One day in Civita di Bagnoregio: a Lazio Town that refuses to die

The spectacular mediaeval hilltop town of Civita di Bagnoregio, known as the “castle in the sky”, is located in the province of Viterbo, 110km north of Rome.

Perched on exceptionally unsound foundations, the hamlet has gradually been reduced in size due to centuries of earthquakes and landslides which have chipped away at its soft volcanic base. The original town centre remains intact, however, surging out of the desolate Calanchi valley whose chasms and chalky cliffs resemble a mini-Grand Canyon.

Christened La città che muore by the Civita-born writer Bonaventura Tecchi, this “dying town” has long been condemned by authorities over fears that its collapse into the valley is not only probable but inevitable. Today the town’s community has dwindled to just 12 permanent residents, although that number increases to around 100 during the summer months.

One day in Civita di Bagnoregio: a World Heritage Site

In 2015 the Lazio region’s governor Nicola Zingaretti launched an appeal, calling on UNESCO to recognise Civita as a World Heritage Site. Zingaretti stated that Civita is “now in extreme and urgent need of maintenance unless we wish to deprive ourselves forever of a sentinel of our cultural history, a piece of our heritage.”

The Lazio Region also injected €1.2 million in shoring up the town’s shaky foundations to protect it from the erosion that “threatens its very survival.”

In September 2019 the region’s campaign resulted in Civita becoming an official candidate in the prestigious UNESCO listing. If successful, its world heritage classification would ensure a steady flow of conservation funding for Civita.

Visit one day in Civita di Bagnoregio: history of Civita

The town is about 1,200 years old but its origins date back to the sixth century BC and the Etruscans, whose caves can still be visited. Although Stone Age artefacts have been discovered in the area, there are no human traces from the subsequent Bronze Age.

Between the fifth and eighth centuries, Civita was almost continually subjected to siege, changing hands numerous times. It was first occupied by the Goths, then the Byzantines, followed by the Lombards, before becoming part of the Papal States in 774.

One day in Civita di Bagnoregio: transport

Modern-day Civita is not easy to reach, particularly by public transport, but like all good things it is well worth the effort. To access the town visitors must make their way over a narrow, steep footbridge, which is 275-m long and is suspended at great height.

There is a €5 charge to cross the valley, payable on the Bagnoregio side, and it is not uncommon to see less courageous people being led across with their eyes closed. Built in 1965, the concrete structure replaced a temporary wooden version constructed after German troops blew up the existing masonry bridge in 1944.

The best way to reach Bagnoregio from Rome is to make the roughly 1.5-hour journey by car, taking the Orvieto exit off the A1 motorway. Trains depart from Roma Termini to Orvieto whose station is connected to Bagnoregio by Cotral bus. It is also possible to reach Bagnoregio by Cotral bus from Viterbo Porta Fiorentina (train from Roma Ostiense) but the Orvieto option is less complicated. The coaches are not very regular so check times before travelling. Orvieto is 20km away from Bagnoregio, Viterbo 30km, but both bus trips take about an hour.

Civita is cinema!

Its beauty has caught the imagination of artists and filmmakers, notably Japan’s Hayao Miyazaki, who drew inspiration from Civita for his 1986 animated movie Laputa: Castle in the Sky, and Italy’s Alberto Sironi, who chose the hilltop town as the setting for his 2009 film Pinocchio, starring Bob Hoskins.

The official travel guidebook uses effusive terms to describe Civita, “surrounded in a fog of unreality” as if “an island in our memory or a figment of our imagination.” However despite Civita being promoted as the “hidden pearl in the heart of Lazio”, the reality is that the town’s supposedly secret status is long gone. One senses that visiting the place a couple of decades ago may have been more of an adventure.

Civita has successfully branded itself, making much of its locally produced food and wine, and even has its own craft beer label. A sign on the door of Trattoria Antica Forno states: “The Rick Steves readers are welcome!” while the people behind the Acqua di Civita range of perfumes and soap boast of international sales and requests to launch their products in London and Tehran.

Neither is Civita unique among northern Lazio “ghost towns” condemned for safety reasons – Celleno and Calcata being the most obvious comparison. Like Calcata, Civita has no cars, post office, supermarket or pharmacy. However, unlike Calcata, which is relatively down-at-heel, Civita is twee and manicured, offering picture-postcard material at every turn. It also has the slick stamp of marketing all over it.

The town’s unpaved main square, Piazza S. Donato, until the 1960s catered for a large circular olive oil press, operated by donkeys. These days the animals still make an appearance in the piazza for the traditional donkey race, known as the tonna, a popular spectacle held in June and September each year.

The piazza is also home to the S. Donato church, founded in the eighth century on a pre-existing Roman temple. Its walls are dotted with shrines and reliquaries, including a gold and silver arm containing bones of S. Bonaventura.

Visit Greccio at Christmas time

Greccio it has been elected one of the most beautiful villages in Italy and is twinned with the city of Bethlehem, an excellent reason to organize an itinerary to discover the things to see in Greccio during the Christmas period in the historic center.

The small village owes its “fortune” to the “Poverello di Assisi” who spent the last period of his life right on Mount Lacerone in a small hermitage dug into the rock.
Here Saint Francis spent Christmas night in 1223. This moment wrote history. The saint of Assisi “remembered the cave of Bethlehem” by recalling the moment of the birth of the Child Jesus.

Today Greccio is considered the “town of nativity scenes“. Every year around 45 thousand pilgrims visit the Hermitage of San Francesco. In the period of December the flow of pilgrims and visitors reaches very high peaks.

Visit Greccio at Christmas it is magical, the city is where the first nativity scene in the world was born. Among the things to see in Greccio during the Christmas period in the historic center is the International Nativity Scene Museum. A few meters from the centre, inside the Church of Santa Maria, the Nativity Museum is set up which houses a great variety of nativity scenes, creations and sculptures. All very suggestive. Absolutely not to be missed among the stops on the itinerary is the beautiful Church of San Michele Arcangelo, patron saint of Greccio, which dominates the main square of the town from above. The church is accessed via a long staircase. From the churchyard you can take some panoramic photos and enjoy a beautiful view.

From 24 December 2023 to 6 January 2024 the historical representation of the first living nativity scene will take place at the Hermitage of San Francesco.

Despite the harsh climate, if you are in Greccio in December, you cannot miss this performance.

Remember that in this period there are many stands and Christmas markets with craft products and food on sale.

Visit Greccio at Christmas: history

Greek is no longer spoken in upper Sabina, as it might have been more than a thousand years ago if the legend is to be believed of Greek settlers escaping war in their country and settling in Greccio. Just over an hour away by car from Rome, Greccio has a fascinating connection with St Francis of Assisi and with the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem.

First Grecia, then Grece, Grecce and finally Greccio, this picturesque village perched on rocks among the holm oak and beech forests of the Sabina mountains overlooking the Rieti plain attracts visitors from all over the world

They come to see the Franciscan church and monastery, parts of which were founded in 1228 – the same year as the canonisation of the saint – and to look at the modern collection of nativity scenes set in such contrasting situations as a tent in sub-Saharan Africa or an Icelandic igloo. Greccio is now a world centre for such models showing the birthplace of Jesus.

Useful information

Greccio is a pretty, little-known village with a wide central piazza and occupies a panoramic position overlooking the Rieti plain. The former marshland was drained in early Roman times when a canal was dug to the plateau edge at Marmore, allowing the Velino river to cascade into the Terni valley below, forming the highest man-made waterfall in Europe, well worthy of a visit. Check the website to be sure of catching the magical moment when the water is released.

There are several good restaurants in Greccio, not least the appropriately named Nido del Corvo, which has excellent food and a spectacular view.

Getting there

By road from Rome: Take the Via Salaria to Rieti and then turn left and proceed about six km towards Terni, turning off left to Contigliano and then following the signs for Greccio.

By bus from Rome: Cotral bus from Tiburtina to Rieti. Then Cotral bus from Rieti to Greccio.

By train: from Terni in the direction of Rieti, alighting at Greccio station and taking a local bus.

Day trips from Rome: Bomarzo

Bomarzo is a mediaeval town in north Lazio, is best known for its fantastical Parco dei Mostri or “park of monsters”. Designed by Renaissance architect Pirro Ligorio with the aim of astonishing visitors, this wondrous park features grotesque mythological sculptures and fountains, including the gaping Orcus, Hannibal’s elephant, Pegasus the winged horse and a disorientating leaning house.

How to get to Bomarzo from Rome

By train: Trains from Roma Termini to Attigliano-Bomarzo station take around 55 minutes. Trains from Rome also reach nearby Orte and Viterbo, with Cotral buses to Bomarzo operating from both towns.
Driving: 93 km north from Rome to Bomarzo via A1 / E35. The drive takes about an hour and a half.

Day trips from Rome: Calcata

This craggy hamlet north of Rome was condemned in the 1930s over fears of its impending collapse, and its residents were relocated to the newly-built “Calcata Nuova”.

In the 1960s however old Calcata slowly came back to life with the arrival of artists who squatted in its abandoned houses and caves. The hippy atmosphere prevails today with The New York Times describing Calcata as “the grooviest village in Italy”. There are numerous spot, one is Monte Gelato Waterfalls.

How to get to Calcata from Rome

By train/bus: There are no direct trains from Rome. Take the 20-minute journey on the light-rail train service from Via Flaminia in Rome to Saxa Rubra, then hop aboard one of the blue Cotral buses to Calcata Vecchia. Buses leave regularly, and the trip takes a little over an hour, however it is best to consult all connections before making the journey.
Driving: Approx 53 km north from Rome to Calcata via SS2, exit Settevene and follow signs for Calcata. The drive takes about one hour.

Day trips from Rome: Caprarola

Located on the southern slope of the densely-wooded Cimini mountains, Caprarola is a town in the Viterbo province, about 50km north-west of Rome. It is best known for its magnificent Palazzo Farnese, a five-sided Renaissance palace dating to the late 16th century, and the formal gardens that surround it. The pentagonal palace, also known as Villa Farnese, is famous for its Mannerist frescoes and spectacular winding staircase. Caprarola is known for a amazing “sagra“, a traditional party during the hazelnut harvest in October.

How to get to Caprarola from Rome

By train: There is no direct service but trains run from Roma Termini to Orte (approx 40 mins). From Orte, you can take a taxi but be warned that the roughly half-hour trip will cost between €50 and €65.
By bus: From Piazzale Flaminio take a bus to Saxa Rubra (13 mins) before transferring to a Cotral bus to Caprarola (approx 1 hour and 10 mins).
Driving: Approximately 60 km north from Rome to Caprarola via SR2. The drive takes about one hour and 20 mins.

Day trips from Rome: Civita di Bagnoregio

Regarded by many as the jewel in the crown of Lazio’s hilltop villages, Civita di Bagnoregio surges out of the Calanchi valley in the northern Viterbo province. The tiny hamlet is known as “the dying town” due to the erosion and landslides that have chipped away at its fragile base over the centuries, from the Etruscan era to the modern day. Only about a dozen residents still live in Civita which is reached by a steep pedestrian bridge, and is seeking World Heritage recognition from UNESCO.

How to get to Civita di Bagnoregio from Rome

By train/ bus: Trains leave from Roma Termini to Orvieto whose station is connected to nearby Bagnoregio by Cotral bus. You can also reach Bagnoregio by Cotral bus from Viterbo Porta Fiorentina (trains from Roma Ostiense) but the Orvieto option is less complicated. The coaches do not run regularly so check times before travelling. Orvieto is 20km away from Bagnoregio, Viterbo 30km, both bus trips take about an hour.
Driving: Approximately 120 km north from Rome to Bagnoregio, taking the Orvieto exit off A1 motorway. The drive takes around one hour and 50 mins.

Day trips from Rome: Subiaco

Located about 70 km east of Rome, Subiaco is best known as the home of St Benedict’s monastery and the Sacro Speco, a hermitage where the saint lived alone for three years. Both of these sacred areas house 13th-century frescoes and can be visited by the public. The history of Subiaco dates back to the Aequi, an ancient Italic people, who were conquered by the Romans in 304 BC.

How to get to Subiaco from Rome

By bus: Take a direct Cotral bus from Roma Tiburtina to Subiaco (1.5 hours).
Driving: Rome to Subiaco via A24. The drive takes about one hour and 20 mins.

Pantheon historical

Among the ancient classic buildings, the Pantheon is certainly the best preserved one. The Pantheon, a temple dedicated to all the gods, was founded between the 25 and the 27 BC. by Marco Vipsanio Agrippa, son-in-law of Divus Augustus . Damaged in 80 and 110 AD, it was restored by Hadrian between 118 and 125. Donated by the Byzantine emperor Phocas to Pope Boniface IV, it was consecrated in 609, with the name of Basilica of S. Maria ad Martyres.

The pronaos is supported by sixteen Corinthian columns of gray and pink granite. The three columns on the left side were replaced in the 17th century. by the will of popes Urban VIII and Alexander VII, using uncovered material. The door, 7.53 m high and about 4.90 m wide, has two bronze doors weighing 7 tons each. Nothing remains of the original bronze decoration of the pediment.
The interior consists of a circular hall of 43.30 m in diameter and as many in height. The wall is marked by seven alternately rectangular and semicircular chapels, interspersed with eight aedicules. The attic has a motif of windows and panes made by Paolo Posi in 1757. The coffered dome ends in a circular opening of about 9 m in diameter. The ray of light that enters through the dome is projected at noon on the axis of the door, making the Pantheon an astronomical clock. The rainwater that enters from the oculus of the dome is drained through 22 holes located in the center of the floor.

How to visit the Pantheon: how to purchase tickets 

The tickets – available at €5 (full price) or €3 (discount) – can be purchased online via the Musei Italiani website www.museiitaliani.it (registration required).

Tickets can also be bought directly from the official ticket office at the Pantheon, with payment by credit card or debit card, from 09.00 to 18.00.

Reservations are required to visit on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays and bookings can be made up to one week before the selected visiting date. Access to the monument is subject to change in accordance with religious celebrations.

Visits are organised in one-hour slots for a maximum number of 1,000 people. 

The Pantheon website also offers the option of booking guided tours and audio guides, ranging in price from €15 to €30.

How to visit the Pantheon: who can enter the Pantheon for free

Access to the Pantheon will remain free to Rome residents, visitors with disablities, and the under-18s, while EU citizens aged 18 to 25 pay an entry fee of €3.

Entry is also free for those attending religious services, with the sale of tickets stopping one hour before the start of Mass which is celebrated at 17.00 from Monday to Saturday and at 10.00 on Sundays. The Pantheon is closed on 1 January and 25 December each year.

History and news about Gradoli

One of the most characteristic villages of upper Lazio is Gradoli, with its tuff walls and the Farnese castle which welcomes tourists.

Gradoli stands on a tuff hill at 475 meters above sea level in the heart of the Volsini Mountains, surrounded for the most part by the Fosso Rigo stream. Gradoli presents itself to the visitor as a suggestive and graceful village, surrounded by woods and ditches, where the mighty Rocca Farnese stands out.

The first written testimonies mentioning “Castrum Gradolorum” date back to 1113 when it was one of the properties of Matilde di Canossa which she subsequently donated to the Papacy. Here, in the area called “Pergola”, a majestic castle was built, which can only be reached by crossing a steep staircase, called “gradus” in Latin, from which the probable origin of the name. Today few traces remain of the castle apart from a round tower, now incorporated in a private house, the entrance arch and part of the walls.

What to see in Gradoli in one day

The beauty of Gradoli also lies in the evocative atmosphere that the ancient historical center offers, typical of the many villages of the Tuscia Viterbese, and which will allow you to spend a pleasant day amidst history, legend and nature.
The pride of Gradoli is the Palazzo (Rocca) Farnese, a majestic sixteenth-century building, which stands guard over the village. It was designed by Antonio da Sangallo the Younger as a summer residence for Pope Paul III and the Farnese family. The rooms of the building where the Farnesian Costume Museum is currently housed are elegantly frescoed, which preserves a fascinating collection of period clothes, weapons and tools.

Outside the ancient walls but incorporated in the inhabited center is the Church of San Pietro in Vinculis, whose interior was remodeled in the 18th century.
Far from the town of Gradoli on the road towards Latera, you come across the Church of San Vittore. Archaeological surveys have shown that it was built on the remains of a pre-existing Roman building, along an ancient road that connected the Etruscan cities of Bisenzio and Sovana.

Walking through Gradoli lets you breathe a medieval air, you feel like an old knight. The tuff and stone houses, the windows with flowers and the Farnese castle have stopped time.

In addition to these things to see in Gradoli in one day, you mustn’t miss a walk to Lake Bolsena or the ghost town of Celleno. The city of Viterbo is also worth a walk.

Viterbo Christmas 2022

The historic center of Viterbo, from November 26th to January 6th, will be transformed into an enchanted place where you can stroll and meet Santa Claus. An elven village where the sparkling colors and lights will surprise.

There are many activities designed for children, artisans at work to create unique objects and fantastic gift ideas. The scent of mulled wine and ginger biscuits will be your companions in this magical adventure.

Viterbo will come alive with Christmas characters, elves and reindeer to accompany you to the arrival of the Befana on 6 January.

Viterbo Christmas 2022 timetables and tickets

To visit Viterbo Christmas you will have the opportunity to purchase tickets in advance through the official website (in this case they will have a slight surcharge) or by going to the box office at the entrance to the Christmas park.

Tickets have different rates based on the type of visit chosen. It starts from € 5 for the basic entrance up to € 80 for the all-inclusive ticket and skip-the-line for the entire family group! There are truly tickets and formulas for all budgets.

Visit the Reclining Buddha of Wat Pho

The huge statue of the reclining Buddha is placed inside a Wat Pho temple that, according to legend, was made after the sculpture, so that it can be preserved and incorporated in its entirety. The structure is very narrow, but the space present is enough to revolve around the great Buddha figure.

The statue has record size, 46 meters long and 15 meters high, it is among the most majestic in Thailand. To make it, valuable materials have been used, it is covered entirely with gold leaf, and the soles of the feet are covered with mother-of-pearl inlaid with 108 stories from Buddha’s life.

Remember that the sculpture of the reclined Buddha is huge, difficult to photograph in its entirety, but you will be fascinated and enthusiastic about it I assure you!

To access the vast Wat Pho complex and visit the reclining Buddha temple you need to pay a ridiculously priced ticket for the splendor you will visit. Be careful because, like any Buddhist temple, appropriate clothing is also required here and you must enter without shoes as a form of respect.

Useful tips for visiting the reclining Buddha of Wat Pho

You can visit Wat Pho’s reclining Buddha every day from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The cost of the ticket is 200 Baths per person. Free entry for children under the height of 120 cm.

Once entering the precincts of any temple please keep calm and be polite since the temple is a sacred place where religious rites and activities are performed. 

Traditional or polite dress is required, while shorts above the knees are prohibited for woman. It is required to take off your shoes and put them on the shelf before entering religious buildings. Women are also prohibited from all areas set aside for monks to perform their rites. 

The Buddha image is respected by all Buddhists. In temples and ancient monuments, photos can be taken, but never step on the image. Only permitted officer is allowed to climb up the image to clean and place the offerings. 

Trip information for visiting reclining Buddha of Wat Pho

Wat Phra Chetuphon Wimol Mangklaram Rajwaramahawihan GPS: N 13° 44′ 47.429 E 100° 29′ 35.144 Transportation

• Bus Nos. 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 25, 32, 44, 47, 48, 53, 82

• Air-conditioned bus Nos. 1, 6, 7, 8, 12, 44, 48

• Chao phraya Express boat. Get off at Tha Chang pier, Tha Tien Pier or Pak Klong Talad Pier, then walk through Thai Wang Road entrance.

Visiting Venice with kids

Venice is magical for a child, with its streets made of water and its homes emerging right from the canals

There are many child-friendly things to do in Venice such as learning to blow glass in Murano or taking a ride in a real gondola. Venice has an incredible carnival and masks that are great fun for kids to see ( but it is more expensive!).

Venice is on water and is car free, there are many areas where the kids can roam freely and run!

What to do in Venice with kids

What to do in Venice with kids? Run after the pigeons in Piazza San Marco! The one thing all children remember about Venice are the pigeons in Piazza San Marco.

St Mark’s Basilica – if you have very small kids, get them to find and notice all the amazing animals sculpted and depicted around the cathedral, there are quite a few! Climb the top tower, suitable for kids 6 and up. Visit Doge’s Palace and spot the lions, symbol of Venice!

Visit Libreria dell’Acqua Alta, a magical place children but also adults are likely to adore in Venice. This is a magical bookshop with books old and new gathered into any container you can imagine, including bath tubs and gondolas!

Visit Peggy Guggenheim Museum, one of the most family-friendly museums in Venice! The museum has free art workshops for kids on Sundays (age 4 to 10), discounts for families and wonderful tactile tours too. You can read more about the kids’ programs at the Peggy Guggenheim here.

Taking a gondola is usually high on the list of children visiting Venice and can indeed be fun, especially if they are old enough to appreciate the stories told by the gondoliers. If gondolas are a hit with your kids, then you can go see a ‘squero’, the place where gondolas are made.

Tell them the story of the Ponte de’ Sospiri. The bridge is suspended high above a canal and connect the Doge’s Palace to the Prison. It was the bridge prisoners had to walk before their judgment and the one they had to walk back when condemned.

Children’s parks in Venice

During your visit at Venice with kids plan a playground break, getting a break from the crowds is more important than ever!

Good parks / playgrounds in Venice are:

• Parco Savorgnan – Cannaregio
• Giardino Papadopoli – Santa Croce
• Giardini Napoleonici- Castello
• Pineta di Sant’Elena – Castello

When visit Venice with kids?

Venice is wonderful any time of the year!

The summer: the summer is my favorite time to visit Venice! In summer you can take the children for a boat ride to the islands of the lagoon or go to the sea on the nearby beaches.

The fall: this is a good time also to avoid crowds. Depending on when exactly you go, rain and colder temperatures are possible but it is still a good time for sightseeing.

The winter: In Venice the time in winter is rather cold and humid, as you can imagine, and does not allow for a lot of time in the park or playing outside. But in winter you can visit the funny and historical carnival.

The spring is perfect time to visit Venice in terms of weather. During the spring you can visit the city without excessive heat and children can play in the playgarden.

Personally, I do not recommend visiting Venice with kids during the carnival due to the crowds and spike in the cost of accommodation.

One day in Verona with kids

Verona is one of the most beautiful, charming and famous cities in Italy, and a lovely place to visit with kids.

Well-served by a busy international airport and train station, Verona is a great getaway to family-friendly Lake Garda and Gardaland Park.

Verona’s city center is compact and the best way to explore it is on foot.

If you have very small kids, a cute option to visit the city is to hop on the city tourist train. The tourist train tour only takes 25 minutes, it has audioguides in several languages and it is a fun way to get a first overview of the city and decide what to explore more in-depth next.

One day in Verona with kids itinerary

One day in Verona with kids: start to visiting Piazza Bra and Verona’s Arena.

Piazza Bra is a beautiful, large square and a great introduction to the city of Verona Piazza Bra is lovely for kids! On one side, you have beautiful cafes with lovely views over the square.

The famous Arena of Verona, in the city center, is an ancient Roman amphitheater still in use for opera performances and concerts. After a visit to the Piazza Bra and the Arena, I recommend you cross the city center towards Castelvecchio and Castelvecchio Bridge, a scenic bridge and a famous Verona landmark.

Another place to visit in Verona is Piazza delle Erbe. Piazza delle Erbe is the medieval city market and it is a large piazza still now hosting traders and stalls.

The most important place in Verona, after the Arena , is the Casa di Giulietta. The house is in the city center and very easy to find! The line moved very fast and we quickly found ourselves in the famous Juliet’s Courtyard, which is lovely. Access to the courtyard is free.

The famous balcony is just above you and it is pretty: you will see a stream of visitors from inside the house leaning there for their turn at a selfie; however, if you have a bit of patience you may be able to snap a nice photo without anyone looking down.

Tip: an alternative way to tap into the story of Romeo and Juliet while in Verona is to visit the crypts of San Zeno church. This is where the lovers got married.

Information and tips

Besides the Arena, you find the Verona Info Point; here, you can collect a free map and scavenger hunt for kids that will help keep them engaged while sightseeing. 

During your one day in Verona with kids for lunch, having take-out focaccia in La Figaccia (highly recommended).

One day in Verona with kids under the rain

Escape the rain and play in Verona Children’s Museum. Verona children museum is a good option for a rainy day, this is a new, small museum for kids to play and learn by doing. 

Verona Archaeological Museum and Roman Theater. The Roman Theater is a good place to visit with kids who love history or o a rainy day. The museum offers regular activities for kids.

Take a Family Scavenger Hunt with Macaco Tours. Macaco Tours organize kid-centered scavenger hunts and they are brilliant: very informative and fun.

Castel San Pietro – lovely to catch views over the city. If the kids are good walkers, you can hike up the hill or you can take Funiculare (cable car)

Travel contingencies

One day before our flight, Irene got injured and we ended up in the emergency room. Broken elbow! Can you fly with plaster? At that point what to do? Was it crazy to embark with a two-year-old girl with one arm in plaster? The answer was given to us by the pediatric orthopedist: “Go, it will do the little one good! In this moment of fear she needs to be distracted.

Having a simple compound fracture, the medical team gave Irene a plaster shower. particular cast is much lighter and easier to handle than traditional plaster, especially suitable for young patients!

But in the end can you fly with plaster?

I have to answer this question with a “it depends. The possibility or not of being able to fly is linked to various factors. For example, if you have had a full cast in the past 48 hours, most airlines will prohibit you from taking a flight. The pressurization of the cabin at high altitude can generate swelling of the limbs and, if these are closed in a plaster, there is the risk of circulatory problems and embolisms.

If you don’t want to miss the chance to leave for the long-dreamed holiday, you could get around the obstacle by cutting the plaster along its entire length. I am not kidding, this crack will prevent the veins from swelling due to high altitude and will allow you to fly, but at the same time the fracture will no longer be immobilized!

Naturally this procedure will be carried out in a hospital medical setting after a careful examination by the orthopedist. my suggestion is to have a medical certificate issued to certify your state of health and the need, or not, to take special anti-coagulant medicines during the flight.

The Enac allows the use of fluidifying medical syringes, but it is good to have a certification from your doctor that proves this need.

You can fly with the plaster shower, and its presence does not involve any serious health risk. Being open, like a half shell, the plaster shower does not prevent the correct blood circulation as a classic plaster can do, and for this reason it is also suitable for air flights.

Much easier to manage, given its low weight compared to full plaster, the plaster shower is a valid alternative. Usually performed for small fractures that do not require complete immobilization, the cast shower is especially suitable for small children given its “light weight”.

Airline reservations and plaster, how to behave.

Almost all airlines have policies and strategies for the management of patients and / or people who have suffered an injury regulated by ENAC. It is a good idea to contact the airline you will be traveling with as soon as the accident has occurred, so that you can protect yourself and know how to behave.

Often the policy for the management of airline reservations varies according to the type of limb involved. In the case of upper limbs in plaster, you will have to specify the type of plaster, according to the rules of the airline you can book a standard seat.

The case is different for the cast of the legs. If you need to keep your leg straight, you will be book 3 seats. As for the transport of crutches on board, do not worry they will be able to get on with you placing them horizontally under the seats in front. At the airport it is possible to request, often with at least 24 hours notice, a wheelchair (wheelchair) or the transport service with microcar carried out by the airport staff!

Each company has its own vademecum so before “bind your head” contact it!