Say ‘arrivederci’ to cars in Florence’s Piazza Duomo

by Alison Brick on

It’s a given — any visit to the main piazza in Florence means being among a crowd. But thanks to a decision by the city’s mayor Matteo Renzi, visitors will soon get a little breather (literally and figuratively).

Starting October 25, cars, buses, and even horse-drawn carriages will be banned from the popular nucleus of activity near the Duomo and Baptistry.

The reason is to reduce the carbon monoxide (2.6 tons) and fine particulate (450 kilos) in the area — bad for both lungs and the walls of the light-colored cathedral. The number of buses making rounds daily through the area will be reduced by 500 — from 2,740 to 2,200.

The people least likely to celebrate the change? Taxi drivers, of course. That just means more space for you and I to dance for joy at the celebratory open-air concert on October 25th.

And if the mayor’s decision just happens to extend the length of space available for a good stroll — the lovely passegiata — I say ‘grazie’ to that.

Top 10 places to have your pocket picked

by Tom Johansmeyer on

I always get a laugh when I see people walk the streets of Manhattan with backpacks worn on their fronts. Millions of people commute into and around the city every day, yet the outnumbered visitors take extreme measures to make sure their subway maps and recently purchased Planet Hollywood t-shirts remain in their control.

Of course, pickpocketing is a concern in many tourist destinations around the world, and it does pay to be cautious. In the latest TripAdvisor list of cities where this crime is most prevalent, New York doesn’t make an appearance. In fact, no city in the United States is represented. Yet, there are plenty of places where you could be separated from your wallet quite easily, so if you’re thinking about hitting any of these spots, keep an eye on your valuables.

Eight of the top 10 pickpocketing locations in the world are in Europe, with one in South America and the other in Southeast Asia. Spain and Italy share the dubious distinction of making the list twice.

Ready to find out where this crime is most common? Take a look at the list after the jump.

1. Las Ramblas, Barcelona, Spain
The wide pedestrian walkway has performers and is great for people watching. Of course, there are a few purse-snatchers who have realized this, making the spot a nice big target.

2. Rome, Italy
You might want to look out for a pair of scissors, but chances are, you won’t see them coming. Crowds gathering around ancient relics are easy prey for the “alternatively employed.”

3. Prague, Czech Republic
Wandering the statues around the Charles Bridge? You’re not alone! Stay aware of your surroundings, because those looking for your wallet and watch certainly are.

4. Madrid, Spain
When I was in Madrid earlier this year, I didn’t have a problem at all. But, jam-packed metro cars and the El Rastro fleamarket are said to be high-risk spots. Also, be careful in museums. While you’re gazing at “Guernica,” nefarious plans may be in the works. When you’re distracted … you’re easy.

5. Paris, France
Instead of having your money taken, just cave and give it to the “Bosnian” beggars at every tourist attraction in the city.

6. Florence, Italy
If you’re wrapped up in the amazing sights – things you’ve waited your entire life to see – you can easily fall victim. Michelangelo’s “David” won’t grab your goods, but one of his neighbors may.

7. Buenos Aires, Argentina
The common scam is to pour “bird droppings” (usually mustard) on you and offer to help you clean it up. It’s not the good deed you may think it is.

8. Amsterdam, Netherlands
The laid-back vibe of this city is likely to let your guard down. There are plenty of people counting on this.

9. Athens, Greece
Big attractions that draw plenty of people ensure that pickpockets can choose who to go after. Your level of diligence will determine whether it’s you.

10. Hanoi, Vietnam
There is plenty to see in the Old Quarter, and it’s easy to lose sight of the pickpocketing threat when you’ve spent more than a day traveling to reach Hanoi. Make sure you’re awake when you leave the hotel.

Tourists in Venice urged to drink the water

by Katie Hammel on

Collecting the trash in Venice is no easy feat. After all, it’s not like a garbage truck can just drive down the street – there aren’t any. Garbage is collected by workers with wheelbarrows and then loaded onto barges and costs about $335 million per ton to remove (compared to $84 million per ton on the mainland of Italy).

In an effort to reduce these costs, the Venetian government is asking locals and tourists to drink water from the tap instead of buying plastic bottles. The city’s tap water meets the highest purity standards, but many people are still buying bottled water from stores and in restaurants. To help promote the tap water, officials have started calling it “Acqua Veritas” and selling glass bottles labeled as such. The hope is that the fancy bottles will encourage people people to drink from the tap, reducing trash and the cost to remove it from the island.

With tourists outnumbering locals 100 to 1, visitors to Venice may have the greatest impact on the trash situation. So when in Venice, forgo the plastic and drink from the tap instead.

Kayaking Venice

by Kraig Becker on

Venice, Italy is one of the most popular and romantic cities in all of Europe. Famously built on a series of small islands along the Venetian Lagoon, just off the Adriatic Sea, travelers flock to the city to stroll its floating walkways and take gondola rides through the watery streets.

This is the typical way that tourists explore the city, which has a rich and varied history dating back 1500 years. But a recent article from the British newspaper The Guardian suggests a different way to see the sights in Venice, namely from the cockpit of a kayak. This alternative approach to exploring the Italian city’s waterways offers more freedom and flexibility for paddling where ever you want to go, and allows you to visit parts of the city that you might not normally see.

Adventurous travelers may take to the water on their own, and kayak throughout the city, but The Guardian recommends that you go with a guide service which can help you navigate the maze of water ways and lead you to the top destinations in Venice. You’ll find tours lasting a few hours or a few days, depending on what you’re looking for, and you’ll be able to do it at a fraction of the cost of a gondola ride. Piloting your own kayak also allows you to linger in the top spots for photo opportunities and to take in more of the flavor of the city, something you can’t do as easily in the traditional approaches to exploring the place.

Obviously kayaking through Venice isn’t for everyone, but for those looking for a different perspective on the historical city, it is a fun, active, and adventurous alternative.

Gadling Take FIVE: Week of Sept. 11-Sept. 18

by Jamie Rhein on

Perhaps you noticed that Monday was Weird America at Gadling. Granted, it may seem that many days are weird at Gadling, but Monday’s post centered on the odd and unusual. Caves, squirrels, monsters, ghosts, mysterious structures, Superman, leaping postmen and a gigantic tire were part of the mix.

But that’s not all that showed up in our offerings. These are some you may have missed in the line-up.

  • In the middle of August, when my son, daughter and I became part of the masses that were visiting Venice, I wondered if anyone actually lived there. It was hard to tell. Katie’s post tells about one possible solution to the crush. Ban day-trippers.
  • If you’ve ever wondered what happens to planes once they’ve outlived their use, Scott has proof on one answer. Planes with the Mojave Desert make an interesting visual mix.
  • Reading Tom’s post on the reopening of the Sanctuary Swala in Tanzania is one way to develop travel envy. Although a stay there is not cheap, there are deals that can make a stay there within reach. Besides, wouldn’t this be a stay of a lifetime?
  • Although it may be too late to attend the Monterey Jazz Festival this year since it’s happening this weekend, this festival is one to put on next year’s calendar. Brenda details what makes the longest running jazz festival in the world so outstanding.
  • Here’s an event I’d love to attend. Jeremy gave a heads up to one of the most creative festival ideas. At the Sydney International Food Festival in October, each participating country’s flag will be represented by food in a way that also represents that country. How cool is that?

Here’s to hoping you’re having an outstanding weekend no matter where you are and what’s on your agenda.