezia Mestre based on the arrivals and departures of low-cost flights, from 7:55 a.m. to 11:35 p.m. (transfer: 70 min; ticket: 12 ; - from Venezia Mestre train station to Vicenza: there are frequent direct connections to Vicenza (transfer: approx. 60 min; ticket: about 6-15 depending on the type of train). VERONA VILLAFRANCA CATULLO (VRN) - Connection shuttle bus + train: - from airport to Verona train station: every day the Aerobus shuttle service leaves for the station of Verona Porta Nuova, first departures at 5.35, 6.30, then every 20 minutes until 20:30, then 21.10, 21.50, 22.30, (transfer: approx. 20 min; ticket: 6 ); - from Verona train station to Vicenza: from Verona Porta Nuova there are many trains to Vicenza (transfer: approx min; ticket: 5-16 depending on the type of train). BERGAMO ORIO AL SERIO (BGY) - Connection shuttle bus + train from Brescia: - from airport to Brescia railway station: the shuttle service Autostradale leaves every 90 minutes (transfer: 60 min; ticket: 12 ; - from Brescia train station to Vicenza: frequent direct connections (transfer: approx. 1 hour; ticket: about 25 ) or regional train with change in Verona Porta Nuova (transfer: approx. 2 hours; ticket about 10 ). MILANO MALPENSA (MXP) - Connection by shuttle bus/train + train: - from airport to Milano Centrale train station: the Malpensa Express train leaves every 20 min. from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. (transfer: 50 min; ticket: about 13 ). There is also the Malpensa shuttle bus offering the same service with the same conditions; - from Milano train station to Vicenza: frequent direct connections (transfer approx. 2 hours, ticket about 30 depending on the type of train). TRAINS For further information on timetables and prices you can consult the following website: www. trenitalia.com. Last updated on 14/03/2017 _ valid until October 2017 page 5 / 11

6 End of the tour Our services end the last day of the tour after breakfast. We remind you that luggage transportation is never included in case of extra nights before or after the tour. BIKES AND ACCESSORIES Rental bikes Girolibero s City bikes are available in various sizes in unisex/women s or men s models. At the moment of booking, you can choose among the following bikes: - City bike 27-gear Shimano Deore - City bike 7-gear Shimano Nexus with back-pedal brake - Racing bike 27-gear Shimano Tiagra - Electro-bike 8-gear Shimano Nexus - Tandem Features: - aluminium frame - mudguard - rear rack - comfort gel saddle - anti-puncture Schwalbe tyres - ergonomic bicycle grips - Speed Lifter system (only for City bikes) Own bike If you want to do the tour with your own bike, before your departure we suggest you to check that all parts of the bike are functioning properly. A cycle computer is necessary to follow the road book. We also highly recommend you to bring a repair kit because the emergency number in case of breakdown cannot be used if you are using your own bike. Don t forget to bring a padlock and always lock your bike. Accessories All rented adult bikes are equipped with: 1 cycle computer 1 Ortlieb one-sided saddlebag 1 front bar bag or 1 map holder 1 water bottle (0.75 l) 1 repair kit per room: 1 spare inner tube, glue, patch, a pump, 2 allen keys and tyre levers 1 combination bike lock At the moment of booking you can also rent helmets, suitable for head circumferences from 54 to 61. All helmets have a certification mark according to the DIN EN 1078 (CE) European norm. Last updated on 14/03/2017 _ valid until October 2017 page 6 / 11

7 Bicycle delivery and return Bikes will be delivered during the welcome briefing in Vicenza. The exact time of the welcome briefing and bike delivery will be specified later in the Final Tour Details. At the end of the last cycling day you have to leave the bikes locked with all accessories inside the rear pannier at the last hotel of the tour. Please ask the tour leader where to place the bikes. We remind you that bike rental is not included in case of extra nights. How to lock the bike We remind you that you are responsible for the rental bikes and its accessories during the whole tour. Bicycles must be always locked and possibly secured to a pole, even for short periods. When you reach your daily destination we suggest you to leave the bikes at the hotel and to visit the town centre on foot/by public transportation. Local law on cycling Here below are some points to be observed on Italian legislation concerning the movement of bicycles: - it is recommended to wear helmets, which is not compulsory but advisable for your own safety - always proceed on a single line, in particular when you are out of the towns - have free use of arms and a clear view to promptly perform manoeuvres - bring the bike in hand when they are a hindrance or danger to pedestrians - travel on the tracks reserved for cyclists - wear a reflective vest out of the towns from half an hour after sunset to half an hour before sunrise and in tunnels - have a BAC (blood alcohol concentration) less than 0.5 g / l. BY YOUR SIDE Welcome briefing In Vicenza you will meet your tour leader who: - will present you the tour - will deliver you the bikes - will be at your disposal (about 30 minutes) for any questions you may have. The exact time and place of the meeting will be specified in the Final Tour Details. We kindly ask you to advise if you cannot attend the meeting. Tour leader Our tour leaders are carefully selected and rigourously trained by Girolibero. They are all multi-lingual, and speak at least English and German. Smart, entertaining, caring and endlessly enthusiastic, they have a true passion for sharing their love of the outdoors, people, culture and local food. Thanks to a deep knowledge of the territory, they can give you useful hints and help you appreciate the place you are visiting. Of course they love cycling and will be happy to give you some advice about how to correctly use the bicycle gears and whenever necessary they can fix your flat tyre. As we like to say, our tour leaders are CDO (Controlled Designation of Origin), a real traveller s ticket to discover the land with ease and to live an unforgettable active travel experience. ACCOMPANYING MATERIAL Accompanying material The Information Pack (one per room) includes: - bike maps - Girolibero Greens Cycling Guide - final hotel list - luggage labels to be fixed at each piece of baggage, which has to be carried. LUGGAGE Luggage transportation Your luggage will be transported between the hotels every day starting from the first day of the standard tour until the last day of the tour. We remind you that luggage transportation is never included in case of extra nights before or after the standard tour. Last updated on 14/03/2017 _ valid until October 2017 page 7 / 11

8 LUGGAGE ALLOWANCE For the luggage transportation we accept only 2 pieces of luggage per person: a suitcase and a hand luggage. The max. weight of the suitcase is 20 kg, while the weight of the hand luggage can be of max. 10 kg. At the first hotel you will receive 2 labels per person which have to be attached to the luggage. You have to put 1 label on each piece of luggage. If you have only 1 piece of luggage, write 1 on the label; if you have 2 pieces of luggage, write 2 on both labels. You cannot change the number of pieces of luggage during the tour. LUGGAGE NOT CARRIED We do not guarantee luggage transportation in case of: - luggage without the baggage labels given to you (see above) - late luggage deposit (delivered after 9:30 a.m.) - any luggage exceeding the weight allowed In the above mentioned cases a special transportation service can be organised which has to be paid cash directly by you on the spot. LUGGAGE DELIVERY TIMETABLE - Within 9:30 a.m.: you have to deliver your luggage to the hotel reception every morning before 9:30 a.m., grouped according to the receptionist s instructions. - Within 5:30 p.m.: we deliver your luggage to the next hotel by 5:30 p.m. If you think to arrive early at the hotel because the stage is rather short or if you prefer to cycle in the morning and visit the city in the afternoon, please bring a change of clothes with you. If you are tired, if you don t feel well or simply if you don t want to cycle, you can ask an estimate for a special transfer. The agreed price for the transfer has to be paid directly to the driver. FORBIDDEN LUGGAGE It is strictly forbidden to put the following items inside the luggage to be transported: - medicines and lifesaver devices - glass bottles and liquids in general - fragile objects We will not be held responsible for damages caused by non-compliance with these rules. Equipment and clothing The following personal equipment is recommended: - basic first aid kit which includes adhesive bandages, gauze and low grade disinfectant - sun glasses for eye protection - protective suntan cream - repellent spray for insects The following recommended clothes are advisable: - padded cycling shorts - comfortable shoes with stiff soles - light weight waterproof/windproof top - leggings and long sleeved tops for cooler mornings or evenings - small close-fitting daysack to carry certain items during the day while cycling - swimsuit During the tour you will have the chance to visit various religious institutions, such as churches and convents, where you must be appropriately dressed (covered shoulders, shoes or sandals, etc...). Useful hints and tips We recommend to keep always with you (and not to forget in the transported luggage): - passport/identity card - any medicines you could need during the day - personal belongings (for example car keys). DOCUMENTS AND PRACTICAL INFORMATION Documents European Citizens whose country is under the authority of the Schengen Treaty may enter Italy with nothing more than a valid identity card or passport. Citizens from all other countries must show their passport on the border. Last updated on 14/03/2017 _ valid until October 2017 page 8 / 11

9 Prior to your departure, we recommend that you check the entry and travel requirements for your destination country/countries by contacting the proper embassies or consulates. You must have all required documents with you during travel. It is your responsibility to check the expiration dates of these documents and renew them if necessary. For further information please visit Visa Where a visa is required, this must also be presented to the border authorities and must indicate the length of the holder's stay and his or her destination. Visa applications - specifying the reason for the trip - must be made to the Italian Consulate in the applicant's country of residence, and are generally issued 90 days after the application has been made. For further information please visit Health rules EU and non-eu citizens (if entitled to assisted health care in EU countries) travelling in Italy with the required certificate (European Health Insurance Card or a provisional replacement certificate) may obtain services required directly, free of charge except for the payment of an eventual charge called ticket at a public hospital or facility covered in private agreement with the National Health Service. Non-EU citizens coming from countries not covered by the agreement are provided with health services that must be paid in accordance with the relative scale of charges. For further information, consult the health authorities of your country. You can also visit the website www. italia.it Climate and weather In Veneto temperatures are cool/mild in spring and autumn and hot/humid in summer, with potential summer storms. You can find further information on the weather in Veneto on www. arpa.veneto.it. Currency The euro is Italy s currency. The seven euro notes come in denominations of 500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. The eight euro coins are in denominations of 2 and 1, and 50, 20, 10, five, two and one cents. You can pay nearly everywhere with credit cards or cashpoint (instant teller) cards. Most credit cards also allow for cash advances as long as you know your personal identification number (PIN). ATMs dispensing Euros can be found in all towns of the trip. If you have travelers checks in US dollars or other currencies, they may be cashed at banks and exchange offices (for a fee) throughout Italy during regular business hours. You can change money in banks or in a cambio (exchange office). Banks in Italy are open from Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., although opening and closing hours vary slightly from bank to bank. ATMs tend to be accessible 24 hours a day. Electricity The Italian electrical net is 220V - 50Hz. Electrical sockets comply with European regulations. In most hotels you will find adaptors for different types of plugs. Language The official language is Italian. Telephone and useful numbers Currently almost all tourist destinations of the country have coverage for mobile phones. The mobile phone coverage in Italy is based on GSM technology, which is different from that of some countries such as USA and Japan. Before coming to Italy, we recommend you to check with your service provider all the conditions for the international phone calls. To call an Italian phone number from abroad, you have to dial the international code of Italy which is 0039 (+39). Italian phone numbers consist of two parts: area code and phone number. The area code is composed by two to four digits and begins with a zero, unless it is a cell phone, then it begins with 3. To call another country from Italy: Last updated on 14/03/2017 _ valid until October 2017 page 9 / 11

10 - first dial the Europe long distance code 00 - then the country code (for example 1 for the US, 44 for the UK, 49 for Germany) - then the area code and number. You can also buy an Italian SIM phone card if you want to avoid high roaming fees. The main providers are Vodafone, Tim, Wind and 3, who have their own stores in all the larger towns. You can also purchase an International Phone Card at any tabacchi (tobacconists), most newsstands and some bars. These cards are one of the cheapest solution for calling long distance from Europe and can be used from public phones or from the hotel phone. In many hotels there is a possibility of direct internet connection in the common areas and sometimes also in the room. This service can be free or hotels may charge a fee. There are also many points of Wi-Fi access in airports, hotels, train stations and other public places. Below are the emergency telephone numbers in Italy. Simply dial these numbers from anywhere in the country Emergency Police Help Number: This is the single national number for all kinds of emergencies: to report theft, robbery or assault, or accidents and health emergencies. This number corresponds to the switchboard network of the State police, which operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week Fire Department: In the event of fire, smoke or gas leaks, you can call the Fire Services directly Medical Emergencies: You can call this number from anywhere in Italy (including the islands) to alert the healthcare network and request ambulance transport to the nearest hospital or healthcare facility. Embassies/Consulates - AUSTRALIA: Milan - Via Borgogna, 2 (third floor) - Phone: Fax: Australian-Consulate-General-Milan@austrade.gov.au - CANADA: Rome - Via Zara 30 - Phone: Fax: romevisa@international.gc.ca, consul.rome@international.gc.ca - UNITED KINGDOM: Milan - via S. Paolo 7 - Phone: Fax: Milan.Consular@fco.gov.uk - UNITED STATES: Milan - Via Principe Amedeo 2/10 - Phone: Fax: uscitizensmilan@state.gov Venice - Venice Marco Polo Airport - General Aviation Terminal - Viale Galileo Galilei 30, Tessera (Venice) - Phone: Fax: uscitizensvenice@state. gov Time zone Italy is in the Central European Time (CET) Zone, 1 hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), and observes Daylight Saving Time: at the beginning of spring the clocks go forward an hour in order to take advantage of an extra hour of sunlight in the late afternoon/evening. At the beginning of autumn the clocks are shifted back to standard Central European Time. Public transportation There are railway stations in the centre of nearly all the towns in which you stay and the bus stations are also nearby. Taxis are expensive. It is advisable to use the bus in town. Here is a list of public transport which can be useful for this tour: - Italian railway system - : public transportation in the Venice area. The 24-hour tickets are the cheapest solution for those who want to move around with the public transport Actv in Venice and its surroundings. They allow an unlimited number of transfers and are valid on all kinds of transport on water (except lines Alilaguna, Clodia, Fusina) and urban lines on land in Venice (bus Lido and urban lines in Mestre). You can buy the tickets in the ticket offices Hellovenezia and other official points of sale. Price list: 20 for 24 hours; 30 for 48 hours; 40 for 72 hours. The cost of a single 60-minute ticket is instead The bicycle transportation is permitted only on board the ferry-boats and not on regular vaporettos (water busses). The price of bike transportation is 1 per bike per stretch and must be paid directly on board. CURIOSITIES Food In Veneto you will find traditional, simple cuisine. Below, we list some dishes that we Last updated on 14/03/2017 _ valid until October 2017 page 10 / 11

11 recommend you to try during your stay in this region. Starters (primi piatti): soups, risotto dishes (made with fish or seafood in Venice and Chioggia, with radicchio in Treviso, "risi e bisi" - rice with peas - in Vicenza) and "bigoli" (home-made thick spaghetti served with meat sauces, like the typical duck sauce). Main courses: fishbased in the Venice area, game in the whole region, served with polenta, a country dish made of maize flour. Side dishes: a lot of vegetables such as radicchio from Treviso and Chioggia, Savoy cabbage, cabbage, beans, in addition to the ever-present cheeses and cold-cuts often served with pan biscotto (rusks) in trattorias. Desserts: from Verona s famous "Pandoro" to oven-baked cakes and biscuits that are still made according to traditional methods, such as zaleti. Wine: Prosecco from Valdobbiadene, Tocai from the Berici Hills, Amarone from Valpollicella and Soave. Shops and restaurants Shops are generally open from Monday to Saturday in the morning from 8:30/9:00 to 12:30/13:00, in the afternoon from 15:30/16:00 to 19:30. Some supermarkets and department stores often stay open all day from 9:00 to 20:00. Midweek closing: the shops are normally closed on Monday morning. In the small towns and villages, shops can be closed for the entire day on Monday and the grocery stores are closed on Wednesday afternoon. In some towns the bakeries can be open also on Sunday morning. Approximate restaurants kitchen opening hours: from 12:00 to 14:30 for lunch and from 19:00 to 22:30 for dinner. Pharmacies have the same opening hours as shops, from 9.30 a.m. to and from 3.30 p. m. to 7.30 p.m.; in the larger cities, some pharmacies are open 24 hours. For emergencies during the night, or when the pharmacies are normally closed, a number of them remain open, on a rotational basis. A calendar listing the nearest one open can be found on the doors of all local pharmacies. Post offices are usually open from Monday to Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. Please note that in Italy you can purchase stamps not only in post offices, but also at tobacconists shops ( Tabacchi ). August is traditionally the vacation month also for shops and some restaurants. Last updated on 14/03/2017 _ valid until October 2017 page 11 / 11