Traveling to Italy -- tips? (Part Deux)

[EKKC]

my old thread was archived and can't be replied to no more
http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.aspx?catid=38&threadid=1719684&arctab=y


well my trip is finalized for may and i got my plane tickets (transfering at amsterdam!!! haha here i come legal prostitutes!) and hotel, going to Rome 4 days, Florence 3, Venice 2 and there's a 12 hour stay at the last day at Amsterdam, Netherlands.

so anyhow my question is any good websites to go on to see what's interesting and what to do in those 4 cities? if any of you know which travel books are good that'd be great too

and, to those who've been in Rome, is it a hassle to enter/leave the Vatican City? is there a border control or is it just another 'district' that happen to be its own country-city-state?

 

[bigrash]

go see the Colleseum

have fun man!

 

[Glavinsolo]

I am interested in how much this is costing you. I am planning my honeymoon in Italy and havn't done much research of my own yet. So I am basically just marking this thread.

 

[EKKC]

Originally posted by: Glavinsolo
I am interested in how much this is costing you. I am planning my honeymoon in Italy and havn't done much research of my own yet. So I am basically just marking this thread.

me and my gf, for about $3700 for 10 days, all downtown hotels in rome, florence and within venice island. also includes all non-overnight 2nd class train tickets between cities. i changed my return flight so i get 10-12 hours in Amsterdam (its 20 minute ride from airport to downtown)

i built my own package. i was going to go with virginvacations.com but they dont tell you which flights or what company (Iraqi Airline anyone?) and it cost like 4800 for 10 days so i got another site from Travelzoo (and if you have their stocks, congrats for the last 2-3 days!) called europeandestinations.com they let you pick your flights and hotels, much like expedia.

congrats on honeymoon btw... i told my friends about this trip and they all think im going to propose or something. rofl

 

[miniMUNCH]

You can't go to Vatican City proper except by invitation only. You can go to St. Peter's, etc. of course but not inside VC. Florence is awesome. Rome is awesome.

You are going to wish you had more time. Stay away from the pro ho's in amsterdam...most of them are not as clean as you might have been led to believe.

Edit: I just saw the part about your GF...glad you were just kidding about the pro ho's.

 

[EKKC]

Originally posted by: miniMUNCH
You can't go to Vatican City proper except by invitation only. You can go to St. Peter's, etc. of course but not inside VC. Florence is awesome. Rome is awesome.

You are going to wish you had more time. Stay away from the pro ho's in amsterdam...most of them are not as clean as you might have been led to believe.

rofl "pro ho's"...
i was only joking about that, im going with the gf!

 

[Turkish]

St. Peter's is weird. I had pants when I visited the church, but apparently they are not very happy about people wearing shorts, so just be cautious about that... anyways, you'll like Rome. Dirty as hell, lots of homeless people, sh!tty traffic, crazy drivers, etc. I love it, reminds me of my home: Istanbul

 

[miniMUNCH]

Originally posted by: EKKC

Originally posted by: miniMUNCH
You can't go to Vatican City proper except by invitation only. You can go to St. Peter's, etc. of course but not inside VC. Florence is awesome. Rome is awesome.

You are going to wish you had more time. Stay away from the pro ho's in amsterdam...most of them are not as clean as you might have been led to believe.

rofl "pro ho's"...
i was only joking about that, im going with the gf!

Yeah... just saw that.

My aunt lives outside of Florence, she used to live in Florence proper before she retired....Florence is my favorite Euro city. But I haven't been to Spain yet...I hear Barca is fantastic.

 

[gigapet]

I lived in florence for half a year. PM if you have an specific questions I can try and answer.

 

[NoMoMoney]

Originally posted by: Glavinsolo
I am interested in how much this is costing you. I am planning my honeymoon in Italy and havn't done much research of my own yet. So I am basically just marking this thread.

I went to Italy for my honeymoon. 2 weeks total. Went to Venice, Florence, and Rome. Went in December so it was a little cheaper. Total spent for two was around $5500, but we lived it up since it was our honeymoon.

Loved Venice. If you are in Florence go to Aqua al Due. Make reservations a few days ahead of time though. Get the pasta sampler and dessert sampler. The filet mignon with a balsalmic sauce (almost a gravy) was UNBELIEVABLE. Rome was fun, we were there for Christmas. In rome hit up the tours led by English speaking college kids, fun info... there are always short free ones you can do, just listen for them in at the Vatican, Forums, ect. Don't eat at any restaraunts that are in the main squares, go a block or two outside of them. More authentic and about 1/2 the price. Drink wine, not soda. When I was there a can of soda was the same price as half a bottle of wine (at restaraunts). Don't eat anywhere there are pictures of the food on the menu. Try to speak a little Italian, just a few words, it goes a long way.

Phew, I could go on forever. Loved Italy! Took trains (spend the extra to get assigned seats) between the cities.

 

[EKKC]

Originally posted by: gigapet
I lived in florence for half a year. PM if you have an specific questions I can try and answer.

will sure do! thakns!
for starters where are the good food? but i'll PM you on where im staying and the details.

:beer:

 

[pg22]

I studied in Rome for half a year. PM as well if you'd like

 

[NoMoMoney]

Just read your post about second class train, upgrade your train tickets. For 10 Euros it is worth getting the better seats and you get first dibs in the restaraunt car! I think the assigned seating is 'first' class... second class sometimes you don't even get a seat. The conductor was kicking people out of the first class section during one of the train rides, the second class was standing room only!

 

[Glavinsolo]

Originally posted by: NoMoMoney

Originally posted by: Glavinsolo
I am interested in how much this is costing you. I am planning my honeymoon in Italy and havn't done much research of my own yet. So I am basically just marking this thread.

I went to Italy for my honeymoon. 2 weeks total. Went to Venice, Florence, and Rome. Went in December so it was a little cheaper. Total spent for two was around $5500, but we lived it up since it was our honeymoon.

Loved Venice. If you are in Florence go to Aqua al Due. Make reservations a few days ahead of time though. Get the pasta sampler and dessert sampler. The filet mignon with a balsalmic sauce (almost a gravy) was UNBELIEVABLE. Rome was fun, we were there for Christmas. In rome hit up the tours led by English speaking college kids, fun info... there are always short free ones you can do, just listen for them in at the Vatican, Forums, ect. Don't eat at any restaraunts that are in the main squares, go a block or two outside of them. More authentic and about 1/2 the price. Drink wine, not soda. When I was there a can of soda was the same price as half a bottle of wine (at restaraunts). Don't eat anywhere there are pictures of the food on the menu. Try to speak a little Italian, just a few words, it goes a long way.

Phew, I could go on forever. Loved Italy! Took trains (spend the extra to get assigned seats) between the cities.

Great info. I am having trouble remembering a website that was all pictures of people's travels. It had travel photo albums up and comments on each picture. If you have a similar site pertaining to your honeymoon photos and iteneraries I would be interested.

 

[Turkish]

www.virtualtourist.com
www.fodors.com

those two should help a lot!

 

[NoMoMoney]

The wife just took down the honeymoon page about six months ago to put up more of our daughter. We went in 2003, so it was a while ago. I'll see if I can find my itenerary and get the wifey to upload the pictures again.

 

[thecoroner]

Watch your possessions. Pit pockets are very common in tourist areas and very talented.

 

[NoMoMoney]

Yes, one kid tried to pick pocket me at St. Peters on Christmas eve! I had to pull his hand out of my pocket and he could of cared less that I caught him.

Oh! And if you are going to buy anything from the street vendors tell them you are not going to and walk away. They'll cut thier prices in half as you walk away, then offer them less! When I was there the police were vicious to these guys in Rome, but in Venice they didn't seem to care. In Rome you would see a cop coming down and they would wrap up there blankets and walk away. If the cop caught them all there goods were tossed into the trunk of the cop car! Oh, and dont' get your pictures taken with Roman soldiers or charecters drawn from just any vendor... they'll tell you one price and charge you something different... Or best was when the soldier guy said "10 Euros" and we gave him the camera (stupid I know) and then after the picture he said, 20 Euros, 10 each and wouldn't give the camera back. I learned fast! I wish that page was still up of our travels with comments!

EDIT: By street vendors I mean the guys selling knock offs, not like in Florence... just the guys selling fake bags, sunglasses, posters, ect... not the real 'street vendors' in Florence, they are good, still negotiate though!

 

[swtethan]

tip? dont speak french, they wont understand

 

[Scarpozzi]

Just be sure to watch out for pickpockets....especially in the cathedrals, etc...those are hotspots for people who are unsuspecting. Most of them are gypsies (teenage girls or boys)....and they are extremely good.

Many hotels will have breakfast included which will have granola, croissants, swiss cheese, fruit, etc... I made practice of eating later when possible to get the most bang for my buck and made these meals daily brunch. If you can get to a Walmart, I recommend taking a few bags of Tropical Trailmix or something ($5 each) to help supplement your food while you're there. Water is drinkable, take a bottle to refill when you can for free.

They charge to use the can over there too. Some are $.50 or $.70 in the expensive places. If you get out of the touristy areas, usually $.10 for a pee and $.20 otherwise is customary.

Food: Eat sandwiches when possible. They're really good and there is little italian involved in ordering them....just point at what looks good in the case and they'll press the panini for you.
Only tip 10% in sit-down restaurants....they actually get paid wages for working unlike the tipping system here in the states.

Furthermore, avoid fast food. I hate to see americans lined up at BK or McDonalds over there..... Eat the way they do for the experience. Most of the locals only eat fast food once every month or three....It tastes exactly the same there as it does here...

When you go to Rome, buy day passes for the transit system....that will get you all bus service and use of the tubes. The tubes will take you everywhere you'll want to go except you'll have a short walk to the Vatican. (2-3 good blocks)

Florence: be sure to take time to see the REAL David and eat more gelato here than anywhere....they have the best selection. Definitely tour the cathedral...It's an awesome structure. Bus travel here is the way to go if you're trying to get from one end of town to the other. The train station is only a few blocks from the main shopping center downtown....so you can walk just about anywhere if you're staying down there...

Venice: I recommend taking the museum tour of the government buildings....they are really cool and there is a lot of awesome art in there. Beware of the pigeons. Hold your nose when you pass by the fish market... Gondola rides are expensive... Try to find a slow part of the city and talk them down. There are some guys that will give you a ride for very cheap...you don't get that much more if the ride is longer.

 

[Cable God]

Originally posted by: Turkish
Dirty as hell, lots of homeless people, sh!tty traffic, crazy drivers, etc. I love it.

True. I just got back from Rome a month ago. Very true. If you stay West of The Colleseum, you won't see much of the dirty parts. Remember, very few people speak English there, and then it's broken English. I loved Rome though.

 

[HN]

If you like taking pictures, bring a good low-light camera. the cathedrals are not very well lit and they are not fond of flash photography.

 

[EKKC]

Originally posted by: Scarpozzi
Just be sure to watch out for pickpockets....especially in the cathedrals, etc...those are hotspots for people who are unsuspecting. Most of them are gypsies (teenage girls or boys)....and they are extremely good.

Many hotels will have breakfast included which will have granola, croissants, swiss cheese, fruit, etc... I made practice of eating later when possible to get the most bang for my buck and made these meals daily brunch. If you can get to a Walmart, I recommend taking a few bags of Tropical Trailmix or something ($5 each) to help supplement your food while you're there. Water is drinkable, take a bottle to refill when you can for free.

They charge to use the can over there too. Some are $.50 or $.70 in the expensive places. If you get out of the touristy areas, usually $.10 for a pee and $.20 otherwise is customary.

Food: Eat sandwiches when possible. They're really good and there is little italian involved in ordering them....just point at what looks good in the case and they'll press the panini for you.
Only tip 10% in sit-down restaurants....they actually get paid wages for working unlike the tipping system here in the states.

Furthermore, avoid fast food. I hate to see americans lined up at BK or McDonalds over there..... Eat the way they do for the experience. Most of the locals only eat fast food once every month or three....It tastes exactly the same there as it does here...

When you go to Rome, buy day passes for the transit system....that will get you all bus service and use of the tubes. The tubes will take you everywhere you'll want to go except you'll have a short walk to the Vatican. (2-3 good blocks)

Florence: be sure to take time to see the REAL David and eat more gelato here than anywhere....they have the best selection. Definitely tour the cathedral...It's an awesome structure. Bus travel here is the way to go if you're trying to get from one end of town to the other. The train station is only a few blocks from the main shopping center downtown....so you can walk just about anywhere if you're staying down there...

Venice: I recommend taking the museum tour of the government buildings....they are really cool and there is a lot of awesome art in there. Beware of the pigeons. Hold your nose when you pass by the fish market... Gondola rides are expensive... Try to find a slow part of the city and talk them down. There are some guys that will give you a ride for very cheap...you don't get that much more if the ride is longer.

awesome info. thanks!!! :beer:

 

[EKKC]

Originally posted by: Turkish
Dirty as hell, lots of homeless people, sh!tty traffic, crazy drivers, etc. I love it.

sounds just like new york city! rofl why am i going

 

[RichieZ]

rome: you don't need to pay to use the subway system

theres like an open gate right next to the booths, the cops are standing behind it but they are really just sitting there talking and laughing. just walk through nonchalantly and you won't be stopped.