Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Travellers with Disabilities
Sicily is not an easy island for disabled travellers. Narrow cobbled streets, hair-raising traffic, blocked pavements and
tiny lifts make life very difficult for wheelchair users, and those with sight or hearing difficulties.
Under European law, airports are obliged to provide assistance to passengers with reduced mobility, so if you need
help en route to Sicily, or on arrival/departure, tell your airline when you book your ticket and they should inform the
airport. Facilities are available at both Palermo and Catania airports.
If you are travelling by train, Trenitalia operates a
telephone helpline
( 199 30 30 60) that has information on the
services provided in stations, including provision of wheelchairs, guides and assistance getting on and off trains. Further
information is available online at
www.trenitalia.com/trenitalia.html
under the Other Services link.
If you are driving, the UK blue badge is recognised in Italy, giving you the same parking rights that local disabled
drivers have. For more information, go to the
Institute of Advanced Drivers
(
www.iam.org.uk
) and search for Blue
Badge Users.
Two organisations that might be helpful:
Accessible Italy
( 378 94 11 11;
www.accessibleitaly.com
)
A San Marino-based company that specialises in holi-
day services for the disabled, ranging from tours to the hiring of adapted transport.
Tourism for All
( in UK 0845 124 99 71;
www.tourismforall.org.uk
) A British charity that can provide general
travelling information - check out the website's very useful FAQ section.
Visas
For up-to-date information on visa requirements, see
www.esteri.it/visti
.
EU citizens do not need a visa to enter Italy. Nationals of some other countries, including Australia, Canada, Israel,
Japan, New Zealand and the USA, do not need visas for stays of up to 90 days in Italy.
Other people wishing to visit Italy have to apply for a Schengen visa, which allows unlimited travel in Italy and 24
other European countries for a 90-day period. You must apply for a Schengen visa in your country of residence and you
can not apply for more than two in any 12-month period. They are not renewable inside Italy.
Technically, all foreign visitors to Italy are supposed to register with the local police within eight days of arrival.
However, if you're staying in a hotel or hostel you don't need to bother as the hotel will do it for you - this is why they
always take your passport details.
Women Travellers
The most common form of discomfort for women travellers is harassment. Local men are not shy about staring and this
can be disconcerting, especially if you're on your own. If you feel nervous about travelling solo, dressing smartly and
wearing a wedding ring nearly always deters unwanted interest. If you do get hassled, the best response is usually just to
ignore it, but if that doesn't work, politely say that you're waiting for your husband
(marito)
or fiancé
(fidanzato)
and, if
necessary, walk away. Avoid becoming aggressive as this may result in an unpleasant confrontation.
