Italy Useful Resources

A variety of publishing companies offer guidebooks to meet the educational needs of novice or expert hikers. For info about camping, hiking, and biking, write or call the publishers listed below to receive a free catalog. Campers heading to Europe should consider buying an International Camping Carnet. Similar to a hostel membership card, it’s required at a few campgrounds and sometimes provides discounts. It is available in North America from the Family Campers and RVers Association and in the UK from The Caravan Club (both below). For Italian information, consult the Touring Club Italiano (TCI), C. Italia 10, Milan (☎02 85 261; www.touringclub.com).

Automobile Association, Contact Centre, Lambert House, Stockport Rd., Cheadle SK8 2DY, UK (☎+44 8706 000 371; www.theAA.com). Publishes road atlases for Europe, Britain, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Spain, and the US.
The Caravan Club, East Grinstead House, East Grinstead, West Sussex, RH19 1UA, UK (☎+44 1342 326 944; www.caravanclub.co.uk). For UK£34, members receive access to sites, insurance services, equipment discounts, maps, and a monthly magazine.
Cicerone Press, 2 Police Sq., Milnthorpe, Cumbria UK LA7 7PY, (☎+44 1539 562 069; www.ciceroneguides.com). Walking, trekking, and climbing guides, including Walking in Tuscany (2006; UK£14) and Walking in Sicily (2006; UK£12).
European Rambler’s Association (ERA), c/o Klub èeských turistù, Archeologická 2256, 155 00 Prague 5 - Lužiny, Czech Republic (☎+420 251 627 356; www.era-ewv-ferp.org). Umbrella organization for Rambler’s Associations in countries throughout Europe. Maintains 11 long-distance, walk-able, inter-European trails with the aim of promoting sustainable travel and supporting European culture and heritage.
Family Campers and RVers Association, 4804 Transit Rd., Bldg. 2, Depew, NY 14043 (www.fcrv.org). For US$25, members receive access to special events, equipment discounts, maps, and a monthly magazine.
The Mountaineers Books, 1001 SW Klickitat Way, Ste. 201, Seattle, WA 98134, USA (☎+1-206-223-6303; www.mountaineersbooks.org). Over 600 titles on hiking, biking, mountaineering, natural history, and conservation.

The following bookstores in Italy carry maps as well as titles on outdoor adventure, travel, and mountaineering.

Monti in Città, Vle. Monte Nero 15, Milan (☎02 55 18 17 90; www.montiincitta.it).
Nuova Libreria Accursio, V. G. Oberdan 29/b, 40126 Bologna (☎051 22 09 83; accursio-wolit@tiscali.it)
Peakbook, V. Arco dei Banchi 3a, 00186 Rome (☎06 64 76 00 87; www.peakbook.it).