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The busiest period for Italian holidaymakers is the first half of August. In addition to the Christmas–New Year–Epiphany period and Easter, there are public holidays on 25 April, 1 May, 2 June, 15 August, 1 November and 8 December.

Getting There

See the general map (p.7) for rail and road networks.

By air

Thanks to the proximity of international airports in northwestern Italy and neighbouring France and Switzerland, access to the GTA – and away at its conclusion – is straightforward. (See table on opposite page.)

By rail

Northwest Italy is served by scores of long-haul international trains from France and Switzerland, the majority calling at Milan or Turin. Unless travelling on an international route or long-distance at peak times, seat reservation is not necessary and fares reasonable. Note The FS Italian Rail is now introducing cheap fares on some routes – for special offers check out the web site www.trenitalia.com, also useful for timetable information.

By road

Several major toll-paying autostrada arteries feed into northwest Italy from France via the Mediterranean coast and Ventimiglia; further north from Modane via Bardonecchia to Susa; through the Mont Blanc tunnel and a motorway down Valle d’Aosta. There are also myriad minor roads crossing passes from Switzerland.