three days and I'll be on my way to Italy

[fishwax]

I can't wait :) How am I to pass the time?

[WritingIsMyReligion]

1. Get drunk?

:shrug:

:evilgrin:

:hi:, fish! Long time no (talk)!

[fishwax]

2. not a bad idea by any stretch

:rofl:

How have you been, WiMR? It has been a while. :hi:

[Hotler]

3. I'd rent a motorcycle and hit the road. A Moto GP, a tour

through the Ducati factory. Shot on up to Amsterdam for a few days and .......

[fishwax]

5. i'd love to get to amsterdam

but, alas, it will have to wait for another trip. This one will be strictly italy (small chance I might dip into switzerland for an afternoon :))

[LouisianaLiberal]

4. What part of Italy will you visit?

Do you need a valet? (Oh wait, your profile says you're a guy. Never mind.) Have fun anyway. Italy is incredible. You will love it.

[fishwax]

6. haha

:) But I imagine I will love it.

We're hitting Rome, Cinque Terre, Florence and Venice for sure, and hoping to spend a day or two in the countryside northeast of Rome as well ...

[Patiod]

7. Venice advice - am bursting with jealousy!!!

Was there for 5 days for work, and it's probably the most memorable time of my life.

If you're there for a while, buy a vaporetto pass. Walk walk walk walk walk walk- see as much as you can - you can sleep when you're dead (my motto for that trip). Then take the vaporetto back to your hotel when you're so exhausted that you're going to drop. Try if you can to get OUT of St. Mark's area - I thought the Castello and Cannaregio were wonderful for walking and less touristy. Walking late at night is safe, and in May and June, it's cool and smells like jasmine. My most vivid memories are walking late at night after all the tourists have left.

If you're only there for one night, there was an amazing little wine bar on the northwest side of the Rialto - BancoGiro - call and make a reservation for around sunset for a table outside overlooking the Grand Canal. They have great food and wine for a reasonable price (Venice is NOT a foodie town - mostly mediocre overpriced meals - but BancoGiro was an exception). Venice turns gold at sunset - it's one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen, and BancoGiro was a jaw-dropping place to watch: 041-5232061. It's a little hard to find (cross the Rialto - it's just north of the bridge, on the Canal) but SO worth it. While you're there, say hello to the little cats that haunt the Rialto after hours, looking for fish scraps.

One of the older Quakers in my Meeting also gave me great advice. He said "don't stand in line for a tour of St. Mark's - go to Mass." It's a long wait for the tour, but if you're there on a Sunday, simply go to Mass. You get about 50 minutes to sit and admire the basilica the way it was designed to be appreciated. It helped that I was raised Catholic, so I knew the "stand-sit-kneel" stuff without thinking and without knowing Italian or Latin, but it's not too hard to figure out even if you're not Catholic. If you're not there Sunday, figure out when morning Mass is on a weekday.

I am so jealous. Enjoy!!!!!

[fishwax]

8. Thanks Patiod!

I'll print this post out for reference for later. I think we're only going to be in Venice one night (maybe two, the second is one of our unplanned nights), but this is great info just the same and I appreciate it. We're not there on a Sunday, either, but perhaps they have a daily mass? (I was raised Catholic too, so I'll be down with the ritual :))

We'll sleep when we're dead--that's pretty much our motto for the trip as well :D

[Patiod]

9. "I'll sleep when I'm dead" - how morbid is that?

The only day I wasn't working, I went to 9 o'clock Sunday Mass at St. Marks, and then starting walking, ending up at a tiny bistro in the Cannaregio, under an awning, sitting through a 3-hour monsoon (when you have a free afternoon, shelter from the storm, food, a bottle of Pinot Grigot, interesting Barcelonans at the next table, and a good book set in Venice, no complaints!!!!!).

Finally gave up waiting, and ran though the rain to the vaporetto stop, then back to my hotel, arriving just as the sun came out. Took a nap, awoke at about 5, and desperately wanted to go back to sleep (probably the Pinot Grigot). But all I could think was "get the hell up - you can sleep when you're dead (or back in Conshohocken)"

Instead, walked miles through the Castello, a residential area. At dusk, walked down a park off the Via Garibaldi, where there was a wall with pillars every 50 feet or so. I am not kidding - there was a cat on top of every pillar. I have a great picture of it.... Went back and had a little dinner in the square on the Arsenal (where they have the Bienniale Art Show every two years).

Walking home, I crossed through a small square where there had been a parish fair earlier in the day. About 11 at night, there was a singer/comedian, doing Italian songs for the elderly audience, who LOVED him. My hotel was about 2 blocks away, and I opened the shutters had a glass of wine in my window, and listened to the singer.

Was awfully glad I hadn't gone back to sleep....

But here's the thing - you not only get Venice, but Rome too!!!!

Enjoy, and we'll expect a trip report!

[fishwax]

13. that just sounds awesome

Wow.

It's getting even harder to wait :)

Venice, I'd have to say, is a pretty sweet destination for a work trip :D

[Patiod]

14. It WAS an amazing destination for a work trip

Doctors who treat hemophiliacs were having a convention on the little island which is a 10-minute vaporetto trip from St. Marks's Square (there aren't a lot of docs who specialize in hemophilia). They wouldn't let me interview them on the island, but they would allow our reps to set appointments, and then the docs would take a vaporetto to the hotel where the interviews were to be conducted. So because of their rules, I wasn't trapped in an old monestary for 4 days like the drug reps were, but "had" to be in the city itself.

So I had a satellite phone, and a home base at one of the fancier hotels, and whenever they arranged an interview, they would call me, and I would have to be back at the hotel within 30 minutes. So I could walk all over Venice all day, just so long as I was within 30 minutes of the hotel. Plus I could expense everything but souvenirs (not cheap) And when my boss found out they were all flying Business Class and wanted me to fly Coach, she intervened, which was also nice.

No wine with lunch (which is cheaper than ordering bottled water), but hey, those are the breaks! What's not to like about a city where the wine is cheaper than the water?

[freethought]

10. Was in Venice, Rome, and Milan last year, here is my two cents.

Milan, what I saw of it, was definitely an industrial city. There is a definite "harder edge" there than other places. Hustling and bustling and busy.
Venice. I wish I had spent more time here but I had only about 1 evening in Venice then I had to hop a train to Vienna. Venice is a trip!! A place of contrasts and character. By contrasts I put it this way. On my day there I simply wandered about. At one point I came across a church with a statue of a monk holding a bible out in front of it. I looked at the statue and the church architecture for a while. Then I looked across the street and saw something else-a store that sells skimpy lingerie. It's like that all over Venice. It's great place to see. Even better if you are traveling as a couple. Patiod gave some advice I agree with 100%. Walk around to see the sights and get a vaporetto pass.
Don't bother with a gondola ride unless you are holding alot of cash. Those gondola rides are expensive and very short. There are plenty of great places to eat.

Rome. Also a great place to see. It's big though and unless you have plenty of time it may not be possible to see all of it. I do recommend St. Peter's Cathedral and the Vatican, even if you are not Catholic. It is a spectacular sight, both inside and out. The splendor and the artwork will blow your mind. Visit the Vatican Museum if you can. The artwork and sites are all around you, above, below, and each side. Absolutely amazing. Did I mention the Pantheon, the Coliseum, and the Forum.

A few pointers.

If you intend to make phone calls get a phone card, and use the public phones. The public phones are set up to use the cards. You can buy them anywhere, especially in airports and train stations. DO NOT CALL from your hotel phone, the hotel will charge you an arm and a leg for a brief phone call. When I was in Venice I made a phone call to another fellow that I was to meet up with in a few days. The call was not even 5 minutes, the charge was 46 Euros.

Bring a hidden belt pack. The pickpockets are everywhere and they are VERY skilled. My sister had her wallet, with her cash, credit cards, and passport lifted when she was boarding a train. If you where a wallet only keep small bills in it.

Tell your credit card companies that you are traveling overseas so that a credit purchase in Italy will not raise alarms. This is usually done through the card security departments.

If you dine out, prepare to eat later than usual. We found out in Rome that people tend to eat Dinner later than Americans, usually in the 8-10pm range.

Try the local gelato (like ice cream). There are stands and booths for gelato all over the place.

If you like wine I think U.S. Customs will let you bring back 5 bottles. Don't bother trying to bring back perishables. Oh yeah, try some Lambrusco, it is a red sparkling wine that is usually enjoyed locally. I haven't been able to find it over here even at ethnic shops. Lambrusco makes for a very enjoyable drink.

If you are traveling about there are usually stands that serve panini. Panini is bread and prosciutto ham that is toasted. An Italian answer to fast food. It is actually pretty good and cheap too.

Make note of the contact numbers for the American Embassy or any consulate offices in Italy. They may come in hand.

Oddly enough my sister is touring Italy right now. I think she is looking at Tuscany and the lakes region. Would have loved to have gone, but I have f_____g summer classes. Sucks!

ENJOY! ENJOY! ENJOY!

[fishwax]

11. thanks freethought!

Boy, Venice sounds great. You mention just wandering about, and that's pretty much exactly what we've got planned :) (that's just the sort of travelers we are).

Thanks for all the great tips--I'll definitely look for Labrusco and Panini, and I've got my money belt ready :) I'm a little worried about pickpockets and theft, but I'll just have to be extra careful. We got locks for our backpacks, etc.

We've got about 4-5 days in Rome, so I know that won't be enough time to see everything, but we'll definitely hit the Vatican. Did you have any trouble getting around the city? From what I understand, almost everything in central Rome is relatively easy walking distance--is that true of the Vatican as well?

[freethought]

12. No problem with getting around.

I suppose you could walk from place to place if you wanted. You will actually have more time than I did. Aside from that one of the people I was with was the impatient type and sprang for a cab more than once. There is some distance between sites like the Vatican and the Coliseum for example but you could walk it I suppose and see more stuff like the forts along the Tiber River. Certain sites are near each other like the Monument to Vittorio Emmanuel, a huge marble monument that doubles as a war monument, is in the same area as the Coliseum, the Forum, and the Pantheon. The Vatican and the Coliseum are not right next to each other. In a straight line the Vatican and the Coliseum area are about 2 miles apart, maybe a little less. By foot the distance is probably longer and you would have to go over the Tiber. Some great bridges to look at too. You might want to see if you can get public trans passes. I was able to get one in Vienna very inexpensively. Can't speak for Rome, though.

Venice is a TRIP! It's very easy to see why it had earned its reputation. When I was there I simply followed the flow! I wish I had seen more. Sigh!

As far as the pickpockets are concerned use the old saying-"an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure". These people know how to spot the easy targets. My sister had her wallet in her coat pocket and not close to her body. I usually kept my wallet in my chest shirt pocket or inside jacket pocket. If you are in train stations do not leave your backpacks unguarded.

If you any travel in Italy by train it is likely you'll see the panini stands. Panini isn't exactly a full meal but it's great to tie you over till dinner or something.

If you like wine, Italy is the place. They sell it everywhere and they sell good stuff. I do not recall seeing a single wine box with turn spigot. I'm not a wine expert by any means but anything I had in Italy was very good. You should be able to find lambrusco with the wines. It still frustrates me that I can't find it anywhere in New England. Good stuff!

Lastly, the Vatican is truly awesome. The art, sculpture, architecture, stonework, are all around you
. It's size and scale will amaze you. Pictures are allowed, just use some restraint when there is a mass going on. Keep the photos of the art and sculpture. I have several photos of St.Peter's Square and the inside of the Cathedral. The key is to just be respectful. If you're Catholic you can even go to confession. The have booths set up for multiple languages.

If you want night life you'd be better off asking someone else other than me. I am pushing the big four-zero so going out till 3am does not hold much appeal. I was just happy seeing Italy.

Once you're there drink it all in! Enjoy! Enjoy! Just remember that politeness and good manners will serve you well while you're over there. We'll be expecting some posts here at DU when you get back.

[kay1864]

15. Ditto on the pickpockets

I never take a wallet to Europe. Mrs. Kay keeps only makeup (no cash or ID) in her purse.

I've heard that in Rome, many merchants (and even museum ticket-takers!) still practice the "slow count", where they count the change s-l-o-w-l-y into your hand, and you leave (thinking they're done), and they pocket the rest.

Solution? Use your smallest bills, esp. when paying restaurant tabs. (easier now with Euros--lotsa tourists couldn't keep track of those lira)

Tales abound on Rick Steves' website. Rome is the one mentioned most often. Might want to read the entries there.

Be cautious, but have fun!

[radwriter0555]

16. Don't forget to leave a tip whenever you dine out. Even a euro or two

is a nice gesture for decent service. Decent service is hard to come by, but a smile and 'grazia' goes a long way. You have to ask for the check, or you'll sit there for hours. Even if service is included, that goes to the owner. The waiter gets the tip you leave. You're going to eat lots of pasta.

Make SURE you learn a few phrases to at least say please, thank you, hello, goodbye, etc.

If you want water with your meal, they'll ask you if you want with our without 'gas', as in bubbles. Sodas are $3- $4 EACH. Ouch. Drink wine. Much cheaper.

If you want to eat like a tourist, make sure you eat in places that sponsor a tourist menu... if you want to eat local delights, look for slightly off the beaten track places with locals eating in them. Did I mention the tourist menus generally suck?

How to spot a pick-pocket: Usually somewhat attractive women, some quite young. They're gypsies by and large and they just dress differently than the usual italian woman. The big key is what they're carrying. Often a pickpocket isn't carrying but a single item, and it often can be a baby. Just a baby. No diaper bag, no purse, no wallet, no shopping, etc. It's a distraction or a tool to hide your wallet in. Do not HESITATE to be rude to ANYONE who may be attempting to swipe your goods. Raise the alarm as loud as you can if you're accosted.

These women operate as the trains are boarding, at stops, so they can jump off JUST before the doors close.

Just keep your belongings close, keep copies of ALL important papers in your safe in your hotel room AND leave a set of EVERYTHING with someone in the USA who's easy to contact, in case you need those copies. Better safe than sorry.

The Trains Again. LOTS of stairs. Pack light.

ENJOY.. venice is an absolute treasure.. the diamonds and rubies of europe. You really MUST do Harry's bar. The cake... is to die for. And if you want real meals, at the bus depot is a diner for the locals. It's all the way across the square. The area around the bus depot has some outstanding local eateries. Lots of cats too.

On Lido (the local's vacation island) is a restaurant called Andre's. Ask anyone where it is once you get off the vaporetto. It's straight ahead, down the main drag about 2.5 blocks to a pedestrian 'mall', turn right, about 100 meters, on your left. THE BEST SCAMPI ON THE PLANET. For a whopping $6 euro.

Rome is great. The buses are pretty awesome, the subways kinda rock. Makes it easy to get around. Tips for eating gelato: To get the BEST gelato experience, look at the color of their pistachio ice cream. If it's bright fake green, they use bright fake colors and flavors. If it's a greyish, green to beige, it's real, no artificial flavors and guaranteed to rock your world. And the menthe isn't MINT. It's like creme de menthe and kinda nasty.

The shopping in Florence, sadly, is overrated, as far as the street vendors... You have to really hunt. But, if you want to see one of Florence's greatest secrets, find the Galileo Museum JUST around the corner from the Uffizi... OHMYGAWD.I can't describe the miraculous treasures of that man's mind. It's small, intimate and (dare I say) even better than the Uffizi. The Uffizi is worth a quick walk through, but it's rather like looking through someone's photo album.. that you don't know. There are some brilliant works there, but the majority are Italian aristocracy portraiture. You can only take so much.

Cinque Terre is lovely, and decent for a day trip. Very charming. BUT You'd be better served by visiting Lucca, one of the last medievel walled cities left in europe, intact and just lovely. 45 minutes by train from Florence. Good shopping, quite decent eating, a REAL treat to walk around on top of the wall of the city... It's completely unique. Wednesday is market day, get there early. You must also see Pisa. It really again, is a treasure and worth the day trip.

ENJOY!

[wildhorses]

17. anticipation....lucky you!!! Have fun

We can never know about the days to come
But we think about them anyway, yay
And I wonder if I'm really with you now
Or just chasin' after some finer day

Anticipation, anticipation
Is makin' me late
Is keepin' me waitin'

And I tell you how easy it feels to be with you
And how right your arms feel around me
But I, I rehearsed those lines just late last night
When I was thinkin' about how right tonight might be

anticipation, anticipation
Is makin' me late
Is keepin' me waitin'

And tomorrow we might not be together
I'm no prophet and I don't know nature's ways
So I'll try and see into your eyes right now
And stay right here 'cause these are the good old days

(These are the good old days)
And stay right here 'cause these are the good old days
(These are the good old days)
(These are the good old days)
(These are the good old days)
(These are…..the good old days)