Chez

Hello! I'm looking for a lift to Hib preferably on Fri. I live in Watford, so a pick up anywhere in the London/Herts area would be great. So if anyone knows of anyone with space, please put them in contact with me. I'd be very grateful. Thanks! Cheryl [email protected]

I agree that Thiene would be your best option. It's so close to Vicenza. There'll be a nice bunch of people there too, with the regulars being very friendly and loads of other people heading back in Spring. And who knows, maybe I'll pop back over in the summer for a reunion and get to meet you too! C x P.S. Make the most of your time in Italy. I was there for a while and miss it all so much.

I've been to a couple of dzs in Italy and loved the views from Thiene: beautiful mountains, Venice off in the distance on a clear day. Loved it!

Hello! I live in Verona and go to Cremona, Piacenza way, most weekends. I get a lift, but have done it by train (takes a couple of hours, but is pretty easy, changing at either brescia or mantova). Nice people, Pilatus Porter, camping, showers, kit hire etc. if you wanna come down, or if you have more specific questions that i can endevour to get answered for you, send me a private message. (The centre's recently reopened, so i don't think it's got a website up and running yet). Alternatively there's Thiene, Vicenza which is nice too. Cheryl

Hi James. i've been to thiene by train a couple of times, but i live in Verona, so it's only half the bitch of a journey your's would be. I had a bit of a surf and here's what i came up with... You'll need to get a bus from Cortina to the nearest station which is 35km away! It's called Calzalzo-pieve di Cadore-Cortina. From there you'll get a train to either Venezia Mestre, treviso or Castelfranco where you change for Vicenza. If you are very lucky and time it well, there might be someone travelling from vicenza to thiene who can give you a lift- best to drop gianni at thiene a line beforehand to ask. If not, it's only a short train ride to thiene, where someone from the dz will pick you up. By the way, the train journey time was about 4 and a half hours (without your 35km bus ride) If you are rediculously hardcore and still want to gamble your life on the italian train system, let me know and I'll come join you at thiene. It would be fantastic to have another british student out here and it's a lovely little dz with friendly people and beautiful views. When in July would you go? Anyway. hope that little monster helps. Cheryl

Hey Tasha. If you're interested in a dz close to Sirmione, Cremona is well close. Thiene's nice as well. Might come join you in Arezzo this summer- I've wanted to go for a while now. C X

As for italy, i have to admit that due to the cold and snow that have hit most of the country, it might not be the best place to train at the moment (bearing in mind that I'm a wussy fair weather jumper). However, i'm sure things will be warming up in the next month. I've been jumping at Thiene, Vicenza and have found the staff and everyone very welcoming and ready to help. I'll be trying out Cremona (near Milan) when that opens next month too. I'm sure they'll be very keen to impress newcomers. C X

If you're up in the NE i'd recommend Thiene with a fantastic view over the mountains and even as far as Lake Garda. That's where i jump, but am afraid i wont be there at the time. Everyone there is really friendly though. C X

hello! just after some advice... I'm in Verona, I don't have a car or a rig and i've only got an A license. My italian is, let's say "limited", but getting better all the time. Where do i go to jump this weekend? Cheryl

I'll be in Verona in september sometime. I'm spending a year at the uni there. Have you got any info on the dz in Verona? Can't ask for much more than friendly people...well, apart from a parachute and something to jump out of! Cheryl

Is Ravenna easy to get to from Verona? I'm moving out there later this year and am looking forward to checking it out. I've heard good things. Cheryl