Have you been to Italy?

[bwolford]

I'm going to Italy in 30 days for 12 days. Rome, Naples, Venice, and Messina with day trips to Dubrovnik, Croatia; Barcenlona, Spain; and Cannes, France.

Anyone been to any of these locations that can share must see and must avoid tips?

Brice

[msbrad]

Sounds like a wonderful trip you have planned!!
I've been to Italy and France (april, 2000). Shall pm later the sights we took in. Had a wonderful time.
Also, check with Reka (hukari), she lives in Italy.
m

[Rusty]

Brice,
You are hitting most of the great places. If you are renting a car and driving, be sure to spend some time in a few of the small towns along the way.

It's been so long since I was at any of these places, I'm not going to attempt to give advice. Unless the quality of T-paper has improved in Italy since the 1960s, be sure you bring along at least two rolls from the US :)

Reka, where are you? Give Brice the current poop he needs.

Rusty

[troush]

Brice,

I was there between the ages of 4 to 8, so I'm not much good for advice for now. Let's see what I can remember... If you go to Naples, go to Pompei, and climb up Vesuvius. If you buy wine from the vineyard that grows on Vesuvius, you have to drink it that day, or it will go bad (according to my dad, anyway). You can also take a ferry ride over to some of the Islands from Naples - my parents always got me these cool display dolls in traditional dress when we went there.

(We lived in a little town north of Naples called Pintamore - it was right on the beach - great beaches there.)

We rode a speedboat through Venice - that was a BLAST! I remember laughing the whole time.

The Collesium (is that spelled right?) in Rome is cool. It kind of has an eerie feel to it, though.

We went to Tuscany a lot (dad was a Boy Scout master for a troop on the base in Naples, so we did a lot of camping in Italy). The Leaning Tower of Pisa is cool. I think it is closed now, but when we went there, we were allowed to walk up it.

My other advice: enjoy yourself and take lots of pictures - so lots of memory cards for that digital camera!

Oh, a common lunch: loaf of bread, cheese and bottle of wine.

-Trish

[hukari]

Brice,
You are hitting most of the great places. If you are renting a car and driving, be sure to spend some time in a few of the small towns along the way.

It's been so long since I was at any of these places, I'm not going to attempt to give advice. Unless the quality of T-paper has improved in Italy since the 1960s, be sure you bring along at least two rolls from the US :)

Reka, where are you? Give Brice the current poop he needs.

Rusty
Goodness! I disappear for a few hours to do the shopping and someone's yelling at me already!!

Toilet paper is fine in Italy now, Rusty, but not always in public toilets! Can't vouch for Southern Italy, that's whole 'nother can o'soup!

Well, let's see: first of all, that is a whole lot of country to be covering in 12 days! Is that 12 full days, or two weeks with two flight days subtracted? I hope so...

Naples and Rome: these are really common pickpocket areas. Do be careful with your docs and dollars. If at all possible, stick to any express buses if you use the bus system in Rome. The pickpockets avoid them because they stop infrequently and they have no chance for a quick escape. If you decide to look at the Vatican museums, don't be daunted by the long lines. They move pretty fast. The museums are lovely, especially the Egyptian things (But I love Egypt.)

If you do have time for a break in Naples, go across to the island of Ischia (half an hour by hydrofoil) and take in one of the thermal baths. Poseidon has wonderful gardens, Negombo and Castiglione are also very good and closer. They all have tons of thermal pools and a beach. We spend our summers there regularly.

I suppose you have booked rooms in advance. Otherwise, the beginning of June would be a perfect time to take a road trip and just stay where the mood hits you. The usual flocks of tourists have not yet arrived. Of course, reservations in the big cities are always a plus. And the small towns along the way can be some of the best memories.

Whatever you do, take time to sit down in a park or café and enjoy the atmosphere. Sometimes that gets lost in the whirl of sightseeing this and that. Especially the side streets in Venice can be enchanting, especially for photographers! And have a wonderful time!!! And don't hesitate to PM me if you need any more info of any kind!

P.S. I am away for four days as of tomorrow, but I *will* be back.

[WingAnimal]

It's been many years (I hate to admit how many), but my fondest memory of visiting Naples was taking a ferry over to the island of Capri. It was so great to get away from the tourists and to see "native" Italy. When I visited, I was able to walk down cobble stone roads between old village buildings and ended up at a place where they hand-carve cameo jewelry. I was able to get a lovely necklace for a fraction of the price and knew that it was an original piece and not fake -- and very beautiful.

You must also try real italian pizza - which is NOTHING like american pizza. Be ready for plain and simple.

Biggest piece of advice... take pictures of the everyday things that you see. Yes, the tourist sites are great. There are a bazillion pictures of those and you will add to the numbers. But the memories I have in my brain that I wish I had on "film" are the "life in the day of an Italian of old Italy"... the coble stone streets of Capri.... the old man sitting in a wooden chair in the front of an old building carving a cameo with his sun-drenched hands and old hand-me-down tools.... the very first esspresso I ever had back before Starbucks ever existed - when the italians were (and still are) the master roasters of the world.

Okay... sorry... my mind wanders and I wish I had the money to fly there right this very minute. My wife dreams of going to Venice and Tuscany (which I've never had the pleasure). Enjoy!!!!!

[NMarti]

Brice
I've never been there but I don't mind travelling in your suitcase. When are we leaving?:D

[BillBarber]

As was said above --

Take the ferry from Naples to Capri. A "must do". It will be the best part of your trip.

[Juergen D]

Brice,
When in Venice, you will wind up at the Piazza San Marco. You should be aware of the prices in those nice outdoor cafés. I managed to pay €8 or 10 ($10.50 or 13.30) for a bottle of beer, several years ago. You will enjoy Venice, though, especially in the early part of June.
How do you fit in a day trip to Barcelona? Or is that outside of the 12 days?

Juergen

[pkilnz]

I've been to both Rome and Venice and loved both cities.

In Rome, St Peter's Basilica is awesome, but the Trevi fountain is a bit of a disapointment. The colosseum also shouldn't be missed. good opportunities for panoramic shots here. I know they are tourist hot spots, but the sense of history in both was phenomonal.

Venice was very photogenic and although St Marks Square is very expensive, there were lots of classical musicians playing throughout it for free. I was really lucky and found a wonderful little jazz quartet playing in sight of the Venetian lagoon with gondalas bobbing up and down under a full moon. Guess what? I didn't have a camera with me, doh!

Have a great time!

[Shari]

Oh Brice - lucky you. We were supposed to go to Europe next month but unfortunately I got sick. We had even booked a condo in Nice. I have been to all the cities you mention. I was in Europe for a year with a friend in 1962 and we worked in Switzerland for a while. Things have definitely changed. Unfortunately tourists have taken the fun out of some of the wonders. I too walked up the Leaning Tower!! We have been back to Europe six or seven times. I would agree with Norm. Take the time to get away from the main attractions. We have always loved just hopping on the local transport and ending up wherever. It sounds like you may be on a tour. If so I would try to go off on your own when you can. I have albums and albums of photos and would love to be able to go back with my digital. Do what Norm suggested and take the local shots. Croatia was one of my favorites for scenery and old churchs. Also remember to enjoy yourself. My husband would never get a video camera because he thought he would spend all his time filming stuff. When we were on our Panama Cruise I took my camera in half way through and had my images put on a DVD - just in case. Looking forward to your photos - There is nothing like traveling!
Shari

[bwolford]

We're flying into Rome for 3 days and then cruising around Rome, to Croatia, back to Messina, and then day stops in Canne and Barcelona. 2 days in Venice... Woo Hoo!

This is our 25th anniversary (maybe I already said that) trip and my son is graduating from high school and has been accepted to a leading Film School so we're celebrating that too. Of course the loan to pay for it all, (including college for him) will be a burden for some time, but it's worth it. :rolleyes:

I am worried my camera will be stolen (I've heard about the street thugs and pickpockets of Italy!). :mad:

Thank you for all of your suggestions. I hope to take a 1000 pictures :eek:

Brice

[Winsunn]

Oh how wonderful! We went two years ago. Be especially careful of the pick-pockets. I've traveled around Europe and can tell you that if pick-pocketing were an Olympic event, Italy would win. It's not the Italians you have to worry about, but the "Gypsies".

We loved everything, the food, the people, the scenery. Italians are such beautiful people, I just sat in outdoor Cafés and watched them walk by.

Buy extra camera film cards, you'll never have enough memory to capture the entire delicious flavor of Italy.

[Shari]

Brice - if it is a nice day when you are in Cannes - hop a train - about 30 minutes I think - to Monte Carlo. We stayed there a few days and wandered around the city and it was beautiful. The reason we booked in Nice this year was because it is in train distance of so many neat places. If I were you, I would go to the liabrary and take out books on the areas you will be in. I always did that. They give you tips of close by places, walks and out of the way things you can do. If you check on the Internet you sometimes get just the highlights. - Hey I just remembered - Rick Steves site. There is a forum you can check out for each country. He has his back door series that give you lots of out of the way places. If you are going to be in Rome for three days I would definitely check out his suggestions. We had a friend that was in Italy - sitting at an outdoor cafe when a motorbike zoomed by and whipped her purse off the back of her chair. Best is to keep whatever you can around your waist. Don't wear flashy jewellery or things that make you look like you have a lot of money. http://www.photoshopelementsuser.com/forum/images/icons/icon12.gifhttp://www.photoshopelementsuser.com/forum/images/icons/icon12.gif I know you will have fun. I get excited just thinking about it.
Shari

[bwolford]

Great advice Shari. I'm worried about the camera I just bought making me a target, but I bought it for this trip and by God I'm gonna take it. The darn thing will be around my neck or shoulder and I will have a vice grip on it. It's taken me several weeks to talk my wife into wearing a money belt and making sure her purse has nothing of value in it.

We're spending 1/2 a day in Monte Carlo and 1/2 a day in Monaco instead of Canne. That's our day trip while there. Woo Hoo.

I will definitely hit the library. I bought Rick's Italy 2007 book and it is PACKED with fantastic information that I've only been able to pick up in bits and pieces elsewhere! I am very impressed with his book!

One disappointment so far has been the Vatican. I've faxed them 2 times about ordering tickets (got this from THEIR web site) and they are completely ignoring me. I'll call this week if they don't respond. They shouldn't provide information that isn't factual or that they will support. Maybe I'll have my formerly Catholic wife say the rosary a couple of times...


Brice

[Codebreaker]

I found Pompei to be incredibly dusty so take care of your camera and if you're wearing open toed shoes your feet will be very dirty at the end of the day - but then that's what the bidet in the hotel is for :) I have shots to prove it!!

Pisa - leaning tower there of - can get incredibly busy and it's difficult to get a clear shot of the tower. The day I was there Mrs Bush turned up and us 'pleb's got pushed around a lot by the her robots.

However corny it sounds get someone to stand in front of you with their hands 'pushing' the tower back upright. Choose a small aperture to get a good depth of field.

Venice is great but yet again crowded. If you have time visit the island of Burano - it has some very colourful houses and is less crowded.

Rome is an enigma - watch out for the Gladiators at the Coloseum, they'll want money if you want to take a picture of them.

If you really want a photogenic location visit the Amalfi coast just down from Naples -> Sorrento and Capri area.

Colin

[hukari]

Great advice Shari. I'm worried about the camera I just bought making me a target, but I bought it for this trip and by God I'm gonna take it. The darn thing will be around my neck or shoulder and I will have a vice grip on it. It's taken me several weeks to talk my wife into wearing a money belt and making sure her purse has nothing of value in it.

Brice, I have never had anything stolen in all of my travels in Italy. It is not as bad as people say. In fact, I have never had anything stolen anywhere in the world in any of my travels. The closest I got was when a traveling companion's wallet got stolen...in San Francisco. :) If you are reasonably careful without getting paranoid, it will be enough. And I wouldn't hang my purse over a streetside chair anywhere in the world! Don't worry too much and have a good time!:D

[Fernan]

Brice, Barcelona is beautiful. But is expensive. My wifw and I went to Rome in 1985 and is a great city. Have a wonderful vacation!

[NickLewis]

I'd entirely endorse what Reka says - we've holidayed in Italy many times, and we've never once felt under any sort of threat. The only precaution I take is that I have a wallet that loops onto my belt and tucks inside the waistband of my trousers. I think a wallet in a back pocket is just too much of a temptation. Especially in crowds. But I feel the same everywhere, not just in Italy. I take exactly the same precautions when in the US....:)

My wife just uses a bum bag (fanny pack to you, I think!)

However, one tip I would give is that, if possible, you and your wife should carry different credit cards, rather than cards on the same account. That way, if the worst happens and one of you is robbed, the other's card doesn't have to be cancelled as well, leaving you fiscally embarrassed......

I really wouldn't worry excessively about your camera. Italy is full of people carting expensive cameras around the sights! You are not going to stand out because of it! Nobody has ever even tried to steal any of mine. Quite the opposite - I've had people run after me, because I've left it on a restaurant chair....:o

I think someone said to climb Vesuvius if you have the chance, and I'd also recommend that if you're up to it. Lovely view, and great sense of achievement. Stout shoes required - also in Pompeii, where the streets are very uneven. They are 2000 years old, after all....

Venice is definitely my favourite Italian city. Duck down the sidestreets for good photo opportunities with fewer crowds. Also for good places to eat at more reasonable prices. It's lovely to spend an evening dining at a waterside table by the Rialto Bridge watching the world go by on the Grand Canal, but you will pay for the privilege..... :(

If you want to take a gondola ride, don't forget to haggle over the price. Gondoliers won't always drop the prices, but if they aren't busy, the price drop can be startling! (I'm sorry, it's too long since we've taken one for me to remember how much you should pay.)

1000 pictures? Why so few?

Nick

[Wendy]

Hi ...

I found Pompeii to be just fantastic but do wear a good pair of shoes as there is quite a lot of walking involved and its all up and down hill. On the same trip I also went to Vesuvius ... and that was some experience !!

Wendy

[jo]

I was in Italy a couple of years ago, starting and ending in Rome. The first time in Rome I worried a lot about pickpockets, etc. The second time I just relaxed and enjoyed myself.

My favorite place in Italy has to be Cinque Terre, but that's up the coast from where you are going.

About pickpockets -- I learned about them in New York City when I was 14. My pocket was picked standing in line for a museum. Fortunately there was just a few dollars in my bag, not anything like today's identity theft possibilites! Since then I always have my "valuables" secure -- I use a handbag that wraps across the body and hold onto it with one hand anyway.

You'll have a wonderful time!

[bwolford]

Hey just because it was covered by tons of volcanic ash, you call it dusty? They nerve!!!:)

You guys and gals are the best!

I want shots of the foot cleansing in the in the bidet!

I was planning on having my son leaning against the tower, my daughter pushing, and my wife standing to the side with shot of her leaning with it. I don't do corny shots, I do the whole corn cob!!! ha ha

I plan to spend a lot of time off the beaten path in Venice. I'ver heard that that's the best part. Murano or Burano sounds nice. I understand their are water taxis running regularly. We have the most time in that city so that might be a grand idea for one afternoon or morning side trip.

I've heard about the Gladiators. I'm told not to let them hold your camera to take your picture because you won't get it back until you pay them a premium. It's unfortunate that something isn't done about it, but hey everywhere has it's cons. Anyone tried 3 card monty (spelling sic?) in New York City or a theme park in Orlando, Florida...

We will be driving the Amalfi coast. Don't know how much time well have to explore with Pompeii and Vesuvio on the agenda for the same day, but we'll do what we can.

Nick, I wonder how my wife will contend with all the old roads and walk ways with her rheumatoid arthritis... I think she's gonna have sore feet at the end of the day. We'll all have money belts! Did I write a 1000 pictures? I meant a day. My new camera fires them off at 8FPS... :eek:

Thank you all so much. I love my PSE family! I don't get to spend as much time here as I used to, but everyone here is so friendly and helpful!!!

Brice

[NickLewis]

Brice - unfortunately your wife may have a hard time in Pompeii with her condition. Apart from the uneven surface, there's quite a long walk uphill from the entrance to the site itself, if my memory serves me right.

It's a long time ago that we were there, and I suppose there may be some provision to get the less mobile up the entrance drive nowadays, but there's a limit to what's possible in the site itself.

I think I'd scratch climbing Vesuvius........

Nick

[Shari]

Brice - reading posts in envy. Know you will have a wonderful trip. I have to say I did not mean Europe or Italy especially were not to be enjoyed because of theft. We have been over about eight times and NEVER had anything stolen. As a matter of fact when we were in Pula, Croatia we left the camera on a bench and it was returned to our hotel. When we were in Costa Rica we left it on a local bus and when we went back the bus driver had it for us and had been trying to follow us to give it back. All people are not dishonest. We always have a card in the bag giving our home contact # and the # (not the hotel) we can be reached in the local city. I type them up before we leave and then just stick in the camera case. I doubt with your camera you would put it down and forget but these were the days before digital and unfortunately photography was not foremost in my mind. As I have said before I would love to re-do all our trips for photo-ops!!! Can hardly wait till you get back and start sharing.
Shari

[n692bc]

It's been said before, but try to get away from the big cities and see the country side. I worked there for several months in a small city and just loved the country side. You will have a good time where every you go but I was really impressed with the country, the cities were just to crowded. But above all else, have a good time and enjoy yourself. I never had a problem with pick pockets and such, just those crazy drivers through the mountains. Also try various foods, the best steak I ever had was in Italy, not the US, so surprise......

[Codebreaker]

Ok....This is what you have to do after a visit to Pompei....

Please, please don't tell my wife about this....:(


http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1ZXlmXBEEAyEHZSx5GtUOy62mx2y0

Colin

[bwolford]

That is so funny!!! I remember being about 6 or 7. My dad catered a part for a construction crew at a mansion on the beach. The new owner was rewarding his construction companie's laborers with a party. I went into a bathroom almost as big as my house and I asked my mom why they had this weird water fountain next to a toilet. She told me it was for the pets and not to drink out of it.

Brice

[troush]

Brice,

That's funny. When we lived in Italy, we did have a bidet in the bathroom of our apartment. We also got a German Shepherd - Collie mix dog (50 lbs or so) whne we were there, and my dad just used the bidet for her drinking bowl! That was bad when we moved back to the states - we had to learn to leave the lid down...

-Trish

[bwolford]

Very funny Trish.

[Georgette Grossman]

We were in Rome in fall 2005. A friend at work said not to miss Apollo and Daphne by Bernini at the Borghese Galleria. You cannot take photos inside but the sculptures are FANTASTIC!!
http://www.galleriaborghese.it/borghese/en/edefault.htm

Have fun on your trip!
Georgette

[apasskey]

I agree with Georgette about the Borghese Gallery. It is fabulous. You might have to make a reservation to get in there. If I remember right, they only let 90?? people in at a time. I could be remembering wrong but I think that is the case.

In a few of the cathedrals they may not let you in wearing shorts. Also at the Vatican!!

One of the most unusual places I've ever been is in Rome. It is called Cimitero dei Cappuccini (a Cemetery of the Capuchin Monks) It is quite Amzing!! Really!! The address is 27 Via Veneto and is down the street from the American Embassy( I believe).The outside looks like a plain 2 or 3 story building so it doesn't look like anything special. It is goldish beige with white trim. It has two staircases that go from the street level to the entrance on the 2nd floor. I recommend it! It takes about an hour and the entrance fee is a donation.

About pickpockets and theft. You have to be alert. Don't set stuff down on the floor in the airport or train station. I saw a theft there that happened so fast that we couldn't do anything to help. The thieves were working in a group of three or so. One dropped something that made a loud clatter and another sort of yelled at him to make a ruckus. Then a very small little boy grabbed the briefcase of the man standing next to us and instantly disappeared.

Also - watch out for foreigners in the parks and plazas. They start to offer something to you - a fancy hair braid, knock-off purses, sunglasses and the next thing you know they have your wallet or purse. Sometimes they act as if they are going to be giving you something. They walk up and hand something to you and then insist that you buy it from them. They can be difficult to lose after they have glommed on to you. Just don't take something that someone hands you.

The reason I am aware of these things is that I traveled with a group of high school kids and they must have appeared to be easy marks. I had to chase people away from them several times.

Other than those few caveats - Italy is great!! I just love it!! If you get to Pisa, be sure to go into the other buildings around there. They are spectacular sights!!

If you want to get discount designer purses and shoes, there is a place outside of Florence that is between Montevarchi and Levanella that has an outlet store with Prada, etc at very good prices. It is hard to find.:confused: We took the train to Montevarchi and then walked to the store which has no sign and looks like a large aluminium hut. I would suggest taking a taxi to the store instead of trying to find it yourself like we did.

Have fun!! You will love it!!:D
Andie