Travel experience with Italy?

[sobi]

So me and the fiance are thinking about italy for the honeymoon. Anyone have experience? Heard about good places to go? We decided on this, and as I went to look for airline prices, I realized I know NOTHING about it there, and don't even know where to fly into. That point aside, any insight into where the nicer places in italy are would be greatly appreciated. I am basicly open to anything from Rome to the north. I want the possibility to maybe take a drive to another country in a day or two maybe.

[Buster H]

I was there in March of this year. Great place to go.

The best place to fly in is Leonardo Da Vinci airport. I think the code is FCO

For my trip, I spent 3 days in rome, 2 days in Florence, 1.5 in Venice and another 2 in Rome.

Your best bet is to pick up a copy of Lonely Planet- Italy.
(http://www.amazon.com/Lonely-Planet-Italy-Damien-Simonis/dp/1741043034/sr=8-1/qid=1161737712/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/102-7463932-9919360?ie=UTF8&s=books) Lonely Planet is the best travel guide and I use them whenever I go anywhere. Skim through the guide to see what you migth want to hit and what you want to skip.

I was a huge fan of Dan Brown's Angels and Demons so I hit all the sights from the bokk while I was there.

Must see in Rome: Vatican (you can easily spend a full day there even if you are ADD, make sure you go to the top of the dome), Coliseum, Trevi Fountain, Roman Forum, Piazza Navona (four rivers fountain)

Must see in Florence: The David, Il Duomo

If yu have any questions feel free to ask.

For booking reservations, I used http://www.venere.com/

[FAZ8218]

Hmmm... where to start...:smarty:
First question is WHEN are you going? Second is: for how long?
There is no question, you have to go to Rome and Florence. Venice depends on the time of year you're going, but since it's your honeymoon, you probably should go.

BH hit it on the head basically: Rome: You need AT LEAST a full day at the Vatican. Coliseum, Foro Romano(Forum), Trevi (and the Pantheon right around the corner), and Navona can all be done in one day. Which leaves you still a lot of time to explore the city. I lived in Rome for a short while, so I can give you some great tips on the best ways to get around as well as some little non-touristy spots to eat as well.

I know a little about Florence and its surrounding areas. If you're feeling brave, and have the money and time you could even rent a car and explore the Tuscan countryside and do some wine tasting. It's definitley an awesome experience... I did it on a motorcycle.

Never been to Venice so I can't really help you there. One of the few places I haven't seen in Italy, not sure why either.

But it all comes back to what time of year you're going. If its any time in the summer (which in Italy runs from mid-late May to mid-late September), you could also visit "Le cinque terre" in Liguria on the Italian riviera (northwest italian coast near Genoa) which is a beautiful place during the summer, not too crowded but at the same time, very tourist friendly. I would also recommend the Amalfi coast near Naples (Capri, Ischia, Sorrento), but you said you wanted to stay Rome and north. But something to take into consideration.

PM me anytime and I'd be willing to help you.

[Mommadeez4u]

Ditto with the time of year comments-- Rome and the other major cities in Spring are a nightmare-- literally shoulder to shoulder with other touristos in museums and galleries.

[StinkyHookerAss]

I was there about a month ago.

Once again it depends on what you want to do, how long etc.

Tourist stuff in Rome, if your there, why not. It is breath taking, but I hatttttttttte tourists, I hated myself. Wait til you see a group of asians, you'll see what I am talking about. Venice, Florence etc all cool, but touristy...
To me these were long days, saw some cool stuff, but I was beat at the end of the day. Long lines... Wait More Long lines. And if there are any word that the pope is around, times that by 300. If this is your thing go for it.

I am glad I saw the typical tourist spots, but I don't think I would ever go back. I like finding the off beat places, and seeing normal everyday life but in their setting, which is relaxing and IMO more fulfilling.

The best place I went to (Personally) was RIVA DE GARTA, best in the summer months, surrounded by mountains on both sides. If your into hiking, mountain biking or wind surfing. It's Northern Italy, not many international tourists, so you don't get pestered by all the shop owners, gypsies and shit. My girl loved this place.

Really though, Italy is awesome. The ultimate turn-on for chicks. Oh and the girls in Italy are probably the best I have seen, sexy shit.

[Suicidebree]

I spent a month there earlier this year, so hopefully you wont not read this through as I would do:

Before I list places to go, there is a place often overlooked called Cinque terra. I've been to ten or twelve countires, all of the US and am hitting a few more countries later next year. This place blew away anything I've ever seen. Its a series of five fishing villages along the coast, with trail that connects them. Here is the website for the five villages. http://www.cinqueterre.it/en/index.asp

Rome: there is so much so see, I spent 8 days here alone. Could have spent many more. Must see the Vatican, Trevi fountain... well you shoudl know the major places. Try also a soccer match, alot of fun unlike anything american, gelato tasting, and a day trip to Pompei. PAY THE EXTRA MONEY. Rather that waiting on line pay the extra ten and look for people looking for people. they are tour guides that let you skip the line, not a scam. great guides speaking english. best investment in italy. especially at the vatican and colleseum / w the hill.Cistine chapel really is awe inspiring. Spent an hour there, its the personal chapel of the pope. Ever weds the pope gives mass in front of st.peters. eat in the piazzas.

Florence: great city to go out on the town. DO NOT GO THERE WITHOUT RESERVATIONS TO SEE DAVID. I waited four hours in the rain on a line that didnt look so bad because there is another line for reservations. Even if you dont like art, David is amazing, but the unfinished sculptures on the way to see him in the museum are really the only art Ive ever loved.

Pisa: stay out of town, in tuscany. The wine fields and beaches are better than the city. Its a half hour by bus or taxi, not even. It was great staying out of town, the tower is disapointing, but the city is great. Really get feel of small town life.

PArma: Go here for a night or two to be pampered or was that bologna. look it up. Expensive hotels best fod in italy.

Milan: last supper portrait, nice city to shop for woman.

Venice:Besides the grand cala and gondola rides, get lost. walk the city, you wont need more than two full days. the main island has a place to learn to glass blow.

For beaches try Lido and San Remo.

there was medieval city on the east coast that i cant recall the name of. take the trains. they are relaxing, between getting to see things in each city. Take bus tours. Do not trust anyone. expect some rudeness. never went to naples as i heard its so mobbed up that you actually notice.

[FAZ8218]

Rome: there is so much so see, I spent 8 days here alone. Could have spent many more.
Let's just put it this way. I was there for 6 months and still didn't see everything.

[Bud8Weiser]

I spent a week in Rome. Tons of stuff to do. Went to the Vatican, the Coloseum all the normal tourist traps. Also went to the Isle of Capri.

[agentjmw]

I went to Milano for a few days. We took the train from Switzerland. It was amazing, the beauty of going through those mountains I will never forget. And all the sudden in Italy absolute poverty. It looked like huts made out of cardboard and scraps. I still have no idea of what part of Italy that was. Lots of beauty in Milano tho. When we got out of the train station to get to cab, junkies were everywhere. Just pissing on the steps . Look out for Gypsies too. They tried to rob us in the middle of the street in a fancy part of town near the Gucci shop. She was pointing a newspaper , holiding it out.Under the paper they were going through my dads pockets. My dad grabbed the cunts hand and she started screaming "****, ****", at that point my mom grabbed the savage by her throat with both hands and was trying to kill her. When we grabbed my mom they ran away. They are everywhere and target Americans...

[7cent]

I backpacked through... 2 days venice, 2 days rome, 1 day florence, and 1 day Siena...

I liked Siena and Venice the best... I got really fucked up in Florence and lost my wallet... I was in Rome at the time that every fucking American and Japanese School was tourning the city...

[Nawlinzboy]

Went there 2 months ago. Spent 4 nights in Rome and 3 nights in Florence. I highly suggest you pick up a guidebook from http://www.ricksteves.com

[Suicidebree]

Seriously, fucking gypsies suck.

[abudabit]

Seriously, fucking gypsies suck.

http://users.drew.edu/ssood/BORAT.jpg

Here's a friend of mine after a successful Gypsy hunt.

[FCCSucks]

http://www.perillotours.com/

A firend used them a year or so ago and she said the trip was perfect.

[Nawlinzboy]

Seriously, fucking gypsies suck.
Yeah beware of gypsies too. They are all over the place. They are like the golfers in the US.

[Buster H]

PAY THE EXTRA MONEY. Rather that waiting on line pay the extra ten and look for people looking for people. they are tour guides that let you skip the line, not a scam. great guides speaking english. best investment in italy. especially at the vatican and colleseum / w the hill.

I forgot to mention this. This is a great investment. On my first day in Rome, I had lunch by the coliseum and sat there looking at the long line. Once I finished lunch, I was on my way to wait for about an hour to get in. Someone stopped me and asked me if I spoke English. It was one of those guides.

Regular admission to coliseum: 8Euros
What you get: you get in (after waiting in line)



Tour price: 18 Euros
What you get:
You don't have to wait in line
45 minute tour by english speaking guide
You also get an optional tour of the Roman Forum across the hill if you desire later in the day.

I'm not 100% sure about this, but I think I finished the tour before I would have actually gotten in had I waited in line. All that for only 10 extra Euros.


The same tour company also has tours of the Vatican as well. I prefer these types of tours to the whole "planned vacation" ones. With these, you are being guided for an hour or two and then you're back to being on your own. While the less experience travelers really enjoy full tours of a country, it's a lot more rewarding to do things on your own.

[Cunt Smasher]

I went to Naples in the Navy,lots of tranny whores,whores,gypsies,Thieves,murderers assorted beggars and low-lifes.The fucking armpit of europe.Seen a little of Milan,pretty cool.And Sicily. Lots of cops with machine guns for some reason.