Trip with bicycle and train in Italy?

Question

I'm looking for maps and decent guidebooks or websites that can help me plan my trip to Italy.

I'll be flying to Palermo on May 8th. From Palermo I intend to make my way up north to Venice, stopping in Florence and Rome on the way.

I'll be travelling with tent, sleeping bag, cooking stove and a bicycle. For longer distances I intend to take the train, but for my way to and from the camping sites I intend to use my bike.

Are there any good maps for the bigger cities and the surrounding areas? Bike-friendly? Maybe a set of maps specifically designed for bike travel? All the maps I found are designed with car drivers in mind, they often give neither railway stations nor height lines. The few maps for bikers were too detailed for me, as they focused on only one region - and I want the whole of Italy.

Any links on cycling in Italy? Where should I look/ask?

For example, I know that there is a camping site not far from Palermo airport. How do I get there by bike after landing?

Answer 1

For travelling by train with yr bike, you get further information under :

http://www.trenitalia.com/en/servizi_per...

For information about campsites and bike routes you can contact the tourist office of italia, perhaps they can help you :

http://www.enit.it/default.asp?Lang=UK

And you can ask the European Cyclist federation: http://www.ecf.com/

A list of campgrounds I have found under :

http://www.agricamping.it/FarmHolidays/c...

Have a nice trip

K.

Answer 2

Have a great time!