Anyone been to Rome/Italy? Updated: Italy has been PleaseBlitzed

[Ford]

I can't help you out on Rome. If you have time to venture north, Florence can be a really fun town if you work it right. I think there are really fast trains from Rome that only take about 1.5 hrs. In that area, Bologna isn't anything life-changing, but it is sort of considered the 'food capital' of Italy and is worth a day-trip for some great grub.

3-4 hrs from Rome (by rail) and about 1 hour from Florence is Cinque Terre, a stunning collection of small towns w/ great hiking on the Italian Riviera. It's very nestled away, naturally beautiful cliffs, cut off from the world (although pretty popular w/ tourists during peak months these days). If you're going with a girl .. this is a great spot. I'll post a picture below. As you can tell, I only really know the north.

Also, if you do end up going north, I'd add that Venice and Milan are very 'skipable'.

[skinfan2k]

Pleaseblitz, id recommend tripadvisor.com and rick steves book. Italy was byfar the best vacation i ever had because i listened to those people on tripadvisor

[SkinsHokieFan]

Yea, thats what we are thinking at this point. Or just extending the stay, which is my preference.

For honeymoon purposes, you may as well visit my town in southern switzerland, just over the border.

It has that whole romantic vibe and all

[DarrellsMyHero28]

For honeymoon purposes, you may as well visit my town in southern switzerland, just over the border.

It has that whole romantic vibe and all

Riva?

Did you study abroad when you at Tech?

[techboy]

First, my general thoughts. My wife and I travel to Europe every year, and Rome is our absolute favorite city in all of Europe, and it's not really even close.

Tip #1. Get the Rick Steves Italy and Rome books. Study them cover to cover. His advice is top-notch, tells you what is worth seeing and what should be skipped, has top-notch hotel and restaurant recommendations, and most importantly, has amazing practical advice.

For example, there is always a line at the Colliseum that takes at least 30 to 45 minutes to make it through. He mentions in his book that you can buy a combo ticket on Palatine Hill (where there is never a line), and use the group entrance. We coasted right in!

He also has stuff you need that you don't find in other guidebooks, like where to find a clean bathroom. In Italy especially, this is a lifesaver.

One thing to focus on in his books are his guided tours and walks. We did his Night Walk Across Rome every night we were there, it was so awesome. Do it, and don't skip the gelato sidetrip near the Pantheon. best we had, anywhere in Italy.

Here's his website for Italy, to get a taste.

Tip #2: Pack light. We only pack one carry-on size bag each, and don't check any luggage. This is scary at first to many people, but the freedom and ease of travel is unbelievable. Here's his Packing Light and Right, with why and how to do it.

the sistene chapel isn't exactly what you'd expect but still stop on your way through the vatican museum,

You have got to be kidding. The Sistine Chapel was jawdropping.

That brings up a good point SHF, how useful would it be for me to learn some rudimentary Italiano?

It's always helpful to know (or at least try) the local language. My wife and I have never had a problem with rude locals, even in Paris, and I think it's largely because I try their language first, even if I often mangle it so badly they switch to English. Just think how you'd react if someone came up to you and started speaking Italian (assuming you know it), and it's fairly obvious why this helps.

Of course, the danger here is that occassionally I get someone who thinks I speak more than I do, but I find that the dumb look is universal, and the occasional mixup lets me try new things.

ohhh and for currency exchange...hit up mom and pop places...

Absolute best is the ATM, preferably with a bank that doesn't add to the 1% VISA charges. My credit union doesn't, and it's easy to check.

Also, if you do end up going north, I'd add that Venice and Milan are very 'skipable'.

Venice is beautiful, and while it's certainly possible to see the whole thing in a day (it's a very small island), it's certainly not "skippable".

Pleaseblitz, id recommend tripadvisor.com and rick steves book. Italy was byfar the best vacation i ever had because i listened to those people on tripadvisor

Rick Steves will steer you right. I use his books every time (I'm the planner).

[Ford]

Venice is beautiful, and while it's certainly possible to see the whole thing in a day (it's a very small island), it's certainly not "skippable".

Well, I guess it's just a preference thing

To me, Venice is Disney World-ish. Also, not very suited to younger people. Overrun with tourists, artificial atmosphere, overpriced, and there is no night life to speak of. Hotels are extraordinarily expensive and you have to venture quite a bit out of town to find anything reasonable. It can be a nice day-trip, depending on what you're looking for, I just think there are much more satisfying, authentic experiences to be had.

[techboy]

To me, Venice is Disney World-ish. Also, not very suited to younger people. Overrun with tourists, artificial atmosphere, overpriced, and there is no night life to speak of. Hotels are extraordinarily expensive and you have to venture quite a bit out of town to find anything reasonable. It can be a nice day-trip, depending on what you're looking for, I just think there are much more satisfying, authentic experiences to be had.

Much of what you write is true, and yet if you get off the beaten path (as guided by Rick Steves, for instance ), there are unbelievable experiences to be had, and there's nowhere else in the world like Venice.

[SkinsHokieFan]

Riva?

Did you study abroad when you at Tech?

Yes sir, I went to Riva in the fall of 2002

Lived in the Pabiana and had the most beautiful view in the world for 4 months

[Tulane Skins Fan]

My favorite places in Italy are Siena and the Amalfi Coast, but neither of them is that close to Rome.

I studied european business and competition law in Siena one summer... awesome time. Its really not that far from Rome on the train either. I think its like 3 hours.

[PleaseBlitz]

So you guys dont think i will endear myself to the locals when i speak the universal language..........english, loud and slow.

WHERE.....CAN........I.........BUY..........SOME............BUD......WIE.....SER?!?!?!"

[techboy]

So you guys dont think i will endear myself to the locals when i speak the universal language..........english, loud and slow.

Oh, you can get by like that, definitely. Pretty much everybody in Europe speaks at least some English (though in Italy, it seems that the quality of the food is frequently inversely proportional to the amount of English spoken). You just get a lot better results trying Italian first. At the very least, we always learn "please", "thank you", "excuse me", and "two" (often combined with a point).

[SkinsHokieFan]

So you guys dont think i will endear myself to the locals when i speak the universal language..........english, loud and slow.

WHERE.....CAN........I.........BUY..........SOME............BUD......WIE.....SER?!?!?!"

In my now awful Italian

"Dove avere Budweiser?"

If I am correct that is "where can I have Budweiser"

[techboy]

In my now awful Italian

"Dove avere Budweiser?"

If I am correct that is "where can I have Budweiser"

To which they will reply, "Wisconsin".

[PleaseBlitz]

Bump. Ok, i posted this thread like a year and a half ago. The trip got pushed back because I ended up starting grad school 2 days after the wedding. So now the plan is to take 2 weeks this August and see a bunch of Italy.

So far i think we are going to fly into Rome and spend 6 days there, then go somewhere else for 3, somewhere else for 3, then back to Rome for one and fly back stateside. 2 travel days in there = 14 total.

For Rome, i have the living accomodations narrowed down to either The Daphne Inn, or getting a rental property from a private citizen.

After that we are thinking either Naples or Positano on the Almalfi Coast. If anyone has any info about that area, especially hotels, please post it or PM me.

Then 3 days somewhere in Tuscany, i haven't gotten that far yet. Possibly fly out to the States from there, if that's possible.

Thanks for any help.

[Predicto]

After that we are thinking either Naples or Positano on the Almalfi Coast. If anyone has any info about that area, especially hotels, please post it or PM me.

For a romantic trip, you want Positano or Praiano. Not Naples.

I would suggest not trying to do Rome, the Amalfi coast and Tuscany in the same 14 day trip. Pick one or the other of Amalfi Coast or Tuscany. Why spend all of your time packing and unpacking and in transit? Seven days exploring Positano/Amalfi/Sorrento/Ravenna and of course Capri - that would be awesome. Or, if you prefer, base yourself in Florence or Siena, and do day trips all around that area.

[Corcaigh]

Naples is indeed a **** hole and to be avoided.

A nice option, particularly as it will be warm in August is to spend time in the north on or around Lake Como or Varenna.

Very picturesque, great food and wine ... and the Popes traditionally chose that region to get away from the summer heat of Rome, so it has that celebrity endorsement.

I also love Venice - lots of tourists but spectacular.

[PleaseBlitz]

BUMP! Alright, this **** is happening in t-minus one month. I got a ton of great advice in this thread and put it to good use. Needless to say I am ****ing PUMPED! :excited: As previously mentioned, neither I nor the wife have ever taken a trip abroad, so this should be lots of fun for our delayed honeymoon.

I think several posters (Predicto and China?) mentioned both Positano and Siena, and of course I cant go to Italy and not go to Rome.

We are flying out of Dulles to Paris and then on to the airport in Florence. Im even excited about the flight because we are on an Airbus a380 which is the biggest airplane i've ever seen.

We arent staying in Florence, we are driving to Siena and staying there for 3 days. I figure 1 or 2 of those days will be spent checking out Siena, the other one I saw on Tripadvisor that the top-rated thing to do was have this lady drive you around Tuscany stopping at vineyards and stuff. :refill:

From there we travel to Positano by train. Again, ive never taken a train anywhere, so im excited for that. I hope it's like the train in Casino Royale or possibly the Hogwarts Express.

Staying there for 3 days. The wife doesnt know it, but I booked a boat tour of the Almalfi Coast. The website for it looks pretty cool and promises plenty of wine on board and lunch of whatever fish they catch while underway. The view from the hotel we are staying at looks incredible.

Then we head to Rome for 6 days. The State Department hooked us up with something involving the Pope. Wife is Catholic, im not, but still, it'll be cool to get my Pope on. We'll probably spend one whole day in Vatican City, and the rest of our time exploring, eat, drinking, and well, it IS a honeymoon.....

Again, thanks for the advice everyone. Will post pics in like 6 weeks.

[Brad_Edwards_Fan]

Then we head to Rome for 6 days. The State Department hooked us up with something involving the Pope. Wife is Catholic, im not, but still, it'll be cool to get my Pope on. We'll probably spend one whole day in Vatican City, and the rest of our time exploring, eat, drinking, and well, it IS a honeymoon.....

)

My advice if you want to go up to the top of the Basilica is to get there really early. This past march, not even prime tourist season, we went by on a monday around 9am and the line was already several hours long. We got up around 7 the next day, walked right over and didnt have any line to deal with. I was willing to go home not having done it, and that would have been a huge mistake. The views from the top of that thing and looking down into St. Peters square was amazing. Also, it was amazing walking around inside St. Peters as the sun was still blasting through the stained glass and there wasnt much of a crowd, i dont think it would have been as powerful a sight for me had i been forced to fight may way through the crowds to see it.

[No_Pressure]

I went on a trip last year. I spent 2 days in Naples, 3 days in Florence, 2 days in Venice, 2 days in Rome.

Naples was great because we didn't stay in Naples. We visited Capri the first day and Pompeii the 2nd.

Florence was incredible. It was the best thing about Italy to me. I was in a hotel about 2 blocks away from the Cathedral and on the 2nd day my fiancee and I walked to the top of it which was one of the highlights of the trip for us.

Venice is a must see. The city is simply incredible its hard to describe. If you have some extra cash try to find a way to tour the Murano glass factory and get a souvenir.

Rome was Rome. The tour of the Vatican was interesting, the trevi fountain, pantheon, spanish steps, colosseum, many of the old ruins are great to go see. I didn't like the size of the city or a lot of the people I encountered there. The people I met in Venice and Florence were great, but I had a different experience in Rome. That doesn't mean anybody else won't have a good time there though, there is a lot to see. I just really liked Florence and Venice a lot more along with the island of Capri which was really great. Naples...great food, the spanish castle is cool, the monestary is cool, the streets are littered with trash and every second someone is doing something in traffic which would cause a gunfight to break out in America.

[PleaseBlitz]

My advice if you want to go up to the top of the Basilica is to get there really early. This past march, not even prime tourist season, we went by on a monday around 9am and the line was already several hours long. We got up around 7 the next day, walked right over and didnt have any line to deal with. I was willing to go home not having done it, and that would have been a huge mistake. The views from the top of that thing and looking down into St. Peters square was amazing. Also, it was amazing walking around inside St. Peters as the sun was still blasting through the stained glass and there wasnt much of a crowd, i dont think it would have been as powerful a sight for me had i been forced to fight may way through the crowds to see it.

Duly noted.

---------- Post added July-8th-2011 at 12:30 PM ----------

I went on a trip last year. I spent 2 days in Naples, 3 days in Florence, 2 days in Venice, 2 days in Rome.

Naples was great because we didn't stay in Naples. We visited Capri the first day and Pompeii the 2nd.

Florence was incredible. It was the best thing about Italy to me. I was in a hotel about 2 blocks away from the Cathedral and on the 2nd day my fiancee and I walked to the top of it which was one of the highlights of the trip for us.

Venice is a must see. The city is simply incredible its hard to describe. If you have some extra cash try to find a way to tour the Murano glass factory and get a souvenir.

Not going to make it to Venice. I think Florence is close enough to Siena that we might make it there for a day, I'll have a car in Siena. Not sure how much i want to be driving though.

[China]

Ciao! Enjoy. Oh and Italian's not that difficult of a language to pick up some of the simpler phrases for "How much?" or "Where is the bathroom?" etc. You'll have a blast.

[zoony]

I hate you. That is all

[PleaseBlitz]

I hate you. That is all

This is the view from our hotel in Positano.

[Brad_Edwards_Fan]

Duly noted.

---------- Post added July-8th-2011 at 12:30 PM ----------

Not going to make it to Venice. I think Florence is close enough to Siena that we might make it there for a day, I'll have a car in Siena. Not sure how much i want to be driving though.

I did the same. We made our lives a lot easier by driving to the train station, parking over there and walking. Didnt have to worry about navigating the interior streets of florence (which i had done in the past). Interior streets in Florence are tough since so many are one way and many others are walking only and the walking only ones are at times not marked until you turn on to them!

[No_Pressure]

Duly noted.

---------- Post added July-8th-2011 at 12:30 PM ----------

Not going to make it to Venice. I think Florence is close enough to Siena that we might make it there for a day, I'll have a car in Siena. Not sure how much i want to be driving though.

Yeah its hard to get all the way up there if you're driving. We took the train up from Florence. God I wish we had something that nice in America. AmTrak is nothing compared to the trains in Europe, especially in France and Germany.