Italy: Food and Lodging
What type of lodging is provided?
For Ostuni-based programs:
You'll stay at the Incanto, which is an elegant and charming Italian hotel. The rooms are double occupancy, although single rooms are available for an additional fee. The hotel is located two miles from the old town square and the more modern downtown, where a pharmacy, bank, grocery store and other shops are available. Transportation is by taxi or local bus.
For Monopoli-based programs:
You'll stay in double-occupancy rooms at the Hotel Clio, a large tourist-class hotel overlooking the Adriatic. Single supplements are available. All rooms have access to a TV sitting room centrally located for general use. The hotel is a short five-block walk from the town square and central business district.
(Please note that energy-saving laws in Puglia prohibit hotels from turning on their heating systems until mid-November, so if you join a late fall team, you should bring warm sleeping attire.)
What are the laundry arrangements?
You can use laundry mats in town and often the hotel can deliver the clothes for you.
What is the electrical power?
The current in Italy is 220V. You should bring a converter (to 220V) and an adapter (the large round double-pronged version used throughout Europe) for your electrical appliances unless they are dual voltage.
What is the local cuisine?
The food in this part of Italy is renowned: A light breakfast of fruit, cereal, rolls, cheese, yogurt, juice and tea or coffee. Lunch and dinner will be at area restaraunts. A typical meal will have bread, a salad or soup, two small main courses, and then dessert or fruit.
Can special diets be accommodated?
Avoiding meat is not a problem. Volunteers with such strict requirements will eat mostly pasta, bread, and vegetables, although egg and butter are used in many such recipes. Consider bringing familiar foods to supplement your diet if you have especially restrictive needs.
Will potable drinking water be provided?
The tap water in southern Italy is generally safe, although bottled water is readily available.
