:Q :shocked:
How did you get a price that low?
Wow, I really don't want to derail the OP's post. Can someone PM me and let me know how to find out when the best time to find these kind of rates?
Spineshank
Diamond Member
- Jun 8, 2001
- 7,728
- 1
- 71
preslove
Lifer
- Sep 10, 2003
- 16,754
- 64
- 91
I went to Rome and Florence a couple of weeks ago with my mom (she met me in London, where I'm doing an internship).
In Rome we stayed at a convent, which was actually really cool. It was near the Termini (where all the trains, metro lines, and busses meet, and in the center of the city), close to the imperial sites, and really inexpensive for what you get. We got a private room with two beds, a private bathroom, and a balcony for 85 euro a night, which is about the same as a crappy budget hotel room in a worse location. The one drawback, though, is that you have to be back by 11 (the nuns need to get to bed sometime
) Also, you basically have to look around on the 'net for these places, and then CALL them to make a reservation. But, I'm really glad we did this, because it was a clean room in a great location. & we were way too tired from walking around to want to go out past 11.
We took the cheap (15 euro), slow (2 1/2 hours) train, instead of the expensive, fast one to Florence. I would highly recommend this because the countryside is absolutely motherfucking goddamn holy shit beautiful. My mom and I took a bottle of wine and some bread and cheese and had an awesome time just on the train. The Eurorail (expensive line) goes really fast and you can't really get a feel for the countryside (I've taken it between london and paris and london and Brussels). European trains are an experience you should have, so I would recommend flying into either Rome, taking a train to Florence, and then another one to Venice, or going Venice -> Florence -> Rome, and then flying back from the city you end at.
Florence, we stayed at a friend of mine's place, so I can't tell you anything about hotels.
A lot of the stuff I'd recommend has already been posted but here are a few things:
1. (again) Slow trains FTW!
2. I'd recommend finding a grocery store around your hotel & buying cheese, bread, produce, and most especially WINE. Dry Italian whites are really good. This will cut down on your meal budget, and also give you a good taste of the culture. Plus, picnics with a bottle of wine are awesome.
3. Eat as much gelato (italian ice cream) as you can. It rocks.
4. Italian espresso is the best I've ever had.
5. We drank tap water in Rome and didn't get sick. The guide books said it was fine & it was cheap
In Rome we stayed at a convent, which was actually really cool. It was near the Termini (where all the trains, metro lines, and busses meet, and in the center of the city), close to the imperial sites, and really inexpensive for what you get. We got a private room with two beds, a private bathroom, and a balcony for 85 euro a night, which is about the same as a crappy budget hotel room in a worse location. The one drawback, though, is that you have to be back by 11 (the nuns need to get to bed sometime
) Also, you basically have to look around on the 'net for these places, and then CALL them to make a reservation. But, I'm really glad we did this, because it was a clean room in a great location. & we were way too tired from walking around to want to go out past 11.We took the cheap (15 euro), slow (2 1/2 hours) train, instead of the expensive, fast one to Florence. I would highly recommend this because the countryside is absolutely motherfucking goddamn holy shit beautiful. My mom and I took a bottle of wine and some bread and cheese and had an awesome time just on the train. The Eurorail (expensive line) goes really fast and you can't really get a feel for the countryside (I've taken it between london and paris and london and Brussels). European trains are an experience you should have, so I would recommend flying into either Rome, taking a train to Florence, and then another one to Venice, or going Venice -> Florence -> Rome, and then flying back from the city you end at.
Florence, we stayed at a friend of mine's place, so I can't tell you anything about hotels.
A lot of the stuff I'd recommend has already been posted but here are a few things:
1. (again) Slow trains FTW!
2. I'd recommend finding a grocery store around your hotel & buying cheese, bread, produce, and most especially WINE. Dry Italian whites are really good. This will cut down on your meal budget, and also give you a good taste of the culture. Plus, picnics with a bottle of wine are awesome.
3. Eat as much gelato (italian ice cream) as you can. It rocks.
4. Italian espresso is the best I've ever had.
5. We drank tap water in Rome and didn't get sick. The guide books said it was fine & it was cheap
- Jul 19, 2001
- 38,572
- 2
- 91
Well we knew were we were going for awhile, so we just kept holding out till the price was right. Keep in mind, taxes on that flight (and most international flights) come out to about $200 round trip, so the flight was $600 cost to us. When we started looking, it was nearly $900 and it just kept dropping. Picked those up around 4 months before we left. Just be flexible with your dates a little, flying out on a monday can be a TON cheaper than flying out on a sunday.
Also, its always a good idea to check airlines based in that country, not only do you have a better shot of getting a direct flight, but the prices are more frequently a bit cheaper. For Italy it would be Alitalia, though Swiss has some excellent prices there as well (with a layover in Zurich). As others have said though, it can really vary though.
My best flight was in British Airways, nonstop roundtrip from Tampa -> London in World Traveller Plus (between economy and business). I paid $200 + tax roundtrip ($350 total) back in 2005.
Just give yourself time and check the prices every day, you can start to follow the trends and see whats the best price you can get.
EDIT: One more thing, a bit more roundabout, but if you can find a cheap fare to London, you can hop on a cheap European carrier to take you the rest of the way (ex/ EasyJet or RyanAir). I had some issues with the cheap euro carriers leaving on time, but they all eventually got me where I needed to go, and with some tickets at just a few dollars each way, its hard to complain. Also, keep in mind there are three large London airports (Heathrow, Gatwick & Luton), so you may fly into one and have to leave from another.
Thanks for all the info. So, are sites like expedia the best to keep an eye on for tickets or are there better ones???
- Jul 19, 2001
- 38,572
- 2
- 91
Fern
Elite Member
- Sep 30, 2003
- 26,907
- 174
- 106
Originally posted by: Kaido
I married one :thumbsup:
Me too. Mine's here on a greencard. She's from Venosa, a small town in Southern Italy on the Appian Way. The region is Basilicata.
I've done some lengthy posts on foreign travel, I lived in Europe for about 8 years and have been to Italy severl times. Might wanna search here using my name. I don't post in OT all that often.
I've gotta run to a diner engagement so I can't help much right now. PM me later if I forget to post back.
Fern
- Feb 14, 2004
- 51,832
- 7,353
- 136
Originally posted by: Fern
Originally posted by: Kaido
I married one :thumbsup:
Me too. Mine's here on a greencard. She's from Venosa, a small town in Southern Italy on the Appian Way. The region is Basilicata.
I've done some lengthy posts on foreign travel, I lived in Europe for a bout years and have been to Italy severl times. Might wanna search here using my name. I don't post in OT all that often.
I've gotta run to a diner engagement so I can't help much right now. PM me later if I forget to post back.
Fern
Ah, my wife's grandparents are first-generation Americans, so she has the family history but has never been to Italy; she's always wanted to go so I figured I would take the initiative and get things moving rather than just dreaming about going "someday"
Fern
Elite Member
- Sep 30, 2003
- 26,907
- 174
- 106
Kind of long, but:
What do you like when traveling? Big cites or the rural small old towns? By the ocean/sea shore or mountains?
Do you have a preference for traveling? Hopping from city to city via airplanes, or train & bus?
Do you pack light or go heavy?
I lived & worked in Europe for about 8 years. I lived in London, Berlin and Paris. I did an awful lot of traveling; I had a camper van and drove from the Nordic countries all the way to the Magreb (North Africa ? Morocco etc).
I?ve been to Italy twice recently, about 2005 & 2003. I flew into Milan one time, Rome the other.
Personally, I prefer to travel light, avoid airports and would rather take trains or buses.
You?ll find that the train stations are generally in the center of cities such as Rome or Paris, while the airports are located outside. Just getting to or from them requires a train ride or cab fare.
I prefer the trains; you get to see the countryside etc. You can pack your own food. Get a reserved private cabin if possible. Sometimes when feasible I?ll take the night train, say get on about 10 PM and arrive somewhere else in the morning. Just get a sleeper cabin. That way it seems like you make full use of your time, and don?t waste valuable vacation time in route or waiting around at airports (gawd, I hate airports).
Car rental struck me as expensive in Italy, gas too. If your looking into it, be sure they tell you about all the taxes and surcharges so you aren?t surprised by the final bill.
When you?re in a big city, I prefer to travel around by bus. You can use bus routes to tour a city, it?s very inexpensive. Look into multi day passes, easy and saves $. While you?re getting around by bus you might a part of the city that looks interesting, either hop off or make a note to circle back later and visit.
In Europe, things are bit more condensed than here. I mean that there are lots of cool places not far from one to the other. 2 weeks in a god amount of time, but don?t expect to see everything. I prefer to take my time and enjoy myself, rather than rushing around to ?touch all the bases?. I suggest you do likewise.
Try not to stick out like an American tourist. We?re about as bad as Germans when it comes to being obnoxious. Worse, we?re pretty stupid and easy prey. Don?t talk real loudly (won?t draw so much attention); try to find clothing like everybody else. You?ll blend better.
Violence doesn?t really exist; thieving can be common. Don?t leave baggage etc unattended, and pickpockets are fairly common. As is ?bag snatching? (purse, cameras etc.) Just be alert, that?s probably the biggest most effective deterrent.
Since you?ve never been there, pick up a travel book on Italy. That will you help identify places you want to see. Might need to prioritize them, and think about proximity. Obviously it?s stupid to start in Rome (Southern Italy) then go to Milan, then back down South to Sorrento/Naples. You?ll also get info on restaurants/food/prices etc for each location.
For restaurants/food, I?d stay away from tourist spots. They know you?ll never be coming back so the food might suck, the service may be lousy and the prices high. They don?t care; they don?t depend on repeat business.
Look instead for places where the locals eat. Watch the business lunch crowd, if the locals go there, you?ll have a better chance of finding good places with good authentic fresh food and reasonable prices etc.
Don?t be afraid to picnic either. Grab a loaf of fresh bread from a bakery, a hunk of cheese and litre bottle of wine. Hang out in interesting/pretty place in good weather and eat lunch etc.
Language. Definitely try to speak some Italian. A little bit goes a long way. Generally, if they see you?re making an effort to speak their language, they?ll make an effort to help and maybe try to speak English. If you don?t want to be embarrassed trying to speak their language, why should they bother to speak yours?
Pick up some materials to help you learn some of the language, might wanna carry some of them with you on the trip to study up at night or on the train/airplane.
I use a book of verbs with the various conjugations. Also some tapes etc for pronunciation.
Also take an English>Italian, Italian>English dictionary. You can look up the English word to see the Italian one, and if you?re trying to communicate with them, they use it to look up the Italian word and show you the English counterpart.
Pick some useful phrases before and get those down before leaving (take crip notes with you to refer to). Like ?Where is __?, ?how much does it cost?? ?excuse me, can you help me please?, ?enter?. ?Exit", ?forbidden? (signs you might see) etc.
Learn some food ?words too?. I can you from experience it can be a bitch when no one at the restaurant speaks your language, and you don?t speak theirs. You?ll end up just pointing an unknown stuff listed in the menu hoping you didn?t chose 3 desserts etc. So learn ?a menu please? then the words for beef, chick, fish, pork, etc.
If you?re asking a price and don?t understand, ask them to write it down (learn that phrase) and carry a little notepad and pencil.
My remarks on places:
Milan, mostly a big industrial town. Not a favorite, but have family that lives there. But I understand Lake Cuomo has some nice places around it.
Florence. I liked it. Great museums and food etc. Also some other good small popular little towns around that area.
Venice. Not a favorite, too touristy, Food expensive and mostly crappy. But still it has some neat parts. Etc.
Rome, my favorite. I like it better than Paris. People are friendly, lots to see and do. Definitely walk around a lot near the center, surprises around every corner. Food can be very good.
Naples Area. Another favorite. Sorrento is very pretty; it?s on a cliff overlooking the sea. I stayed in an apartment near The American Club. Great spot IMO. You can take a ferry to Capri and another island. Also take the bus ride down to Amalfi. It?s the cheapest, most scenic thrill ride I?ve ever seen. You travel along a cliff road, passing by many very cool little villages built on the cliffs, and the view freaks people out. You might see some villages you want to stay at along that route. Naples itself is big, kind of dirty etc. I just use it as a ?pass-through? (bus/train stations) but it has cool parts too. You?ll find a ton of stuff in that area, Mt Pompeii, the Herculaneum etc.
If it were me, I?d fly into Rome and plan a trip around there and Southern Italy.
BTW: train routes etc are all on the Internet Here?s the train schedule etc http://www.trenitalia.com/en/index.html
Don?t be afraid to google for info etc on various regions. They?ve got all kinds of tourist/travel info available.
LMK if you have any questions.
Fern
What do you like when traveling? Big cites or the rural small old towns? By the ocean/sea shore or mountains?
Do you have a preference for traveling? Hopping from city to city via airplanes, or train & bus?
Do you pack light or go heavy?
I lived & worked in Europe for about 8 years. I lived in London, Berlin and Paris. I did an awful lot of traveling; I had a camper van and drove from the Nordic countries all the way to the Magreb (North Africa ? Morocco etc).
I?ve been to Italy twice recently, about 2005 & 2003. I flew into Milan one time, Rome the other.
Personally, I prefer to travel light, avoid airports and would rather take trains or buses.
You?ll find that the train stations are generally in the center of cities such as Rome or Paris, while the airports are located outside. Just getting to or from them requires a train ride or cab fare.
I prefer the trains; you get to see the countryside etc. You can pack your own food. Get a reserved private cabin if possible. Sometimes when feasible I?ll take the night train, say get on about 10 PM and arrive somewhere else in the morning. Just get a sleeper cabin. That way it seems like you make full use of your time, and don?t waste valuable vacation time in route or waiting around at airports (gawd, I hate airports).
Car rental struck me as expensive in Italy, gas too. If your looking into it, be sure they tell you about all the taxes and surcharges so you aren?t surprised by the final bill.
When you?re in a big city, I prefer to travel around by bus. You can use bus routes to tour a city, it?s very inexpensive. Look into multi day passes, easy and saves $. While you?re getting around by bus you might a part of the city that looks interesting, either hop off or make a note to circle back later and visit.
In Europe, things are bit more condensed than here. I mean that there are lots of cool places not far from one to the other. 2 weeks in a god amount of time, but don?t expect to see everything. I prefer to take my time and enjoy myself, rather than rushing around to ?touch all the bases?. I suggest you do likewise.
Try not to stick out like an American tourist. We?re about as bad as Germans when it comes to being obnoxious. Worse, we?re pretty stupid and easy prey. Don?t talk real loudly (won?t draw so much attention); try to find clothing like everybody else. You?ll blend better.
Violence doesn?t really exist; thieving can be common. Don?t leave baggage etc unattended, and pickpockets are fairly common. As is ?bag snatching? (purse, cameras etc.) Just be alert, that?s probably the biggest most effective deterrent.
Since you?ve never been there, pick up a travel book on Italy. That will you help identify places you want to see. Might need to prioritize them, and think about proximity. Obviously it?s stupid to start in Rome (Southern Italy) then go to Milan, then back down South to Sorrento/Naples. You?ll also get info on restaurants/food/prices etc for each location.
For restaurants/food, I?d stay away from tourist spots. They know you?ll never be coming back so the food might suck, the service may be lousy and the prices high. They don?t care; they don?t depend on repeat business.
Look instead for places where the locals eat. Watch the business lunch crowd, if the locals go there, you?ll have a better chance of finding good places with good authentic fresh food and reasonable prices etc.
Don?t be afraid to picnic either. Grab a loaf of fresh bread from a bakery, a hunk of cheese and litre bottle of wine. Hang out in interesting/pretty place in good weather and eat lunch etc.
Language. Definitely try to speak some Italian. A little bit goes a long way. Generally, if they see you?re making an effort to speak their language, they?ll make an effort to help and maybe try to speak English. If you don?t want to be embarrassed trying to speak their language, why should they bother to speak yours?
Pick up some materials to help you learn some of the language, might wanna carry some of them with you on the trip to study up at night or on the train/airplane.
I use a book of verbs with the various conjugations. Also some tapes etc for pronunciation.
Also take an English>Italian, Italian>English dictionary. You can look up the English word to see the Italian one, and if you?re trying to communicate with them, they use it to look up the Italian word and show you the English counterpart.
Pick some useful phrases before and get those down before leaving (take crip notes with you to refer to). Like ?Where is __?, ?how much does it cost?? ?excuse me, can you help me please?, ?enter?. ?Exit", ?forbidden? (signs you might see) etc.
Learn some food ?words too?. I can you from experience it can be a bitch when no one at the restaurant speaks your language, and you don?t speak theirs. You?ll end up just pointing an unknown stuff listed in the menu hoping you didn?t chose 3 desserts etc. So learn ?a menu please? then the words for beef, chick, fish, pork, etc.
If you?re asking a price and don?t understand, ask them to write it down (learn that phrase) and carry a little notepad and pencil.
My remarks on places:
Milan, mostly a big industrial town. Not a favorite, but have family that lives there. But I understand Lake Cuomo has some nice places around it.
Florence. I liked it. Great museums and food etc. Also some other good small popular little towns around that area.
Venice. Not a favorite, too touristy, Food expensive and mostly crappy. But still it has some neat parts. Etc.
Rome, my favorite. I like it better than Paris. People are friendly, lots to see and do. Definitely walk around a lot near the center, surprises around every corner. Food can be very good.
Naples Area. Another favorite. Sorrento is very pretty; it?s on a cliff overlooking the sea. I stayed in an apartment near The American Club. Great spot IMO. You can take a ferry to Capri and another island. Also take the bus ride down to Amalfi. It?s the cheapest, most scenic thrill ride I?ve ever seen. You travel along a cliff road, passing by many very cool little villages built on the cliffs, and the view freaks people out. You might see some villages you want to stay at along that route. Naples itself is big, kind of dirty etc. I just use it as a ?pass-through? (bus/train stations) but it has cool parts too. You?ll find a ton of stuff in that area, Mt Pompeii, the Herculaneum etc.
If it were me, I?d fly into Rome and plan a trip around there and Southern Italy.
BTW: train routes etc are all on the Internet Here?s the train schedule etc http://www.trenitalia.com/en/index.html
Don?t be afraid to google for info etc on various regions. They?ve got all kinds of tourist/travel info available.
LMK if you have any questions.
Fern
shortylickens
No Lifer
- Jul 15, 2003
- 80,287
- 17,082
- 136
I hit a lot of ports when I was in the Navy.
Had to take road trips to the interesting places.
The only one I'd recommend is Rome, maybe Venice if you have the time.
Had to take road trips to the interesting places.
The only one I'd recommend is Rome, maybe Venice if you have the time.
Anti-pickpocketing travel tip: Carry two wallets (or one wallet and a moneybelt). Keep your petty cash and perhaps a credit card (AMEX is probably the best bet) in a front pocket wallet in your front pocket with a rubber band around it. The rubber band makes it difficult to extract, doubly so from the front pocket. The cash and credit card make it an acceptable "dump" in case you are mugged, which admittedly is probably not going to happen. Carry your other credit cards and cash and passport (unless your hotel is reputable with a good safe or safety deposit box behind the front desk) in your moneybelt.
I was supposed to spend three weeks in Italy two years ago, but the trip was cancelled at the last minute. Haven't been there in 15 years and definitely want to go back! The Cinque Terre is absolutely beautiful, but for a two week trip, I wouldn't advise visiting.
I was supposed to spend three weeks in Italy two years ago, but the trip was cancelled at the last minute.
Haven't been there in 15 years and definitely want to go back! The Cinque Terre is absolutely beautiful, but for a two week trip, I wouldn't advise visiting.QFT. All of it. Number one thing is buy a money belt, and store your passport, traveler's checks, money and atm card inside, and wear it on your person at all times. ESPECIALLY on the train/trolley. Pickpockets are way too common in rome. i didn't have that problem in venice or florence.
Enjoy the trip. it's gonna be a blast!
Fern
Elite Member
- Sep 30, 2003
- 26,907
- 174
- 106
Re: Pickpokets
Watch out for the Gypsies.
I've never seen one inside a "tourist attraction" (museum etc). But they work the routes, meaning streets leading up to them. They also work the train lines that take peopel to tourist attractions (e.g., Mt Pompeii).
They work in groups looking to beg or steal.
One trick I experienced in Florence - I was walking down one of the streets downtown near the museums etc and a group of kids (age 8 - 11), about 8 or 10 came up from behind me and grabbed my arms. An older Italian guy across the street tried to warn me but I didn't understand what he was saying. Anyway, it startled me and as usual I reacted badly. I flung my arms out and up as hard as I could, knocking the kids everywhere.
Only when I turned around did I see it was kids, and I saw their adult 'handler" slip around a corner and take off.
The deal is the kids grab on to your arms pinning them at your side while one takes your wallet (or whatever) and runs off. The others hang on holding you back. If you do break free to give chase, the adult steps in.
Otherwise, you'll see them on trains that have tourist attraction stops. The women & kids do the begging, also looking for crap to steal, while the male adult slinks aropund keeping an eye on things. Just ignore them when they approach you, look away and ignore them. They'll go away. Don't pull your wallet out etc to give them anything.
Fern
Watch out for the Gypsies.
I've never seen one inside a "tourist attraction" (museum etc). But they work the routes, meaning streets leading up to them. They also work the train lines that take peopel to tourist attractions (e.g., Mt Pompeii).
They work in groups looking to beg or steal.
One trick I experienced in Florence - I was walking down one of the streets downtown near the museums etc and a group of kids (age 8 - 11), about 8 or 10 came up from behind me and grabbed my arms. An older Italian guy across the street tried to warn me but I didn't understand what he was saying. Anyway, it startled me and as usual I reacted badly. I flung my arms out and up as hard as I could, knocking the kids everywhere.
Only when I turned around did I see it was kids, and I saw their adult 'handler" slip around a corner and take off.
The deal is the kids grab on to your arms pinning them at your side while one takes your wallet (or whatever) and runs off. The others hang on holding you back. If you do break free to give chase, the adult steps in.
Otherwise, you'll see them on trains that have tourist attraction stops. The women & kids do the begging, also looking for crap to steal, while the male adult slinks aropund keeping an eye on things. Just ignore them when they approach you, look away and ignore them. They'll go away. Don't pull your wallet out etc to give them anything.
Fern
zinfamous
No Lifer
- Jul 12, 2006
- 111,892
- 31,410
- 146
I was in Italy (mostly Florence) and Switzerland for about 5 months. This was before the Euro, so my advice on pricing would be worthless (I would miss donuts that used to cost 2,000 Lire )
Cities you should hit: Florence (+Siena, San Gimingano, Greve, etc...spend as much time in Tuscany as you can), Venice, and you probably have to visit Rome, b/c you're there.
although it has become more touristy, Cinque Terre is worth the trip.
Florence is littered with study abroad programs, so using English will not be a problem.
absolutely avoid Milan. I didn't get to the southern parts of the country, regrettably, but Napoli seems to be hit or miss. Sorrento is quite nice, apparently.
you should also consider skipping Pisa. If you've seen a pic of the tower, you've seen Pisa.
Other nice towns that not too many people will visit are Verona, Mantova, and Padova. near Venice, and worth the trip, imo.
)Cities you should hit: Florence (+Siena, San Gimingano, Greve, etc...spend as much time in Tuscany as you can), Venice, and you probably have to visit Rome, b/c you're there.
although it has become more touristy, Cinque Terre is worth the trip.
Florence is littered with study abroad programs, so using English will not be a problem.
absolutely avoid Milan. I didn't get to the southern parts of the country, regrettably, but Napoli seems to be hit or miss. Sorrento is quite nice, apparently.
you should also consider skipping Pisa. If you've seen a pic of the tower, you've seen Pisa.
Other nice towns that not too many people will visit are Verona, Mantova, and Padova. near Venice, and worth the trip, imo.
zinfamous
No Lifer
- Jul 12, 2006
- 111,892
- 31,410
- 146
good advice, but I disagree about Venice. I could spend days and days there...St Marks is certainly the main tourist destination, but there is so much going on in small, hidden corners that it's worth it. Take the ferry out to Murano and Burano as well.
what I enjoy most about Venice is simply walking around the city, esp if you go during the flooding, which could make things interesting. My main criticisms would be that it is very expensive and during the popular months, it is incredibly crowded, and can get a bit smelly.
zinfamous
No Lifer
- Jul 12, 2006
- 111,892
- 31,410
- 146
Originally posted by: preslove
I went to Rome and Florence a couple of weeks ago with my mom (she met me in London, where I'm doing an internship).
In Rome we stayed at a convent, which was actually really cool. It was near the Termini (where all the trains, metro lines, and busses meet, and in the center of the city), close to the imperial sites, and really inexpensive for what you get. We got a private room with two beds, a private bathroom, and a balcony for 85 euro a night, which is about the same as a crappy budget hotel room in a worse location. The one drawback, though, is that you have to be back by 11 (the nuns need to get to bed sometime
We took the cheap (15 euro), slow (2 1/2 hours) train, instead of the expensive, fast one to Florence. I would highly recommend this because the countryside is absolutely motherfucking goddamn holy shit beautiful. My mom and I took a bottle of wine and some bread and cheese and had an awesome time just on the train. The Eurorail (expensive line) goes really fast and you can't really get a feel for the countryside (I've taken it between london and paris and london and Brussels). European trains are an experience you should have, so I would recommend flying into either Rome, taking a train to Florence, and then another one to Venice, or going Venice -> Florence -> Rome, and then flying back from the city you end at.
Florence, we stayed at a friend of mine's place, so I can't tell you anything about hotels.
A lot of the stuff I'd recommend has already been posted but here are a few things:
1. (again) Slow trains FTW!
2. I'd recommend finding a grocery store around your hotel & buying cheese, bread, produce, and most especially WINE. Dry Italian whites are really good. This will cut down on your meal budget, and also give you a good taste of the culture. Plus, picnics with a bottle of wine are awesome.
3. Eat as much gelato (italian ice cream) as you can. It rocks.
4. Italian espresso is the best I've ever had.
5. We drank tap water in Rome and didn't get sick. The guide books said it was fine & it was cheap
agreed. my favorite train ride would be going through northern Italy into Switzerland. (the only downside being that you would likely depart from Milano-a crappy place). You pass through the Alps, and the gorgeous lake-side Italian towns. a trip in itself.
go to bologna man, it's friggin amazing, almost no turists, have great places to go and chill out. if you want to see typical Italian city go there, its between venice and florence. go to piazza maggiore and there are some sweet towers there too..also some great food...they say bologna is the stomach of italy!
Stupid scum. I'd give money (assuming I had some to spare) if they were just normal homeless or something. Mugging people? Dirty scum.
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