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dy156 · 11-18-2004, 02:12 PM

I loved Italy!
The one thing I really wanted to do there that I did not have time to do was to take a tour of the catacombs. Yes, the Vatican city was pretty cool, but ask someone when there are any festivals or events, and go when the crowds are smaller, unless you're Catholic and being in a crowd blessed by the Pope would be important. Don't know your budget, but try to get tickets to the Sistine chapel in advance from the concierge, if you can. That line was really long.

I was very surprised how many people spoke English. You shouldn't have a problem in any major city. The people are extremely friendly, especially compared to other touristy places in Europe.
Don't know how the exchange rate there is now, but about three years ago, you could go into a restaurant, see the most expensive expensive steak on the menu, and the price was about L26,000. You think, Holy crap! I'll have to get just a side order of the spagetti, or maybe just a single slice of Pizza. No, No. Handy rule of thumb for Italian conversion when we were there- take off the zero's and it was a little less than half. So the most expensive thing on the menu was about $12! You could eat like a king. My wife's favorite brand of Pinot grigio (white wine) which here sell for about $20 in the grocery store - $8. Hope the transfer to the Euro hasn't screwed all that up for you, because the food really was wonderful, especially coming from London, where you spent $20 for a crappy sandwich. Even breakfast was great, and it's all so damn healthy too. (maybe higher in fat, but fresh with fewer preservatives) It does take forever to get your check, though. It's like they want you to sit awhile and savor the great meal they just provided you.

Also think about taking a day to go to Florence by train. You could spend several days there, in fact. Rome is more of a big city than Florence, but Florence has some amazing history, beautiful things to see, and is all pretty much in walking distance.

The one place to avoid is anywhere near the airport. WE stayed at some hotel, maybe a Hilton there, our last night before an early morning flight out. We were tired, and went to the hotel restaurant, where they had a buffet complete with chicken fingers, hamburgers, and spagetti. It was terrible, but we were tired, and took great amusement in another family we overheard (obviously just arrived) talking about how "the pasta tastes so different here!"

Have fun! I'm jealous!

11-18-2004, 02:12 PM	#11 (permalink)
dy156 cookie Location: in the backwoods	I loved Italy! The one thing I really wanted to do there that I did not have time to do was to take a tour of the catacombs. Yes, the Vatican city was pretty cool, but ask someone when there are any festivals or events, and go when the crowds are smaller, unless you're Catholic and being in a crowd blessed by the Pope would be important. Don't know your budget, but try to get tickets to the Sistine chapel in advance from the concierge, if you can. That line was really long. I was very surprised how many people spoke English. You shouldn't have a problem in any major city. The people are extremely friendly, especially compared to other touristy places in Europe. Don't know how the exchange rate there is now, but about three years ago, you could go into a restaurant, see the most expensive expensive steak on the menu, and the price was about L26,000. You think, Holy crap! I'll have to get just a side order of the spagetti, or maybe just a single slice of Pizza. No, No. Handy rule of thumb for Italian conversion when we were there- take off the zero's and it was a little less than half. So the most expensive thing on the menu was about $12! You could eat like a king. My wife's favorite brand of Pinot grigio (white wine) which here sell for about $20 in the grocery store - $8. Hope the transfer to the Euro hasn't screwed all that up for you, because the food really was wonderful, especially coming from London, where you spent $20 for a crappy sandwich. Even breakfast was great, and it's all so damn healthy too. (maybe higher in fat, but fresh with fewer preservatives) It does take forever to get your check, though. It's like they want you to sit awhile and savor the great meal they just provided you. Also think about taking a day to go to Florence by train. You could spend several days there, in fact. Rome is more of a big city than Florence, but Florence has some amazing history, beautiful things to see, and is all pretty much in walking distance. The one place to avoid is anywhere near the airport. WE stayed at some hotel, maybe a Hilton there, our last night before an early morning flight out. We were tired, and went to the hotel restaurant, where they had a buffet complete with chicken fingers, hamburgers, and spagetti. It was terrible, but we were tired, and took great amusement in another family we overheard (obviously just arrived) talking about how "the pasta tastes so different here!" Have fun! I'm jealous!