FAQs
Question
Is there a registry?
Answer
Your presence is our present. Therefore we will not be having a registry. If you are still feeling inclined to making a gift then we would appreciate you donating to your favorite charity of choice. Thank you for your continued love and support!
Question
How are we getting to the wedding venue?
Answer
We will have a charter bus bringing people from outside the NH Hotel in La Spezia to the wedding venue Villa Marigola in Lerici. The bus will leave at 4:30 PM. There will be two return charter buses bringing people back to La Spezia at 11:30 PM and 1:30 AM. (We recommend booking a taxi if you need to return to La Spezia at a different time.)
Question
Where do I get my train tickets?
Answer
The best place to get your train tickets is online via this site: https://www.trenitalia.com/en.html It is always best to buy train tickets in advance for longer distances and tickets for shorter trips to places like Cinque Terre can be bought at the train station. **Don't forget to validate (time stamp) your ticket on the ticket machine outside the train!
Question
Should I make a reservation for restaurants?
Answer
Always make sure to have a reservation for dinner. Though it is possible to find a table at a restaurant it can be more likely you will find them booked for the evening! Reservations are commonly done by phone but also via websites like TripAdvisor and Yelp.
Question
Should I tip the waiter at a restaurant?
Answer
Tipping is not a common practice in Italy so do not feel obligated to leave any additional money unless you feel the service was exceptional. Leaving 2 or 3 euros would be plenty in those cases.
Question
What's the best way to get around town?
Answer
The bus is the fastest and cheapest way to get around La Spezia and the nearby towns like Porto Venere and Lerici. You can find information on the bus schedules, routes and ticketing info on this site: https://www.atcesercizio.it/en/ Google maps is also a good source for bus schedules and routes to get you where you want to go. Tickets can be purchased via an app DropTicket (digitally) or in person at shops called Tabacchi (tabacco store). These stores are found all over town. I recommend asking a local where to find bus tickets and they'll surely point you in the right direction. As you are buying your tickets, be sure to mention your destination to the clerk and they will help you get the right one for the trip.
Question
Where are the closest beaches?
Answer
The closest beaches are found in Lerici which should be accessed by bus. Follow the link found on the Things To Do page for Lerici for more info. Beaches are public and can be used for free. You'll just want to bring a towel and all your beach necessities for the day. Food and drink can be bought on the beach at little cabanas if you don't bring food for the day. Private beaches will be rather obvious with umbrellas and lounge chairs which can be rented for half a day to a full day if available. It is best to go early in the morning if you would like to secure a lounge chair (lettino) .
Question
What city should I stay in for the weekend of the wedding?
Answer
We recommend staying in La Spezia during your stay for the wedding and it would serve as a good jumping off point to various locations and historic cities listed below since the train station is so easily accessible.