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OT: Heading to Italy
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It's interesting. My wife and I have very different versions of what we want on vacation sometimes.
For Italy, it's very striking.
For her, there's a few must do "old buildings/churches".
Although we're not religious at all, I love old churches. Could spend hours in them.
Italy, for her, is Tuscany, Capri and the Almafi Coast. (and shopping in Florence)
Although she didn't think she was interested in Pompeii until I showed her some pics online.
Gonna be fun to see how it it shakes out.Philly - Kansas City - Houston - Cincinnati - Dallas - Houston - Memphis - Austin - Chicago - Austin
Large BGE. OONI 16, TOTO Washlet S550e (Now with enhanced Motherly Hugs!)
"If I wanted my balls washed, I'd go to the golf course!"
Dennis - Austin,TX -
CarolinaCrazy said:I had very low expectations for Venice, but absolutely loved it. Only needed a couple hours in St. Marks square to do the mandatory Basillica and Doge Palace, and then I could get lost for days in some of the outlying neighborhoods.
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We really enjoyed Lake Como. We stayed in Bellagio for a few nights. It was the highlight of a trip that included Rome and Venice.
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DoubleEgger said:We really enjoyed Lake Como. We stayed in Bellagio for a few nights. It was the highlight of a trip that included Rome and Venice.Philly - Kansas City - Houston - Cincinnati - Dallas - Houston - Memphis - Austin - Chicago - Austin
Large BGE. OONI 16, TOTO Washlet S550e (Now with enhanced Motherly Hugs!)
"If I wanted my balls washed, I'd go to the golf course!"
Dennis - Austin,TX -
On my bucket list. Enjoy. Looks like you have great plans.Large Big Green Egg in a nest. North Shore of Boston.
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dmchicago, Based on ~ a dozen trips to Rome and Milan for work and a couple more to Italy for play, I'd recommend using a private driver as much as you can afford. Both to get the most out of your time but also be as relaxed as possible.
My driver in Rome was the wonderful Walter Bellapadrona.
http://www.taxiservicemontalcino.it/EN/contatti_taxi_autonoleggio_montalcino.html
but it looks like he's relocated his service to Montalcino. I met Walter when I literally walked into him walking out of a hotel. He's totally sweet and an inherently cheerful person; not common for a Roman. He speaks very good English. He ends his emails with "Big Kiss from Walter". It's so Italian of him! :-) He probably wouldn't do that if you are a guy.
Use TripAdvisor to check reviews on private drivers, and negotiate big picture "OK how much for 2 full days wherever we want to go." etc
Private drivers are especially valuable when you know you want to go to 3-4 different places in a city but aren't booked on a tour.
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Take a taxi in Rome just so you can say you survived the experience. Every road is basically 4 wide Nascar maneuvering.
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Sweet100s said:dmchicago, Based on ~ a dozen trips to Rome and Milan for work and a couple more to Italy for play, I'd recommend using a private driver as much as you can afford. Both to get the most out of your time but also be as relaxed as possible.
My driver in Rome was the wonderful Walter Bellapadrona.
http://www.taxiservicemontalcino.it/EN/contatti_taxi_autonoleggio_montalcino.html
but it looks like he's relocated his service to Montalcino. I met Walter when I literally walked into him walking out of a hotel. He's totally sweet and an inherently cheerful person; not common for a Roman. He speaks very good English. He ends his emails with "Big Kiss from Walter". It's so Italian of him! :-) He probably wouldn't do that if you are a guy.
Use TripAdvisor to check reviews on private drivers, and negotiate big picture "OK how much for 2 full days wherever we want to go." etc
Private drivers are especially valuable when you know you want to go to 3-4 different places in a city but aren't booked on a tour.
@Sweet100s
Thanks! We have private drivers booked every opportunity we need them.
All Mercedes Benz cuz why the fu*k not?Philly - Kansas City - Houston - Cincinnati - Dallas - Houston - Memphis - Austin - Chicago - Austin
Large BGE. OONI 16, TOTO Washlet S550e (Now with enhanced Motherly Hugs!)
"If I wanted my balls washed, I'd go to the golf course!"
Dennis - Austin,TX -
I went in 2001 and I just want to say I hate this entire thread. You're going to have the time of your life. There's this one place in Venice where we ate that we legitimately got lost trying to make our way back to train to Vicenza. No idea the name of it, but positive we were only Americans in that place. Just awesome.--Because I'm like ice, buddy. When I don't like you, you've got problems.
KJ Classic
28" Blackstone
South Carolina native, adopted Texan, residing in Olive Branch, MS. Go Tigers. -
7 random tips for you
1) One thing I started doing a couple years ago for the non-work days of trips across the pond:
Had an alterations person customize my favorite vest. She added to the inside of the vest, 4 pockets from the back pockets of 2 pair of boys cargo pants in a similar color. $10 from Target. ~ $50 for the alteration. No one would think to pick pocket there, especially with a scarf. A scarf dresses up any vest or outfit when traveling.
2) If a teenager or anyone carrying a baby approaches you asking for directions, that means you've probably been marked for pick pocketing and person #2 is nearby.
Handy phrase:
Non toccare = don't touch (simplest way to say it that gets the point across)
Mixing English and Italian works too.
"Non toccare or I will call Polizia di Stato on you right now." (dial 113)
is usually intimidating enough. ("Carabinieri" is more correct but harder to say when feeling emotional.)
3) You're be there well before the hottest part of the summer, but I found it handy to know:
ghiaccio = ice
I prefer well-iced drinks in summer vs lukewarm.
I cheerfully acknowledge it's an American thing :-).
"sono americano. ho bisogno di ghiaccio"
Last time I tried that the server immediately replied, "no worries madame". Then, he demonstratively returned to the kitchen loudly talking to himself about the american who needed ice the entire way. All in good fun :-).
4) pronunciation note:
I was coached that thank you, "grazie" , is pronounced [grazi-eh] . not [grazi]
5) A polite, simple-to-understand, yet direct way to preface your questions:
"Is it possible..."
Is it possible to drive to _____ within 30 minutes?
Is it possible to bring me 2 extra face cloths?
Is it possible to do that before __:___ when I go to sleep?
That seems to be 10x easier to understand than Could you___ or Would it be possible to ____
6) Google Drive docs keep me easily organized
doc naming is the trick
preface each doc with date and time
voila - your agenda forms automatically simply by sorting the folder by doc name
one folder per trip
yyyy mm dd tttt event
2018 05 15 0800 Breakfast with ____ at _____
2018 05 15 1600 Train to Florence Platform ___
2018 05 16 1000 Hotel Lobby meet driver
this makes each doc very short which is great for phone skimming in transit
Non event specific reference documents are named whatever
"Rome evening fun - options"
"Florence shopping"
7) Texas state pins
I bring 20 or so texas state pins to give to people who are especially nice - for them or to give to their kids.
I explain that when they wear them, it will 1) Make them extra tough
2) Intimidate all New Yorkers, because Texans are tougher than New Yorkers ;-).
https://www.pinmart.com/texas-state-shape-lapel-pin/
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One more pro tip - Use the Offline Maps function of Google Maps on your smartphone. It downloads all the map data to your phone so that you don't need a cell/network connection to view maps. Saves significant battery and data charges. Do it on wifi before you go, downloading maps for the major cities.
1 LBGE in Chapel Hill, NC -
CarolinaCrazy said:One more pro tip - Use the Offline Maps function of Google Maps on your smartphone. It downloads all the map data to your phone so that you don't need a cell/network connection to view maps. Saves significant battery and data charges. Do it on wifi before you go, downloading maps for the major cities.Philly - Kansas City - Houston - Cincinnati - Dallas - Houston - Memphis - Austin - Chicago - Austin
Large BGE. OONI 16, TOTO Washlet S550e (Now with enhanced Motherly Hugs!)
"If I wanted my balls washed, I'd go to the golf course!"
Dennis - Austin,TX -
Theophan said:Haven't been to Italy since I was a boy in the '60s, but I loved it! I envy you. Enjoy the heck out of it!!!
Unfortunately @dmchicago I'm more of a wing it kinda guy when it comes to vacations. Do I miss special things along the way... maybe but we always have a great time!
Enjoy your time there and be safe in Roma!
Kirkland, TN2 LBGE, 1 MM -
dmchicago said:CarolinaCrazy said:One more pro tip - Use the Offline Maps function of Google Maps on your smartphone. It downloads all the map data to your phone so that you don't need a cell/network connection to view maps. Saves significant battery and data charges. Do it on wifi before you go, downloading maps for the major cities.
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In Positano, (Amalfi) I would highly recommend "da Costantino" ristorante. Beautiful location way up on the hill overlooking the Med. Open widows with tables right by the window. Family owned/operated. Great experience all around. Will not find many tourists there at all, if any.
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Just got here (Rome) today.
The Negroni tour has begun.
Philly - Kansas City - Houston - Cincinnati - Dallas - Houston - Memphis - Austin - Chicago - Austin
Large BGE. OONI 16, TOTO Washlet S550e (Now with enhanced Motherly Hugs!)
"If I wanted my balls washed, I'd go to the golf course!"
Dennis - Austin,TX -
And off we go with ya! I’ll be watching closely. What fun!Lovin' my Large Egg since May 2012 (Richmond, VA) ... and makin' cookbooks at https://FamilyCookbookProject.com
Stoker II wifi, Thermapen, and a Fork for plating photo purposes -
Random pics so far. Rome and Florence.
Philly - Kansas City - Houston - Cincinnati - Dallas - Houston - Memphis - Austin - Chicago - Austin
Large BGE. OONI 16, TOTO Washlet S550e (Now with enhanced Motherly Hugs!)
"If I wanted my balls washed, I'd go to the golf course!"
Dennis - Austin,TX -
Nice!Lovin' my Large Egg since May 2012 (Richmond, VA) ... and makin' cookbooks at https://FamilyCookbookProject.com
Stoker II wifi, Thermapen, and a Fork for plating photo purposes -
So Jealous. We were there just last year, but I can't wait to go back.
Wait til you get to Tuscany!
Enjoy!
1 LBGE in Chapel Hill, NC -
Just wanted to bump this up because on the ferry from Capri to Positano this morning, we saw Rick Astley.
Philly - Kansas City - Houston - Cincinnati - Dallas - Houston - Memphis - Austin - Chicago - Austin
Large BGE. OONI 16, TOTO Washlet S550e (Now with enhanced Motherly Hugs!)
"If I wanted my balls washed, I'd go to the golf course!"
Dennis - Austin,TX
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