Low cost Italy: who flies where?

By Jo Tweedy, TravelMail

Last updated at 15:03 22 April 2004

Traditionally more expensive to reach than France or Spain, Italy seems to have grown ten-fold in our affections since low-cost airlines began touching down there.

The competition of Ryanair, easyJet and co have pushed package holiday prices down and opened up previously untapped destinations such as Puglia, Sicily and Abruzzo to tourism.

Following the lead of UK no-frills airlines, Italy now has a clutch of its own, two of which, the little-known Meridiana and Volareweb, fly to and from the UK.

If you've never ventured beyond Rome, Venice or the lakes, here's an A-Z guide to where you can now get to in Italy, for pocket money prices.

Ancona On Italy's east coast, Ancona is the capital of the Marches region and the largest port on the Adriatic. It also boasts one of Italy's most important Romanesque buildings, the Cathedral of San Ciriaco. Who flies there?

Bari North of Brindisi at the top of the Italian heel, Bari acts as a gateway to picturesque and lesser-known region of Puglia. Who flies there?

Bologna The city that gave the world Bolognese sauce lies in the heart of the Italian north, west of the Veneto region. A Renaissance city, Bologna is also one of Europe's oldest university towns. Who flies there?

Brindisi Pretty Apulian town in Italy's heel gradually outgrowing a reputation for hostility. Offers great access to the Ionian islands via Greek ferries. Who flies there?

Florence Home of the Renaissance and harbouring some of the world's best art treasures, Florence has long been heralded as Italy's most beautiful city. Who flies there?

Genoa The largest port in Northern Italy, hilly Genoa is also the birthplace of Christopher Columbus. Must-sees include Renaissance artwork - Genoa was inhabited by Flemish masters Rubens and Van Dyck - and the medieval harbour quarter. Who flies there?

Milan Italy's fashion and football capital, Milan is gathering ground as a weekend destination. Di Vinci's Last Supper is housed in a convent in the city. Who flies there?

Naples See Naples and die so the saying goes. The southern city provides a chaotic but colourful contrast to the refined north. Who flies there?

Palermo, Sicily Arabic-influenced Sicilian capital with a beguiling Mafia past. Views are dominated by the island's three volcanoes - the mighty Etna and Stromboli and Vulcano. Who flies there?

Pescara The biggest and most popular resort in the central eastern region of Abruzzo. Family-friendly Pescara's biggest asset is it's 16km-long sandy beach on the Adriatic coastline. Who flies there?

Pisa See the world's most famous subsidence at the leaning tower or stroll around the towers and cathedrals in Piazza del Duomo. Great access for the whole of Tuscany. Who flies there?

Rome The Eternal City is well-served by low cost airlines. Access the Italian capital via Ciampino (10 miles from the centre) and Fiumicino (22 miles). Who flies there?

Sardinia Jam-packed in the summer and deserted in winter, Sardina is the second largest island in the Mediterranean. A ferry from the mainland used to be the only way to access the island, but there are now flights to all three airports from the UK. Who flies there?

Trieste

Attractive Austro-Hungarian harbour city in the north east of the country. Ideal location for exploring neighbouring Slovenia and Croatia. Who flies there?

Turin Industrial Turin is the capital of Northern Italy. Escape the smog and head for the Alps, borders with Switzerland and France are close. Who flies there?

Venice The touristy lagoon city now enjoys the attentions of regular flights from four UK-based airlines. Who flies there?

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