anyone travleled to Italy and have advice

[AgustusM]

so my wife has a 2 month Sabbatical next year and we are going to Italy for 10 days. We have 4 kids and typically dont get out much because we are always scheduled. We have taken several domestic trips - Hawaii, Yosemite, Cruise, etc - but this is our first trip abroad.

looking for advice from anyone who has done this. We are thinking of hitting Rome, Venice and some quiet places in Tuscany (nothing specific, she just likes the idea)

would be interested in hearing any advice from those who have already gone. do we need a travel agent? places we must see, must avoid?

We don't really care about nightlife or shopping or any of that. we are very interested in seeing the history (coliseum obviously) and prefer quiet and slow to loud and hectic. (we are both mid 40s)

[Radii]

We spent 6 days in Rome in high school(I took Latin) and it felt like it wasn't enough to see everything that's there. Colosseum, The Forum(which is huge and has tons of stuff, right across the street from the Colosseum, that's a day right there i think), Trevi Fountain, The Pantheon, catacombs, The Vatican... those stand out as immediate and huge highlights and there's tons of other stuff we saw just in Rome as well.

We spent 2 days in Florence and a week in Naples(Naples itself not so much but day trips to Vesuvius, Capri, Herculaneum, Pompeii). Naples is way south though and would take up too much time on a ten day trip unless you really wanted to see Pompeii more than anything else, in which case it'd be totally worth it.


Everything in Rome is going to be loud and hectic. Its an extremely busy city and everything will feel insanely crowded. The history you can experience there would make it worth it though.

No recommendations on the planning of the trip itself since I was 16 and parents/teachers handled all that. In Rome i'd recommend mass transit over driving the people there are fucking nuts in their cars holy shit. Also when we went we all wore fanny packs and tucked them in under our shirts to feel safe from pickpockets. the only guy who didn't got his wallet stolen on a bus.

[bob]

I've only been to Venice, and I hope you have the same luck that we had during that trip - wasn't too hot, crowded, or smelly (from the canals). My only real bit of advice is to have at least one day with absolutely nothing planned that you just spend wandering and trying to get lost in the city. It's a pretty amazing place.

Oh, one more thing. I'm sure you will hear the whole "gondola ride is so touristy and cheesy." Ignore that - even if touristy, a sunset gondola ride is pretty cool.

[cartman]

I lived in Milan for almost 3 years, and traveled extensively across the country.

It does take a while to get between the cities. Most of the time it is at least a half-day journey by train between Rome and other cities.

If you haven't picked a time yet, don't go in August. That is when many Italians take 2-3 weeks of vacation, and most places are closed.

If you have more specific questions, I'd be glad to help.

[johnnyshaka]

My wife and I spent 3 days in Rome and loved it. Radii pretty much nailed it with what you need to see while you are there. Find a hotel/hostel downtown and you don't even need to use transit as we walked to everything.

One tip, buy your passes to see the Coliseum at the Forum...the lineup at the Coliseum is stupendous while the one at the Forum was non-existent...and you can get passes for both at both sites. You're welcome.

My wife and I were going on the cheap so we stayed at a hostel but this place was better than most hotels I've stayed at. It was a block or two away from the train/bus station (ideal for us as we were arriving by air and were transported to and from the airport by bus) and very close to all of the touristy stuff...well within walking distance.

Blue Hostel in Rome, Italy | Hostel (http://www.hostels.com/hostels/rome/blue-hostel/2515)

The Bluehostel Rome -The hostel with hostel style rooms- (http://www.bluehostel.it/The_Bluehostel_Rome_-The_hostel_with_hostel_style_rooms-.html)

I would definitely recommend it.

[Ramzavail]

I went to italy a couple of years ago on my honeymoon.

1. You must go to Florence.

2. If you are going to go to Rome, Venice and Tuscany (Florence) - I'd spend the majority of the time in Florence.

3. Venice is fun - but you could do it in a couple of days and there's alot more history in Florence and Rome.

4. Get a Capital One credit card - that is the only company that doesn't have exchange fees and ANY time of fees - what you pay on your credit card is as if you had paid it in Euros.

5. If you need to get Euros - always exchange at a post office - they always have the lowest exchange rate.

6. Must Sees - The Uffizi in Florence (you can get tickets ahead of time), Galleria Borgese in Rome (also can get ahead of time, I believe, and the statue of Apollo and Daphne was the second best piece of artwork I saw in Italy), Galleria Accademia (Florence, must see the David) and the Vatican in Rome - (I'll ask my wife for the tour company we used, it was fantastic).

7. I wasn't that impressed with the Colosseum.

8. Walk everywhere and/or take public transportation. We took the train from Venice to Florence to Rome. Also, the subway in Rome is easy. It'll save alot of money.

9. Get a wallet that you can hook on your belt loop and tuck inside your pants.

Thats all I can think of right now - feel free to PM me if you have any questions.

[Ramzavail]

Also, I have a whole list of must go to restaurants in all 3 cities.

[Radii]

2. If you are going to go to Rome, Venice and Tuscany (Florence) - I'd spend the majority of the time in Florence.


I'd disagree strongly and spend the majority of the time in Rome. But perhaps maybe: "If you're interested in ancient history, Rome, if you're interested in the renaissance, Florence" might apply?

[Izulde]

IMO Venice is better than Rome of those two cities I've been to. I hated Rome. Crowded, dirty, noisy, unfriendly, and although I visited the major historical sites, I wasn't really feeling it.

Venice, though, was incredible just to be in and walk around.

[digamma]

Front Office Football Central - View Single Post - What to see in Italy (http://www.operationsports.com/fofc/showpost.php?p=1554177&postcount=21)

There's a post from another thread.

[DaddyTorgo]

IMO Venice is better than Rome of those two cities I've been to. I hated Rome. Crowded, dirty, noisy, unfriendly, and although I visited the major historical sites, I wasn't really feeling it.

Venice, though, was incredible just to be in and walk around.

To each their own. I loved Rome. Absolutely loved it. Debating right now between going there or London later this summer.

It depends on what you're interested in personally - you need to figure that out for yourself before deciding which opinions to listen to I'd think.

[Ramzavail]

I'd disagree strongly and spend the majority of the time in Rome. But perhaps maybe: "If you're interested in ancient history, Rome, if you're interested in the renaissance, Florence" might apply?

I live in NYC - so Rome was just a city like NYC, just with alot more history. So it wasn't as special to me.

IMO - There is no city in the world like Florence. Awesome ambiance, still alot of great history, awesome food and you can walk everywhere and it won't feel like a major city.

(also, no place like Venice, but just doesn't match the history and all the things to do like Florence or Rome.)

[Butter]

In Rome i'd recommend mass transit over driving the people there are fucking nuts in their cars holy shit. Also when we went we all wore fanny packs and tucked them in under our shirts to feel safe from pickpockets. the only guy who didn't got his wallet stolen on a bus.


This can't be emphasized enough. Pickpockets are everywhere and traffic is fucking crazy. Not like "wow, this is always backed up all the time" crazy. More like, "there are 2 lanes on this road, but traffic is 5 wide" crazy. Or, "holy shit, we're going to die!" crazy. It's crazy.

I spent a few days in Naples and one day down the Amalfi Coast. The coast is absolutely gorgeous, but as another said, it is quite a-ways from Rome so may not be worth it. But if you get a chance, it is absolutely beautiful.

[Passacaglia]

Oh, one more thing. I'm sure you will hear the whole "gondola ride is so touristy and cheesy." Ignore that - even if touristy, a sunset gondola ride is pretty cool.

I disagree. Most people on gondolas that we saw looked downright bored, and you can get the same experience on a vaporetta for 1/50th of the price.

[JediKooter]

Watch out for the pick pockets.

[britrock88]

Florence is the pinnacle if you're into the Renaissance. And if you take a day to go up into Fiesole, you can enjoy a smaller-town experience among the vineyards while getting a beautiful view of Florence below.

Meanwhile, if you want to look out at the Mediterranean from beautiful cliffside cities, visit Cinque Terre. You can hike in between the little towns dotting the northwest corner of the Italian coast.

[DaddyTorgo]

Florence=Renaissance
Rome=Ancient History (Renaissance comes a strong second), History of the Catholic Church

It's all about your preference between the two

[AgustusM]

Wow guys. This is awesome. Thank you. I am going to go through and make notes on all of this. We do know we are going in march or April, but beyond that are wide open.

[AgustusM]

pick pockets - got it. seems like pretty universal advice - I will look for the inside front belt wallet deal, although that is going to put a damper on my 24/7/365 fashion statement of shorts and tshirt

Gondola - mute point. zero chance wife is going to accept not going, so I will go and hope for the best

Florence - we had decided on flying into Florence since it is about half the cost, but wasn't really planning on spending much time there. I must say you guys have made me reconsider and in discussing with the wife she has also heard the same. So now we are definitely squeezing in time for Florence.

Traffic - our plan is fly to Florence, train to rome, public transit/walk in Rome. Train to Venice, public transit/walk in Venice and then back to small villa somewhere in Tuscay and rent a car so we can explore the countryside - hopefully this keeps us out of the traffic.

Language - we are both doing Rosetta stone. hoping to at least be able to understand enough to get by.

again thank you for all of the advice and keep it coming. I will post more plans as we get it more concrete.

[DaddyTorgo]

I did the old "thin little pouch around the neck" wallet when I was there and didn't have problem one. Figured something hanging down onto my chest and I'd be sensitive enough in that region and it would also be obvious enough if someone reached up under there or tried to lift it off over my head (as i'd see it coming up).

I suppose the cord could have been cut from behind and it fall to the ground...but really I just think one of your best defenses there is to like...be aware.

[Ramzavail]

pick pockets - got it. seems like pretty universal advice - I will look for the inside front belt wallet deal, although that is going to put a damper on my 24/7/365 fashion statement of shorts and tshirt

Gondola - mute point. zero chance wife is going to accept not going, so I will go and hope for the best

Florence - we had decided on flying into Florence since it is about half the cost, but wasn't really planning on spending much time there. I must say you guys have made me reconsider and in discussing with the wife she has also heard the same. So now we are definitely squeezing in time for Florence.

Traffic - our plan is fly to Florence, train to rome, public transit/walk in Rome. Train to Venice, public transit/walk in Venice and then back to small villa somewhere in Tuscay and rent a car so we can explore the countryside - hopefully this keeps us out of the traffic.

Language - we are both doing Rosetta stone. hoping to at least be able to understand enough to get by.

again thank you for all of the advice and keep it coming. I will post more plans as we get it more concrete.

I'd suggest flying into Venice (northern most), taking the train to Florence (south) and then taking the train to Rome (further south). Up to you, but flying into Florence, going south to Rome, then ALL the way north to Venice and then take another train south to Tuscany (Florence is considered Tuscany region) seems not as direct.

I'd suggest NOT renting a car - they are crazy drivers and there are TONS of mopeds and vespas you'd have to be aware of. I'd imagine it will be more hassle then worth. I'd suggest finding a tour or two at viator.com - we had two FANTASTIC tours with them. First, an all day tour of the Tuscany region, visiting a beautiful vineyard and sitting in a nice coach bus being driven around to all the great spots. 500 Servlet Exception (http://www.viator.com/tours/Florence/Tuscany-in-One-Day-Sightseeing-Tour/d519-5070TUSCANY)

and then later, in Rome, the Vatican tour. 500 Servlet Exception (http://www.viator.com/tours/Rome/Skip-the-Line-Vatican-Museums-Walking-Tour-including-Sistine-Chapel-Raphaels-Rooms-and-St-Peters/d511-3731VATICAN)

If you plan on going to all three of those cities, knowing Italian is not necessary. They all speak enough English to at least get by. Up to you.

If you need any restaurant recommendations and/or advice on restaurants you found online, let me know.

[OldGiants]

Don't bring a Capitol One credit card. We called and told them our exact itinerary (as they tell you to) and they STILL put a hold on our card in Florence when my wife tried to buy a leather jacket after buying a ring. It was Sunday and we never got the bastards to unfreeze the card for the rest of the trip. I could go on and on about their shitty service and lying cunts in customer service, but suffice to say when we got home I drove to the Capitol One corporate office (a mere 30 minute drive for me), cut up the cards in their lobby, shouted that Rich and Nigel could continue to fuck themselves, and left.

On a positive note, see Pompeii. It is an amazing place, quite literally frozen in time and it is falling apart as I write this. You may never have the chance to see this place again. Go.

[Ramzavail]

that sucks OG, but I'd venture to say that was just a mistake. I've been to Europe twice in the past two years and I've been very satisfied with them and the fact that they don't charge ANY exchange fees or any sort of fee - is a HUGE plus and a huge money saver.