When in Rome, etc. ...

I don't have any tips, since I've only been to RHOME, Tx., but I hope you have the most wonderful time EVER!!! I can't wait to hear all about it when you get back!! Think you can squeeze in a few pics too?

I don't have any tips, since I've only been to RHOME, Tx., but I hope you have the most wonderful time EVER!!! I can't wait to hear all about it when you get back!! Think you can squeeze in a few pics too?

Thanks DD! Hail, I'd be almost as excited about a trip to Rome, Georgia (shoutout to aggieb ) or Naples, Florida! The most important thing is we're :leaving:

Pics, yes, I promise ...

No suggestions unfortunately, but, relish and enjoy TFT. Can't wait for the trip report.

I want to see lots and lots of pictures when you return. We're not going back to Italy until fall '09 when Pippy does her junior year abroad, so I'm counting on you to hold me over!!

You never told me if you like walking/hiking. If you do and even if you don't--take the ferry from Sorrento to Amalfi. Walk around Amalfi (doesn't take long) and then take the bus to Ravello, high up in the cliffs. You will be stuffed like a sardine into the bus and go around hairpin turns that will make you have a heart attack, but, hey, that's local culture. Soak it up and pour yourself an extra glass of wine that evening to recover. Savor beautiful heavenly serene Ravello and then hike down the hills back to Amalfi. Promise me promise me that you will do this! It will be the most wonderful thing you do in southern Italy.

Rome: they drive like total maniacs. This is how you cross the street: wait for a space in the traffic. Venture out into the street. If a car or motorcycle comes zooming up to you, STARE THEM DOWN and proceed across the street. They'll come within a foot of you but they won't hit you. The thing is not to show any fear. Pour yourself an extra glass of wine that evening to recover.

I want to see lots and lots of pictures when you return. We're not going back to Italy until fall '09 when Pippy does her junior year abroad, so I'm counting on you to hold me over!!

You never told me if you like walking/hiking. If you do and even if you don't--take the ferry from Sorrento to Amalfi. Walk around Amalfi (doesn't take long) and then take the bus to Ravello, high up in the cliffs. You will be stuffed like a sardine into the bus and go around hairpin turns that will make you have a heart attack, but, hey, that's local culture. Soak it up and pour yourself an extra glass of wine that evening to recover. Savor beautiful heavenly serene Ravello and then hike down the hills back to Amalfi. Promise me promise me that you will do this! It will be the most wonderful thing you do in southern Italy.

Rome: they drive like total maniacs. This is how you cross the street: wait for a space in the traffic. Venture out into the street. If a car or motorcycle comes zooming up to you, STARE THEM DOWN and proceed across the street. They'll come within a foot of you but they won't hit you. The thing is not to show any fear. Pour yourself an extra glass of wine that evening to recover.

OMG ... Awesome.

I like the idea of being bold. I did one of those zipline canopy tours in Costa Rica a couple of years ago, and hanging upside down over a 250 foot drop into a ravine was the most FUNN thing I have ever done. I like the idea of staring down Italians and squeezing into a strange bus. I will have to talk Mr. TFT into it. Getting him to have an extra glass of wine the night before might help.

I'll think of more later, but here's a couple:

-Bring your own water and snacks to Pompeii. The prices there make 30-A look dirt cheap and the food is awful. Bringing extra batteries etc. will save you $$.

-When you are in Italy, no matter how you try, you stand out like a bright red sunburnt tourist. Secure your money/wallet/purse like a vial of anthrax, especially in tourist areas. The kids w/ the signs & newspapers, the ladies breast feeding toddlers, people groping you on public transportation are all just distractions so they can take your wallet.

-IMO the best way to see Rome is to walk and plan your free time so that you can hit a bunch of sights/places while taking a stroll. Break places down by neighborhood and you'll save a lot of time. Also, prioritize what you really want to see and do - there is no way to see it all!

-Practice walking and severely break in a couple pairs of shoes. I lived there and thought nothing of walking miles to mail a letter (vatican mail trumps italian mail any day) or go shopping, but on "tourist days" I'd still carry an extra pair of shoes in my bag. Most of the streets in the historical center are cobblestones so anything w/ skinny heels gets stuck and the uneven surfaces can hurt your knees.

-Learn some italian phrases. Saying hello etc. in Italian (even badly) and smiling makes a HUGE difference in how you are treated.

-Don't get drunk and jump in fountains - you'll get arrested!

I'll think of more later, but here's a couple:

-Bring your own water and snacks to Pompeii. The prices there make 30-A look dirt cheap and the food is awful. Bringing extra batteries etc. will save you $$.

-When you are in Italy, no matter how you try, you stand out like a bright red sunburnt tourist. Secure your money/wallet/purse like a vial of anthrax, especially in tourist areas. The kids w/ the signs & newspapers, the ladies breast feeding toddlers, people groping you on public transportation are all just distractions so they can take your wallet.

-IMO the best way to see Rome is to walk and plan your free time so that you can hit a bunch of sights/places while taking a stroll. Break places down by neighborhood and you'll save a lot of time. Also, prioritize what you really want to see and do - there is no way to see it all!

-Practice walking and severely break in a couple pairs of shoes. I lived there and thought nothing of walking miles to mail a letter (vatican mail trumps italian mail any day) or go shopping, but on "tourist days" I'd still carry an extra pair of shoes in my bag. Most of the streets in the historical center are cobblestones so anything w/ skinny heels gets stuck and the uneven surfaces can hurt your knees.

-Learn some italian phrases. Saying hello etc. in Italian (even badly) and smiling makes a HUGE difference in how you are treated.

-Don't get drunk and jump in fountains - you'll get arrested!

I have heard about the not so innocent women and children.

This is great info. I did get some super comfortable hip leather walking shoes, but I'll bring another pair of comfy shoes just in case. I know we won't be able to do everything, but I am definitely looking forward to strolling around with Mr. TFT and seeing some wonderful places!

What wonderful advice from everyone! I hope you have a wonderful time! Can't wait for the pics!

I just had a vision of you and the Mr, drunk on big effin glasses of wine , staring down locals and then jumping in a fountain!

TFT, tell us what you have planned for yourself so far.

I'll think of more later, but here's a couple:

-Bring your own water and snacks to Pompeii. The prices there make 30-A look dirt cheap and the food is awful. Bringing extra batteries etc. will save you $$.

Have you got that right or what. We ignored the good advice we got about buying a sandwich at the train station in Pompeii, and we were so hungry after wandering around for almost five hours (we found it very interesting) that we headed for the on-site cafeteria. It was worse than the airline food that United serves. And that's an all-time low! I gave some table scraps to the mangy dog that was wandering about the tables, and even the dog refused my lunch. It was memorably disgusting food. Great trip memory, though.

What wonderful advice from everyone! I hope you have a wonderful time! Can't wait for the pics!

I just had a vision of you and the Mr, drunk on big effin glasses of wine , staring down locals and then jumping in a fountain!

With her baby bag full of multiple pairs of shoes and overflowing with snacks. You can take the Mom out of the States, but not the Mom.

What wonderful advice from everyone! I hope you have a wonderful time! Can't wait for the pics!

I just had a vision of you and the Mr, drunk on big effin glasses of wine , staring down locals and then jumping in a fountain!

If it happens ... I will post pics. ;-)

TFT, tell us what you have planned for yourself so far.

Um, for myself? Whatever do you mean?

I have written about 10 pages of single spaced instructions, including daily schedules, important phone numbers, likes and dislikes, directions to the doctor, directions to the vet, directions to the emergency room. Notes to the school have been sent, minivan is clean, laundry in progress, dinners are in freezer.

I PLAN to get to the airport around 9 a.m. Monday, look around in wonderment that no one is hanging off me, enjoy the fact that FOR ONCE I can wear a blousy white shirt, and THEN start reading all this good stuff.

Ah, thank goodness for tour groups. We are going to Pompeii and Capri, and the Vatican Museum, and um, I'd have to look up the rest. I don't really care. Nope.

If it happens ... I will post pics. ;-)



Um, for myself? Whatever do you mean?

I have written about 10 pages of single spaced instructions, including daily schedules, important phone numbers, likes and dislikes, directions to the doctor, directions to the vet, directions to the emergency room. Notes to the school have been sent, minivan is clean, laundry in progress, dinners are in freezer.

I PLAN to get to the airport around 9 a.m. Monday, look around in wonderment that no one is hanging off me, enjoy the fact that FOR ONCE I can wear a blousy white shirt, and THEN start reading all this good stuff.

Ah, thank goodness for tour groups. We are going to Pompeii and Capri, and the Vatican Museum, and um, I'd have to look up the rest. I don't really care. Nope.

Dear sweet TFT, don't fret. Italy will work its magic on you.

If it happens ... I will post pics. ;-)



Um, for myself? Whatever do you mean?

I have written about 10 pages of single spaced instructions, including daily schedules, important phone numbers, likes and dislikes, directions to the doctor, directions to the vet, directions to the emergency room. Notes to the school have been sent, minivan is clean, laundry in progress, dinners are in freezer.

I PLAN to get to the airport around 9 a.m. Monday, look around in wonderment that no one is hanging off me, enjoy the fact that FOR ONCE I can wear a blousy white shirt, and THEN start reading all this good stuff.

Ah, thank goodness for tour groups. We are going to Pompeii and Capri, and the Vatican Museum, and um, I'd have to look up the rest. I don't really care. Nope.

soon you can

Have you got that right or what. We ignored the good advice we got about buying a sandwich at the train station in Pompeii, and we were so hungry after wandering around for almost five hours (we found it very interesting) that we headed for the on-site cafeteria. It was worse than the airline food that United serves. And that's an all-time low! I gave some table scraps to the mangy dog that was wandering about the tables, and even the dog refused my lunch. It was memorably disgusting food. Great trip memory, though.

Ha, that is terrible! I am sort of alarmed now that we are dining on Napoli pizza somewhere near Pompeii that night. I will bring snacks!!

With her baby bag full of multiple pairs of shoes and overflowing with snacks. You can take the Mom out of the States, but not the Mom.

:funn:

Dear sweet TFT, don't fret. Italy will work its magic on you.

I am counting on it!

TTT,

Enjoy Rome!

Two things:

(1) The Pantheon will astound you

(2) Have a Gelato in my name at the amazing(!) Piazza Narvona

Buone Vacanze!

Shel.


.

TTT,

Enjoy Rome!

Two things:

(1) The Pantheon will astound you

(2) Have a Gelato in my name at the amazing(!) Piazza Narvona

Buone Vacanze!

Shel.


.

Grazie!

1) I have heard this!

2) What flavor?

Grazie!

1) I have heard this!

2) What flavor?

You mean there are other flavors besides chocolate???? :shock:


.

You mean there are other flavors besides chocolate???? :shock:

.

I love pistachio, but I will have some chocolate in your name. Which was what, again ...?

Limoncello is on the list.

As is plain old lemon soda, which I fell in love with at 14 and might be my favorite drink ever.

Have a wonderful trip TFT. I have no advice other to try to soak it all in and enjoy. We are taking Lil' FFF for her high school graduation in '10. Are you going to Sicily? If so say hello to FFF's family in Palermo. You know you have to SoWal while there and post pics! Enjoy a limoncello for me and Paula....I'm not sure it can compare!

Have fun, enjoy yourself, and return with pics!

What wonderful advice from everyone! I hope you have a wonderful time! Can't wait for the pics!

I just had a vision of you and the Mr, drunk on big effin glasses of wine , staring down locals and then jumping in a fountain!

Watch "European Vacation" before you leave, and remember what happened to Mama Griswold after a few too many glasses of wine, a movie camera, and a billboard!

Seriously- I am so envious. Have a wonderful time. We expect trip reports, live from Italy.;-)

Wow, Monday! No Italy tips, TFT, but have a great time. Enjoy every minute!

Have a fantastic time. I don't have any advice for that part of Italy because I've only been there once (I go to Tuscany more often where the family/friends are). But I was very moved by the catacombs when I was in Rome - very humbling, especially if you're going to see the Vatican. There were a lot of gypsies (especially by the Vatican) who asked us for money either by dancing or by looking really, really sad and poor.

As for food, when we're in Italy our favorite foods are:

pastry and capuccino for breakfast and sit at an outdoor cafe table and watch people go by or read a good book
espresso with panna (whipped cream) during the day
gelato cones with panna (whipped cream) on top (do you see a theme here?) and my favorite flavor is plain old vanilla (crema)
a little glass of a red bitter apperitif (sp?) before meals (you can ask for a bitter but say "beeeeter")
panini of any kind (very simple sandwiches, just bread and prosciutto or whatever - much simpler than we make panini here) - just buy some nice bread and good prosciutto
pizza (pizza with mascarpone cheese and prosciutto was "in" a few years ago and it was absolutely amazing)
wine can be very cheap and served in pitchers at the table in restaurants
little Italian ices in lemons that you get from many little stands/restaurants - nothing fancy but tasty
steak with green peppercorn sauce
cold veal with tuna sauce

OK, I'm starting to cry at the thought of all this food... sob, enjoy your trip.

If you want to get in the Italian mood before you go, watch Cinema Paradiso (best movie ending ever) about a little boy in the south of Italy during the war who hangs out with an old man who runs the movies for the local movie theater. You watch him grow up throughout the movie.

...and check the Weather Channel Intern. before packing--I am going to Madrid today and I was just text messaged by my friend there that it is unseasonably HOT!