Links

The Pilgrim's Italy

Internet Sites
The Internet is an enormous resource for travel information. We have included sites for researching the cities and regions of Italy plus general travel information to get you started. For the English version of a website, look for the British Flag or the words “English Version.” Sometimes a website in Italian will have English for parts of its website and not others. Italian websites are loaded with graphics, so be patient while they download. In the ever-changing world of the Internet, websites change, so if one we provide doesn’t work, do a search, and let us know what the new site is.

Region Tourist Boards
Argoweb www.argoweb.it — Umbria Tourist info.

Bella Umbria www.bellaumbria.net — Umbria tourist info.

Emilia Romagna Turismo www.emiliaromagnaturismo.it — Emilia Romagna tourist info.

In Toscana www.intoscana.it — Toscana tourist info.

Marche Worldwide www.marcheworldwide.org — Marche tourist info.

Marche Voyager www.le-marche.com —  Marche tourist info.

Puglia Turismo www.pugliaturismo.com — Puglia tourist info.

Umbria www.umbria2000.it — Umbria tourist info.

Umbria Tourism www.umbriatourism.com — Umbria tourist info.

Tourism in Tuscany www.turismo.toscana.it — Tuscany tourist info.

TravelCampania.com www.travel-campania.com —  Campania tourist info.

Campania Region www.turismoregionecampania.it — Tourist info.

Tuscany.net www.tuscany.net — Tuscany tourist info.

Turismo Lazio www.turislazio.it — Lazio tourist info.

Veneto www.veneto.to — Veneto tourist info.

Cities
About.com http://goeurope.about.com/od/italy — Tourist info.

The American Catholic Church in Rome www.santasusanna.org — Detailed tourist info, tickets for papal audiences, and lodging in convents (Go to “Coming to Rome”).

World Guide Bologna www.bologna.world-guides.com — Tourist info.

Costa di Amalfi www.costadiamalfi.it — Tourist info for the Amalfi coast including Ravello.

Firenze by Net www.mega.it — Florence tourist info.

Firenze On Line www.fionline.it — Florence tourist info.

Florenceby.com www.florenceby.com — Florence tourist info.

In Roma www.inroma.it — Rome tourist info. Click “turismo” & “English version.”

Italy Guide www.romeguide.it — Rome tourist info.

Move About Italy www.moveaboutitaly.com — Tuscany info.

Ravello www.ravellotime.it —  Ravello tourist info.

Ravello www.ravello.it — Ravello tourist info.

Roma Turismo www.romaturismo.it — Rome Tourist info.

Romeby.com www.romeby.com — Rome tourist info.

Rome Buddy www.romebuddy.com — Rome tourist info.

Terre Siena www.terresiena.it — Official website APT Siena.

Tuscany Net www.tuscany.net/tourist/tour5.htm — Addresses and Mass times of Non-Catholic and Catholic Churches in Florence.

Veniceby.com www.veniceby.com — Venice tourist info.

Venice World www.veniceworld.com — Venice tourist info.

Your Way to Florence www.arca.net/florence.htm — Florence tourist info.

Tourist Information
There are many websites on Italy. For lodging, search “Italy” and “lodging” for more than enough websites to explore.

Autostrade per l’italia www.autostrade.it — Highway maps to plan your trip. Click on “Plan your Journey” then search in Italian.

Avventure Bellissime www.tours-italy.com — Walking and road tours in Italy.

Camping Italia www.camping.it —Campsites throughout Italy.

Concierge.com www.concierge.com/italy — Search for destination.

Dream of Italy www.dreamofitaly.com — The Insider's Guide to Undiscovered Italy. Travel Newsletter and Resource Center.

Discover Italia www.discoveritalia.com — Tourist info.

Dorling Kindersley www.dk.com — Eyewitness Travel Guides.

ENIT Italian State Tourist Board www.enit.it — Click on “Tourist Offices” and search the town (in Italian) for tourist office.

Ferry Metrò del Mare www.metrodelmare.com phone —  Campania region ferries. Phone: 19 9600700 Email: info@metrodelmare.com.

Fodor’s www.fodors.com — Search for destination.

Frommer’s www.frommers.com — Search for destination.

IgoUgo www.igougo.com — Tourist info & reviews from tourists.

Italy Italia www.italyitalia.com — Tourist info.

In Italy Online www.initaly.com — Tourist info.

Insight Guides www.insightguides.com — Insight guides, maps and phrasebooks.

Internet Cafes in Italy http://cafe.ecs.net — Internet connections.

Italia Rail www.italiarail.com — Train information in Italy.

Italian Government Tourist Board North America www.italiantourism.com — Same as ENIT tourist info.

Italian Tourist Web Guide www.itwg.com — On-line hotel reservations & tourist info.

Italy in a Flash www.italyflash.com — Tourist info.

Italy Tickets www.italytickets.it — Entertainment tickets in Italy.

Italy Travel www.justitaly.org — Tourist info.

Italy Travel Escape www.italytravelescape.com — Tourist info.

Italy’s Monastery Hotels www.monasteryhotels.com Refurbished monasteries, now two to four star B&B’s or hotels.

Let’s Go www.letsgo.com — Written by young adults for budget travel.

Life in Italy www.lifeinitaly.com — Dedicated to modern Italian life and culture. Go to Classic Italian Culture/Religion.

Lonely Planet www.lonelyplanet.com — Guidebooks & tourist info.

Parks in Italy www.parks.it — Parks in Italy.

Planetware www.planetware.com —  Tourist info.

Rail Europe www.raileurope.com U.S. company for online reservations for European railways.

Rick Steves www.ricksteves.com — Go to: Plan Your Trip.

Rome Guide www.romeguide.it — Ticket reservations and tourist info.

Rough Guides www.roughguides.com — Rough Guides, miniguides and phrasebooks.

Routes International www.routesinternational.com — Transportation links.

Sacred Destinations www.sacred-destinations.com — An illustrated guide to the world's sacred sites, religious architecture and historic holy places.

SITA Bus www.sitabus.it — Italian. Phone: 089 871016.

Sulga www.sulga.it Public transportation from Umbria to other parts of Italy.

Time Out www.timeout.com —  Online travel guides and entertainment for major cities around the world.

Trenitalia www.trenitalia.com/en/index.html — Train tickets in Italy.

Via Michelin  www.viamichelin.com — Online detailed maps.

Visit Europe www.visiteurope.com — European Travel Commission.

Welcome to Italy www.emmeti.it — All regions tourist info and religious itineraries.

Pilgrimage
There are hundreds of pilgrimage tour operators. Do a search with these words: Italy/pilgrimage/tours.

Lodging in Monasteries and Convents

Books
Bed and Blessings Italy: A Guide to Convents and Monasteries Anne and June Walsh, Paulist Press $16.95.

Europe’s Monastery and Convent Guest Houses Kevin J. Wright, Liguori Publications $16.95.

The Guide to Lodging in Italian Monasteries Eileen Barish, Anacapa Press $22.95. www.monasteriesofitaly.com.

Websites
The American Catholic Church in Rome www.santasusanna.org — Tourist info and lodging in convents under “Coming to Rome.”

dell´Accoglienza Cattolica in Italia  www.Hospites.it — Search for lodging in convents, monasteries and other lodging. info@hospites.it

Italia Sixtina www.sixtina.com — A French booking service for lodging in convents and monasteries. You provide a price range and pay them directly. If you don’t have time to buy the books or do the research, this is for you.

In Italy www.initaly.com/agri/convents.htm — A list of lodging in convents and monasteries can be ordered for $6.00.

Monastery Stays www.monasterystays.com Booking service for monastery lodging.

Reid Guides www.reidguides.com — Article on staying in convents. Go to “Finding the Perfect Place to Stay’ & “Alternative Accomodations.”

Santuario della Madonna del Rosario www.santuari.it — Search for Sanctuaries in Italy: “Cerca un Santuario.” Italian.

Meditation Resources

Books
Centering Prayer in Daily Life and Ministry by Thomas Keating. Christian contemplative meditation.

The Best Guide to Meditation by Victor N. Davich. Overview of different meditation techniques and their history. Good for beginners.

The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Meditation by Joan Budlilovsky & Eve Adamson. Catalogue of meditation practices.

Discovering Jewish Meditation, Instruction & Guidance for Learning an Ancient Spiritual Practice by Nan Fink Gefen. Jewish Meditation for beginners.

How to Meditate: A Guide to Self-Discovery by Lawrence Leshan. A  beginner’s guide for the best meditation techniques available.

How to Meditate: A Practical Guide by Kathleen McDonald. Buddhist meditation.

How to Meditate: A Step-by-Step Guide to the Art and Science of Meditation by John (Jyotish) Novak. Yoga meditation techniques for beginners.

Insight Mediation: A Step by Step Course on How to Meditate by Sharon Salzberg. Buddhist Vipassana meditation.

Meditation for Beginners by Jack Kornfield. Buddhist Vipassana meditation, Audio CD.

Meditation for Starters by J. Donald Walters. Basic meditation techniques for beginners.

Websites
There are many websites on meditation. Search for meditation, or for meditation and your particular religion, i.e., Catholic, Buddhist, etc.

Ananda Online www.ananda.org — Yogic meditation. Click on: Lessons in Meditation: Online meditation support & video.

Beliefnet  www.beliefnet.com — Comprehensive info on all religions. Click on “Faith practices” then “Meditation.”

Contemplative Outreach www.centeringprayer.com — Christian Centering Prayer as taught by Thomas Keating.

Dharma Net International www.dharmanet.org — Resources for  Buddhist Meditation Centers worldwide.

The World Community for Christian Meditation www.wccm.org — Christian meditation as taught by Dom John Main OSB. Click on: How to meditate.

Vipassana.com www.vipassana.com/meditation — Buddhist meditation in the Theravada tradition. Online course in meditation.

Meditation Retreats Italy
Ananda Assisi www.ananda.it/en — A yoga and meditation retreat center just outside Assisi.

Casa della Pace www.casadellapace.org — Yoga and meditation retreat near Gubbio.

Migliara Retreats www.dallaluce.com — Retreats in southern Umbria.

Retreats Online www.retreatsonline.com/guide/meditation.htm

Sacred Travel www.sacredtravel.org — Assisi East - West Retreat Center, Meditation retreats in Assisi and other sacred sites.

Resources for Travelers with Disabilities

Books
The Accessible Guide to Florence by Cornelia Danielson www.bftservices.it Email: info@bftservices.it.

Air Travel Guide for Seniors and Disabled Passengers: The Better Breathing Traveler The American Lung Association of San Diego 619 297-8402 / 619 297-3901

Barrier Free Travel: A Nuts & Bolts Guide for Wheelers & Slow Walkers by Candy Harrington 888 795-4274/215 923-4686 www.emerginghorizons.com

Disappearing Windmills - A Waist High View of the World’s Hotspots by Kate Zee 800 882-3273.

How to Travel: A Guidebook for Persons with Disabilities Fred Rosen 636 394-4950

Websites
Accessible Europe www.accessibleurope.com — Travel info.

Accessible Italy www.accessibleitaly.com — Non-profit tour operator for individuals with disabilities. Email: info@accessibleitaly.com.

Accessible Journeys www.disabilitytravel.com — Tours to Italy.

Accessible Rome www.coinsociale.it/tourism/accessiblerome/index.php — Tours and free equipment rental in Rome. Once in Rome, pick up their free “Roma Accessible” guide at COIN/Via Giglioli 54-a/00169.  Phone:  06 7129011 Fax: 06 71290140 Email: info@coinsociale.it.

Access-able Travel Source www.access-able.com — Travel info.

CO.IN. www.coinsociale.it/tourism — Cooperative Integrate ONLUS is a nonprofit association based in Rome that provides services for people with disabilities. Phone: 06 7129011 Fax: 06 71290140 Email: info@coinsociale.it.

DisabledTravelers.com www.disabledtravelers.com — Travel info.

Disability Resources on the Net www.disabilityresources.org — Click on “Travel & transportation” “Travel guides foreign.” 

Emerging Horizons www.emerginghorizons.com — Comprehensive travel info for Italy: Go to “Travel Resources,” “Destinations,” “Europe,” “Italy.” Bookstore and newsletter. Phone 209 599-9409.

Global Access News www.globalaccessnews.com — Disabled travel network.

Paraplegia News www.pvamagazines.com — Click on “Resources” then “Travel.”

Routes International www.routesinternational.com — Click on “Travel for the Disabled.”

Society for Accessible Travel & Hospitality www.sath.org  — Travelers with disabilities info. Phone: 212 447-7284.

Vegetarian Travel

Books
Vegetarian Europe by Alex Bourke Guidebook for vegetarian travelers to Europe.

The Vegetarian Traveler: Where to Stay if You're Vegetarian, Vegan, Environmentally Sensitive by Jed Civic International guidebook.

Lodging & Retreats
Ananda Assisi www.ananda.it/en — A yoga and meditation retreat center near Assisi offering educational programs and vegetarian food.

B&B Corte Armonica Relais Fiesole  www.cortearmonica.it —  Tuscany B&B serving organic vegitarian food. Six miles (8km) from Florence Phone: 055 59334 Email: cortearmonica@tiscali.it.

Country House Montali www.montalionline.com — Umbrian country house near Lake Trasimeno serving gourmet vegetarian food Phone: 075 8350680 Email: montali@montalionline.com

Le Tortorelle www.sustenanceforthesoul.com — A vegetarian agriturismo on the Umbria Tuscany border. Phone: 07 59411564 Email: peter@sustenanceforthesoul.com.

Villa Orsini www.villaorsini.com — Tuscany vacation apartments serving gourmet vegetarian food.

Websites
Happy Cow’s Global Guide to Vegetarian Restaurants

www.happycow.net — Click on “Travel” for vegetarian resources.

Veg Dining www.vegdining.com — Vegetarian restaurants around the world.

The Vegetarian Resource Group www.vrg.org/travel — Travel information, books, websites, tour operators, bulletin board, and articles.

Vegetarians Abroad www.vegetariansabroad.com — Establishments abroad that cater to vegetarians.