Some useful information about Paris

I could not avoid this post about some useful information about Paris. I arrived at Orly Airport (South Terminal). To get into town I chose the OrlyBus: the ticket costs 7.4 euro, it stops at South and west terminals and takes you to Denfert-Rochereau where you can then take metro or RER. The alternative is a shuttle that takes you to the RER. A single Metro tickets costs EUR 1.8: if you want save some money, you can buy a carnet of 10 tickets, it costs 13 euro (you save 5 euros) and you can use the automatic machines (at the counters do not take cash). There are several metro lines (identified by an "M", a number and also with a color) and some RER lines (Identified by "RER" and a letter) and the metro lines works exactly like the London underground lines: at each station you will find a map with all the lines marked. You will find the line divided into two parts, depending on the terminal destination of that particular train. Check the stop where you have to get off and then find your direction of journey. Surely it is easier to do that I'll figure it out on someone who writes on the internet. And now let's talk about food: Paris is not very cheap: keep in mind that even a basic food like pizza may cost 10 or 11€! A kebab is the cheapest food for lunch or dinner (usually they give you, in the same plate, fries or rice). If you have between 18 and 25 years old and you want to visit a museum, get in line armed with documents: you have some big discounts... At the musée d'orsay I entered free: I showed the document at the time of taking the ticket and the cashier told me that I had only to show the document to the ticket check!

A trip to Gubbio (Umbria, Italia)

We left the car in "piazza dei 40 martiri", where there are also some nice shady gardens for those who want to sit and stay cool (especially in summer). The church of San Francesco was closed, so we "jumped" the visit. After a stop at the bar on the "portico delle Logge dei Tiratori"(arcade of the Lodges of shooters), built in 1603, we began to delve into the streets of the country and we made a stop at the Church of St. John (XIII century). So we took the elevator and got up on the Piazza Grande, where the "palazzo dei Consoli" is, (It is now a museum. The price of the standard ticket is of 5 euro and the discounted is € 2.5) and, right there in front, there is the Praetorian Palace. This square is very particular: it is squared and has a very nice overlooking on the Umbrian hills. We take the elevator for the second time and we come to the gardens of the cathedral and then to the Cathedral ("Cathedral of Saints Marian and James"). We look in the Civic Museum just for a moment (5€ for the standard ticket and € 2.5 for the discounted one), but we avoid the visit So we arrived to the city walls and the port of St. Ubaldo. At this point there is a choice you have to made: get to the Basilica of St. Ubaldo embarking on a path that would take you half an hour away (at least, unless you're more than trained) or go back and take the cable car (ticket: 5 € ). We are back to take it (the journey will take you about 10 minutes away). Once you reach the top you will find two bars / pizzerias. So we get to the Basilica of St. Ubaldo, a beautiful basilica, a must - visit. Near the altar there are the remains of the saint and in one of the side aisle there are the candles of the famous race of the candles. You can get here by car, follow the signs. Leaving the basilica we can not avoid stopping to admire the view, and especially the one of Gubbio: the city has a completely different charm. There are also many other things to see, many small churches to visit and glimpses which draw our attention. Unfortunately, we did not have more time and we came away: but surely, sooner or later, we'll be back to visit all that we have not seen. I leave you, as usual, a few photos. (Here is the link to the set on flickr with all the photos)

Rome seen from its highest points

Even when you look at it from its highest points (maybe I should say "especially"), Rome is truly fascinating. It becomes even more charming than usual. I began to look for various high points of the city after that, on facebook, I asked if anyone had ideas, suggestions and "desires" on what to see on my blog and youtube channel, and the answer that one friend gave to me was just "the highest points of Rome". Then, from (approximately) mid-April, I started my "pilgrimage" in the various terraces of the eternal city taking pictures and shooting short videos for the final one. I went to Castel Sant'Angelo, to the Janiculum Hill ("Gianicolo"), the Orange Garden, the stairway of Trinita dei Monti and the "Pincio" (in Villa Borghese), the Victorian (where I didn't go to the top of the building) to complete all enjoying the view from the "terrazza dello zodiaco" (terrace of the Zodiac), which is located in the nature reserve of Monte Mario. No, the picture is "always the same": of course, the buildings are always the same, but each of these terraces is located in different and every building, so you can see it from a different point of view and next things first, perhaps, were hidden. Change rooftop terrace and see the others as are nestled in the landscape of this city. In short, Rome is a city that never tires (and maybe I'm slightly biased) is seen "from below" that come from and the best way to express the concept is to make you see the photos and video. If you want to see all of them, you can find the complete set on flickr.

Roma: Isola Tiberina

On Sunday (May 26th), I went for a walk on the Tiber Island, the island located in the middle of the Tiber with a shape that resembles a boat. It is located in "Rione Ripa" and is connected to the mainland by "Ponte Cestio" (from the side of Trastevere) and the "Ponte Fabricio" (the side of the Ghetto). From the side of Portaportese people can see the bridge called "broken bridge": that is what remains of a Roman bridge broken (even several times) by the fury of the "blond Tiber", the infamous river of Rome and that, although he did this end, does not leave indifferent the people who pass by here. Coming from the bridge Cestius, there is on the right of the Basilica of St. Bartholomew on the Island: it definitely deserves a visit. From the side of the "bow" (the side of the island towards the Garibaldi bridge - the bridge of the tramway) there is the Fatebenefratelli hospital: the structure was founded in the Middle Ages as a "xenodochio", to accommodate pilgrims, the poor and the sick. Often, I stop to look at this hospital as it is surrounded and hidden in the vegetation which clear and hides the chaos of the city for the patients. Just before the bridge Fabricio there is the small Church of St. John Calibita: I think the smaller churches, in some ways, are almost always the prettiest. The thing that strikes me most of this island of Rome is the amount of people who, during the sunny days of summer, bring along the banks for sunbathing as if they were at sea: the sun of Rome and the Tiber Island are a winning combination for everyone! In summer it is one of the best places to spend warm evenings: there you can find "the island of cinema", from the side of "stern" (or "of the broken bridge", if you prefer) and there are also several outdoor pub, so you can spend your night outdoor in the centre of Rome! I personally think that going through this island / boat I find it one of the best ways to cross the Tiber staying in a simply outstanding historical climate (let's face it: the Romans are always the Romans). Try it and let me know your opinions. Now I launch a challenge to you: do you know that, in the stone of the island, is carved the Rod of Asclepius (the symbol of medicine)? According to the story told by Livy, in 229 BC The Romans went to Epidaurus, where once stood the largest sanctuary of Asclepius, god of medicine, to ask the oracle how to end a plague that was thrown over the city. The priests of the god handed over to the Romans a sacred snake which, as the ship arrived in the port Tiberino, jumped into the water and crawled to the island, hiding in the dense vegetation. Here, I challenge you to find it! Let me know! [On flickr you can find the set with all the pictures I took when I visited the island]

A trip to Viterbo

Viterbo, city in the "Tuscia" area, offers several monuments and things to do and see. On May 14, I went to visit this city principally for two reasons: the underground Viterbo and the medieval quarter of San Pellegrino. It was the first visit "for tourism". You can get there by train: Trains depart from Rome Ostiense station and make many stops within the city of Rome (Trastevere, quattro venti, valle aurelia, are some examples) and the journey take a couple of hours. I arrived at the station "Viterbo Porta Romana" just before 10: I decided to start my visit in the town from the Viterbo underground, so I headed to Piazza della Morte: the strange name of that square is due to the "company of death" which at one time ran the graves! In this square is located the shop/ticket office/access to the underground city: the Tours starts every half hour and the price of the ticket is 4 euro (in Orvieto I had paid 6 euro). You can visit about 150 meters of tunnels and the guide told us that as their "private company" (sorry for the quotes, but I do not know which words to use to explain) have in managing this part of Viterbo approximately from last year and they are trying to dig also other parts that can be dug, but, unfortunately, there are a lot of problems and these problem are not always easy to solve (especially everything related to the bureaucratic part of the story). The underground part of Viterbo is in tuff, such as Pitigliano, Orvieto and Civita di Bagnoregio. If you're nearby, you can visit this part of Viterbo: it's cute and the price is, after all, still affordable. Once you have finished your visit, you must go to the medieval quarter of San Pellegrino: when you walk along the streets of this area of ​​the city, seems to have stepped back in time: there are many details that attract the attention of visitors. There are also a lot of things which attract the attention of tourists end there are a lot of things that you can photograph. After that, I walked to Piazza San Lorenzo where I knew to find several important buildings of the history of Viterbo: the Palace of the Popes, the Cathedral of San Lorenzo and the Mansion of "Valentino della Pagnotta" (from the name of the prior who bought the building in 1458); in front of the mansion there is a beautiful building: if I'm not mistaken there is the seat of the Bishop and, if you go up the stairs, you find yourself in a terrace on Viterbo (but does not have a great view: you can see important buildings, but the biggest part of the view is on the modern part of Viterbo). Taken from the fatigue, the last leg of my day was the Piazza del Plebiscito with the government palace, the Palazzo dei Priori and the sarcophagus of Beautiful Galliana (at that link you can find some information about "Galliana", but is written in Italian). There are many other things to do in Viterbo, such as the Cathedral and many other churches that are found there. Maybe one day I will return to see those too. There is the link to the set on Flickr with all the pictures I took during my day in Viterbo.

Milan: the museum of science and technology

On 15 and 16 February I was in Milan for the BIT. I admit that Milan is not really one of my favorite Italian cities, but I didn't let down for that. The morning of the 16th, before returning again to the fair, I went to visit the museum of science and technology. The ticket costs 10 euro and the reduced 7. If you want to visit the Toti submarine, guided tours cost 10 euro with the booking and 8 without. Once you have paid the ticket, the tour in the museum begins with the section about medicine, in particular on Carlo Erba. This part is particularly interesting for the fact of being able to see the medicines of the "past", their packaging and some molds for medicines (for example that for suppositories). After I was fascinated by the presentation of some models of the works of Leonardo Da Vinci: that man was simply a genius and way ahead of its time...Then, in that building, there are the sections about radio and television and then there are also some rooms where there are workshops and children can experience the things explained. One of my favorite things about these museums that have this kind of things, are these interactive installations that allow, especially to children, to learn by trying out things. once I have finished visiting the rooms in the main building, I came out of there to enter in the hangar where take place an exhibition of steam locomotives (there are also some electric locomotives): I must admit that this section fascinated me a lot. Let's talk about locomotives of the early twentieth century, until the '30s, that those of my generation have never seen in action. These giants, seen up close, these "beasts" intimidate a bit people who pass nearby. Next to each locomotive, there is a brief description of them that indicates also the years in which every railway engine "worked". I was open-mouthed like a child in a toy store (or candy, depending on your preference). Next to this hangar, there is the Toti submarine, which, as I indicated at the beginning of the post, can be visited by paying the ticket a little bit more. On the wall in front of it you will find photos that tell how it was brought to the museum (it was not an easy task, given its size and also to other factors, such as the difficulty to get him to the curve. At that link you can find some more information about that). Finally, to complete the tour, there's the hangar on ships and aircraft. I must, however, admit that this was a little disappointing: there weren't so many things to see. The museum is finished, so after that i get out of it: but the only way to the exit pass through the Museum Shop. Usually, I spent a little time in these shop: sometimes I founded something very interesting! I leave you with some pictures and I apologize for their quality: I've done them with the phone.

The documents that you must have to travel to China

You must have, first of all, a passport valid for at least six months.
If you are traveling with children, ask to have reliable data to the police station, orconsulate in that the rules are different from country to country (Italy for example, musthave their passport)

For visa applications must submit them to the Chinese diplomatic and consular in yourcountry (for more information about how and required documents: www.fmprc.gov.cm).

It is not expected to be issued visas at border posts, so if you do not have a visa upon arrival in China will only make respinti.Se in China with a stopover destination fortransit a third country (to be documented with a plane ticket and visa for the country of destination), are exempt from the visa if the stay in China is less than 24 hours and you  don’t leave the airport transit area.

If you intend to visit Hong Kong or Macao on a trip in mainland China, you have toapply for a visa for multiple entries. In the absence of this visa, you should get in the twoSpecial Administrative Regions a new entry visa for mainland China, which will requiredays of waiting.
If you go to China to carry out journalistic activities you must explicitly when applying for a visa in the granting of a license upon entry.

To avoid accidents, which happen frequently, unfortunately, with the border police, it is recommended to those who have dual nationality to enter and exit the country with the same passport, taking care to obtain the necessary visa, depending on the choice ofthe passport that was made. During your stay in China kept carefully that your passport will be always kept on handfor any identity checks. It is also good to bring a copy of its relevant pages andChinese visasIn case of lost or stolen, you must first lodge a complaint with the nearest Office ofPublic Safety. With the complaint, and two photos you should go at the nearestconsulate or embassy to apply for a travel document, with which you can only come back to your country, or request a new passport for the award you need more time.Finally you have to buy the "exit visa" for the Chinese release of which can take up to 5business days

The processing of all the procedures can take a few days if there is, at the time of thetheft or loss, are far from where the diplomatic-consular representations. (Usuallylocated in Beijing, Shanghai or Canton)

If you live during your stay in private homes of Chinese or foreigners residing in Chinamust register your temporary presence at the local Public Security Bureau within 24hours of arrival. You will be asked the host for a residence permit and documentsproving ownership or rent of the mansion and guest passport. Offenders are liable to a fine of up to 500 rmb.

If you are staying in China with a tourist visa (L) and business (F) will not undertakework activities (including journalism). If a foreign national residing for a long period in China without having in his possessiona valid visa (title to stay in China) and meanwhile held a job or business may be subjected to any restriction of personal liberty in temporary  detention centers  and later expelled. Given the numerous cases of people who have reported cases of fraud even before they left for China given very careful when you are working to evaluate proposals and / or training offeredby Chinese agencies or international sources not known by some, especially the Internet. Test is the actual existence of the various agencies that offer work by contacting the local competent authority or by applying directly to the embassy / consulate of yourcountry in China. If you're a victim of fraud, go to the police authorities to file acomplainant and, if you think it is necessary, contact a lawyer  Visit the embassy website to see if it offers legal advice service (the Italian Embassy, for example, does not provide legal, but has put online a list of lawyers and interpretersin the section on Beijing)

You have to respect scrupulously  the expiry date of your visa, if you do not want to incur the heavy fines for offenders of 500 yuan / rmb per day with a maximum penalty of5,000 yuan (about 500 €).

You can extend the validity of the Chinese tourist visa for a maximum of 30 days, by submitting an application, either directly or through authorized agencies, the Office forthe Administration of Income and Expenditure of the local police station. However, visit the website of the Municipality which provides information useful in this regard(http://www.bjgaj.gov.cn/eng/). Due to overbooking, we suggest you reconfirm your return flight at least 72 hours in advance .

Currency and customs formalities: there are no particular restrictions on the importation of foreign currency. If, however, the sum exceeds $ 5,000 U.S., it is better ifthe declared entry into the country by filling out the customs form in duplicate, to be able to show - leaving the country - the former possession of any sum remaining in the case of customs control.
Electronic equipment must be declared personal use only. Limitazione di esportazione

The Chinese government strictly controls the export of works of art and objects of significant cultural value. If you purchase works of art you must make sure that you havegranted permission for export by Appraisal Institute of Cultural Relics (36 FuxueHutong, Dongcheng District, Beijing tel.64014608), who issues a certificate for exportand puts the official stamp for export on the object in question. Violators can be punished with foreign restrictions of their freedom. It also prohibitedthe export of rare animals, rare plants and their seeds, precious metals and diamonds.
However, visit the website of Beijing, which contains various information on the formalities of any kind for the arrival and departure. Here are some things to watch out for: plants and plant products, fruits, vegetables, insects, animals, raw meat, sausages,eggs, milk, dairy and other perishable products that are easy, weapons, ammunitionand explosives, transmitters and radio receivers and parts most important of these, the Chinese currency (yuan / rmb) any document in any form (printed, photographic,electronic) that is harmful to politics, economy, culture and ethics of China (forexample, pornography); toxic drugs and narcotics.

Travellers with pets
Each person can only bring a pet.
The owner of the animal must obtain before leaving for China, a veterinary certificate ofhealth issued by the veterinary ASL, along with the rabies vaccination certificate,issued in the country of origin for at least one month but not later than 12 months prior to arrival. The Chinese authorities have drawn up a 30-day quarantine upon arrival in China, for each of these animals, and housing costs and maintenance at the municipal dog pound shall be borne by the owner. It also emphasizes that in hotels in China arenot allowed animals.