Just booked a trip to Italy in the spring. Would appreciate advice.

[tinfoilinfor2005]

I know that DU has a travel place to ask these questions, but unfortunately months and years go by before people respond to the questions.

Sooo, at the risk of being moved, I really would like some advice about my trip from anyone who has been there before. We are flying into Naples and going to Sorrento and eventually to Rome. A side trip to the Isle of Capri and Pompei is included, as well as a road trip along the Amalfi Coast.

I'm pretty excited, and really would like any input. First time visiting Italy.

Any and all advice is appreciated.

[merh]

1. Don't eat at the Olive Garden

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[tinfoilinfor2005]

3. Oh merh, that's not for you and me...

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[merh]

40. pppssssstttt, do you want to know a secret?

I love the Olive Garden's salads. :)

Don't tell, okay ;)

[tinfoilinfor2005]

47. I'll take it to my grave!!

Or my gravy, whichever comes first (in keeping with the theme)
:toast: :loveya:

[NightWatcher]

2. Be careful

The Italian males likes the women. Keep an eye on yourself. Stay away from the slick Italian guys.

and...

Enjoy yourself

[tinfoilinfor2005]

4. Oh, phhhttttt, why do you think I'm going???

:spray:

[devilgrrl]

9. oh oh oh they can be very aggressive...

don't knock it. It's a totally true stereotype... not with everyone of course.

[NightWatcher]

10. alrighty then, have fun

what parts of Italy are you going to visit?

[SammyWinstonJack]

36. ..

:spray: :thumbsup:

[wiggs]

5. Been three times, most recently to Sorrento and the area south of Naples.

What kind of information are you looking for? I'd be happy to talk Italy anytime...I've got tons of info but it would be helpful to know if you have a general timeline/itinerary (or not) and what kinds of things you like to do and who is in your party...

Been to Rome as well and can weigh in on there too.

[tinfoilinfor2005]

12. End of March for two weeks.

My girlfriend (we have traveled together to London and Paris and Russia and the Baltics in the past few years) has roots in Naples and so this was our starting point. But we are going with a travel group that is very flexible so we are looking to get into some trouble on our own. So any advice is appreciated! What did you especially enjoy, what would you especially recommend, etc. etc.

[wiggs]

25. All right then...

...good that you have connections in Naples because it is a crazy place. Bustling, interesting....we didn't spend a lot of time there, but since you have connections, they will give you the best info.

We stayed a week in Sorrento in an apartment in Marina Grande... the most local and authentic portion of Sorrento. As someone else said, Sorrento is geared to tourists, and is the least authentic of all the places we've been to in Italy. Having said that, there are lots of interesting people there and it is very pretty. Food is geared towards tourists (a notch down from what we were used to). Find places that make good, simple pizza caprese. Sample the local mozzarela. There are lots of night clubs and music venues that might appeal to two young travelers. There's a happening passegiata (evening stroll) in the center of town. You won't find a ton of cultural Italy here...although ancient history is interesting.

Our best days were spent cooking in our place or away from Sorrento. We saw the world cup final in Massa Lubrense...a peak experience.

If I were staying in the area again, I'd stay in Vico Equense...a food-oriented little town perched above the water on the peninsula. Great restaurants and feels local. There are tons of little farms to visit in the area.

We went to Pompeii and Paestum, both. Pompeii is mind-blowing and interesting, while Paestum is out on its own in a meadow and is magic. There's more info, people, variety, structures, and artifacts at Pompeii but we preferred Paestum. My advice: get a good recommended guide at Pompeii rather than one of the ones who pester you at the entrance and you'll have a better experience...makes a big difference. If you do get down to Paestum...check out Castellabate...not the marina, but the original hilltown. Beautiful, friendly, small, and worth a night or two. We stayed at a wonderful family hotel there that we'll get back to someday.

Capri is worth a trip, but get away from the most touristy centro quickly...get to the back side and to Anacapri. I suggest avoiding the tourist boats to the blue grotto and instead renting your own rubber zodiac at the small (but nice) marina on the back side and motor around yourself into Green Grotto, Champagne Grotto, and others...jumping in whenever you want. If you like shopping, then stay in the central village and you'll see all the designer stores.

Amalfi coast is nice and you should see it, although be prepared for more tourists and tourist shops. We rented another boat and avoided traffic and parking by boating ourselves around. We took a bus from Sorrento to Positano, rented the boat for a while, then took the ferry back to Sorrento. Good way to go.

Got to go...Rome later.

[tinfoilinfor2005]

28. Your advice is worth a fortune, and thanks so much!

:hug:

[Selatius]

6. Try to get a good primer on Italian local customs and etiquette. This is a MUST.

Above all. Try to be respectful. You don't want to become the stereotype of the "ugly american" over there that's grown popular in the last 6 years. As an aside, enjoy yourself; use your brain; and be safe. If you have a language guidebook, try to use simple phrases to show Italians you are trying to be respectful. Most will understand, and if they know English, they will help you out. If you have a personal tour guide/translator, all the better.

As an aside, I had a classmate whose friend when to Italy around the time the US invaded Iraq. She said the anti-US sentiment was thick in the air at the time. There were mass demonstrations at the time. It was not that fun as a result, but things should be better now 4 years into the war now that the initial shock of the invasion has passed.

[moc]

16. We were there in 2004. We did not have any problems with anti-American

sentiment. However, my dh is well-traveled, so he knows how to act respectfully in other countries. We spent 2 weeks of our visit in Marina di Pietrasanta, a small seaside town about 30 miles north of Pisa, which is rarely visited by Americans. We made some friends and had some interesting conversations regarding how Bush has decimated America's image abroad.

I have an interesting picture taken outside of the Termini, the main train station in Rome. I'll see if I can find it.

[FightingIrish]

18. My son left for Italy on 3/19/03

He was on a student exchange that went ahead in spite of the insanity. His plane was diverted enroute to clear airspace for the B-52s coming out of England. His first day was supposed to be in his host school but everything shut down to protest our invasion. Everyone went into the streets. Since then we have had one tragedy after another that hurt the Italians deeply. I don't think we are any more loved there now than we were four years ago. I wrote a piece against the war in January of 2003 and it was printed in the Milan daily and in Itlay's national Catholic magazine. I talk to my friends in Italy every week. They hate our government and question what we let happen in 2004.

[FightingIrish]

7. Maybe next time in Piemonte

Those are all beautiful places on your itinerary but you'll miss the part I love the most, Piemonte. I'm very partial because I had the pleasure of living in Torino and in Alba, the heart of Italy's premier wine country. In spite of my German-Irish roots I am an Italian wannabe because of the beautiful people in Piemonte. These are the most hospitable, industrious, compassionate people I have ever met. The heroes of the Italian resistance are still enjoying their lives in one of the more enlightened parts of Italy. Their food and wine have become the cause of pilgrimages for other Europeans. Maybe your next trip will take you to the Langhe with all its history and culture.

[tinfoilinfor2005]

15. Oh, see, now we have to take a side trip.

You make it sound so wonderful, and probably so much more true to the spirit of the country than what we will be seeing with the tour group. Thanks!

[devilgrrl]

8. Oh, you'll like it!!! :-)

I'm envious.

I hit all those places my first time there - if you go to Capri do the Azzura Grotto (Blue Grotto) - it'll blow your gourd. Pompeii is way cool, Sorrento is a little too English - thought I was in an Italian neighborhood in London but it's nice anyway.

The people are real friendly, they hate * with a passion and absolutely LOVE IT when you try to speak Italian - learn some Italian, they totally appreciate the effort.

[wildbilln864]

11. See if you can ...

find out anything about those forged Niger documents the Bush/PNAC cabal used.
Lol, just kidding. Have a great time and be careful. :hi:

[moc]

13. Spent 3 weeks there in 2004. However, we were in Rome, Tuscany

(Marina di Pietrasanta), and Venice, so I don't know how much overlap there is between where we went and where you'll be.

Favorite place we visited was Assisi.

Also loved Cinque Terra.

Where you're going is a different part of the country, so not a lot of tips, I'm afraid. We had a great time, though. I'd love to go back soon.

[fishwax]

43. those were my favorite places in italy as well

Next time I go back, I'll spend a little more time in Assissi--we only had a (late) night and the next morning, but the people there were so nice and it was absolutely beautiful.

The Cinque Terre is a vacation in and of itself. God I love it there. That's the place I head in my minds when the workaday life gets hard to bear :) Specifically, I love Vernazza:

[mondo joe]

14. I personally preferred Florence quite a bit to Rome.

Rome was pretty good too, though.

We were too worried about proximity to the train station. Don't be. It's so easy to get around by foot or a cab if you need (on arrival and departure).

The whole thing is always about the food for me.

[tinfoilinfor2005]

24. You and me both. I understand that Naples is the place where Pizza came from.

So of course, we will have pizza in Naples. Two things I never understood...when I was in Paris, there were more Italian restaurants than French... go figure...and when I was in Russia, no one had ever heard of Oysters Moscow, my favorite raw oyster/sour cream/caviar food. In fact, they all looked at me like I was crazy when I brought up raw oysters. Oh well, I live in the Florida Keys, and I guess those crazy Russians have to come here for Oysters Moscow. :)

[XOKCowboy]

31. I'll be in Florence next week.. Can't wait..

Working in Milan for a week then taking a side trip for 3 days to Florence. I was in Venice (actually Lido) 2 yrs ago and absolutely loved it!

My tips for travelers is as has been said before be respectful and don't perpetuate the stereotype of the Ugly American and you should be fine. The people were incredibly friendly. They tolerated and even enjoyed our mangled Italian. I hear the people in the south are even more friendly.

The common notion that there is Anti-American sentiment all over Europe is really not true. I think that people know that we are not our government because they are in the same boat.

[GoneOffShore]

45. Be be prepared for the pickpockets and scammers

We spent the day in Florence with a small group (ten people) with a guide.
There were three attempts at pickpocketing on our group. Two of them by teenage girls and one by a woman. They work in gangs and are all over the tourist sections.
Florence was also about twice as expensive as Rome and dirtier.
Have you been to Siena? That's a fabulous city.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

17. Here's a way of doing it differently.

I can't give you any advice on Italy specifically.

But, when my wife and I traveled to England, we rented cottages for a week at a time all over the country and a car. 6 cottages in total. For one thing, it's a helluva lot less expensive, and a lot more comfortable than staying in hotels. "Cottages" being anything from a tiny cabin to, literally, a castle. We selected what would be considered very nice houses.

The best thing, for us, was that we got to know the locals, enjoy the culture (both of of us are kids of immigrants from the U.K. so it was sort of like "going home") and we avoided the standard tourist traps and being treated as tourists.

It's certainly not for everyone, but we had a great time in the 6 weeks we spent, (two trips), met some really nice people, and the only hard part, on both trips, was coming back to the U.S.

Enjoy yourself.

[fishwax]

44. how did you locate the cottages?

did you use a service? Is there an Internet site you might recommend? I'd like to do something similar the next time I go back to Europe. :)

[Gloria]

19. Make sure you count your change....several times when I was there,

I bought something like ice cream, and the change was "miscounted" --big time.

I'm Italian, so I'm not saying this to be prejudicial!!!

[driver8]

20. Be very, very careful in Naples!!

Do not put all of your money, traveler's checks, and credit cards in the same place.

I have been to Naples several times and I know many people who have been robbed there.

Sorry this is so negative, but I am trying to save you from some future grief...

[moc]

26. Similar issues in Rome. When we travel abroad, dh puts the majority

of our cash, our passports, etc, in a travel pouch and stuffs it down the front of his pants.

There were a couple of times when he had to dig in there to get more cash when he was short for toll, etc. It did draw a few looks. :-)

My father was robbed on a trip to Rome.

[northzax]

46. oh everyone's been robbed in Rome

it's kind of a rite of passage.

Seriously, get a knife proof bag. you can get them from most travel stores (tell them you are going to Italy, they'll understand) pickpocketing in Rome is basically a way of life.

leave your tennis shoes at home.

[vanlassie]

21. Sorrento and the Isle of Capri

Sorrento has lovely warm summer nights where shops stay open until 11:00 and people can stroll around without cars on the streets- one of my favorite experiences in northern Italy....and so beautiful!!!

The Isle of Capri has the most gorgeous blue water you may ever see. The Grotto is cool- shops are too expensive to bother with. You ride a finiculaire to get there!

Jealous,
vanlassie

[Spazito]

22. Pompei is beyond belief!

I still get shivers thinking about the feeling I had while visiting the historic site, knowing I was walking on the same stone roads that had been walked by those who lived there at the time of the volcanic eruption. You will love it, I have NO doubt.

A piece of advice is to use a really good fanny-pack when in some of the shopping areas rather than a purse or things in your pockets as pickpockets, etc, are very good.

I didn't visit the Isle of Capri but my friend did and loved it. Make sure and bring good walking shoes, they are a must!

Venice is a must-visit, imo! It is so beautiful, very expensive though.

[RagingInMiami]

23. Italians are very friendly and hospitable people

But almost every cop is out for a bribe.

If you are running late and think you're going to miss the train, chances are, the train is running late as well.

Stay away from all restaurants that are near train stations. Follow the locals to a "trattoria". Or ask the locals where is the best trattoria.

If they sit you at a table with other people, it's not because they're picking on you, it's because it's customary.

Hold on to your purse and wallet and watch your back at all times. Italy is not dangerous but they are notorious pick pockets.

Be sure to check out each region's olive oil, wine and focaccia because it's all different. And no matter where you go, locals will claim their products are the best in the country.

Be sure to congratulate them on winning the World Cup. They will be honored that an American was not clueless about soccer.

But don't call it soccer. Call it "futbol" as in football.

But don't pronounce it like you would pronounce football in English. Pronounce "foot" as you would "root" and "ball" as you would "toll".

If you slip in the fact that it was Italy's fourth World Cup victory, you will have friends for life.

It usually costs more to sit at a table than stand at a bar.

Tipping is usually included in the meal price, but if you want to tip extra, ten percent is the norm.

If you order a pizza with "pepperoni", you will get a pizza with peppers.

If you want something close to pepperoni, order it with "salame picante" or "salsiccia piccante", which means "spicy salami" and "spicy sausage".

If you order salad, please refrain from asking for "Italian dressing". Just be happy with the oil and vinegar they give you.

And "ciao", pronounced "chow" means both hello and goodbye.

Ciao, bella.

[tinfoilinfor2005]

32. Wonderful!

I have followed some of those bits of advice in my other travels throughout Europe, but you have added to my list of "do's and don't's"...and I will copy and pay close attention to your list. Thanks!!

[karlrschneider]

27. Try to smuggle back some real actual proscuitto!

:evilgrin:

[bigwillq]

29. My mom tried

but they took it. :(

She thought you could take it back home but this was after 9.11 so I guess not anymore.

[karlrschneider]

30. Damn. First Absinthe, now this. What a shitty world.

:D

[tinfoilinfor2005]

35. Yes, and it always ticks me off at the airport in Paris that they sell Absinthe

to all the travelers, but once you get to the states...BLERRRRPPPPP..,.forget about it. It will not pass customs, as sure as the country sausage my aunt stuffed in my suitcase won't get past the puppies. :) (In fact, I am the the traveler that attracts all the dogs because of my aunt and her sausage, and I'm certain that for this reason a lot of other travelers have gotten stuff through customs. Once those dogs smell the sausage, they're not interested in any other baggage!!

[Hamlette]

33. You will LOVE it, I've been half a dozen times

How much time do you have? I don't necessarily agree with staying in one place for a week. We move much more quickly than that. If you have as long as 2 weeks you can see almost all of Italy. Here are a few suggestions:

The Amalfi Coast is a must see. I love it. Rome is great, while Florence has more art, and is definately worth seeing, it is crowded.

Capri is worth a day trip. Not worth an overnight (unless you don't mind paying lots of money for a room or you want to shop (barf)).

Think about getting off the beaten track. Rick Steves is pretty good for this. Think about Southern Italy...no tourists, much cheaper, very interesting stuff...like Matera. (We love this hotel: http://www.hotels.com/property.do?mtnHotelID=330351&js=1&zz=1174356216171 you stay in "cave" rooms) Not far from these: http://www.theculturedtraveler.com/Museums/Archives/Trulli.htm also worth seeing. and only 3 hours from Naples.

If you are going to rent a car (I recommend as you can cover more ground) use a route planner online like this one: http://www.viamichelin.com/viamichelin/int/tpl/hme/MaHomePage.htm It will tell you distances between places and importantly how much time it takes to drive from one place to another (invaluable in Ireland where there are almost no freeways! and in parts of Italy like Amalifi coast.) Things are closer than you might think. Florence to Naples is only 4.5 hour drive.

No city has enough to really need more than 3 days...and that's a big city. Cover some ground.

Go to the library, check out picture books of the area and try to get some travel videos (Steves or Rudy Maxa are both good). Watch and look and if something interests you, go there. We love the hill towns around Florence (San Gimignano is one of favorites, as is Sienna but many others) and the Cinque Tera. Umbria is also great.

Try to plan your trip, if you do decide to cover more ground, so you don't have any stays of only one night in a hotel. Tires you out too much. Arive late, stay 2 nights, leave early. Pack light! There are more stairs than you might imagine and not all that many elevators. You'll be lifting that big suitcase up stairs...better if its light. You can wash stuff out as you go. Last time we did Italy I didn't anticipate the heat (it was March, I didn't expect it to be that hot) I bought 2 cotton dresses and washed them out in the room. Wore nothing else (well, undies) the whole trip.

Get up early in the morn, hit the first sight when it first opens, tour groups take a lunch between 12 and 2 so visit sights then when there are fewer tourists and eat lunch later.

Try to stay in smaller independently owned hotels, more interesting. Steves has lots of budget recommendations.

[tinfoilinfor2005]

37. More great advice!

We are going with a travel group (traveled with them for years and they are great; good flights and hotels and guides and they let you go off on your own...) so I don't worry about the accomodations which have always been great...not luxurious but clean and very central to the main attractions. But I love the advice for our free times.

[deadparrot]

34. Enjoy Sorrento. It was my favorite leg of the trip.

Get a little pocket-thing you can hang around your neck and under your clothes for all your money, passports, etc.

If you're going to visit cathedrals or other religious places, which I highly recommend, make sure your clothing is modest (high-cut, arms and everything above your knees covered), or they won't let you in.

Oh, and enjoy the copious penises at Pompeii. :D

[tinfoilinfor2005]

38. "Copious penises at Pompeii"???

Oh my. I love the way that just rolls off the tongue... :)

[deadparrot]

39. Just some of the brilliance you'll experience...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erotic_art_in_Pompeii

:D

[tinfoilinfor2005]

41. Oh my, they were quite proud of themselves, huh?

:hi:

[merh]

42. see post 40

:hi:



:hug:

[GoneOffShore]

48. Here's some advice for you.

First see post 45 - It's about Florence, but the thing about pickpockets applies.

Add to that the "Do you speak English?" scam with the small piece of grubby paper to translate, so they can get close enough to grab your wallet.

Someone upthread suggested a fanny pack. :spank: First it marks you as an American, secondly unless it has a steel cable embedded in the strap, it's useless as a security measure, because they'll just slice the strap.

All the other advice upthread is great.

I would also suggest that when you enter a small shop, you say "Buon giorno, signore" (from the morning to about mid afternoon), "Buono sera, signore" from mid afternoon on and "Grazie, Ciao" or "Arrivederci" when you leave. Also, you should always start a conversation with a greeting, before you ask a question. The more Italian you have at your disposal, the better time you'll have.

Don't forget GELATO!!!! Fell in love with it in Rome, and ate it every chance we got. Look for the signs that say Artisanal Gelateria. They make it on premises. Pay first and then order. They'll give you a ticket that you give to the server. Try Pignola (pine nut) and some of the other slightly more obscure flavors.

When we were there two years ago, the fashion for young women - it was late June, early July was very sheer white trousers worn over colored thongs. Very interesting. Didn't see anyone - except for Germans, Australians, and Americans in shorts. And as someone else said, leave the tennis shoes at home. Teva's are ok, but the shoes in Italy are great. Flats are good, but you will see Italian women in heels, a lot.

[Tektonik]

49. If for some reason you're driving a car in Naples

don't have you windows open, for some people wouldn't hesitate to steal a necklace, or something else of value in sight, through a car window

also a small cactus in a purse works very well

[driver8]

50. OMG!! You would have to be absolutely insane to drive in Naples!!

I have never seen anything like it...traffic laws are simply "suggestions"!