Italy

Ok, I'm going to Italy (& Paris) in less than two weeks. Any things I must see/do while I'm there? I'll be visiting:

Rome (briefly ... have dinner plans with a friend from NY there that will be in Italy on the same day ... any suggestions on a restaurant?)

Tuscany

Florence

Cinque Terre

Lake Region

Venice

Paris (only one day...)

I'm teaching myself Italian with those cheesy tapes. It's fun! TIA!

I LOVED Florence- you can do the regular museums - the Uffizi, the one where the David is (I think its like Academia or something) but those are all in teh guidebooks. Get to the Uffizi early if you want to go, because tickets sell out fast.

Walk over the ponte vecchio a few times and they have a cool market there. There's a great restaurant but it's hard to find called Acqua al Due - ask your hotel. It was GREAT and they have this pasta sampler dish that was the best dish I have ever eaten.

Also, in Venice, if you have time and like this stuff, take a boat trip to Murano - the glass blowing island. It was very cool. Then at night sit in the Piazza san Marco and just listen to the music- it's so beautiful! I loved Italy!

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Posted by matron

Ok, I'm going to Italy (& Paris) in less than two weeks. Any things I must see/do while I'm there? I'll be visiting:

Rome (briefly ... have dinner plans with a friend from NY there that will be in Italy on the same day ... any suggestions on a restaurant?)

Tuscany

Florence

Cinque Terre

Lake Region

Venice

Paris (only one day...)

I'm teaching myself Italian with those cheesy tapes. It's fun! TIA!

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My firend who lives there sys definately capri if you get the chance.

Can you let me know how well those cheesy tapes work???? DH & I want to learn Italian, but we never have the time to take a real class.

Ok if you are going to florence:
Make reservation NOW if you want to see the Uffizi or you could have a 2 hour wait to get in.

Here are some of the interesting things to do in Florence - FM me if you have any questions I studied for 6 weeks in Florence 5 years ago. (art history)
Please excuse spelling of places:
Uffizi
Academia (original david statue)
Piaza Signoria (great place to eat, have drinks or coffee and great views often concerts like andrea borchelli for free there nights)
Pitti Palace (museums and gardens) nice views from there too
Duomo (CLIMB the dome if it is open - you will get AMAZING views of Florence this way)
Bargello - not sure if it will interest you or not
Santa maria Novella
Santa Croce
San Marco (monestary with Frescos by Fra Angelico)
Medici Chapel
pont de vecchio

Places to watch out we were told when living there - Markets, area by the train station - both attract the gyspys who have kids pickpocket or women throw babies into tourists arms and when you grab the infant they grab your money/purse. Florence has a HIGH pickpocket crime area - they tend to hit in the morning when they think most tourist will carry the most money for the day - It IS a safe city though - just don't walk down any quiet/deserted street alone.

I could go on and on - if you go to barnes and nobles they sell these amazing maps that list all landmarks churches and musuems and historical places etc that are interesting

Take time to go to fiesole if you can- great views of florence

Cinque terre is beautiful

If you get time - try to see:
San Giminario
Sienna
Assisi
Puregia

All interesting cities to just walk around

Venice is BEAUTIFUL too - make sure you negotiate BEFORE getting into your gondola - some didn't and had LOTS of problems - ask your hotel what a fair price is then negotiate for that!

Marano is great for a short trip when in venice - hop on the water taxi - great shops for glass and interesting glass blowing demonstrations - we had fun walking around there. - Expensive though - but some pretty perfume bottles, key chains, jewlery etc

When I was in Paris I took a boat ride on the Seine - it was a beautiful way to see the city.

In Rome, St. Peter's Basilica is just beautiful. If you go, remember to bring a small bottle with you for holy water. You can take as much as you want but most people forget a container.

I have spent a lot of time in Paris. I would definitely recommend a museum- dependign on your tastses. I am not a fan of the Louvre- and its huge and their is a line... I recommend the Musee Dorsay- mostly impressionist art- and its in an old train statino. Very cool. My personal favorite museum is the Musee Rodin- in Auguste Rodin's old home- it has a beautiful garden... Just gorgeous...

As for Florence, I think everyone hit on the major points. There is only place, I fogot where, we you climb this hill and get an amzing few of teh city. I defiintely recommend that- and the gelato by the piazza de vecchio!

Enjoy@

ETA: Rome- the ruins.. but they take about 20 minute total.


venice- the guggenheim- some amazing modern art!!

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Posted by Kriss2c

You must go to Capri!!!! It's gorgeous.

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Um, yeah ... only problem is this is one of the few places that's not on our itinerary. Maybe next time ....

I was thinking more of sites to see while I'm in the places I listed. We're on such a tight schedule as is ... leaving only 2 days in each area. I really can't venture down south. Thanks though! Definitely next time!

Thank you SOOOOOOOO much everybody! I'm going to print this thread out and bring with me!

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Posted by HearzBellz

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Posted by matron

Ok, I'm going to Italy (& Paris) in less than two weeks. Any things I must see/do while I'm there? I'll be visiting:

Rome (briefly ... have dinner plans with a friend from NY there that will be in Italy on the same day ... any suggestions on a restaurant?)

Tuscany

Florence

Cinque Terre

Lake Region

Venice

Paris (only one day...)

I'm teaching myself Italian with those cheesy tapes. It's fun! TIA!

---

My firend who lives there sys definately capri if you get the chance.

Can you let me know how well those cheesy tapes work???? DH & I want to learn Italian, but we never have the time to take a real class.

---

I actually got Italian One (12 tapes) from Plainview library! Each side is a unit and it's in the same order as you'd learn it if you took a class, except it's free. They basically say, 'Bonjourno!' Repeat. 'Bonjourno!' And then they test you to see if you can go on to the next unit. It's really helpful and fun. I laugh at myself while I repeat it in the car. I totally recommend it. It also comes with a book so you can check on spelling and stuff, but I havent' really been looking at that. I guess that's the one way taking a class is better. This is more for, 'I want to get by with the minimal amount of Italian in as quick as a timeframe as possible.' They also have 'Italian 2', 'Italian 3', etc. I totally recommend this. My cousin met a french guy, fell inlove, bought these tapes, taught herself french, and is now married with a 2 year old who is bilingual!

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Posted by Rob-luvs-me

Ok if you are going to florence:
Make reservation NOW if you want to see the Uffizi or you could have a 2 hour wait to get in.

Here are some of the interesting things to do in Florence - FM me if you have any questions I studied for 6 weeks in Florence 5 years ago. (art history)
Please excuse spelling of places:
Uffizi
Academia (original david statue)
Piaza Signoria (great place to eat, have drinks or coffee and great views often concerts like andrea borchelli for free there nights)
Pitti Palace (museums and gardens) nice views from there too
Duomo (CLIMB the dome if it is open - you will get AMAZING views of Florence this way)
Bargello - not sure if it will interest you or not
Santa maria Novella
Santa Croce
San Marco (monestary with Frescos by Fra Angelico)
Medici Chapel
pont de vecchio

Places to watch out we were told when living there - Markets, area by the train station - both attract the gyspys who have kids pickpocket or women throw babies into tourists arms and when you grab the infant they grab your money/purse. Florence has a HIGH pickpocket crime area - they tend to hit in the morning when they think most tourist will carry the most money for the day - It IS a safe city though - just don't walk down any quiet/deserted street alone.

I could go on and on - if you go to barnes and nobles they sell these amazing maps that list all landmarks churches and musuems and historical places etc that are interesting

Take time to go to fiesole if you can- great views of florence

Cinque terre is beautiful

If you get time - try to see:
San Giminario
Sienna
Assisi
Puregia

All interesting cities to just walk around

Venice is BEAUTIFUL too - make sure you negotiate BEFORE getting into your gondola - some didn't and had LOTS of problems - ask your hotel what a fair price is then negotiate for that!

Marano is great for a short trip when in venice - hop on the water taxi - great shops for glass and interesting glass blowing demonstrations - we had fun walking around there. - Expensive though - but some pretty perfume bottles, key chains, jewlery etc

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You should be a travel agent! You are awesome!

LOL you are like the 10th person to tell me that. I could go on and on about Rome, Paris, Venice etc - but I don't know how much time you have in any of those places - and unfortunately you can spend months in all of them and NOT see everything.

I traveled a lot with my family and studied with my school in Florence, Berlin, China. I have been to Rome 6 times, Florence 6 times, venice 2 times - and I STILL have not seen and done everything I would like.

My best suggestion is to take an afternoon and go to barnes and noble or the library (where you can photocopy certain pages of highlights)- look at some maps, books of the cities you are visiting and prioritize what you want to do. They will be able to tell you where the best restaurants, cafe's, musuems, shops, churches and landmarks to visit. Then make a list of what strikes you as the most interesting and what you want to do IF there is enough time after you see your top priorities. Running around to see everything is great BUT very tiring and I think sometimes you miss the general feel of the city and the people. Nothing beats a quiet cup of cappacino or glass of wine in an old square and people watch and soak in the beauty of the surroundings.

Oh there is a cheap little restaurant near the bargello (next door to American Express travel office) in florence - don't remember the name something like Michelangelo's or something we had our group meals at this place and I have eaten there alone it is a small but inexpensive restaurant that is pretty good off the beaten path. Also there are a few good restaurants in Piaza Signoria which has some excellent meals (GREAT grilled spinach) and some great veggie pizzas and pizza margharita (dont' know if you eat cheese)

Thank you, thank you, thank you. I feel like I want to pay RobLuvsMe for her services!

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Posted by Rob-luvs-me

Places to watch out we were told when living there - Markets, area by the train station - both attract the gyspys who have kids pickpocket or women throw babies into tourists arms and when you grab the infant they grab your money/purse. Florence has a HIGH pickpocket crime area - they tend to hit in the morning when they think most tourist will carry the most money for the day - It IS a safe city though - just don't walk down any quiet/deserted street alone.

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where do you suggest we keep $$ to avoid this cr@p, is it still that bad?

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Venice is BEAUTIFUL too - make sure you negotiate BEFORE getting into your gondola - some didn't and had LOTS of problems - ask your hotel what a fair price is then negotiate for that!

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how does one negotiate? i mean i can get a cabbie down to $25 from manhattan to hoboken, but how is it done it italy? thanks...

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Posted by september2004

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where do you suggest we keep $$ to avoid this cr@p, is it still that bad?

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In your bra and socks. JK. Just be aware of your surroundings as you would in NYC I guess.... And if someone stops to ask you for directions or something, make sure there's nobody else in your bag. I've heard horror stories from so many people.

Okkkkkk All the questions....

1) I NEVER had a problem - I was aware of my surroundings and was just cautious.

There were people who were pickpocketed in our group - with fanny packs (surrounded by group of kids had it open and closed before she could even put her hand on it. as one example)

This is NOT something you should worry about. Just be careful like you would on say the subway -

They told us to carry a bag with strong zippers not to put that we care about that could fall out IF they slash the bottom of the bag, thicker straps, BUT the BEST suggestion - DON'T carry anything when walking around that you would care IF you lose - LEAVE your passport, MOST of your credit cards and money IN the safe at the hotel. I carried only one credit card/debit card and only the money I needed for what I was doing at that time. You could get travelers checks that is how I often travel and then cash them at the hotel as needed a little at a time ( I usually go with say $300-500 Euro which goes into the safe when not using and carry travelers checks - they do have euro checks these days) - IF your checks are stolen they CAN be replaced unlike cash. BUT you need your Passport to cash them which is why I do it at the hotel) - Just a hint I learned when studying abroad that our hosts suggested to us.

IN Paris - they have problems with crowding on the subway - it gets crowded and someone will bump into you - and ta da your wallet is gone - OR someone steps on your foot while SOMEONE ELSE picks your pockets - This happened to my parents on one trip and dad takes the NYC subway every day plus my parents used to live in the city so they are VERY cautious - the police told them it happens ALL THE TIME.

Again just watch your stuff don't carry much and RELAX and have a great time!

Ok Gondola drivers are SHIFTY - UNLIKE NYC cabs there are NOT set fares - Our hotel and hosts warned us the prices vary WILDLY. We should say what are you charging? When they say 100Euros ask FOR HOW LONG - compare it to what the hotel said was fair - then say that is too much I am willing to pay X for Y amount of time. Agree BEFORE getting in. Once you are in you are rather their captive...lol. OH and WATCH your watch I went with a group of 12 girls - we split up into 2 boats - OH you can bring wine on them - our driver was cool and took us out for wine afterwards - but the other one was a problem and the girls had to fight becuase he tried to cheat them out of 15 mins. - they argued and ended up getting an extra 30 mins but it was a headache they didn't need.

OHHHH don't let these stories scare you take them as I need to have my wits about me at all times. People leave NY and the leave their common sense in the gutter - OHHHH it is such a beautiful city, the people are so nice - I FEEL so MUCH safer so they let their guard down and do silly things they WOULND'T do at home.

Hmmm anything else?

If you're up for it, you should definitely climb up one of the church domes. In Florence, you can either climb up the belltower at the cathedral or the dome of the cathedral itself. In Rome, you can go to the top of St. Peter's dome. It's a lot of work getting up there, but so so so worth it! The views are unbeatable, the feeling is amazing. (Don't do it if you're claustrophic, you're climbing up very narrow, winding stone staircases.)

In Rome, be aware that you won't be allowed into St. Peter's if you're wearing shorts, a short skirt, or if you have bare shoulders.

I don't think you should worry too much about hitting specific restaurants--I've spent a bit of time in Italy (studied there three times) and don't think I've ever had a bad meal. I think wherever you go, it will top any Italian food you've had in the States!

Regarding where you should carry your money, valuables, etc., if you're concerned you can always get a money belt. They usually sell them where luggage is sold. It's a very thin, flat pouch attached to a strap that goes around your waist, under your clothes.

Edited to add: if you have flexibility with your itinerary when you're in Tuscany, try to go to either Siena or San Gimignano. Siena is a medieval town--still has the city walls and everything. Not much to do, really, but it is beautiful, serene, and quite a sight. The piazza is beautiful, great for people watching (it's where they hold the Palio, the big horse race, every year). This is the town's website (in English) http://www.comune.siena.it/turismo/webasp/home.asp?Lingua=ENG

San Gimignano is famous because it's the only one of the hill towns that still has its old towers--it has about 13 of them.