 |
| Library > Travel |
|
 |
The Compass: Your Guide to Italy and Beyond
Welcome to the 31st Fighter Wing travel page. Here you'll find the latest version of the Compass - your guide to Italy and beyond - travel destination, tips and ideas to help plan your next day trip, weekend excursion or vacation.
Please share your experiences with other Team Aviano travelers. Send your travel articles, tips or photos to Public Affairs at avianonews@aviano.af.mil.
|
|
|
| |
Carnevale costume parties and parades Feb. 16-17
- Montereale Valcellina's Carnevale parade and costume party begins Feb. 16 at 2 p.m. The event features food, drink and music. For more information, visit http://www.infriuliveneziagiulia.com/it/articles/CARNEVALE_DEI_RAGAZZI_MONTEREALE_VALCELLINA - Ceggia's Carnevale parade and costume party begins Feb. 16 at 7 p.m. in the town center. The event features food and drink booths. For more information, visit http://www.veneto.to/eventi-dettaglio?uuid=23ccd01d-69d0-4ca6-becc-29641286d69a&lang=it.
- Tricesimo's Carnevale parade begins Feb. 17 at 2:30 p.m. in the center. For more information, visit http://www.turismofvg.it/Evento/101336/Sfilata-Mascherata.
- Azzano Decimo's Carnevale parade begins Feb. 17 at 1:30 p.m. and a second showing begins at 2:30 p.m. in the town center. The event also features stands selling traditional sweets.
Astronomic event in Sacile, Feb. 15
The free event starts at 6 p.m. and offers an opportunity to see the stars with astronomical telescopes and view a space station passing by the moon. Anyone with a telescope is encouraged to bring it to the event. For more information, visit http://www.turismofvg.it/Evento/101782/Una-Piazza-di-Stelle http://www.turismofvg.it/Evento/101782/Una-Piazza-di-Stelle.
Wilderness hike in Piancavallo, Feb. 16
A four-hour hike starts at 9:30 a.m. at Infopoint in Piancavallo. The hike costs 7 Euro and includes snowshoe rental and tickets must be purchased by Feb. 15. For more information, visit http://www.turismofvg.it/Evento/100004/Ciaspolate-diurne-Qualche-traccia-ormai-prima-di-noi.
Snowshoeing in Ravascletto, Feb. 16
A three-hour panoramic snowshoe tour starts at 8:45 a.m. at Infopoint in Ravascletto. The cost is 7 Euro, but does not include cable car transportation. Tickets can be purchased at Turismo FVG Infopoint by Feb. 14. For more information, visit http://www.turismofvg.it/Evento/99609/Ciaspolata-panoramica-sul-Monte-Zoncolan.
Wilderness hike in Sauris, Feb. 16
A two-hour hike starts at 4 p.m. at Albergo Diffuso in Sauris di Sotto. The cost is 15 Euro per person, equipment included. For reservation call 0433 86 22 1. For more information, visit http://www.turismofvg.it/Evento/101174/Escursione-Nordic-Walking-con-le-ciaspole.
Excursion with horse-drawn carriage in Sauris, Feb. 17
A 30-minute horse-drawn carriage ride takes place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. near the ski slope in Sauris di Sopra. Tickets cost 5 Euro and must be purchased by Feb. 15. For more information, visit http://www.turismofvg.it/Evento/100773/Passeggiata-in-carrozza http://links.govdelivery.com:80/track?type=click&enid=ZWFzPTEmbWFpbGluZ2lkPTIwMTMwMTI0LjE0NzY2MTQxJm1lc3NhZ2VpZD1NREItUFJELUJVT .
Neighborhood networking
The Vicini Americani (or American Neighbors) program is designed to connect Americans in their Italian communities. Under the program, Team Aviano volunteers - designated as Community Liaisons for their respective comunes - help to welcome newcomers, organize local gatherings and inform people about upcoming community events. For more information, or to get engaged within your town, visit
http://www.aviano.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=20117.
Markets
Vendors sell fresh produce, flowers, clothing and goods from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the following markets:
-The Azzano Decimo outdoor market takes place in the city square every Monday.
-The Aviano outdoor market takes place in the city square every Tuesday.
-The Pordenone outdoor market takes place in the city square every Wednesday and Saturday.
-The Roveredo outdoor market takes place at Piazzale Aldo Moro, and the Sacile outdoor market takes place in Viale Zancanaro every Thursday.
-The Cordenons outdoor market takes place in the city square every Friday.
Antique Markets
Vendors sell clothing, furniture, art, household goods and more from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the following antique markets:
Saturday:
-The Palmanova antique market takes place in Piazza Grande with about 40 exhibitors
-The Monfalcone antique market takes place in the city center with about 70 exhibitors
Sunday:
-The Muggia antique market takes place in Piazza della Repubblica with about 50 exhibitors
-The Vivaro antique market takes place near the sports complex with about 30 exhibitors
Aviano Ski Club
The Aviano Ski Club is looking for skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts, who share a passion for the slopes, want to meet new people, and most of all, who enjoy the snow-capped mountains throughout Europe. The ski club offers weekend ski trips throughout Italy, Slovenia, Austria and on longer holiday breaks, to Switzerland and France. A membership with the Aviano ski club also includes merchandise discounts throughout the Aviano area and at outdoor recreation. Cost is $10 per person and $20 for family for a year-long membership. For more information, or to become a member, visit http://www.facebook.com/groups/avianoskiclub.
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
All trips are offered by the Information, Tickets and Travel Office unless otherwise noted. Registration deadlines are used to make decisions about cancelling trips due to lack of participation. ITT will still accept sign-ups if the trip is not cancelled.
Guided Zagreb, Croatia
A trip to Croatia leaves Area 1 community center on Feb. 23 at 5 a.m and returns at 11 p.m. Tickets cost 54 euro each for adults, 27 euro for children 3-10 and 10 euro for children two and under. Register with ITT by Feb. 19 at 043-430-3107, or email ITT@aviano.af.mil.
Switzerland Express: Guided Lugano & Chocolate Factory
A trip to Switzerland leaves Area 1 community center on Feb. 23 at 4 a.m. and returns at 11:30 p.m. Tickets cost 69 euro each for adults, 34.50 euro for children 3-10 and 10 euro for children two and under. Register with ITT by Feb. 19 at 043-430-3107, or email ITT@aviano.af.mil.
French Riviera, Monte Carlo, Cannes, Monaco and Nice
A trip to the French Riviera leaves Area 1 community center on Feb. 22 at 11:30 p.m. and returns on Feb. 24 at midnight. Tickets cost 195 euro each for adults, based on double occupancy, single supplement fee 90 euro; 136.50 euro for children 3-10 and 10 euro for children two and under. Register with ITT by Feb. 19 at 043-430-3107, or email ITT@aviano.af.mil.
Rome Express
A trip to Rome leaves Area 1 community center on Feb. 22 at 11:59 p.m. and returns on Feb. 24 at 7 a.m. Tickets cost 89 euro each for adults, 62.30 euro for children 3-10 and 10 euro for children two and under. Register with ITT by Feb. 19 at 043-430-3107, or email ITT@aviano.af.mil.
Downtown Aviano pool free for base personnel
The downtown Aviano indoor pool is available for use by base personnel free of charge while the base outdoor pool is closed. Members must present their military identification card and sign-in upon arrival. Appropriate clothing and gear must be worn when using the facility, to include non-skid shoes, swim caps, and a tight-fitting swimsuit.
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
What you need to travel
Have appropriate documents on hand when traveling. Some Aviano travelers have recently been stopped and questioned by officials about their legal status in the European Union. Team Aviano members, when asked, usually present their tourist passport. Presenting the tourist passport first is still the best practice. However, this can raise questions. Either the tourist passport has no entry stamp (because the member entered the EU with their no fee passport or military orders) or they have a stamp that is likely more than three months old. Both of these scenarios will leave unanswered questions. The officials will either wonder how you got in without a stamp or they will wonder why you are still here more than three months later. The only way to satisfactorily answer these questions is to have all of your documents handy. In addition to the tourist passport, military members should have their military orders and military ID card and dependents should have their no fee passport/visa and soggiorno. Newly arrived dependents who have not yet received their soggiorno will be fine as long as they have a valid visa. Even with these documents you may have to educate different authorities about your legal status in the EU and explain how you arrived. Please remain patient whenever authorities inquire. Should you have any questions, please contact the legal office at DSN 632-7843 or passport office at DSN 632-4593.
Transporting pets in your vehicle
Italian law requires pets to be restrained while traveling in a vehicle. When traveling with one pet it must be restrained to prevent it from climbing to the front and distracting the driver. A leash can be used to secure the pet in the backseat. If you travel more than one pet, Italian law is specific about the type of restraint necessary. The animals must be either placed in a cage or placed in the back of the vehicle separated from the passenger compartment by a net or similar device. If the separating device is permanently installed it must be approved by the Italian ground transportation department. Restraining your pets will not only help in arriving safely but it will also avoid tickets and fines. The penalty for following this law is a fine ranging from 71 to 286 Euros. If you have any questions, please contact the legal office at 632-7843.
Snow tires or chains mandatory on autostrada, mountain roads beginning in November
Members should check their current tires for M+S, M/S or M-S. If tires have these markings, they are authorized as snow tires under Italian law. Motorists are required to have snow tires or snow chains on board all vehicles effective Nov. 15 through April 15, 2013 when driving on the following autostradas in Italy: A4 Venezia Trieste, A23 Palmanova Udine, A28 Portogruaro Conegliano and Raccordo Villesse Gorizia. Snow tires or chains are also required on any moun-tain roads, including the road from Aviano to Piancavallo. This does not include via Pedemontana Occidentale, commonly referred to as Mountain Highway. For more information, contact the 31st Fighter Wing Safety Office at 632-8240 or visit www.autovie.it/Home.aspx or www.autovie.it/cms/data/browse/news/000062.aspx.
Know before you go
Before traveling out of the Aviano area, the 31st Fighter Wing anti-terrorism office recommends first reviewing the information available on the State Department website: http://travel.state.gov. The site includes any applicable travel advisories for the areas you may transit during your travel. Additionally, the State Department has this material available on their mobile application. Search for SmartTraveler in your mobile device's app store.
Passports
While many of the world's most sought out locations are only a short plane, train or automobile trip away, to get to some of these destinations, Aviano members will need a passport.
Avoiding crime while traveling
Crime can happen anytime anywhere and becoming a victim can be a quick way to ruin an enjoyable trip.
Travel Europe by train
The idea of catching a train might sound like a throwback to travel 100 years ago, but in Europe it's a snap and relatively inexpensive to boot.
Driving on the Autostrada
The Autostrada is the main highway system in Italy and is similar to the Interstate highway system in the US. The Autostrada is the fastest way to get around Italy.
Etiquette when visiting art in churches
Much of the art in Italy is in Catholic churches. You are entering a place of worship and are expected to dress and act accordingly.
Culture - Integrating into Italian markets
Open air markets are one of the most picturesque aspects of Italian life style. At the market you can mingle with locals, walk with them through colorful stalls and purchase all sorts of merchan-dise. You can smell the fragrance of fresh fruits, flowers or tempting ready-to-eat Italian food passing by a "rosticceria."
|
|
| |
| |
Base Operator/ Locator:
International: 011-39-0434-30-1110
In Italy: 0434-30-1110
DSN: 314-632-1110
-----
31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
Commercial: 011-39-0434-30-7555
DSN: 314-632-7555
Unit 6140, Box 100
Aviano AB, Italy
APO, AE 09604 |
|
| |
|
|
This Weekend in the Community 