Travel Guide Palermo. Nightlife Calendar of events Hotels. Quick view Italy Travel etiquette Health

Transcription

1 Travel Guide Quick view Travel etiquette Health Phone calls & Internet Top 10 sights Shopping in Restaurants Nightlife Calendar of events Hotels Getty Images/iStockphoto LH.com/travelguide 01/10

2 02 Quick view a brief overview feels old for a reason. It is. Nearly 3,000 years have passed since Phoenician, Carthaginian and Greek merchants docked here. What began as a little depot soon grew into a city of strategic and cultural importance. It became Panormus: the port. The city s role as a crossroads between East and West has resulted in an intoxicating cross-cultural mix of art, architecture and food. Like their city, Palermitans can be a demanding lot and are enthusiastic consumers of life s pleasures. So why not join them in their cafés and churches, theatres and markets and soak up a little dolce vita. General Information Country overview Despite incessant praise, travelling in remains one of those rare experiences in life like a perfect spring day or the power of first love that cannot be overrated. In few places do history, art, fashion, food and la dolce vita (the good life) intermingle so effortlessly. There are sunny isles and electric blue surf, glacial northern lakes and fiery southern volcanoes, rolling vineyards and an urban landscape that harbours more UNESCO World Heritage sites than any other country in the world. Few places offer such variety and few visitors leave without a fervent desire to return. Geography is situated in Europe, with a long coastline of approximately 7,600km (4,720 miles) stretching into the Mediterranean Sea and a mountainous northern border adjoining France, Switzerland, Austria and Slovenia. This northern Alpine region contains some of the highest peaks in Europe and is a good area for winter sports. In central, Tuscany has a diverse landscape composed of fertile rolling hills, lush river valleys, minor mountain ranges and a long sandy coastline. To the east is Umbria, known as the green heart of '; hilly with broad plains, olive groves and pines, and Le Marche a region of gentle mountains, rivers and small fertile plains. Further south lies Rome, 's capital city. Within its precincts is the Vatican City. The south of the country is hotter, wilder and much, much drier than the north, characterised by dry sierras, rocky mountain ranges and volcanic outcrops, including three of Europe s most active volcanoes: Vesuvius, Etna and Stromboli. Puglia, the heel of the boot', is a mixed landscape of fertile plateaus, expansive olive groves and flat, ochre-coloured plains. The islands of Sicily and Sardinia lie offshore to the southwest and west respectively. General knowledge Key facts Area: sq km ( sq miles). Population: 60.5 million (2015). Population density: per sq km. LH.com/travelguide 02/10

3 03 Capital: Rome. Language The state language is Italian. South Tyrol is officially a bilingual province, where German is the language mainly spoken. In Trentino, Ladin is taught in some schools. Currency Euro (EUR; symbol ) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of 500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of 2 and 1, and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents. Electricity 230 volts AC, 50Hz. Plugs are of the two round-pin type. Public holidays In addition to public holidays, local feast days are held in honour of town patron saints, generally without closure of shops and offices. Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2018 December 2019 period Capodanno (New Year s Day): 1 January 2018 Epifania (Epiphany): 6 January 2018 Pasqua (Easter Sunday): 1 April 2018 Lunedì dell Angelo (Easter Monday): 2 April 2018 Festa della Liberazione (Liberation Day): 25 April 2018 Festa del Lavoro (Labour Day): 1 May 2018 Festa della Repubblica (Republic Day): 2 June 2018 Assunzione di Maria Vergine (Assumption): 15 August 2018 Tutti i santi (All Saints Day): 1 November 2018 Immacolata Concezione (Immaculate Conception): 8 December 2018 Natale (Christmas Day): 25 December 2018 Santo Stefano (St. Stephen s Day): 26 December Capodanno (New Year s Day): 1 January 2019 Epifania (Epiphany): 6 January 2019 Pasqua (Easter Sunday): 21 April 2019 Lunedì dell Angelo (Easter Monday): 22 April 2019 Festa della Liberazione (Liberation Day): 25 April 2019 Festa del Lavoro (Labour Day): 1 May 2019 Festa della Repubblica (Republic Day): 2 June 2019 Assunzione di Maria Vergine (Assumption): 15 August 2019 Tutti i santi (All Saints Day): 1 November 2019 Immacolata Concezione (Immaculate Conception): 8 December 2019 Natale (Christmas Day): 25 December 2019 Santo Stefano (St. Stephen s Day): 26 December 2019 All information subject to change. LH.com/travelguide 03/10

4 04 Travel etiquette How to fit in Social conventions The social structure is heavily influenced by the Roman Catholic Church and, generally speaking, family ties are stronger than in most other countries in Western Europe. Normal social courtesies should be observed. Dress is casual but smart in most places, and beachwear should be confined to the beach. Conservative clothes are expected when visiting religious buildings and smaller, traditional communities. Formal wear is usually indicated on invitations. Smoking is prohibited in public buildings, transport and cinemas. When visiting an Italian home for dinner, bring a small gift of sweets or chocolate, and dress well. Let your host lead when sitting and starting the meal. Take a small portion of what s on offer as you will surely be cajoled into having another helping. If you do not want more wine, leave your glass full so it cannot be refilled. Health Health Main emergency number: 112 Food & Drink Tap water is generally safe to drink. Bottled water is available. The inscription 'Acqua Non Potabile' means water is not drinkable. Milk is generally pasteurised and dairy products are safe for consumption. Past outbreaks of brucellosis in southern regions means unpasteurised buffalo mozzarella is best avoided. Local meat, poultry, seafood, fruit and vegetables are considered safe to eat. Other Risks The World Health Organisation (WHO) also recommends vaccinations for measles, mumps, rubella, polio and hepatitis B. Phone calls & Internet Telephone & Internet Telephone Country code: +39 Mobile telephony and Internet Since June 2017, EU citizens traveling within the EU, and also in Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein have been able to use their cell phones and surf the Net without incurring any extra charges: In other words, customers pay the same price for phone calls, text messages and data volume as they do at home. Restrictions do apply to the constant use of SIM cards abroad, however, and caps may be set on data packages. For full details, contact your mobile telephony provider in your country. Travelers using a SIM card from a non-eu state do not benefit from the new arrangement. Free Internet access via Wi-Fi is possible in many busy tourist spots. When using public Wi-Fi networks, it is a wise precaution to ensure encryption of all passwords, credit card details and banking TANs entered. Use of a VPN app or security software to check the safety of a hotspot is recommended. LH.com/travelguide 04/10

5 05 Top 10 sights Top 10 sights in Cappella Palatina This tiny, jewel-like chapel demonstrates Sicily s artistic sophistication, its interior inlaid with precious marbles and delicate mosaics recounting the tales of the Old Testament. Palazzo Reale Piazza Indipendenza Tel: Mon-Sat Mercato di Ballarò Experience like a local by wandering the city s most dynamic market. Sun-ripened produce teeters on tables while housewives argue over Made in China bras and olive oil. Corso Tukory, Mon-Sat Sun Cattedrale di A fusion of Arab and Norman architecture, the dome of s cathedral floats above the narrow streets surrounded by ziggurat crenellations. Inside, Sicily s two greatest kings, Roger II and Frederick II, lie entombed in marble. Corso Vittorio Emanuele Tel: Mon-Sat (Mar-Oct) Mon-Sat (Nov-Feb) Sun and Catacombe dei Cappuccini Possibly the most macabre sight you ll ever see is the mummified bodies of some 8,000 Palermitans who died between the 17th and 19th centuries. They re neatly segregated by rank and gender, and there s a first class section for virgins! Piazza Cappuccini Tel: Daily and Oratorio del Rosario di Santa Zita With their love of ornamentation, Palermitans quickly fell for the architectural excesses of baroque. Nowhere is this more evident than the writhing stuccowork of Giacomo Serpotta inside this oratory. LH.com/travelguide 05/10

6 06 Via Valverde 3 Tel: Mon-Sat Galleria Regionale della Sicilia This gallery is full of treasures and paintings from the Middle Ages to the 18th century, including the magnificent fresco The Triumph of Death. Via Alloro 4 Tel: Tue-Fri Sat-Sun zzoa... Museo dell Inquisizione In the dark days of the Inquisition, Palazzo Chiaramonte Steri became the torture HQ for the Grand Inquisitor. After lengthy restoration, its graffitied cells are now open to the public. Piazza Marina 61 Daily Galleria d Arte Moderne Set around a beautiful, arcaded courtyard in a former convent, s modern art gallery features a wide-ranging collection of Sicilian art from the 19th and 20th centuries. Via Sant Anna 21 Tel: Tue-Sun Fontana Pretoria This elaborate fountain crowded with nude nymphs and river gods was designed for a Tuscan villa, but brought here in Positioned in front of the Municipal Hall, the flagrant nudity shocked locals who dubbed it the Fountain of Shame. Piazza Pretoria La Martorana One of s most famous medieval churches, La Martorana was originally planned as a mosque. Delicate Fatimid capitals endlessly repeat the name of Allah while golden Greek mosaics depict Roger II receiving his crown from Christ. Piazza Bellini 3 LH.com/travelguide 06/10

7 07 Mon-Sat and Sun Shopping in Shopping in Key Areas All the smart shops are located along Viale della Libertà and streets running off it. Via Roma and Corso Vittorio Emanuele are more popular, the latter bisected by Via Maqueda, which has some independent boutiques. Art and ceramic shops are found on Corso Alberto Amedeo and on Via Nicolò Gallo. Markets has four main markets, the busiest of which is Capo-Ballarò where everyone goes for groceries. Otherwise, La Vucciria, between Corso Vittorio Emanuele and Via Roma, sells seafood, souvenirs and handicrafts. Further afield are Borgo Vecchio and Piazza Peranni, which sells antiques. Shopping Centres On Via Roma you ll find La Rinascente department store, while on Via Cavour the Excelsior Supercinema Store offers mall-like shopping in 18 stores. The largest shopping centre with over 100 outlets is Forum in Brancaccio, 7km southeast of the centre. Restaurants Restaurants in Like its heritage, Sicilian food is a mix incorporating both sweet and spice in signature dishes such as caponata (eggplant with sweet peppers). Restaurants don t get going until around 9.30pm although there are plenty of cafés that stay open all day. Ristorante Santandrea Traditional Sicilian cuisine executed creatively with market-fresh produce. Piazza Sant Andrea 4 Price: Expensive Trattoria Il Maestro del Brodo Tuck into a sensational antipasto buffet followed by ultra fresh fish. Via Pannieri 7 Price: Moderate Antico Caffè Spinnato A sophisticated tea salon serving pastries and light lunches. Via Principe di Belmonte Price: Moderate LH.com/travelguide 07/10

8 Pasticceria Cappello is famous for its pastry shops and this is one of the very best. Via Colonna Rotta Price: Cheap I Cuochini A popular fry shop serving rice balls and pastries stuffed with mince. Via Ruggero Settimo Price: Cheap Nightlife Nightlife in s nightlife is split between popular bars and cafés in the historic centre along Via Chiavettieri and the Champagneria district, and high-end wine bars and dance clubs in the newer part of town. In summer, many Palermitans decamp completely to the beach at Mondello, 15 minutes away by bus 806. Taverna Azzurra A rough and ready tavern in the Vucciria market serving a mean negroni. Via Maccheronai 15 Kursaal Kalhesa A cocktail bar, music venue and bookstore that attracts a bohemian crowd. Foro Italico Umberto I 21 Teatro di Verdura A summer-only treat: music in the lovely gardens of Villa Castelnuovo. Viale del Fante Cuticchio Mimmo LH.com/travelguide 08/10

9 09 Don t miss an evening of puppet theatre with handcrafted puppets. Via Bara all Olivella 95 Teatro Massimo Opera, ballet and music in s iconic art nouveau theatre. Piazza Giuseppe Verdi Calendar of events Calendar of events World Festival on the Beach Every year, celebrates beach culture and the outdoors life at a week-long festival at Mondello. Windsurfing, beach volleyball, paragliding, sailing, canoeing, running and swimming are among the activities and competitions that take place during the festival. A few jazz concerts are sprinkled throughout the week, and the festival ends with a tall ships race May 2018 Venue: Mondello Sun Moon Film Festival The Sun Moon Film Festival celebrates 's Greek, Roman, Arab and Norman heritage through the medium of film. July 2018 solelunadoc.org/ Venue: Gallery of Modern Art Festino di Santa Rosalia Procession in honour of 's patron saint, plus fireworks and street parties July 2018 Venue: Throughout the city Day of the Dead A popular festival across the city and the whole of Sicily, the Day of the Dead is the time of the year when it is said that the souls of dead relatives and loved ones return to Earth to visit those they've left behind. It is a time for prayers and remembrance and many people visit the family graves to lay flowers and candles for lost loved ones. It is said that the visiting spirits leave gifts of sweets and cakes for the children so the morning of the second day is usually an exciting time for children who bound downstairs to see what's been left for them overnight. The festival lasts for two days but only the first day, 1 November, is a national holiday. LH.com/travelguide 09/10

10 November 2018 Venue: Various Venues Hotels Hotels in gets busy during Easter and summer so book ahead. Most mid-range and top-end hotels are situated north of the historic centre in the newer part of the city.budget options and independent boutiques hotels are buried down atmospheric alleys. Reserve ahead for parking. Centrale Palace Hotel An elegant, 18th-century palazzo hotel with a panoramic rooftop restaurant. Corso Vittorio Emanuele Category: Expensive Giardino di Ballarò Boutique hotel in the historic centre with soothing contemporary rooms. Via Porta di Castro Category: Moderate Plaza Opera A small, luxury hotel with modern rooms and highly personal service. Via Nicolò Gallo Category: Moderate Massimo Plaza Recently renovated historic hotel with comfortable, spacious rooms. Via Maqueda 437 Category: Moderate Alla Martorana B&B Excellent value, family-run B&B with lots of character and knowledgeable hosts. Via Roma 171 Category: Cheap LH.com/travelguide 10/10