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I spent 2 weeks in Italy last year. Started in Rome and went south so did not go to florence or venice. Rome is amazing. You cannot go wrong whatever you choose to do. The suggestions I will make are use a guide at most museums. If going to the vatican, buy a tour group ticket and use that ticket with the tour group to bypass the half day wait in line and then split from the tour group once you are inside. Make time for the forum. Capitaline Museum is really good. In the evening participate in the passeggiata with all the other natives and explore off of the piazze. Stop and have a aeropal spritz someplace before dinner in a piazza and do some people watching. Be prepare to order salad, pasta, fish meat courses at dinners. Tipping is minimal. Waiters go to school to be a waiter and get paid well. Stop at all the el nose you see and get a drink and fill your water bottles. THis water comes from the aquifer and is delicious. VERY IMPORTANT remember to look RIGHT before stepping off to cross a street and look oncoming drivers in the eye when crossing. Be happy to answer any other specific questions I can.
I hear that's where Olive Garden got all of its recipes from. That's all I know.
Barcelona, Florence and Rome for the wife and I this summer. The wife went a few years ago to Rome and just thought it was crazy great .. Whatever time you plan on spending, it will not be enough, from what she has said.
I'll get her to give me some stuff and post it.
I'll get her to give me some stuff and post it.
My grandfather was a decorated hero in WW2 in Italy. His memories were mostly not good.
If you have time while in Rome, I'd suggest taking a day trip to Pompeii and Amalfi coast. It's a long day but well worth it.
It's more expensive, but I'd suggest getting guided tours most places if you're limited on time.
It's more expensive, but I'd suggest getting guided tours most places if you're limited on time.
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anon_ph7vrsh7abnty
Guest
Good news for us: I'm an old art major. We'll be good to go in the museums.
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anon_ph7vrsh7abnty
Guest
Helpful tip: Italians do NOT mind the queues. Bring your A game or get left in the dust like an American putz.
Been to to Italy several times, still probably my favorite country. We would seriously consider to moving there in a few special places.
First, love the people. They are casual, fun loving, and strangely the young folks don't binge drink...they learn to respect wine as children and there's no taboo draw.
Second, it's at times a dirty and politically corrupt country. And yet I love it, the people, it's history, art, culture, people. Part of the charm.
Favorites:
- lake Como is heaven on earth. Spectacular. Tremezza isn't a great spot but there are many others. Check out Villa Carlotta and spend an afternoon/evening in Bellagio. Soak heaven in.
- Florence is stunning but it's changed a lot in the last 20 years and has lost a bit of its local charm IMO. Gone are the local hotels and restaurants, replace by Gucci and Armani. Still, the Ponte Vecchio is one for the ages, and the Uffizi Gallery may be the next best museum in the world behind le Louvre. We were in Florence when we realized our first child was on the way. Find some restaurants where the locals eat! Get away from the corporate stuff. Find a rooftop restaurant overlooking the Arno if you can.
- Venice is a gem and we love it, if for no other reason than the novelty of a historic city sans cars. The glass is world class and some of the blowing demonstrations are amazing. We were in Venice when Italy won the World Cup in 2006, good memories.
- Rome is THE eternal city, but it's not always an easy place to visit. Can be crowded and hot. Imperial Forum and the Vatican Museums are must sees. Watch for pick pockets at the train stations and touristy areas like the Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain. Soak up the history (Vatican museum is unbelievable) and then get out of there to enjoy the best of Italy.
- Pompeii is amazing, another must see if you're in the area. A city frozen in time, half of what we know about the Roman Empire comes from that town.
- Amalfi coast is amazing, try the limoncello and get to Positano for a day or two if you can. Stunning beauty. Take the ferry from Positano back to Sorrento for great views. Visit the isle of Capri if you get the itch.
- Assisi in Umbria (home of St Francis) is a beautiful hilltop village with a great castle and beautiful countryside full of olive groves. Of course visit the church. Easier to relax and soak Italy in amongst places like these.
- Milan is a very western fashion and business hub, suggest hitting Da Vinci's Last Supper (get reservations EARLY), the famous cathedral, then move on to lake Como or Bologna or Venice.
Food and wine are integral to their culture. And espresso. Find time to relax, get away from the tourists, and enjoy everything Italy has to offer. If you have any interest, I strongly suggest taking some history and/or art classes to put things into better perspective. If nothing else, just find time to slow down and take things in. Italians enjoy life.
First, love the people. They are casual, fun loving, and strangely the young folks don't binge drink...they learn to respect wine as children and there's no taboo draw.
Second, it's at times a dirty and politically corrupt country. And yet I love it, the people, it's history, art, culture, people. Part of the charm.
Favorites:
- lake Como is heaven on earth. Spectacular. Tremezza isn't a great spot but there are many others. Check out Villa Carlotta and spend an afternoon/evening in Bellagio. Soak heaven in.
- Florence is stunning but it's changed a lot in the last 20 years and has lost a bit of its local charm IMO. Gone are the local hotels and restaurants, replace by Gucci and Armani. Still, the Ponte Vecchio is one for the ages, and the Uffizi Gallery may be the next best museum in the world behind le Louvre. We were in Florence when we realized our first child was on the way. Find some restaurants where the locals eat! Get away from the corporate stuff. Find a rooftop restaurant overlooking the Arno if you can.
- Venice is a gem and we love it, if for no other reason than the novelty of a historic city sans cars. The glass is world class and some of the blowing demonstrations are amazing. We were in Venice when Italy won the World Cup in 2006, good memories.
- Rome is THE eternal city, but it's not always an easy place to visit. Can be crowded and hot. Imperial Forum and the Vatican Museums are must sees. Watch for pick pockets at the train stations and touristy areas like the Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain. Soak up the history (Vatican museum is unbelievable) and then get out of there to enjoy the best of Italy.
- Pompeii is amazing, another must see if you're in the area. A city frozen in time, half of what we know about the Roman Empire comes from that town.
- Amalfi coast is amazing, try the limoncello and get to Positano for a day or two if you can. Stunning beauty. Take the ferry from Positano back to Sorrento for great views. Visit the isle of Capri if you get the itch.
- Assisi in Umbria (home of St Francis) is a beautiful hilltop village with a great castle and beautiful countryside full of olive groves. Of course visit the church. Easier to relax and soak Italy in amongst places like these.
- Milan is a very western fashion and business hub, suggest hitting Da Vinci's Last Supper (get reservations EARLY), the famous cathedral, then move on to lake Como or Bologna or Venice.
Food and wine are integral to their culture. And espresso. Find time to relax, get away from the tourists, and enjoy everything Italy has to offer. If you have any interest, I strongly suggest taking some history and/or art classes to put things into better perspective. If nothing else, just find time to slow down and take things in. Italians enjoy life.
I second the Malfi Coast. I spent time in Salerno, Sorento, Positano, etc. My wife and I absolutely loved that area. Take time to visit the blue grato. If you are that far south, take the time to go to Matera. I was fascinated by the history and the grit of the people that lived in the caves and had read some of Carlos Levy's writings on the area. I recommend the book Christ Stopped at Eboli.
In Florence, get some gelato in one of the squares. Go to Leonardo Leather Factory in Florence. Just wander around in Venice but watch out for pick-pockets. If you get pizza and eat it in St. Mark's square, ask for it to be sliced or it won't be sliced.
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