Any of you guys been to Italy?

[Wallcrawler]

So, Ive been blowing off suggestions of vacations for a long time now. I just don't really have a desire to get out and do much of anything. My idea of a vacation is just hanging out around the house.

Its been several years, and the wife really has this thing for Italy, and I could actually be down for that because I would be interested in checking out the Colosseum. Seen tons of pictures but I think standing in it and touring the underground chambers would be pretty cool.

Ive seen a few tour sites, and while Im only interested in the Colosseum there are a few that offer a 5 day "Best of Italy" tour with English speaking guides. Since its such a huge thing for her, I wanted it to be the biggest bang for our buck and see as much of it as we could because we aren't going to be able to get more than a week off from our employers to do something like this.

If any of you have gone, or you've travelled out of the country and know of some companies to go with, or to avoid, Id love to hear some suggestions.

[NewChief]

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

Wellll ****!!!!

I was there in 1985. That was such a cool town. If I'm remembering correctly, its actually several towns but you would never know that unless you lived there. Townies were friendly and welcoming. It was definitely not a tourist town. There was some but that's true in every town by the water since time immortal.

Yeah. Cinque Terre means "Five Lands." So yes, five villages.

Rick Steves ****ed it up for everyone by always listing it as a can't miss place and pimping the hell out of it.

He made Mamma Rosa's hostel sound like the mecca of the European backpacking scene. When I stayed there it was overrun by asshole Germans.

[TEX]

To the OP: Yes. I've been to Italy 20+ times. Have lots of family there. Ask away....

[DaKCMan AP]

Itinerary recommendations?

Looking to fly out on a Friday in late May and fly back on Sunday or Monday 16-17 days later in June.

The only constraint is the final Friday, Saturday, Sunday before leaving will be spent in Tuscany for a wedding.

Must Do: Rome, Florence, Venice
Want to do: Naples/Pompeii, Cinque Terre (?)

Where else?

Suggestions on order, length in each place, travel (train vs car), etc? Should we base out of Rome for 5 days and take a day trip to Naples/Pompeii or move camp to Sorrento for a few nights. Looking for that type of info.

Also it seems flying in/out of Milan is ~$300 cheaper per person than Rome. Is it worth it to fly in/out of Milan or will I spend any savings on transportation out of Milan?

[DaKCMan AP]

Bump

[Garcia Bronco]

Originally Posted by Wallcrawler

My idea of a vacation is just hanging out around the house.

I call it a Stay-Cation

[MikeMaslowski]

Don't go. I lived there for three years and would never do it again. ...Alright, that is me being harsh. The infrastructure is crap. It is very dirty in many places and I found that a good percentage really dislike Americans. Oh, and you will get ripped off at every single tourist spot. Do NOT let some African dude tie a string on your wrist, he will say you owe him around 10 US dollars. I really wish I had better stuff to say about that place, but with the mob issues where they decide not to pick up trash and the wake left behind after Baby rapin' Burlasconi, I continue to dislike that place more than I like it. I try not to be so negative most of the time, but this place really ruffled my feathers.

Anyway, you should go. Check out the castles and the prepubescent boy peeing statues and pay $7 for a bottle of water that has gas.

[HonestChieffan]

Originally Posted by Wallcrawler

So, Ive been blowing off suggestions of vacations for a long time now. I just don't really have a desire to get out and do much of anything. My idea of a vacation is just hanging out around the house.

Its been several years, and the wife really has this thing for Italy, and I could actually be down for that because I would be interested in checking out the Colosseum. Seen tons of pictures but I think standing in it and touring the underground chambers would be pretty cool.

Ive seen a few tour sites, and while Im only interested in the Colosseum there are a few that offer a 5 day "Best of Italy" tour with English speaking guides. Since its such a huge thing for her, I wanted it to be the biggest bang for our buck and see as much of it as we could because we aren't going to be able to get more than a week off from our employers to do something like this.

If any of you have gone, or you've travelled out of the country and know of some companies to go with, or to avoid, Id love to hear some suggestions.

Been multiple times

What we have learned...december is awesome there. Crowds are way smaller.

Queenslander Tours is absolutely top drawer. They do everything right. Best Italy trip we have done. Do "Great Cities" tour.

September is wall to wall people

Christmas in Rome is magic

[HonestChieffan]

Originally Posted by MikeMaslowski

Don't go. I lived there for three years and would never do it again. ...Alright, that is me being harsh. The infrastructure is crap. It is very dirty in many places and I found that a good percentage really dislike Americans. Oh, and you will get ripped off at every single tourist spot. Do NOT let some African dude tie a string on your wrist, he will say you owe him around 10 US dollars. I really wish I had better stuff to say about that place, but with the mob issues where they decide not to pick up trash and the wake left behind after Baby rapin' Burlasconi, I continue to dislike that place more than I like it. I try not to be so negative most of the time, but this place really ruffled my feathers.

Anyway, you should go. Check out the castles and the prepubescent boy peeing statues and pay $7 for a bottle of water that has gas.

What a crock of shit.

[Bearcat]

For the trip mentioned below, it was about 40 euro each way for a one hour train trip between Rome and Naples. We left the main train station in Rome at 7:30am (after a 20 minute train ride to get there), took a 6pm train back, and that was enough time to eat in Naples on the way to the National Archaeological Museum (which has a Pompeii exhibit), wander Pompeii, and grab something to eat before heading back to Naples and then Rome.

We took our time though and covered pretty much all of the museum and the vast majority of Pompeii, so you could probably squeeze in another site or two and still do it as a day trip, especially if you don't walk as much of Pompeii as we did and don't sit down to eat twice.

You could probably do Rome in two days... in one day I hit two museums, the Colosseum, Forum, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, and Spanish Steps, since they're all within walking distance.... and day two I did the Vatican and could have done the catacombs or something else.

My own preference for something like that would be to may do Naples/Pompeii in a day (or maybe stay one night) and then get hotels for the other cities... Milan -> Venice -> Florence -> Rome -> Naples/Pompeii.

I debated between Florence and Naples, and Naples won basically because of Pompeii, and I think it was worth it... a lot of stuff I read said Florence is more touristy while Naples is more 'real Italy'.... and I guess by that they meant dirty, heh.

[Bearcat]

So, don't let strangers tie things to you?


I did have some woman ask if I dropped a gold ring, then try to persuade me into buying it... very awkward scam, IMO. Told her I'd be happy to take it if she didn't want it, which she didn't like very much.

[MikeMaslowski]

Originally Posted by HonestChieffan

What a crock of shit.

You experienced what I experienced while stationed over there? I had protesters egg my car, threaten to kill me, tell me that I am a baby killer(which is so outdated) and I didn't even work on the main base and the only building in sight of the entrance was mine. Did I mention that it was a Veterinary Clinic? Who protests a Vet clinic? The government sent herds of assholes in black suits to look in the sealing as they feared we were hiding weapons under the puppies and kitties. The same government tried to sue us for humanely putting a cat to sleep as it had a bad bone disease and was in pain. The lawsuit stated that because the cat was not going to die instantly from this that we broke their cat protection lay. (yes that seriously happened) I used to ride a bike to work and had a routine. A little white fiat uno figured out my route and daily routine and thought it would be funny to drive as fast as he could as close as he could to mess with me. This happened for four days and had to purchase previously mentioned car. I experienced check "upsizing" on nearly every visit as there was almost always something extra on the check but couldn't argue because I had rough Italian. Gypsy children robbed a friends purse while we were waiting for the subway in Milan and another man got shot in the stomach, while he was holding his baby. People would scream **** Bush as they rode by. I got sent on a trash detail because the mob would not pick up trash unless their monopolized garbage service was paid more and got sick because of it. I could go on and on.

I was very sincere when I said I wanted to say something good. Going to that country was the reason I stayed in the military and took that assignment. I so dearly wanted to enjoy it but my time dealing with swindlers, crooks and liars soured my experience to an unbelievable level.

Also, it is just one man's opinion who may have had different experiences than you.

[MikeMaslowski]

Originally Posted by Bearcat

So, don't let strangers tie things to you?


I did have some woman ask if I dropped a gold ring, then try to persuade me into buying it... very awkward scam, IMO. Told her I'd be happy to take it if she didn't want it, which she didn't like very much.

It's weird, they come up with pretty colored strings and act like they are just being nice(they do this mostly to kids)and then demand money from you or the kid's parents. I guess you would have to be there to really get how sneaky that one is.

Jeez guys, I really do hate being negative...

[Bearcat]

Eh, just giving you shit, most of it is about catching people off guard.

Of course though, being stationed over there and experiences with protesters and the government doesn't have anything to do with vacationing there, even if it's understandable that you wouldn't want to go back.

[Pepe Silvia]

No but I want to.

[crazycoffey]

In 1998 I went to Rome, rented scooters and saw all the sights. Had a blast, partied with some marines at the embassy and tried several mom and pop restaurants off the main fare. Good times, nice people, want to go back sometime.