OT- Going to Italy Tommorow- Any Suggestions?

Submitted by flysociety3 on

A friend and I are leaving to go to Italy tomorrow. I have been there once before, but my friend has never been there. I was wondering if any of you guys have any suggestions for traveling in Italy.

Wish me luck... Hopefully no more attempted terrorist attacks....

Talpostal

December 26th, 2009 at 1:24 AM ^

Rome:
-Must-see: Roman Forum, Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, Vatican Museum, St. Peter's Basilica, St. Peter's Square, Pantheon
-My absolute favorite thing about Rome is that you can drink water from their fountains and that it's cold and tastes good. In the summer we carried empty water bottles around and filled them up at various fountains as we went.
-Rome's main train station, Termini, is really confusing if you're not used to taking trains around.
-If you're into art The Villa Borghese is reputed to be incredible, I didn't get a chance to see it because it's hard to get into and by appointment only. Check with a hotel concierge or something and see if they can book you.
-Here's a big one: When you're in the Vatican and you go through the museum and end up in the Sistine Chapel, exit the chapel through the GROUP exit even if you're not with a group (nobody will care). That lets you cut around the line to get into Saint Peter's Basilica (my absolute favorite sight in Italy) and it could save you a few hours of waiting in line.
-You can pass up the catacombs unless you're an archaeology/Christianity enthusiast. They're not very convenient to get to (you have to take a bus) and not as cool as stuff like the Forum and Colosseum.
-There's a REALLY cool McDonald's right by the Spanish Steps. It's almost a tourist sight by itself.
-If you want partying and nightlife, go to the Trastevere district. I didn't get a chance to go when I was there but I hear great things.
-Look up a gelateria near the Trevi Fountain called Gelato di San Crispino (there's also an satellite near the Pantheon). Best in town.

Florence:
-Must-see: Duomo, Ponte Veccio, Uffizi, Piazza della Signoria, Piazza Michelangelo, the Accademia (where David is)
-Florence's train station, Santa Maria Novella, makes a lot more sense than Termini.
-Definitely go in the Duomo and climb to the top, I did it when it was raining so I didn't have to wait in a line but I'd imagine that it's worth the wait anyways.
-Definitely go to Piazza Michelangelo. It gives you an absolutely incredible view of Florence. It's on the Oltrarno.
-Go to a gelateria near Piazza di Santa Croce called Vivoli. Best gelato in Italy.
-Florence is known for leather and the absolute best leather you can find in town is the Leather School of Santa Croce. It's behind Basilica di Santa Croce (part of the Basilica, I think) and they have awesome products, but are extremely expensive.

I haven't been to Bologna, Parma, Verona, or Ravenna, so I can't tell you anything about them. If you have any specific questions, let me know!

ColsBlue

January 1st, 2010 at 12:48 AM ^

We were in Florence, Cinque Terre, and Venice last spring. Talpostal is spot-on about Florence. Duomo and Piazza Michelangelo were highlights. For a different view of Duomo, we climbed the bell tower - shorter lines, still a good experience.

Cinque Terre is definitely a good stop (1-2 nights). Stay in either Monterosso al Mare or Riomaggiore and spend a full day hiking the trail. Hike becomes more difficult as you head north (from Riomaggiore to Monterosso). If warm enough, there is a rocky beach and seaside cafes to reward you in Monterosso. And, for a touristy bonus - if you travel from Florence to Riomaggiore by train, you can stop in Pisa to see the leaning tower.

Plegerize

December 26th, 2009 at 1:09 AM ^

Visit the Trevi Fountain and put a coin in to ensure a return trip!

I went to Italy during my senior year in high school and absolutely loved it. What a great country. Despite not being able to speak the language I got around pretty well. Definitely visit the Vatican and the Basilica in Rome and the Duomo in Florence as both are astonishing.

If you're a soccer/Italian fan I'd definitely grab some World Cup gear while you're over there too.

Man I feel like a travel agent haha

sedieso

December 26th, 2009 at 1:13 AM ^

I went sky diving in Italy...it was probably one of the most overwhelming (and terrifying) experiences of my life. I say if you have the time, and the itch to do it, then do not hesitate. Also, whatsoever you do, do not repeat this if your ticced off:

cazzie

December 26th, 2009 at 7:14 AM ^

grab michel thomas's learn italian cd set and listen on the plane. you will learn a couple of hundred words, numbers, directions and this will enhance your experience greatly. if interested in sculpture, visit pietrasanta, just north of pisa and the surrounding mountains of carrara, white not with snow, but with white marble.

blueloosh

December 26th, 2009 at 8:42 AM ^

But definitely go to the Cinque Terre, Vernazza in particular. Most stunning thing you will see by far. Take a day and hike between all 5 towns.

Also a big fan of Rome, Florence, and Sorrento. Not so much for Naples.

st barth

December 26th, 2009 at 8:47 AM ^

I'm not a food expert by any stretch of the imagination, but nearly six years later I still find myself dreaming about the pasta from a restaurant called Trattoria Moderna near the Campo de' Fiori:

http://www.trattoriamoderna.it/

It's slightly difficult to find but is easily superior to the many restaurants sitting directly on the piazzas that cater to tourists with such obvious Italian fare as pizza.

In reply to by st barth

st barth

December 26th, 2009 at 8:51 AM ^

...about this, but it also turned out that there was fellow M students/alums at the table next to us one of the nights I was there. Bonus points for that extraordinary coincidence.

Wolverine In Exile

December 26th, 2009 at 11:40 AM ^

Started in Sicily, went to Rome, then country hotel in Tuscany region, then Florence and Bologna.

I actually would suggest only spending 1-2 days in the big cities then head out into the country side... that's where I had my best time. From Rome, I would suggest a quick train ride to Siena.. the black/white marble architecture was awesome, and the city is up on a hill overlooking the Tuscan countryside-- also good food.

IF you can though, rent a car, maybe in Florence and take a day to ride Tuscany... suggestions for stops: Castiglione Del Lago, Montepulciano, Siena, any of the "in Chianti" towns, and then back to Florence.

Also, if you're a beef lover, try the "bisteca di Florentine" at a good family place in either Florence or Bologna. Make sure you have a helper.

Wolverine 98284

December 26th, 2009 at 12:32 PM ^

I lived in Italy for 3yrs...Verona, Vicenza e' a bella Napoli.
The following is opinion....

Rome is great and you need the 3 days to cover the sites listed in the other responses.

Florence is ok, just another 900 year old city filled with tourists. This time of year should be much better, but the weather can be a lot like the Pacific Northwest, in the 40s and wet. Yes, some great things to see, but if you do not get into the Uffizi, the rest can pretty much be seen in a day (Duomo, Ponte Veccio, , Piazza della Signoria, Piazza Michelangelo, the Accademia).

Bologna: FOOD! FOOD! FOOD! FOOD! Did I mention the food?

I highly recommend Verona. It is second only to Rome with roman ruins. Have lunch in Piazza Bra and see La Arena. After lunch, head up Via Mazzini towards Piazza Erbe. Just before Piazza Erbe on the right is a gelateria. The gelato is hand made on the premises and I think is the best. View the murals in Piazza Erbe. On the northside of the piazza is an archway with a whale bone hanging under it. Go through it and enjoy Piazza di Signori and the Dante statue. Definitly go up Torre dei Lamberti (awesome view). In the northeast corner of the piazza are several tombs (Arche di Scallegeri - the big dog one is huge). The tombs surround a small church, recently restored. Very nice.
Make your way north to the roman bridge, Ponti Pietra.
Make your way up river to Castel Vecchio and its bridge.

Dinner? Bottega del Vino (just off Via Mazzini) if you can get in. I recommend the cavallo appetizer. If you cannot get in, there is a very nice osteria about half way between Piazza Erbe and the roman gate to the south on Corso Porta Borsari.
Churches? San Zeno is huge and impressive. Sant' Anastasia is good also.
If you have time, see Giardino Giusti.

Those are some of the highlights. Lots of other places, but you need some history to get a persective.

Napoli is not the greatest, but there are some jewels. Since you are headed north, I skip this part.

Hope this helps and most of all, have fun.

Daleppard

December 26th, 2009 at 6:29 PM ^

One big tip I can give you in Rome is to go to St. Peters Bascilica as soon as they open up. I am thinking it is 8 am. My wife and I were one of maybe 6 couples in the whole church. You can get pictures of everything by yourself and if you want to walk the steps to the top of the dome you can without the 3 hour line. We then walked over to see the Sistine Chapel. A line there but went pretty quick. You will save about 4 hours in your day just by doing this. Enjoy. Many great tips here. Made me remember going to some of the places. What I wouldn't give for a dish of gelato. That stuff is the best in the world.

Pompeii was my favorite thing to see outside of Rome. Naples is a disgusting city and Florence was a fun day trip.

Enjoy!!