Italy Info

My Plans:

Italy, specifically, Rome, Tuscany, Venice
Early November 2008
10-day trip
Flying in and out of Rome

I have two guidebooks, but I trust you seasoned non-revs more than guidebooks. I am flexible, so if my plans sound unrealistic or you have better suggestions please let me know. I'd like info on:

Best dates to travel
Accomodations
Best route for non-revving
Travel within Italy
Off-the-beaten-path sites and events
Useful guidebooks and/or Web sites
Helpful tips



All suggestions are appreciated. Thanks everybody. Safe travels!
-JacyOnTheFly

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (JacyOnTheFly @ Jan 22 2008, 02:21 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

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My Plans:

Italy, specifically, Rome, Tuscany, Venice
Early November 2008
10-day trip
Flying in and out of Rome[/b]

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Haven&#39;t been but these cities are the top of my "want to" list. http://www.nonrev.net/forums/style_e...IR#>/smile.gif

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I have two guidebooks, but I trust you seasoned non-revs more than guidebooks.[/b]

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Me too. That&#39;s why I believe in and have refused to give up on this website. http://www.nonrev.net/forums/style_e...DIR#>/wink.gif

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Best dates to travel
Accomodations
Best route for non-revving
Travel within Italy
Off-the-beaten-path sites and events
Useful guidebooks and/or Web sites
Helpful tips
[/b]

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What kind of accomodations do you prefer? I usually go real budget, have even tried some hostels. I do remember Rick Steves mentioning that you can stay in convents in Italy. They&#39;re usually a bit sparse but clean and quiet.

Rick Steves, Europe Through the Back Door is an excellent guide. Also be sure to search this forum. You may find some juicy tidbits from past posts.

Make copies of your passports/credit cards/ etc. Wear a neck pouch and money belt. Be aware of the gypsies. Were attacked twice within two blocks of Termini Station. They didn&#39;t get anything since we transfered everything to money belts and neck pouches at the airport.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Pago Flyer @ Jan 23 2008, 11:18 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

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Be aware of the gypsies. Were attacked twice within two blocks of Termini Station.[/b]

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Yikes! Exactly what did the "attack" consist of. Did they just accost and hassle or was it physical? http://www.nonrev.net/forums/style_e...R#>/unsure.gif

*sighs* I went to Italy last October absolutely paranoid about the "Gypsies" since EVERYONE and THEIR GRANDMOTHER warned me.
After day one I was mad that EVERYONE and THEIR GRANDMOTHER made such a HUGE deal of it.

It is just like any other place. Be careful, keep your stuff next to you. Be cautious.

I had no problems.

The must have book you must get: Italy, Instructions for Use: The Personal, On-Site Assistant for the Enthusiastic It was so helpful.

Enjoy yourself, you are going to have a great time!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Gigi @ Jan 24 2008, 09:59 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

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It is just like any other place. Be careful, keep your stuff next to you. Be cautious.[/b]

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Gigi, that&#39;s just what my grandma would say. http://www.nonrev.net/forums/style_e...#>/biggrin.gif

One of the gypsies had a baby and cardboard in her hands,we saw them coming, and started swinging our carry-on bags, the only thing she got was a DL ball point pen, since we emptied our pockets after landing. A few days later about 6 of us were on a bus, and sure enough, the pick pockets tried to get into a purse of a friend. We never carried a bag, purse etc.
We felt safer in BOG and EZE.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Migflanker @ Jan 24 2008, 04:59 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

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Gigi, that&#39;s just what my grandma would say. http://www.nonrev.net/forums/style_e...#>/biggrin.gif[/b]

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Your grandma must be a wonderful person http://www.nonrev.net/forums/style_e...IR#>/smile.gif

We flew into Milan last April. Everyone told us not to travel over Easter but we did it anyway. In fact we even flew Business Class. The EWR-MXP flights were relatively good all month. In fact I have noticed that a lot of trans-atlantic flights look good during US holidays. I really don&#39;t have any great tips though. We spent most of our time in Southern Switzerland. The food was out of this world and the people wonderful. Every time we met someone new they would bust open a bottle of Wine and offer us a drink. Just talking about it makes me want to go back...

Buongiorno,

I´ve lived/worked in Parma for a while. For domestic travel trains are ok. Just keep in mind, that its very difficult to find english speaking persons outside touristscities like Rome, Venice and Milan. And trains rarely are running as planned. But its very affordable.

If you have time, spent some time up in the north. Verona is a very sweet romantic village and the landscape is absolutely gorgeous!! Located between (roughly) Venice and Milan.
Just avoid travelling on weekends. Way too many italians on the move.

Itinary? Guess i´d go Rome, Firenze(Florence), Milano maritimo (coastal village Adriatic Coast), Venice, Bologna (cute streets), Verona and Milan.


Have fun!!Ciao,

take a look at venere.com for accommodations--they vary from small inns to major hotels--every price, every type, most cities, small or large

My personal travel philosophy is to not do anything out of the ordinary, I would never wear a money belt or neck pouch although to each their own. I believe staying alert and vigilant is more than enough, if average people live and work in these cities we visit why should we have anything to worry about? I am partial to the Cinque Terre in Italy and is always worth a visit, you will be greeted with people trying to rent their rooms as soon as you step off the train. I have always been able to get great ocean view rooms at very reasonable prices if you negotiate.

Cheers..

TV--I need to pick your brain and anyone else who has taken theirs to Pisa area.

I have 48 hr layover with the captain (the one I married!!) and I understand that once you&#39;ve seen the Tower, time to go elsewhere. He&#39;s been to Florence, I haven&#39;t. What&#39;s the next idea--Cinque Terre for the day? Please offer any specifics for train, trails etc.

Thanks a bunch, everyone!