It is only a matter of time untill something like that happens. It happened to us twice. Once in Vienna, and the last time in Rome. We were on vacanza, so it was not the end of the world, but it involved extra costs. In Rome we had to stay an extra three days ( so hard to take). The airline had a bogus reason but never went into details.
As we were in the airport to leave my wife found a notice in the airport regarding the rights of passengers in the EU. Click the link below to bring you to this page.
Much has been written on this subject, but if your are delayed or have your flight canceled check this site. Also check it if your baggage is lost or delayed. Last year Air Berlin would not let us bring our suitcase as carry on even though our connection was only an hour. Our baggage did not make it.
We went back to the airline (Eurofly USA div of Meridiana) through our credit card company and saved almost $1000. They did not contest our chargeback through the credit card company.
With all our trips to Italy, still like Alitalia the best.
The site below may be of help also:
May the help be with you!
So I signed up and started practicing climbing the hills in Vero Beach, Florida. Well not quite, there are no hills here. Best I could do is keep going over the two bridges that the connect the mainland to the barrier island. Add a back pack and some weight and it was a start.
The crowded roads we traveled on!
Olives and Grapes
Quick stop.
Always beautiful views.
Each morning Claudio and Elena would give us a briefing on our ride for the day.
Each day brought new sights and some tough climbs.
So much beauty. I stopped frequently to take photos.
Monteriggioni, a beautiful walled village.
Loved the shirt Elena was wearing.
Torre del Mangia, Siena
From the top of the tower, this where the Palio is held. 
Our rides took us through the town and alleys.
Another amazing duomo.
As always when I am in Italy it is the Food. Fresh produce that has not traveled 3000 miles in a refrigerated truck. Always items that are in season. This was the best bruschetta I have ever had. The tomatoes were RIPE!
I passed by a couple of locals and they volunteered to take my photo. This was on one of those roads where we hardly ever saw another auto. This trip was really a sogno!! I can not recommend Vermont Bike Tours enough. Every aspect of the trip was perfect. Can not wait to do another ride in Italy. 
It is an easy walk to get around the park. Signs are very informative and the views from high up on the hiltop are amazing. 
The styles are Tyrolean as we are approaching the northern area of Italy. Switzerland is a short ride from here. 
As we left heading north top Tesimo, there was still snow in the hills as we passed a ski area. This photo was taken on July 14th, 2008.
The abbey.
Today there was a wedding in progress.
The original abbey burned in 1215 and was rebuilt on a new location in 1230. 
The interior shows the stone walls. We left the abbey and our tour guide took us to a piccolo ristorante. As is common in Italy, there was no sign and the door was a strubg if beads hanging down to prevent flies from coming in. 
The entrance certainly did not attract a crowd. 
Lunch was fantastic. We were give a glass of grappa to finish off the meal. In the mirror you can see the only other customers that day. I especially liked the stone work which is so prevalent in Calabria. 
Another street with out anyone around.
As we left to head back to Cosenza, we ran into a small traffic jam. This is why I love Italy.
A clasic Ape in Toscana
Nothing elegant about this baby, plain and simple, it does the job.
This one was at an Airbnb in Montepulciano.
Not only did he sell fruit and vegetable, he serenaded the streets with his words on the health of his produce.
gregsitaly 