Life Any of you guys been to Italy?

Wallcrawler · 08-27-2014, 11:53 AM

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.

Dayze · 08-27-2014, 11:54 AM

uh, I believe the proper pronunciation is "It-lay"

**Baby Lee** · 11-14-2014, 03:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dayze

uh, I believe the proper pronunciation is "It-lay"

Frah GEEE lay

stumppy · 08-27-2014, 12:00 PM

I was married to a beautiful Italian girl years ago. My advice is to try it.

**ptlyon** · 08-27-2014, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stumppy

I was married to a beautiful Italian girl years ago. My advice is to try it.

What's her number?

The Poz · 08-27-2014, 12:06 PM

A few years back I went for 3 weeks. Did a 1 week guided tour to start. Actually, it was great. For one, when you go to museums, monuments, etc., the guided tour gets you past those 2-3 hour lines. Well worth it right there. Without a guide, you'd also miss out on so much, especially not knowing the language. No looking for streets, signs, where's this, where's that nonsense.
We started in Rome, went to Florence (my favourite city btw) Pisa (boring), Venice (awesome) and Verona.

Upon returning to Rome, we rented a car and headed South. Spent time in Sorrento, Capri, Bari, Tropea (a poor man's Sorrento) and flew out of Lamezia.

An amazing time. If you'd like specifics, I'd be happy to go into it further.

KCTitus · 08-27-2014, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Poz

An amazing time. If you'd like specifics, I'd be happy to go into it further.

Me and the Mrs plan to go in a couple of years for our 25th...Im saving as fast as I can. I'd be interested in specifics.

Oxford · 08-27-2014, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KCTitus

Me and the Mrs plan to go in a couple of years for our 25th...Im saving as fast as I can. I'd be interested in specifics.

We spent a day and a half at the Vatican/Sistine. The tour guides there help out a lot with the story and the time lines that go with the statues/tapestrys/murals etc. That doesn't mean you can't travel on your own point-to-point and then get the guide there.

I can tell you that there is a lot to see in Rome, since we are Catholic it may mean more to us. Papal audiences are fascinating just from the throngs of people that are there. Venice and Florence are interesting also.

Find the "Agony and the Ecstasy" and "Shoes of the Fisherman" on DVD. They may give you a flavor of what you might see, a lot of history there (I'm fond of that). If we go back, we'd like to go to Madrid and along the Med to Rome.

Prison Bitch · 08-27-2014, 12:10 PM

It's beautiful, warm and the people were super friendly to Americans. Probably my fave place in Europe. Florence was spectacular

stumppy · 08-27-2014, 12:25 PM

I haven't had any contact with her for 25 years. Believe it or not I actually do remember her number. She really was that drop dead gorgeous. I don't know what the hell I was thinking when I brought this city girl (from Philly) who work as a model back home to the Ozarks with me. She never did like it here.

2bikemike · 08-27-2014, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stumppy

I haven't had any contact with her for 25 years. Believe it or not I actually do remember her number. She really was that drop dead gorgeous. I don't know what the hell I was thinking when I brought this city girl (from Philly) who work as a model back home to the Ozarks with me. She never did like it here.

I dated an Italian girl from Philly while stationed there in the early 80's. She was smoking hot but I couldn't stand to hear her talk, she had other oral qualities that made up for it and prevented me from hearing her voice.

On the topic of traveling to Italy my wife and I are planning a trip in a couple of years. She has been as a teenager. We will hit a few of the Cities and then head for the Tuscany region and enjoy the Italian country side.

kepp · 08-27-2014, 12:50 PM

Does Olive Garden count?

HoneyBadger · 08-27-2014, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kepp

Does Olive Garden count?

Only if you order the "tour of Italy"

**BigRedChief** · 08-27-2014, 01:02 PM

Rome, Florence and Venice are worth the trip. Never was much into the guided tours. There was a small town located on a cliff with a beautiful beach that I stumbled upon. Can't recall the name, I'll post it later.

Discuss Thrower · 08-27-2014, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

Rome, Florence and Venice are worth the trip. Never was much into the guided tours. There was a small town located on a cliff with a beautiful beach that I stumbled upon. Can't recall the name, I'll post it later.

Cinque Terre?

08-27-2014, 11:53 AM	Topic Starter
Wallcrawler How tall is this thing? Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Ground 0 for enema of US. Casino cash: $4232912	Any of you guys been to Italy? 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.
Posts: 6,932

08-27-2014, 11:54 AM	#2
Dayze Resident Glue Sniffer Join Date: Nov 2003 Casino cash: $5169358	uh, I believe the proper pronunciation is "It-lay" __________________ Life is 99% inspiration, 1% Perspiration, and 1% Attention to Detial. RIP & Godspeed: Saccoppo Lonewolf Ed Fire Me Boy
Posts: 37,361

08-27-2014, 12:00 PM	#4
stumppy New and Improved Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Springfield, Mo. Casino cash: $1478590	I was married to a beautiful Italian girl years ago. My advice is to try it. __________________ “As a nation, we can endure damaging policies for a four-year term. But we cannot survive a president willing to terminate our Constitution”
Posts: 21,113

08-27-2014, 12:06 PM	#6
The Poz Enjoyer of things Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Toronto Casino cash: $10012210	A few years back I went for 3 weeks. Did a 1 week guided tour to start. Actually, it was great. For one, when you go to museums, monuments, etc., the guided tour gets you past those 2-3 hour lines. Well worth it right there. Without a guide, you'd also miss out on so much, especially not knowing the language. No looking for streets, signs, where's this, where's that nonsense. We started in Rome, went to Florence (my favourite city btw) Pisa (boring), Venice (awesome) and Verona. Upon returning to Rome, we rented a car and headed South. Spent time in Sorrento, Capri, Bari, Tropea (a poor man's Sorrento) and flew out of Lamezia. An amazing time. If you'd like specifics, I'd be happy to go into it further.
Posts: 2,178

08-27-2014, 12:10 PM	#9
Prison Bitch Rabbi Goldmann Join Date: Nov 2012 Casino cash: $5450159	It's beautiful, warm and the people were super friendly to Americans. Probably my fave place in Europe. Florence was spectacular
Posts: 87,025

08-27-2014, 12:25 PM	#10
stumppy New and Improved Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Springfield, Mo. Casino cash: $1478590	I haven't had any contact with her for 25 years. Believe it or not I actually do remember her number. She really was that drop dead gorgeous. I don't know what the hell I was thinking when I brought this city girl (from Philly) who work as a model back home to the Ozarks with me. She never did like it here. __________________ “As a nation, we can endure damaging policies for a four-year term. But we cannot survive a president willing to terminate our Constitution”
Posts: 21,113

08-27-2014, 12:50 PM	#12
kepp MVP Join Date: Aug 2005 Casino cash: $5379212	Does Olive Garden count?
Posts: 14,492

08-27-2014, 01:02 PM	#14
BigRedChief Has a particular set of skills Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: On the water Casino cash: $3129627 VARSITY	Rome, Florence and Venice are worth the trip. Never was much into the guided tours. There was a small town located on a cliff with a beautiful beach that I stumbled upon. Can't recall the name, I'll post it later. __________________ Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering. -YODA
Posts: 79,034