Italia

[Jay]

This Friday night, I'll be getting on a plane and I'll be heading off to Italy for 2 weeks with my fiancee. First class BABY, YEAH! We've been wanting to do this for years and everything feels surreal the past few days. I could literally burst in anxiety. I haven't been to Italy in 14 years, it's been too long.

Preparations are complete. We'll be staying the first 5 days in Roma in a hotel that is literally a 1 minute walk from the Trevi fountain, then getting on a train and going to Firenze for a pair of days to see the sights in a hotel across the street from the Duomo. We'll then hop on a train and do a small stop in Pisa for a few hours before going in a train and head off to Capri for the entire second week in a rented villa on a beach, seeing the sights and spending time with my huge family over there.

I wish I could do more than a 4 city tour in the 2 weeks but my fiancee wants to play to role of tourist, which I'll happily oblige. Have any of you been to Italy? If so, how were your experiences? Where did you go? What did you do? Do you have any sights to recommend in Rome/Florence/Naples?

 

[Dave]

I plan on going sometime next year myself. Have fun, Jay!

 

[North_Ranger]

If you do not go to Galleria Borghese in Rome, I will pimp-slap you and your fiancée so hard your children will be born as bobble-head dolls.

Seriously, it's a great place, if for nothing else than the Roman mosaics and Bernini sculptures. Speaking of Bernini... he also sculpted many of the fountains on the piazzi (sp?) of Rome. Seek out the Fountain of the Four Rivers (Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi) on Piazza Navona, Fontana del Tritone on Piazza Barberini and Fontana della Barcaccia on Piazza di Spagna (where the famous Spanish Steps are located). There's plenty of sights to see if you go by foot or tram between each

Also: bottled water is your friend. Bring plenty.

Oh, and don't try salami pizza. They will burn your mouth to a crisp.

 

[bhamv3]

My family and I got mugged by gypsies (is it racist to specify they're gypsies?) in Venice. So if you go to Venice, look out for, uh, muggers.

Also, when I was in Rome, this guy came up to me and asked to borrow my finger because he wanted to finish making a braided bracelet. I figure what the hell, and stick out my finger. He loops the half-finished bracelet around my finger, finishes it in about 5 seconds, ties it around my wrist, then ties a second (pre-made) bracelet around my wrist, tightly fastening them together with one of them knots you can't undo without scissors. He then said the first bracelet is a gift to me, as thanks for lending him my finger, but he's going to have to charge me for the second bracelet.

Long story short, after many minutes of arguing, I manage to walk away with two braided bracelets, for free.

I wonder why I don't have any happy stories from Italy...

 

[Biardo]

I have only been to Florence, and yeah I could give you some tips but we did the normal stuff you will probably do to, nothing special

If your trying to decide witch of the tourist stuff you want to do, you should defanitly go to the Medici Chappel (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medici_Chapel), and although the museum where Michelangelo's David stands doesn't have much else to offer David himself makes it worth every dime, and of ofcourse the Uffizi (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uffizi)

there are many things else to do off course there are hundreds of museums

 

[Espy]

My family and I got mugged by gypsies (is it racist to specify they're gypsies?) in Venice.

I remember me and my family in Venice, hanging out, mugging people. It was so sweet.

 

[Dave]

My family and I got mugged by gypsies (is it racist to specify they're gypsies?) in Venice. So if you go to Venice, look out for, uh, muggers.

Also, when I was in Rome, this guy came up to me and asked to borrow my finger because he wanted to finish making a braided bracelet. I figure what the hell, and stick out my finger. He loops the half-finished bracelet around my finger, finishes it in about 5 seconds, ties it around my wrist, then ties a second (pre-made) bracelet around my wrist, tightly fastening them together with one of them knots you can't undo without scissors. He then said the first bracelet is a gift to me, as thanks for lending him my finger, but he's going to have to charge me for the second bracelet.

Long story short, after many minutes of arguing, I manage to walk away with two braided bracelets, for free.

I wonder why I don't have any happy stories from Italy...

http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/tips/298scam.htm

 

[bhamv3]

My family and I got mugged by gypsies (is it racist to specify they're gypsies?) in Venice. So if you go to Venice, look out for, uh, muggers.

Also, when I was in Rome, this guy came up to me and asked to borrow my finger because he wanted to finish making a braided bracelet. I figure what the hell, and stick out my finger. He loops the half-finished bracelet around my finger, finishes it in about 5 seconds, ties it around my wrist, then ties a second (pre-made) bracelet around my wrist, tightly fastening them together with one of them knots you can't undo without scissors. He then said the first bracelet is a gift to me, as thanks for lending him my finger, but he's going to have to charge me for the second bracelet.

Long story short, after many minutes of arguing, I manage to walk away with two braided bracelets, for free.

I wonder why I don't have any happy stories from Italy...

http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/tips/298scam.htm[/QUOTE]

There's a phrase in Chinese, which roughly translates as "to regret meeting so late." I wish I'd met you several years ago, Dave, so you could've shared your wisdom with me before I went to Italy.

Or, at least, shared your links.

 

[Jay]

Seriously, it's a great place, if for nothing else than the Roman mosaics and Bernini sculptures. Speaking of Bernini... he also sculpted many of the fountains on the piazzi (sp?) of Rome. Seek out the Fountain of the Four Rivers (Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi) on Piazza Navona, Fontana del Tritone on Piazza Barberini and Fontana della Barcaccia on Piazza di Spagna (where the famous Spanish Steps are located). There's plenty of sights to see if you go by foot or tram between each

Also: bottled water is your friend. Bring plenty.

Oh, and don't try salami pizza. They will burn your mouth to a crisp.

We definitely plan to go to Galleria Borghese as it is on our long list on our itinerary. I'm sure some of the others were but I added them to a temp list at work to be added to the 'master' file at home. I really appreciate the head's up. Yes, we'll drinks lots of water.

In regards to the pizza, we'll definitely try some in Rome but we'll probably have it better in Naples, it is the king of pizza after all. I remember going there back when I was 16 and watching my family ordering some from the corner resto and filled myself to the rafters eating an orgasmic pizza that brought TEARS to my eyes. NOM NOM NOM NOM. I was accostumed to Pizza Hut, and "italian" restos here in Canada, I never ate such good Pizza... then my grandmother goes, "Mah, I don't know what happened to Antonio's place but he used to actually make good pizza!"

Also, when I was in Rome, this guy came up to me and asked to borrow my finger because he wanted to finish making a braided bracelet. I figure what the hell, and stick out my finger. He loops the half-finished bracelet around my finger, finishes it in about 5 seconds, ties it around my wrist, then ties a second (pre-made) bracelet around my wrist, tightly fastening them together with one of them knots you can't undo without scissors. He then said the first bracelet is a gift to me, as thanks for lending him my finger, but he's going to have to charge me for the second bracelet.

Long story short, after many minutes of arguing, I manage to walk away with two braided bracelets, for free.

I wonder why I don't have any happy stories from Italy...

Sorry to hear about your experiences. Italy can be like that sometimes. Obviously, if you look like a tourist they’ll be pretty creative in giving you a hard time. I speak Italian fluently and look Italian and so does my fiancée. We won’t be carrying purses or waist purses (I bought one that goes under my shorts specifically). We’re going to try our damnest to blend in.

If your trying to decide witch of the tourist stuff you want to do, you should defanitly go to the Medici Chappel (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medici_Chapel), and although the museum where Michelangelo's David stands doesn't have much else to offer David himself makes it worth every dime, and of ofcourse the Uffizi (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uffizi)

there are many things else to do off course there are hundreds of museums

I added the Medici Chappel to our list to possibly go visit, it’s conveniently located. I bought we’ll go see the statue of David since we’re not the artsy type and the place is notoriously known to have HUGe line-ups and we’ve only got 2 days in Florence. Same goes with some of the museums… maybe in a future trip. Something longer than 2 weeks I hope. Thanks for the advice.

 

[Bubble181]

Are any of those scams so typically European?

 

[North_Ranger]

Heh, me and my folks got scammed as well when in Rome. We were walking from our hotel towards the city centre, and on the way a car comes and stops next to us. There was this old, grey-haired man who asked in English if we happened to be Finns. Of course, we were astonished that the man had guessed this, and he started telling us how he's married to a Finnish woman, and he even knew a few words and phrases. Somehow he got us to buy a nice-looking jacket from his car, but since it was a hot day my dad turned back and went to take the jacket back to the hotel.

Not ten minutes later, another car pulls over and the driver asks if we were Finns.

Yeah...

---------- Post added at 06:02 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:00 PM ----------

http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/tips/298scam.htm

D'OH!

 

[Wahad]

If you and your fiancee are both in good condition, you should climb the St Peter's cathedral. Magnificent sights.

If you're planning on visiting the Forum Romanum, make sure you do that after the hottest part of the day, or on a day that's a bit windier/cooler. It gets hot like an oven in there.

 

[North_Ranger]

St Peter's Cathedral... Yeah, that place, too.

Just remember not to go there if your fiancée is wearing shorts. The Swiss Guard and whatnot tend to frown on that. Long, loose trousers and a jacket on her shoulders should do the trick.

 

[Biardo]

yeah cover your sholders when going in to a church otherwise you get a scarf

and yes the waiting lines are sometimes long, there is a replica of David on Piazza della Signoria (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piazza_della_Signoria), the place the original statue used to stand.

 

[wana10]

you're gonna be in italy this weekend? go to monza! then take lots of pictures and post them here please :sparkle:

 

[Covar]

Lucky man.

I've yet to leave this country. I would love the chance to see some of Europe. I think seeing all 50 states first is going to be more doable for me.

 

[Wasabi Poptart]

When we went to Rome, we had two guide books and Angels and Demons. We went to nearly every site that was in the Dan Brown book. We walked everywhere, so we saw a lot of things that you wouldn't if you took organized tours of the city or only stuck to the touristy sites. The only time we took the subway/underground was on the day we went to the Vatican because it was supposed to rain and our hotel was on the other side of the city.

Get gelato in as many flavors as you can try!

Also, do not...I repeat, DO NOT...try to take a picture of the "gladiators" around the Colosseum. They will offer to take the picture for you, with your own camera, and then expect you to pay them.

 

[ZenMonkey]

Mm, I loved Italy. I've been to Venice twice, and on the first trip also to Florence and Siena. Everyone else covered my suggestions as far as sight-seeing (I remember Venice better anyway) but I'm sure you'll have an amazing time.

 

[North_Ranger]

When we went to Rome, we had two guide books and Angels and Demons. We went to nearly every site that was in the Dan Brown book. We walked everywhere, so we saw a lot of things that you wouldn't if you took organized tours of the city or only stuck to the touristy sites. The only time we took the subway/underground was on the day we went to the Vatican because it was supposed to rain and our hotel was on the other side of the city.

Get gelato in as many flavors as you can try!

Also, do not...I repeat, DO NOT...try to take a picture of the "gladiators" around the Colosseum. They will offer to take the picture for you, with your own camera, and then expect you to pay them.

Basically everything she said is true. And DEFINITELY throw your diet to the wind and sample Italian gelato! I swear, eating a chocolate ice cream cone was all but an inch away from an orgasmic experience.

 

[bhamv3]

Oh god, I just remembered Italian ice cream.

So... smurfing... good...

 

[JONJONAUG]

When we went to Rome, we had two guide books and Angels and Demons. We went to nearly every site that was in the Dan Brown book. We walked everywhere, so we saw a lot of things that you wouldn't if you took organized tours of the city or only stuck to the touristy sites. The only time we took the subway/underground was on the day we went to the Vatican because it was supposed to rain and our hotel was on the other side of the city.

Get gelato in as many flavors as you can try!

Also, do not...I repeat, DO NOT...try to take a picture of the "gladiators" around the Colosseum. They will offer to take the picture for you, with your own camera, and then expect you to pay them.

All of the above, especially the gelato. Also make sure to get as much wine back home with you as possible.

I went to Italy two summers ago (along with my Mom, younger cousin, aunt, great aunt, and grandmother, making me the only guy in our six person group) and had an amazing time over there.

I didn't get mugged by Gypsies when I went to Italy, but I did get bitten by about 25 mosquitoes in a 3 hour period in Verona (this was the worst thing to happen to me on the entire trip, we really got a very good vacation), so if you go to Verona make sure to bring bug repellent because the mosquitoes there are even nastier than in Venice. If you stop by Venice make sure you take a gondola ride. During ours a thunderstorm started, so we ended up sitting under a bridge for about 90 minutes singing Italian songs (and Frank Sinatra, the guy rowing the boat was apparently a huge Frank Sinatra fan). It was quite possibly the highlight of the entire trip (although this is also because my great aunt surprisingly had a great singing voice and gave the best rendition of "That's Amore" I have ever heard, among other songs).

Things that were awesome: Wine, the sights, the atmosphere, the food, the people, putting a Euro in a hat and getting kissed by a fairy, gelato, motivating my entire family to stop complaining and climb every last one of those god damned steps, and having about 700 or so pictures saved from the experience.

Things that weirded me out: Squid ink for pasta sauce. My mouth said "yum" but my mind said "AH IT'S INK! WHY ARE YOU EATING INK?! INK IS NOT AN APPROVED FOOD!" and so I had to get another plate with regular gravy on it. The waiter/owner of the restaurant was cool with it though, he didn't even charge us extra.

Things that almost went sour: The almost worst thing to happen to us was one time where we were almost overcharged on a meal (some guy tried to charge us 5 euros for the bread basket that it says right on the menu is supposed to come free with the meal, along with a couple of other items). This only happened to us once, but make sure you check how much you're paying for everything carefully.

 

[ZenMonkey]

...and so I had to get another plate with regular gravy on it.

Is your family Italian?

 

[fade]

Are any of those scams so typically European?

You're European aren't you? Here, street thieves just whip out a gun and demand your cash. And then sometimes shoot you anyway. No need for scams.

 

[AshburnerX]

Are any of those scams so typically European?

You're European aren't you? Here, street thieves just whip out a gun and demand your cash. And then sometimes shoot you anyway. No need for scams.[/QUOTE]

Basically this. We do have our share of pick pockets and scam artists, but they tend to work in places your not being watched.

 

[Wasabi Poptart]

Things that weirded me out: Squid ink for pasta sauce. My mouth said "yum" but my mind said "AH IT'S INK! WHY ARE YOU EATING INK?! INK IS NOT AN APPROVED FOOD!" and so I had to get another plate with regular gravy on it. The waiter/owner of the restaurant was cool with it though, he didn't even charge us extra.

Things that almost went sour: The almost worst thing to happen to us was one time where we were almost overcharged on a meal (some guy tried to charge us 5 euros for the bread basket that it says right on the menu is supposed to come free with the meal, along with a couple of other items). This only happened to us once, but make sure you check how much you're paying for everything carefully.

My husband had the pasta with squid ink. I tried some and wasn't bad. Nothing I would order regularly when I was out to eat though.

Another thing about dining out in Italy is that you need to keep your receipt with you. Even if you only go to a "bar" for an espresso. They have tax officers who check to see if you have the receipt when you leave the restaurant. You and the restaurant can be fined if you don't have it.

 

[JONJONAUG]

...and so I had to get another plate with regular gravy on it.

Is your family Italian?[/QUOTE]

Yep, on my mother's side (and everyone that went on that trip was from my mother's side of the family).

My husband had the pasta with squid ink. I tried some and wasn't bad. Nothing I would order regularly when I was out to eat though.

That's the thing though, it actually tasted really good. It's just that I couldn't get myself to keep eating it because it looked too much like actual "use this to write things, don't eat cause it's poisonous" ink.

 

[Jay]

Thanks for all the advice people. I added a few sites of interest to our list. Anyone have any requests while I'm there? AKA : Special poses, HF signs?

 

[bhamv3]

The durr face in front of a recognizable landmark? (St. Peter's Square, for example)

 

[Yoink]

Don´t forget to throw a coin into the Fontana di Trevi

 

[Jay]

Every day. My hotel is across the street from it.

 

[Yoink]

Nice damn, how I envy you Rome is a magnificent city

have a good time with your fiancee !

 

[Seraphyn]

If you're in Firenze, make sure to drop by Lucca which is not too far from there. Beautiful city.

 

[North_Ranger]

The durr face in front of a recognizable landmark? (St. Peter's Square, for example)

Better yet: Get one of the Swiss Guard to join you in a durr face

 

[fade]

...and so I had to get another plate with regular gravy on it.

Is your family Italian?[/QUOTE]

Yep, on my mother's side (and everyone that went on that trip was from my mother's side of the family).

My husband had the pasta with squid ink. I tried some and wasn't bad. Nothing I would order regularly when I was out to eat though.

That's the thing though, it actually tasted really good. It's just that I couldn't get myself to keep eating it because it looked too much like actual "use this to write things, don't eat cause it's poisonous" ink.[/QUOTE]

My wife's family is italian. Like first generation American, so there's a lot of Italian accents in gatherings. But they HATE it when other people use the words "gravy" or "tomato gravy". They consider it the Italian-American equivalent of redneck-speak. Reminds me of the Sopranos where they went to Italy, and Paulie asked for "noodles and tomatah gravy" and all the Italians rolled their eyes.

 

[Wasabi Poptart]

When I was in Rome, I made the mistake of asking for "pasta fazool" at a restaurant instead of pasta e fagioli. I had always been told that was the correct pronunciation. The server didn't just roll her eyes at me, though. I got a genuine dirty look and a lesson in how it's really pronounced.