Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
A growing contingent of independent hostels offers alternatives to HI hostels. Many are barely distin-
guishable from budget hotels. One of many hostel websites is
www.hostelworld.com
.
Hotels & Pensioni
While the difference between an
albergo
(hotel) and a
pensione
is often minimal, a
pensione
will generally
be of one- to three-star quality while an
albergo
can be awarded up to five stars.
Locande
(inns) long fell in-
to much the same category as
pensioni,
but the term has become a trendy one in some parts and reveals little
about the quality of a place.
Affittacamere
are rooms for rent in private houses. They are generally simple
affairs.
Quality can vary enormously and the official star system gives limited clues. One-star hotels/
pensioni
tend to be basic and usually do not offer private bathrooms. Two-star places are similar but rooms will gen-
erally have a private bathroom. Three-star options usually offer reasonable standards. Four- and five-star ho-
tels offer facilities such as room service, laundry and dry-cleaning.
Prices are highest in major tourist destinations. They also tend to be higher in northern Italy. A
camera
singola
(single room) costs from €30. A
camera doppia
(twin beds) or
camera matrimoniale
(double room
with a double bed) will cost from around €50.
Tourist offices usually have booklets with local accommodation listings. Many hotels are also signing up
with (steadily proliferating) online accommodation-booking services. You could start your search here:
Alberghi in Italia
(
www.alberghi-in-italia.it
)
All Hotels in Italy
(
www.hotelsitalyonline.com
)
Hotels web.it
(
www.hotelsweb.it
)
In Italia
(
www.initalia.it
)
Travel to Italy
(
www.travel-to-italy.com
)
Mountain Huts
The network of
rifugi
in the Alps, Apennines and other mountains is usually only open from July to Septem-
ber. Accommodation is generally in dormitories but some of the larger refuges have doubles. The price per
person (which typically includes breakfast) ranges from €20 to €30 depending on the quality of the
rifugio
(it's more for a double room). A hearty post-walk single-dish dinner will set you back another €10 to €15.
Rifugi
are marked on good walking maps. Those close to chair lifts and cable-car stations are usually ex-
pensive and crowded. Others are at high altitude and involve hours of hard walking. It is important to book
in advance. Additional information can be obtained from the local tourist offices.
The
Club Alpino Italiano
(CAI;
www.cai.it
) owns and runs many of the mountain huts. Members of or-
ganisations such as the New Zealand Alpine Club and British Mountaineering Council can enjoy discounted
rates for accommodation and meals by obtaining a reciprocal rights card (for a fee).
