Anyone been to Italy?

[Kaido]

Planning a trip next year for 2 weeks, never been overseas. Any advice would be greatly appreciated

 

[2Xtreme21]

Where are you going? I've been to Rome and Algherro (Sardinia) and both were amazing. The Mediterranean is beautiful, and in Rome the sheer fact that you're standing in the capital of the most powerful empire in the world preceding the Renaissance is mind blowing.

That aside, as far as travel tips are concerned, most can be summarized into remaining aware and not doing anything stupid. Language barriers shouldn't be an issue if you're staying on the beaten path, though when I was in Sardinia, it was extremely difficult to find someone to speak English (actually ended up speaking French if my extremely rudimentary Italian failed). Rome, though, you're basically golden.

Just have fun though! It's sure to be a trip you'll remember forever.

 

[mryellow2]

Just got back from a long stay in Florence. Umm.

1. There are ATMs everywhere in the city.

2. Don't carry your wallet or valuables in a back pocket. Even your front pocket isn't always safe.

3. Try to learn some basic Italian before you go.

4. Don't be afraid to try new foods ;D

5. Purchase a plug adapter Stateside if you're going to be taking a laptop/digi-cam/etc.

6. Get your passport stuff in order.

7. Pack light. I took way too many clothes. I ended up wearing the same three or four outfits almost everyday. That being said bring at least one set of "dress-up" clothes.

8. Have comfortable shoes.

There's lots of things I'm forgetting but it's all pretty much common-sense. There was someone else that posts here quite a bit that has done some extensive traveling overseas. You might want to search for his posts.

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: 2Xtreme21
Where are you going? I've been to Rome and Algherro (Sardinia) and both were amazing. The Mediterranean is beautiful, and in Rome the sheer fact that you're standing in the capital of the most powerful empire in the world preceding the Renaissance is mind blowing.

That aside, as far as travel tips are concerned, most can be summarized into remaining aware and not doing anything stupid. Language barriers shouldn't be an issue if you're staying on the beaten path, though when I was in Sardinia, it was extremely difficult to find someone to speak English (actually ended up speaking French if my extremely rudimentary Italian failed). Rome, though, you're basically golden.

Just have fun though! It's sure to be a trip you'll remember forever.

Florence, Venice, and Rome are the big targets at the moment. My wife loves art and has family history in Italy and I decided to stop procrastinating and just go ahead and figure out a way to do it

As far as language goes, I'll probably pick up Rosetta Stone and learn a new word or phrase a day for the next year so that I can at least get some basic translation going.

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: mryellow2
Just got back from a long stay in Florence. Umm.

1. There are ATMs everywhere in the city.

2. Don't carry your wallet or valuables in a back pocket. Even your front pocket isn't always safe.

3. Try to learn some basic Italian before you go.

4. Don't be afraid to try new foods ;D

5. Purchase a plug adapter Stateside if you're going to be taking a laptop/digi-cam/etc.

6. Get your passport stuff in order.

7. Pack light. I took way too many clothes. I ended up wearing the same three or four outfits almost everyday. That being said bring at least one set of "dress-up" clothes.

8. Have comfortable shoes.

There's lots of things I'm forgetting but it's all pretty much common-sense. There was someone else that posts here quite a bit that has done some extensive traveling overseas. You might want to search for his posts.

Great, thanks! I have a GSM phone (iPhone on AT&T), aside from the crazy data charges while roaming (thank goodness for the "EDGE Off" switch!) I think that should be okay, right? Do the ATMs talk to my bank back home? Credit cards work? (I have a Mastercard)

Good point on the plug adapter, I'll make sure to get one of those. Anything I should bring as far as dietary adjustments, i.e. water purification pills, medicine, whatever?

 

[mryellow2]

Look for the interbank sticker thing on the ATMs (I don't think I saw any ATMs without it) You'll probably get hit with some sort of foreign transaction fee (f' you BoA!) Mine was ~$3 on top of the usual ATM fee.

Most restaurants and stores in the "touristy" areas take visa and mastercard.

There are signs in Florence that say purchasing counterfeit goods is punishable with a 10k euro fine. I never saw a tourist given flak for buying from the street vendors (the unlicensed ones without the carts). The authorities turn a blind eye to their activities but better safe than sorry imo.

Artsy stuff - The three major sites

Pre-purchase tickets (you also have to wait in line with these but the line is generally much shorter) for the Uffizi. The lines are brutal. They're closed on Monday.

Probably want to pre-purchase for the Palazzo Pitti as well. Scope it out, sometimes there's not much of a line for whatever reason. This is also a nice area to lay down and relax.

The Accademia wasn't as bad for lines but it depends on what month you go. You're not supposed to take pictures in there but the tourists tend to ignore the security guards who are constantly yelling "no photo!"

Watch Channel 8(?) I forget but it's called Toscana today or somesuch. Anyway, there's a channel that gives info about new/special exhibits and general tourist spots.

As far as your phone goes, I couldn't say. I made do with skype at the internet cafe (I used the Internet Train while in Florence. They have several locations including one in the train station)

The tap water was fine for me but I purchased water from the market anyway.

Bring antacids for sure.

Eat ribolitta (My favorite was at Mamma Gina's)

The shop prices in Florence can be painful, doubly so with the weak dollar. Heh, not much you can do about that though besides haggling. If you purchase something over 170 or thereabouts you also get a Tax refund thing. There are some papers to fill out etc. You should get these papers at the time of purchase. I'm sure the saleperson will explain it to you anyway if you do go shopping while you're there.

 

[RESmonkey]

Obligatory italian girls are hot comment

 

[777php]

I literally just came back from Rome and Venice last Wednesday. I think the pickpocketing is overblown as I felt pretty safe and I didn't see any of it when I was there. However, with that said I would still recommend wearing a money belt for your passport and store of cash. If you wear a wallet, keep it in your front pocket and keep your most used credit card there and some quick access cash for food, drinks etc....

Your ATM card will work fine in Italy, I took cash out a few times in Rome from my checking account back home. In regards to credit cards most places take Visa and Mastercard. Definitely call your credit card companies in advance to let them know you are going to be travelling and making purchases there. While you have them on a phone ask them what the conversion rate is, for me my Visa was 3% per transation and my AMEX was 2%.

The food and water there is normal, not like Mexico or Asia. You won't need anything for adjusting to it. There are pharmacies everywhere, they are denoted by big green neon plus signs if you happen to need any medicine.

We learned that many restaurants in the touristy areas of Rome don't actually have kitchens and use the microwave to re-heat their pre-cooked food. Definitely pay attention to that check out the restaurant before you decide to eat there.

We bought a Rick Steves book for both Rome and Venice and they were great, he gives you tips on bypassing lines as well as walking guides for certain areas of the city. Definitely follow his Vatican Museum guide as he helps you walk right into St. Peters Basicilica without standing in line again.

Venice is tiny, you most likely won't need more than two days there. After St. Marks square there isn't too much to see.

If you have specific questions about Venice or Rome feel free to shoot me a PM.

In terms of getting from city to city you can try easyjet or ryanair but, I decided to take the train instead and I don't regret it at all. Its a beautiful ride and most of the time it takes you into the heart of the city as where flying brings you to airports that can be pretty far from the city, especially in Rome. I could go on about my trip as I had a blast so again if you have any specific questions feel free to PM me.

 

[mryellow2]

Originally posted by: RESmonkey
Obligatory italian girls are hot comment

Yes, the italian girls can be absolutely mind blowingly hot. There were more study abroad students and tourists in Florence than actual italians though. Not that I'm complaining. Those study abroad broads were wild.

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: RESmonkey
Obligatory italian girls are hot comment

I married one :thumbsup:

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: mryellow2
Look for the interbank sticker thing on the ATMs (I don't think I saw any ATMs without it) You'll probably get hit with some sort of foreign transaction fee (f' you BoA!) Mine was ~$3 on top of the usual ATM fee.

Most restaurants and stores in the "touristy" areas take visa and mastercard.

There are signs in Florence that say purchasing counterfeit goods is punishable with a 10k euro fine. I never saw a tourist given flak for buying from the street vendors (the unlicensed ones without the carts). The authorities turn a blind eye to their activities but better safe than sorry imo.

Artsy stuff - The three major sites

Pre-purchase tickets (you also have to wait in line with these but the line is generally much shorter) for the Uffizi. The lines are brutal. They're closed on Monday.

Probably want to pre-purchase for the Palazzo Pitti as well. Scope it out, sometimes there's not much of a line for whatever reason. This is also a nice area to lay down and relax.

The Accademia wasn't as bad for lines but it depends on what month you go. You're not supposed to take pictures in there but the tourists tend to ignore the security guards who are constantly yelling "no photo!"

Watch Channel 8(?) I forget but it's called Toscana today or somesuch. Anyway, there's a channel that gives info about new/special exhibits and general tourist spots.

As far as your phone goes, I couldn't say. I made do with skype at the internet cafe (I used the Internet Train while in Florence. They have several locations including one in the train station)

The tap water was fine for me but I purchased water from the market anyway.

Bring antacids for sure.

Eat ribolitta (My favorite was at Mamma Gina's)

The shop prices in Florence can be painful, doubly so with the weak dollar. Heh, not much you can do about that though besides haggling. If you purchase something over 170 or thereabouts you also get a Tax refund thing. There are some papers to fill out etc. You should get these papers at the time of purchase. I'm sure the saleperson will explain it to you anyway if you do go shopping while you're there.

Counterfeit goods? Is that like buying DVDs still in theaters in New York? What do they sell, like little knick-knacks and stuff?

 

[GTaudiophile]

Yes, I have been. Twice.

I need pics of Italian wife before I can provide advice

 

[GTaudiophile]

I personally would skip Venice. Check out the art in Florence and get out. Concentrate on Rome in terms of the big, touristy cities. DaVinci's "Last Supper" is near Milan, but Google that as it is very difficult to see.

Have you looked into the Lake Como region or Cinque Terre? You would be advised to do so.

 

[yours truly]

Florence, definately. supposed to be stunning. my italian friend loves it.

apparently, avoid naples, and maybe turin

 

[Kaido]

When is the best time to go? I was planning right after school let out, near the end of May next year.

 

[GTaudiophile]

Originally posted by: Kaido
When is the best time to go? I was planning right after school let out, near the end of May next year.

You'll already be in high season, albeit at the very beginning. Airplane ticket and hotel prices are at the their highest from May-September usually. Don't forget that the Euro makes everything 55% more expensive for your dollar (at the moment).

Going in April or October would be cheaper, and you would have FAR fewer tourists and lines to deal with.

Then again, if you are wanting high heat and beach time, you're more limited to the summer months.

 

[ThePresence]

I've been to Rome. Prepare to spend time in traffic.

 

[de8212]

I used to live there back 25-30 yrs ago (God, I'm old). Anyway I can't give any advice that others haven't already given but I have to be nosey and ask how much plane/hotel tickets are? Are there any good times as far as season goes to go over there? I'd love to fly back over there and visit where I used to live.

 

[Kreon]

Venice really sucked when I went...

It was really dirty and pretty gross, but I kind of expected that (my mom didn't)...
The gondola ride sucked, they absolutely raped the tour group that was in front of us
even charged full price for a baby (about a year)

St Mark's (??? don't remember the name) was absolutely beautiful, inside at least
I really like that
Then I walked out out and got pooed on by the pigeons.
They were cool as long as they weren't flying over you

Then we went to a restaurant for ice cream and ice tea.
It was incredibly expensive...
7 Euro for a can of iced tea...

I really didn't worry about pick pocketer though...
I just kept my hands in my pockets when I was in crowds (wallet and cell phone were there to)

I was disappointed with Venice...
But the countryside was pretty and the people friendly
sandwiches were good too

Have fun, it's a really beautiful country (minus venice in my opinion)

 

[mryellow2]

Originally posted by: Kaido

Counterfeit goods? Is that like buying DVDs still in theaters in New York? What do they sell, like little knick-knacks and stuff?

Sunglasses and bags mostly. The bag vendors spread their wares out on the street with bedsheets which they can quickly pick up and walk-off with when the caribineri come around. Sunglass vendors have these cardboard tables which fold up in a couple seconds.

Avoid the house of Dante museum thing. Total rip-off.

I was in Italy the whole month of April. While there was always a steady stream of tourists the volume was ridiculous the last week. The Ponte Vecchio was literally packed shoulder to shoulder with tourists during the weekend.



My plane ticket was ~$900. The apartment I rented in Florence was about $1200 for the month. Probably could have found cheaper but the location was great.

 

[de8212]

Originally posted by: mryellow2


My plane ticket was ~$900. The apartment I rented in Florence was about $1200 for the month. Probably could have found cheaper but the location was great.

mind me asking where you flew out of? I looked at the prices out of atlanta and the cheapest round trip was 2k+

 

[aphex]

Originally posted by: Kreon
Venice really sucked when I went... snip

We had the exact opposite experience in Venice...

My wife and I were there last spring (early April to be exact) and we had an AMAZING time, actually our favorite place on our two week trip of Italy and Switzerland.

Perfect weather, beautiful city, great food, friendly people, relaxing time... We loved it.

 

[imported_Mike]

I went almost 2 years ago. Went to Rome, Venice, Florance, Milan, and Pisa. Traveled the entire time by train which was very inexpensive. It was HOT, but the people were very friendly. I traveled around with my wallet, passport, and SLR with no troubles. Rome was pretty dirty, and very touristy. Pisa was very small, but enjoyable. I think my favorite city was Florance or Venice.

 

[nageov3t]

if you're going with a female, advise her to take a scarf or shawl. it's customary to have your shoulders covered when in a church.

 

[mryellow2]

Originally posted by: de8212

Originally posted by: mryellow2


My plane ticket was ~$900. The apartment I rented in Florence was about $1200 for the month. Probably could have found cheaper but the location was great.

mind me asking where you flew out of? I looked at the prices out of atlanta and the cheapest round trip was 2k+

I flew out of Dulles International at the end of March with a return flight at the end of April. Both flights had 1 connection.

Your travel dates will have a huge impact on prices (obviously).