1936 On the Continent

into battle, need not worry you. If you saw how mothers entrust babies of four or five to his care, and how tenderly the militiaman looks after them, any prejudice you may harbour against him would instantly evaporate. If the train stops at any station for a long time and you wish to alight without leaving your luggage unguarded, you need only say to the militiaman: “
Vuol avere la gentillezza di star attento al mio bagaglio?
” (“Will you be good enough to look after my luggage?”), after which you can leave the train in the certainty that all will be well. If, upon your return, you say to the blackshirt “
Molto grazie, signore
,” you will have done all that is expected of you for his services. Do not attempt to offer him a tip, for he will refuse it in any case. Mussolini once said that the man who guards a cheese warehouse is also serving his country; and the railway militiaman, in keeping an eye on your luggage and thereby contributing to the wellbeing of a foreign visitor to Italy, also feels that he is not only doing you a favour but also serving his country.
Telegraph Service of Trains
    There is a charming custom in connection with railway travel in Italy. The departing traveller sends a telegram to his friends from the train and they respond in a similar manner. If you wish to send a telegram from the train, you need only approach the conductor.
Porters, etc.
    Arrived at your destination you lean out of the window and shout “
Facchino!
” whereupon a porter will comeup to you and take charge of your luggage. As a special precaution you may note his number, though this is hardly necessary nowadays. If you wish to drive to a hotel by taxi, say to the porter “
Tarsi!
”; if by horse cab, say “
Carozza!
” But if you have booked in advance at some hotel, then tell the porter the name of the hotel. The porters of the local hotels are sure to be waiting at the station, and any one of them will direct you. Some hotels have omnibuses waiting at the station, and these are naturally cheaper than taxis or horse cabs. The railway porter will be perfectly satisfied if you pay him the obligatory rate of one lira per suitcase and half a lira for smaller items of luggage, with a tip of one lira in addition. Should the porter exhibit signs of dissatisfaction, you may quite safely swear at him in your own native tongue. You are bound to score an immediate success.
Taxis
    During the day—owing to Sanctions—an extra charge of 90 centisimi is made in addition to the tariff shown by the clock. After 10 p.m. an extra charge is made for luggage—generally one lira per item. During the first few days of your visit to Italy, if there should arise a difference of opinion between yourself and the taxi-driver, you will do well to invite the assistance of the hotel porter.
II—WHAT THE MOTORIST MUST KNOW
Documents
    The Italian roads are to-day the best on the Continent. From the Alps right down to the southernmost part of Sicily the whole of the Apennine Peninsula is covered by a network of asphalted roads, and there is a whole series of autostradas where motorists can disport themselves to their hearts’ content. The motorist entering Italy must possess four different documents, obtainable from the car owner’s club in his home country. These documents, designated in French, which is the international language in the motoring world, are as follows:
    1.
Carnet de passage en douane.
    2.
Permis international de conduire.
    3.
Certificat international de vie.
    4.
Carnet fiscale.
    Naturally, in addition to the above, the motorist must also have a passport.
    Foreign cars may be run in Italy for one year without liability to customs duty or taxation.
Cheap Petrol for Visitors
    Owing to Sanctions the price of petrol in Italy has experienced a considerable rise in recent months. At present it amounts to nearly four lire per litre. In order not to frighten away foreign motorists, the Italian Government has fixed cheaper petrol prices for them. Cheap petrol can only be purchased with so-called “petrol coupons” by foreign owner-drivers who have already purchased a certain number of “hotel coupons” (see chapter dealing with hotels). Omnibuses and lorries are excluded from this concession. Those who have purchased hotel coupons for a stay of fifteen days receive a 40 per cent. remission of the petrol tax, while those whose hotel coupons cover a stay of ninety days are accorded a reduction of 80 per cent. Petrol coupons