Travel To Italy .....some questions for those who have made the trip....

The Cen-Tex Smoker

NecessaryIndulg said:

We have always rented a car and driven place to place.  Trains are a good option, too.  Of course there are some cities where a car isn't needed, like Rome, so you might want to consider starting or ending there.

While in Tuscany, I highly recommend Officina Della Bistecca.  It is a meat-eater's paradise located an hour south of Florence and 3 hours north of Rome.  I've been three times and I'll go again the next time I'm anywhere near there.

I have a bunch of info on my site if you want to take a look.  I can also offer some ideas on lodging/restaurants once you narrow down your route.

uh...yes please.

The Cen-Tex Smoker

Awesome blog post Kristi! Thanks. We are doing a full day butcher class with Dario. Pretty fired up about that.

evie1370

We went to Venice and Florence. I would say 4 days in each city minimum, but we do not like to be rushed. Food is fantastic everywhere but I heard Bologna was the place to go for food. We did not do tours either with the exception of the Prosecco Way in the Veneto and Tuscany for the Chianti tour. Well worth the time and effort.

One thing I was told, and I found to be true, is do not buy Olive Oil there as you can find almost all of that here. If anything, purchase Balsamic Vinegar. We bought a bottle of fantastic stuff that was expensive but so worth it-I should have bought multiples.

One last thing-packing to come back. Ship everything you can back separately. If you go over by one pound they charge you the 'stupid tax', about $125 American per bag. I will not do that again!

DoubleEgger

@evie1370 buy a small luggage scale. It's a lifesaver so you're not stressed at the airport. 

NEKEgger

As an Italian citizen (living in the US), let me weight in.  Italy has so much to see that you really have to pick an area and accept the fact that you cannot see everything that the country has to offer.

If art is your focus, I would suggest the standard three city tour of Venice-Florence-Rome.  Venice does not have the rich art of the other two cities, but Venice is such a beautiful and unique city that you have to see it at some point in your life.  You can get to each of the cities very easily by train.  It's just a couple of hours between them if you do them in geographic order.

I would spend a minimum of a week and a half, but preferably two weeks.  If time is truly an issue, Venice can be done in two nights, Florence in two nights, and Rome in three or four.   

Consider spending an extra day or two in Florence and renting a car to see the Tuscan hill towns.  Even though it's on the beaten path, Tuscany is truly gorgeous.  

Do not go in the summer.  I repeat, do not go in the summer.  The heat can be absolutely brutal and the crowds are at their highest.  My favorite months of the year are September (late), October, April, and May.

While I am an independent traveler, you are really doing a disservice to yourself if you do not have a guide for some of the more popular sites.  An audio guide is fine in the Vatican, Uffizi, and other museums.  But an in-person guide should really be considered for the Palatine Hill and the Colosseum.

While Pompeii can be done as a day trip from Rome, it's an insanely long day.  A fantastic alternative is Ostia Antica, which is a very short train ride from downtown Rome.  It is nearly as impressive as Pompeii with a lot fewer tourists.  Be sure to get a tour guide or you will be missing out on a lot at this site.

Other nice day trips from Rome are Hadrian's Villa and Orvieto.  If you can't see a Tuscan hill town, Orvieto is worth checking out.  It's not as compelling as the well known Tuscan hill towns, but it has a charm of its own and it gives you a good idea of what a hill town is like.  

Where to fly into?  With the train, it really doesn't matter that much.  Rome, Florence, Bologna, and Venice are all fine choices that are right on the route that I suggested.  Just pick the cheapest option.  

Book your tickets ahead.  Almost all of the major sites allow this.  If you don't, you will spend HOURS in line just for tickets.  Your vacation time is too precious to be wasted in this manner.

If you want a truly special tour, consider the Scavi tour at the Vatican.  This is a tour that is limited to 200 or so people a day.  You are taken to the ancient crypts that are below the Vatican.  It's a fascinating tour that many people don't ever do.  You have to be sure to order tickets ahead of time from the Vatican's website.  They sell out quickly.

NEKEgger

One other thing about Italy.  I always say that Italy is  better to visit than France.  Like France, it has world class art and food.  But it doesn't have the French.

YukonRon

NEKEgger said:

One other thing about Italy.  I always say that Italy is  better to visit than France.  Like France, it has world class art and food.  But it doesn't have the French.

I sure hope you were under the influence when you chose to post your opinion on the French, in their home.
Real class.

NEKEgger

I stand by my comment.  If you truly know French people, as I do, they will be the first to tell you that they can be prone to snobbery.  They take humor in it and so do I.  You should too.

By way of example, just look at this excerpt from a review of the book, How to Be Parisian Wherever You Are: Love, Style, and Bad Habits:
"The book debunks the myths of the modern French women by examining their secrets, flaws, complicated feelings and behaviors. They admit to being snobs, a bit self-centered, unpredictable but never unreliable."

The full review is here: https://www.theodysseyonline.com/read-book-how-parisian

Respectfully, I will defer to the French themselves, rather than an outsider who seeks to speak on their behalf.

Big_Green_Craig

We found it less expensive to fly into the cheapest European airport, then take a separate flight into Italy. You'll need more time in each place than you plan. We really enjoyed Sicily. 

NEKEgger

The catch to using a discount European airline is that their baggage policies are VERY strict.  You have to be sure to read the fine print before you book.

NecessaryIndulg

The Cen-Tex Smoker said:

Awesome blog post Kristi! Thanks. We are doing a full day butcher class with Dario. Pretty fired up about that.

The Cen-Tex Smoker Holy Smokes... how cool is that! I can't wait to hear about it. 

DoubleEgger

The Cen-Tex Smoker said:

Awesome blog post Kristi! Thanks. We are doing a full day butcher class with Dario. Pretty fired up about that.

You've got a pretty cool wife. I think mine is pretty cool but I don't know if she'd be down for a full day butcher class in Italy. 

Tip of the hat to you sir. 

Eoin

NEKEgger said:

The catch to using a discount European airline is that their baggage policies are VERY strict.  You have to be sure to read the fine print before you book.

Everything is extra with many of these low cost carriers, including hold luggage.  Cabin baggage is strictly controlled and often actually weighed / measured.  If you do it right, the low cost carriers can be really cheap, but you need to be careful.

Also to note, airport check in times are often quoted at 2 hours and for a busy airport, you need this time.  Consider how much wasted time you will spend at the airport as well as the cost of the flights.

YukonRon

NEKEgger said:

I stand by my comment.  If you truly know French people, as I do, they will be the first to tell you that they can be prone to snobbery.  They take humor in it and so do I.  You should too.

By way of example, just look at this excerpt from a review of the book, How to Be Parisian Wherever You Are: Love, Style, and Bad Habits:
"The book debunks the myths of the modern French women by examining their secrets, flaws, complicated feelings and behaviors. They admit to being snobs, a bit self-centered, unpredictable but never unreliable."

The full review is here: https://www.theodysseyonline.com/read-book-how-parisian

Respectfully, I will defer to the French themselves, rather than an outsider who seeks to speak on their behalf.

Keeping it classy, and not very respectful. But, hey, that is your choice. I have come to expect nothing less, from what you have written thus far.
Since my family is from there, and my wife's' folks are from there, I hardly think I am an outsider, speaking on behalf of the French.
BTW, I do know French people. Pretty well, too I might add. 
The more you write of your opinion of the French, the more we understand about you.
Any other opinions you may wish to share of other nationalities, race, ethnicity, etc.,?
You calling the French prone to snobbery, seems to ring just a bit shallow, based on your previous comments.

NEKEgger

I'll be sure to tell my Parisian girlfriend who completely agrees with me that some guy named YukonRon knows better.  She'll get a kick out of that.

The Cen-Tex Smoker

DoubleEgger said:

The Cen-Tex Smoker said:

Awesome blog post Kristi! Thanks. We are doing a full day butcher class with Dario. Pretty fired up about that.

You've got a pretty cool wife. I think mine is pretty cool but I don't know if she'd be down for a full day butcher class in Italy. 

Tip of the hat to you sir. 

She's the one that found it.  I didn't even know such a thing existed. She's a keeper.

GATraveller

Geesh relax. 

YukonRon

NEKEgger said:

I'll be sure to tell my Parisian girlfriend who completely agrees with me that some guy named YukonRon knows better.  She'll get a kick out of that.

Perhaps she will. I certainly get a kick out of bigots. I can only imagine how wonderful your relationship must be with your Parisian girl friend. Specifically when you think arrogance equates to humor. 
Benito, would be proud. 

NEKEgger

Done threadjacking, Yukon?

Maybe you would enjoy some summer reading: https://www.amazon.com/Arrogance-French-Us-Feeling-Mutual/dp/1595230106/

YukonRon

NEKEgger said:

Done threadjacking, Yukon?

Maybe you would enjoy some summer reading: https://www.amazon.com/Arrogance-French-Us-Feeling-Mutual/dp/1595230106/

Maybe you should realize that you are the one that slammed people for their supposed arrogance, and maybe you should read a bit more as well.
Do not point fingers and critique a nation of people based on the experiences you may have had with your docile Parisian girlfriend, and a few books.
You spoke ill of the French based on what? You know nothing of the French, and you keep establishing that point with each post.
Spend some time in the country, and maybe you will understand. People are different, and just because you have prejudiced ideas of their culture, does not make you an authority.
You are so wrong, on so many issues, it is difficult not to laugh, both maniacally and hysterically.
I am apologetic to Robin, a dear friend,and the OP, but you, and your arrogance, not so much.
Think about others before you post such heinous accusations of other's heritage and nationality. If you did, and knew what you were insinuating, there would be no thread jacking, from anyone. 
Talk about your own. Read about your own. Text volumes exist, read those, and you will find many are not as glowing, as you might hope. It will be a long summer of disappointing reading for you.

theyolksonyou

bgebrent

I heard Capri is nice.  Was last time I was there.  Only rumors.

NEKEgger

"Spend some time in the country, and maybe you will understand..."

The seven years I spent was not enough?  How does that compare to you?

 I'm just echoing what the French themselves say: https://www.connexionfrance.com/Archive/France-is-arrogant-say-the-French

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/france/9429548/French-admit-they-are-rude-stroppy-and-slothful.html

http://www.standard.co.uk/news/zut-alors-french-admit-they-are-the-rudest-in-the-world-7169348.html

And whatever you do, don't read Vice News: https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/the-vice-guide-to-paris-2014-549

Sorry if it doesn't fit in with your aspirations to be the top SJW, but you'll have to take it up with the French, not me.  I find it somewhat comical that you would hurl ad hominem attacks at me when, of the two of us, I am the only one saying what the actual French say when asked.  I guess it's a good thing that I have a sense of humor.  Attacking my French girlfriend who isn't even involved in this discussion for her opinion (shared by the majority) of her own people is about as uncalled for as you can get. 

I think that I'll conclude this post with a quote: "Spend some time in the country, and maybe you'll understand."

billt01

Surely I'm not the only gear head on here. While food is important, I would definitely go look at some modern art!!!!.

 

warwoman

Battleborn said:

On my first deployment, I was lucky enough to go to Rome twice. Each time I got off the train at a different point and just walked around. The best experience of my life. 

Don't mean to hijack the thread, but when did you go to Sam?