My Trip home from London... Via Italy and Barcelona! - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

ruggerp11 · 03-22-2005, 07:40 AM

I've lived in London for the past six months and its time to go home. I didn't travel much during my stay here in order to make my way home a good time.

My travel plans are as follows.

On the 1st of April I'll be going to Scotland to visit a friend until the eighth of April. I don't need much help here because she has lived there for a while and can be an impromptu tour guide. Any suggestions are welcome though.

Then I'll be back in London from the 9th (my birthday) till the 13th of April. On the 13th I'm flying to Naples, Italy. This is where my need for advice comes in. My three buddies and I are going to stay in Naples for a day or two and then pick up a rental car and drive north to Milan over 10 days.

I was wondering what things we could see. I know about the isle of Capri, Pompeii, Pisa, but I'm thinking small villages or other not as well known moneuments that will be great to see.

Also Hostels and cheap places to stay are a must. I think we might be able to stay in the car for some of the days (got a wagon) but well see

...

Ten days later I fly out of Milan and into Barcelona. I will be by my self for Barcelona and am also wondering about Hostels and Things to do and see by my self. The key here for me is cheap and fun. I wont have much money other than to eat but I want to see some things that everyone should see.

...

After Barcelona I'm visiting Montreal on my way home. I will also have a 'tour guide' there and she is also looking forward to showing me around, but any suggestions help (heard the strip clubs are quite nice

).

Thank you for any help at all!

amonkie · 03-22-2005, 08:51 AM

When you're in Milan, check out the castle - it's an old castle they've turned into a museum - VERY COOL! It always has A/C

. Another fun thing is to check out the cathedral across from the main subway station - just be advised, pants are a must for entry. When I was there, my friends and I rented some scooters and just toured around the place. If you get a chance, take an extra bit of time - about an hour drive - and go to Lugano, Switzerland. It's a town that surrounds part of a lake with a mountain on the other side. Absolutely breathtaking area.

ShaniFaye · 03-22-2005, 09:16 AM

bring me a present from scotland!!! I really hate you for being able to go

amonkie · 03-22-2005, 08:36 PM

Drive the East coast of Italy - it is ABSOLUTELY gorgeous - I thought I was in the carribean or something, it was SO blue. There are a lot of little towns all over, and they all have interesting quirks. I spent most of my time in Campobasso(southeastern) and Desio (suburb of Milan). Desio had a plaque on an old house along one of the streets saying that it was where one of the previous popes had been born.

sailor · 03-26-2005, 08:05 AM

Hit Florence on the way to Milan. There is so much famous artwork there. Id also advise at least a day in Rome to see the things there. Rome itself isnt the nicest place Ive ever been, but its absolutely worth it, especially to see the Vatican. St Peter's Cathedral is just beyond words. You wont regret it. However, the driving in Rome is just as bad, if not worse, than the stereotypes. You may do better to park the car at some town and take a train into Rome. In fact, I know you would be. No parking anywhere, the drivers there have an utter death wish, and the roads are so maze-like, even the best map in the world would be of little use. Once in Rome, the subway sucks ass--id just take a taxi. The train system works pretty well though, so it wouldnt be hard or expensive to do what I suggested and just go visit some town somewhat close to Rome and take the train in and out.

mercury-hg · 03-26-2005, 09:20 AM

of the big cities in Italy, Naples is probably one of the least impressive. Not that there aren't cool things to do/see there, but if you have a limited time in Italy, I'd try to spend my time elsewhere. However, if you're in the area, Pompeii is a must. There's a train the runs around Mt. Vesuvius, connecting Naples and Pompeii, called the Circumvesuviano - it makes life a bit easier. Exchange Amalfi for Capri. To get there, take the Circumvesuviano to Sorrento, and then the bus to Amalfi. The bus ride offered the most impressive sites I've ever seen, and I didn't have to worry about driving with those insane Italian drivers.

As said before, Rome and Florence shouldn't be passed up. I haven't heard great things about Milan, but if you're in the northwest portion of Italy, definitely drive along and visit the towns of Cinque Terre.

And check out www.hostelworld.com for hostel reviews and availability.

03-22-2005, 07:40 AM	#1 (permalink)
ruggerp11 Cautiously soaring Location: exploring my new home in SF	My Trip home from London... Via Italy and Barcelona! I've lived in London for the past six months and its time to go home. I didn't travel much during my stay here in order to make my way home a good time. My travel plans are as follows. On the 1st of April I'll be going to Scotland to visit a friend until the eighth of April. I don't need much help here because she has lived there for a while and can be an impromptu tour guide. Any suggestions are welcome though. Then I'll be back in London from the 9th (my birthday) till the 13th of April. On the 13th I'm flying to Naples, Italy. This is where my need for advice comes in. My three buddies and I are going to stay in Naples for a day or two and then pick up a rental car and drive north to Milan over 10 days. I was wondering what things we could see. I know about the isle of Capri, Pompeii, Pisa, but I'm thinking small villages or other not as well known moneuments that will be great to see. Also Hostels and cheap places to stay are a must. I think we might be able to stay in the car for some of the days (got a wagon) but well see ... Ten days later I fly out of Milan and into Barcelona. I will be by my self for Barcelona and am also wondering about Hostels and Things to do and see by my self. The key here for me is cheap and fun. I wont have much money other than to eat but I want to see some things that everyone should see. ... After Barcelona I'm visiting Montreal on my way home. I will also have a 'tour guide' there and she is also looking forward to showing me around, but any suggestions help (heard the strip clubs are quite nice ). Thank you for any help at all! __________________ Patriotism means being loyal to your country all the time and to its government when it deserves it. --Mark Twain Do What makes you happy --Me BUT! "Happiness is the absence of the striving for happiness" - Chuang-Tzu

03-22-2005, 08:51 AM	#2 (permalink)
amonkie Drifting Administrator Location: Windy City	When you're in Milan, check out the castle - it's an old castle they've turned into a museum - VERY COOL! It always has A/C . Another fun thing is to check out the cathedral across from the main subway station - just be advised, pants are a must for entry. When I was there, my friends and I rented some scooters and just toured around the place. If you get a chance, take an extra bit of time - about an hour drive - and go to Lugano, Switzerland. It's a town that surrounds part of a lake with a mountain on the other side. Absolutely breathtaking area. __________________ Calling from deep in the heart, from where the eyes can't see and the ears can't hear, from where the mountain trails end and only love can go... ~~~ Three Rivers Hare Krishna

03-22-2005, 09:16 AM	#3 (permalink)
ShaniFaye Submit to me, you know you want to Location: Lilburn, Ga	bring me a present from scotland!!! I really hate you for being able to go __________________ *I want the diabetic plan that comes with rollover carbs. I dont like the unused one expiring at midnite!!*

03-22-2005, 08:36 PM	#4 (permalink)
amonkie Drifting Administrator Location: Windy City	Drive the East coast of Italy - it is ABSOLUTELY gorgeous - I thought I was in the carribean or something, it was SO blue. There are a lot of little towns all over, and they all have interesting quirks. I spent most of my time in Campobasso(southeastern) and Desio (suburb of Milan). Desio had a plaque on an old house along one of the streets saying that it was where one of the previous popes had been born. __________________ Calling from deep in the heart, from where the eyes can't see and the ears can't hear, from where the mountain trails end and only love can go... ~~~ Three Rivers Hare Krishna

03-26-2005, 08:05 AM	#5 (permalink)
sailor beauty in the breakdown Location: Chapel Hill, NC	Hit Florence on the way to Milan. There is so much famous artwork there. Id also advise at least a day in Rome to see the things there. Rome itself isnt the nicest place Ive ever been, but its absolutely worth it, especially to see the Vatican. St Peter's Cathedral is just beyond words. You wont regret it. However, the driving in Rome is just as bad, if not worse, than the stereotypes. You may do better to park the car at some town and take a train into Rome. In fact, I know you would be. No parking anywhere, the drivers there have an utter death wish, and the roads are so maze-like, even the best map in the world would be of little use. Once in Rome, the subway sucks ass--id just take a taxi. The train system works pretty well though, so it wouldnt be hard or expensive to do what I suggested and just go visit some town somewhat close to Rome and take the train in and out. __________________ "Good people do not need laws to tell them to act responsibly, while bad people will find a way around the laws." --Plato

03-26-2005, 09:20 AM	#6 (permalink)
mercury-hg Psycho Location: U of MD	of the big cities in Italy, Naples is probably one of the least impressive. Not that there aren't cool things to do/see there, but if you have a limited time in Italy, I'd try to spend my time elsewhere. However, if you're in the area, Pompeii is a must. There's a train the runs around Mt. Vesuvius, connecting Naples and Pompeii, called the Circumvesuviano - it makes life a bit easier. Exchange Amalfi for Capri. To get there, take the Circumvesuviano to Sorrento, and then the bus to Amalfi. The bus ride offered the most impressive sites I've ever seen, and I didn't have to worry about driving with those insane Italian drivers. As said before, Rome and Florence shouldn't be passed up. I haven't heard great things about Milan, but if you're in the northwest portion of Italy, definitely drive along and visit the towns of Cinque Terre. And check out www.hostelworld.com for hostel reviews and availability.