Caffè Florian hits 300 year anniversary

An article in La Repubblica a few days ago says that starting in 2022 Venice will impose a tourist tax. I know this has been discussed for several years so it's not terribly surprising, what got me was the description of tourist behavior this summer that finally kicked officials into action.

Jumping off bridges into the canal? Ignoring social distancing, acting as if Covid never happened. I know we've all been cooped up and need to blow off some steam, but really ...

https://www.repubblica.it/viaggi/2021/08/20/news/venezia_2022_a_numero_chiuso_tassa_d_ingresso_e_tornelli-314669789/?ref=search

This is a google translation of an article in Repubblica on 19 June reporting comments by the prime minister and health minister on this subject.

https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=it&tl=en&u=https://www.repubblica.it/cronaca/2021/06/19/news/covid_il_ministro_speranza_chiede_parere_al_cts_su_uso_delle_mascherine-306741317/

There is to be a review based on scientific advice next week. For the time being masks are only not required outdoors, and outdoors only when there is no crowding.

As to the outcome of review, Repubblica says [google translation]:

"... it seems certain that it will be possible to stay without a mask only in outdoor places and where there is no risk of gathering because, otherwise, it will definitely be worn."

La Repubblica has a long article today which reveals many particulars of the new carrier (Italia Trasporto Aereo) which will succeed to Alitalia on October 15:

https://www.repubblica.it/economia/2021/07/15/news/ex_alitalia_accordo_tra_mef_e_commissione_ue_ita_volera_dal_15_ottobre-310424306/?ref=RHTP-BH-I304495303-P2-S6-T1

Here are a few particulars:

1. The fleet will start with 7 wide bodies and 45 narrow bodies; next year will grow to 13 wide bodies and 65 narrow bodies; and at the end of 2025 will grow to 23 wide bodies and 82 narrow bodies. 77% of the fleet in 2025 will be new generation aircraft.

2. The Company will start with fewer than 3,000 employees (roughly 30% of the current work force), which will nearly double by the end of 2025.

3. There will be two principal "hubs": Roma Fiumicino and Milano Linate.

4. The airline will fly to 45 destinations, which will grow to 74 by the end of 2025. The company will fly to 21 Italian airports.

5. Long-distance routes for winter 2021-2022 will be New York JFK (from both Rome and Milan), Tokyo, Boston and Miami (all three from Rome).

6. In summer 2022, flights will be added to Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., Sao Paolo and Buenos Aires.

We are planning again for our revised 40th anniversary trip next September 2022. Like so many, we were canceled last fall 2020. So, Italy 2.0! I know I will have many questions going forward so I appreciate these forums tremendously. Our plan is for 5 nights in Rome, 5 nights near Pienza, 5 nights in the Chianti area, 4 nights Florence and 4 nights in Venice. I am checking what route would be most scenic? Would it be possible to drive through Bagno Vignoni and San Quirico to Pienza? Is Lake Bolsena worth driving to or by? Thank you in advance for your input. Planning is part of the journey!

I posted this earlier on but worth a read .

The European Union recommended a pause on all non-essential travel from the US as Covid-19 cases surge.

The daily average for hospital admissions has risen past 100,000 for the first time since last winter.

The recent wave, driven by the Delta variant, is most severe in the US South but cases are rising nationwide.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-58386967

https://www.alitalia.com/en_en/fly-alitalia/news-and-activities/news/schedule-changes-and-refunds-for-flights-from-15-october.html

To enter Italy from the US, do I need to do BOTH the EUROPEAN DIGITAL PASSENGER LOCATOR FORM (dPLF) link he https://app.euplf.eu/#/

and also the SELF-DECLARATION FOR ENTRY INTO ITALY FROM ABROAD - link: https://www.esteri.it/mae/resource/doc/2020/08/modulo_rientro_da_estero__26_08_20_inglese.pdf

Or do you just need one of them? And, any other forms needed? We are fully vaccinated and flying out tomorrow from NYC to MXP. Thank you!

This is some terrific news for art lovers, and the house looks marvelous: https://www.wantedinrome.com/news/world-of-colour-rome-opens-futurist-home-of-giacomo-balla.html

We are traveling to Italy for our 25th Wedding Anniversary - we will be going from Rome, to Cinque Terre, to Florence, to Venice and Milan. We plan on traveling exclusively by train. Is there a need to buy any/all tickets in advance? Is a pass worth considering or do we by individual tickets for each journey?

Thanks in advance!

We are travelling to croatia next year but want to do a week in Italy too. As we can't fly direct to naples, is sicily worth a visit followed by 4 days in amalfi or praino before flying to dubrovnik? I have found a lovely place in praino but wondered what it is like as a town and if a visit to amalfi or positano is worth it, or alternatively fly to another city and them on to naples??

Thank you