Some random thoughts on this thread. I've wandered around Italy by
public transport on several long trips. The trains are easy to find out
about and go a lot of places but not everywhere. Often there are
connecting buses but not everywhere and rarely on a Sunday. The buses
are more difficult to get definite information on. Public transport is
absurdly cheap by UK standards.
I have found that in some Southern Italian cities, tourist offices can
be well hidden and bus timetables seem to be company confidential. Guide
books like LP and Rough help with this.
The government tourist system of information in Italy seems much more
locally organised than elsewhere in Europe. The tourist office in the
main city of one region will have little or no knowledge of hotels in a
neighbouring region. If you smile sweetly and persist, they may drag a
vast out-of-date tome from a hidden cupboard.
As you mention, France has a government sponsored list which covers the
whole country. Spain has this too, as does Belgium. I'm not sure of
other countries.
--
Andrew Nightingale of Cambridge (UK)
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