Italy...
- Thread starter Kristie
- Start date
Sorry to hijack with the first reply, but I'd recommend *not* doing Venice if you're only doing one city in Italy. It's the Disney World of Italy in my opinion. If you're going to do a longer trip, then I'd say to do Venice for sure - it is unique, but very, very much geared to the touristy thing.
I've never done southern Italy, at least no farther than a couple of trips to Rome, so my recommendations run to northern areas of the country. If you're going to do a short trip, go to either Florence, or even better, Siena. Wonderful old cities, great buildings, great people, great food, great art, and a true Italian experience. If you enjoyed Brugge, you'll love Siena for many of the same reasons.
Venice is kind of a one-trick pony. The canals and layout of the city are unique, but you don't truly get to experience Italian life unless you sneak off to the really back-alley areas of the city where the locals live. Otherwise the restaurants, shops, and stores all cater to tourists and, in my opinion, are nowhere near as good as in other areas of the country.
Actually, Bologna is a pretty neat city and it has good airline connections as well. Modena, home of Ferrari, isn't too far away, but it's almost impossible to get a factory tour (I have a good friend who heads up the publications department for Ferrari, and I still couldn't get in
. Did get to see Michael Schumaker do some hot laps at the test track, though
).
Still, Siena is at the top of my must-visit list.
[/hijack]
Sorry I can't help much with the airline thing. I've mostly done NWA/KLM 'cause of the frequent flyer upgrade thing. I'd try Alitalia, though. The few times I've been on them they've been O.K., and you might be able to get some direct flights from the U.S.
<whisper: go to Siena>
I've never done southern Italy, at least no farther than a couple of trips to Rome, so my recommendations run to northern areas of the country. If you're going to do a short trip, go to either Florence, or even better, Siena. Wonderful old cities, great buildings, great people, great food, great art, and a true Italian experience. If you enjoyed Brugge, you'll love Siena for many of the same reasons.
Venice is kind of a one-trick pony. The canals and layout of the city are unique, but you don't truly get to experience Italian life unless you sneak off to the really back-alley areas of the city where the locals live. Otherwise the restaurants, shops, and stores all cater to tourists and, in my opinion, are nowhere near as good as in other areas of the country.
Actually, Bologna is a pretty neat city and it has good airline connections as well. Modena, home of Ferrari, isn't too far away, but it's almost impossible to get a factory tour (I have a good friend who heads up the publications department for Ferrari, and I still couldn't get in
Still, Siena is at the top of my must-visit list.
[/hijack]
Sorry I can't help much with the airline thing. I've mostly done NWA/KLM 'cause of the frequent flyer upgrade thing. I'd try Alitalia, though. The few times I've been on them they've been O.K., and you might be able to get some direct flights from the U.S.
<whisper: go to Siena>
**DONOTDELETE**
New Member
Venice is a good starting point to visit Italy. It's an amazing city with an amazing history
When I flew there, it was on Lufthansa. It's not a very big airport, and it looked like either Lufthansa or Alitalia were the two major airlines.
WillNotFly4Food
Well-Known Member
What a fortuitous thread. I am planning a trip to Italy/Europe in a few weeks. I've heard the same things about Venice. Florence is on the top of our list, along with Cinque Terra.
Thanks for the insights thus far.
Capisce l'italiano?
Thanks for the insights thus far.
Capisce l'italiano?
Yeah..I'd like to hit more than just venice.. but with 12 days on a cruise ship, that pretty much takes the cake on a 2 week vacation! it'll have to wait for another month.... how difficult is it to learn "lickity split" italian?? as easy as german/french??
Florence is definately on my list.. i'd like to hit Rome, but not too sure since i've heard there's a lot of crime (ladies dropping babies, you go to catch baby and off goes your bag type stuff?)????
Where else in italy is good to visit? is Sicily any good or should that be a spot to stay away from?
Florence is definately on my list.. i'd like to hit Rome, but not too sure since i've heard there's a lot of crime (ladies dropping babies, you go to catch baby and off goes your bag type stuff?)????
Where else in italy is good to visit? is Sicily any good or should that be a spot to stay away from?
Seggy
Well-Known Member
My best friend is studying abroad in Florence this semester, I visited him for spring break and had an awesome time.
About getting a cheap ticket. WHATEVER YOU DO DON'T FLY ALITALIA! In order to save money to get to Florence I purchased two tickets to get there. Got a good deal on American from JFK into LHR then I priced out a ticket from LHR to FLR which was on Alitalia which was the cheapest (didn't want to subject myself to RyanAir into Pisa). Alitalia was horrible, avoid them. It looks like Ryanair flies into Venice so if I were you I would buy a cheap ticket into LGW and then take advantage of the competition and get a cheap Bristish Airways fare from LGW into Venice. Just make sure you leave enough time for any delays or cancellations.
About Italy, my friend that I visited father is from Italy and my friend has been there numerous times to see family he still has there. He is fluent in the language and has traveled extensively throughout the country. Venice, Florence and Rome he loves and says are musts. He actually suggests any area north of Rome. When I was there he must have said a thousand times DO NOT go to an area in Italy south of Rome. He said the southern part of Italy is COMPLETELY different than the northern section and are places to stay away from. He told me a story about what happened when he was on the train in Southern Italy. This is a family forum so I will not go into details but what happened to him and his tour group was disgusting.
About crime, Rome is filled mostly with pickpocketers. The gypsies supposedly DO throw their babies at tourists and then other members of the group take your belongings as your arms are up in the air. These groups of gypsies are VERY organized and practiced. Usually you can tell what they look like right away. The BIGGEST area in Rome for pickpockets are the traditional tourist areas especically but not limited to the train station, busses, and the sights like colisueum.
If you look like you have been there before and look like you know where you are going they will most likely not bother you. When you are walking around the city just be aware of your surroundings.
Hope this was some help. If I were you I would try to see of much of the northern part of Italy as possible. Well worth it! Any questions don't hesitate to ask. If I don't have an answer I will ask my friend.
PS- My avatar is a picture of The Duomo a church in Florence. You can climb to the top an awesome experience
About getting a cheap ticket. WHATEVER YOU DO DON'T FLY ALITALIA! In order to save money to get to Florence I purchased two tickets to get there. Got a good deal on American from JFK into LHR then I priced out a ticket from LHR to FLR which was on Alitalia which was the cheapest (didn't want to subject myself to RyanAir into Pisa). Alitalia was horrible, avoid them. It looks like Ryanair flies into Venice so if I were you I would buy a cheap ticket into LGW and then take advantage of the competition and get a cheap Bristish Airways fare from LGW into Venice. Just make sure you leave enough time for any delays or cancellations.
About Italy, my friend that I visited father is from Italy and my friend has been there numerous times to see family he still has there. He is fluent in the language and has traveled extensively throughout the country. Venice, Florence and Rome he loves and says are musts. He actually suggests any area north of Rome. When I was there he must have said a thousand times DO NOT go to an area in Italy south of Rome. He said the southern part of Italy is COMPLETELY different than the northern section and are places to stay away from. He told me a story about what happened when he was on the train in Southern Italy. This is a family forum so I will not go into details but what happened to him and his tour group was disgusting.
About crime, Rome is filled mostly with pickpocketers. The gypsies supposedly DO throw their babies at tourists and then other members of the group take your belongings as your arms are up in the air. These groups of gypsies are VERY organized and practiced. Usually you can tell what they look like right away. The BIGGEST area in Rome for pickpockets are the traditional tourist areas especically but not limited to the train station, busses, and the sights like colisueum.
If you look like you have been there before and look like you know where you are going they will most likely not bother you. When you are walking around the city just be aware of your surroundings.
Hope this was some help. If I were you I would try to see of much of the northern part of Italy as possible. Well worth it! Any questions don't hesitate to ask. If I don't have an answer I will ask my friend.
PS- My avatar is a picture of The Duomo a church in Florence. You can climb to the top an awesome experience
KhalReblic23
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
I actually flew over Bagdad... Arizona.
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Speaking of that desolate hole in the wall....err ground more appropriately. I fly over it all the time >_< The airport there is ubar ghetto lol. I'm sure you're flying at a slightly higher altitude though.
I actually flew over Bagdad... Arizona.
[/ QUOTE ]
Speaking of that desolate hole in the wall....err ground more appropriately. I fly over it all the time >_< The airport there is ubar ghetto lol. I'm sure you're flying at a slightly higher altitude though.
[ QUOTE ]
how difficult is it to learn "lickity split" italian?? as easy as german/french??
[/ QUOTE ]
If you speak Spanish, it's pretty easy to pick up. And with Venice being in Northern Italy, there's quite a few people who know German also.
I toured around Venice, Vicenza, Verona, and Bolzano and everything was bilingual - German and Italian. Since I don't speak either language, though, I found that I had an easier time speaking Spanish to the Italians than English. Well, maybe I didn't have an easier time, but the Italians seemed to find it easier to understand my Spanish instead of my English!
Venice is actually a pretty cool city. Make sure you have some lira with you before we go; we couldn't find an ATM that would accept our card to save our lives. Then again, I was last there 10 years ago, so things might have changed.
how difficult is it to learn "lickity split" italian?? as easy as german/french??
[/ QUOTE ]
If you speak Spanish, it's pretty easy to pick up. And with Venice being in Northern Italy, there's quite a few people who know German also.
I toured around Venice, Vicenza, Verona, and Bolzano and everything was bilingual - German and Italian. Since I don't speak either language, though, I found that I had an easier time speaking Spanish to the Italians than English. Well, maybe I didn't have an easier time, but the Italians seemed to find it easier to understand my Spanish instead of my English!
Venice is actually a pretty cool city. Make sure you have some lira with you before we go; we couldn't find an ATM that would accept our card to save our lives. Then again, I was last there 10 years ago, so things might have changed.
