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Message
Traveling to Spain and Italy
Posted on 9/15/16 at 8:36 am
Posted on 9/15/16 at 8:36 am
Mrs. Throbinhood and I will be leaving in a couple days for Barcelona and Rome. We will be in both places for a week. We have done a lot of traveling in the States, but neither of us have ever been over seas so we are not quite sure what to expect.
If anyone has been to these cities and has any advice on the do's and don'ts it would be appreciated.
We are going on a motorcycle and sidecar tour of Barcelona, then we have a tour of Vatican in Rome planned also. The rest of our schedule is pretty open. We plan to hit all the major spots in Rome but I don't think we will book a tour guide before. Might just follow a Rick Steve's audio guide.
Flying Ryan Air to go from Spain to Rome and we rented entire apartments through AirBNB.
I have a packing list but I'm open to any suggestions
Thanks
If anyone has been to these cities and has any advice on the do's and don'ts it would be appreciated.
We are going on a motorcycle and sidecar tour of Barcelona, then we have a tour of Vatican in Rome planned also. The rest of our schedule is pretty open. We plan to hit all the major spots in Rome but I don't think we will book a tour guide before. Might just follow a Rick Steve's audio guide.
Flying Ryan Air to go from Spain to Rome and we rented entire apartments through AirBNB.
I have a packing list but I'm open to any suggestions
Thanks
Posted on 9/15/16 at 8:46 am to Throbinhood
There are some museums in Rome that require you to book before hand. Look into which ones they are. I strongly suggest doing the early morning vatican tour. Yes Rick Steve's book is great for alot of things but the Vatican is just too busy and there is too much stuff to look at.
We took a day trip from Rome to Pompeii, which was really cool.
Also, BEWARE OF PICK POCKETS. On our last day in Rome we got on the city bus to go back to our hotel and this little 9-10 year old girl picked my wife. Luckily I caught her in the act. There is literally nothing you can do about it because they are little girls and if you hold on to them they will scream out.
We took a day trip from Rome to Pompeii, which was really cool.
Also, BEWARE OF PICK POCKETS. On our last day in Rome we got on the city bus to go back to our hotel and this little 9-10 year old girl picked my wife. Luckily I caught her in the act. There is literally nothing you can do about it because they are little girls and if you hold on to them they will scream out.
Posted on 9/15/16 at 9:04 am to Throbinhood
I haven't been to Rome in the last two decades so wont comment there, but Barcelona is a great city.
I find it has a fantastic blend of old, recently old, and modern. We stayed in between the Eixample and the waterfront in an apartment. One of the best eating cities in all of Europe. And if you like soccer and happen to be there during an FC Barcelona game, I highly recommend it. This is going to sound crazy, but we loved this weird, Asian dumpling and beer bar called Mosquito which was around the corner from where we stayed. Other highly recommend eating places that as well as:
Commerc 24 (renamed to Carles Abellan)
Cinc Sentits
Can Ramonet
Pinotxo and El Quim are both in the Boqueria and we went to both, I enjoyed Pinotxo better but both were good.
There is a Picasso museum in Barcelona but it is lacking in any of the good Picasso stuff, but I am not an art historian. The Chocolate Museum was a nice way to spend a few hours. Take a day trip either up the Costa Brava or into Montserrat or a wine region.
Great city, but I have found half the people who go there love it and half don't (and they usually prefer Madrid).
I find it has a fantastic blend of old, recently old, and modern. We stayed in between the Eixample and the waterfront in an apartment. One of the best eating cities in all of Europe. And if you like soccer and happen to be there during an FC Barcelona game, I highly recommend it. This is going to sound crazy, but we loved this weird, Asian dumpling and beer bar called Mosquito which was around the corner from where we stayed. Other highly recommend eating places that as well as:
Commerc 24 (renamed to Carles Abellan)
Cinc Sentits
Can Ramonet
Pinotxo and El Quim are both in the Boqueria and we went to both, I enjoyed Pinotxo better but both were good.
There is a Picasso museum in Barcelona but it is lacking in any of the good Picasso stuff, but I am not an art historian. The Chocolate Museum was a nice way to spend a few hours. Take a day trip either up the Costa Brava or into Montserrat or a wine region.
Great city, but I have found half the people who go there love it and half don't (and they usually prefer Madrid).
Posted on 9/15/16 at 9:04 am to Throbinhood
Take at least a day trip to Florence from Rome on the fast train. (I would recommend staying a few days, but it looks like you are already set on Rome for the week).
From Barcelona, take a day trip to the coast one day. Beautiful.
If this is your first time overseas, it will blow your mind. Those are two great countries filled with amazing food and great energy. Enjoy!
From Barcelona, take a day trip to the coast one day. Beautiful.
If this is your first time overseas, it will blow your mind. Those are two great countries filled with amazing food and great energy. Enjoy!
Posted on 9/15/16 at 9:05 am to Civildawg
quote:
Yes Rick Steve's book is great for alot of things but the Vatican is just too busy and there is too much stuff to look at.
We book a all afternoon tour of Vatican. I was told that you don't want to try to tour that by yourself.
I'll have to look into any museums we want to go to and see if I will need to book anything ahead of time
quote:
BEWARE OF PICK POCKETS
This is also something I have been told. I have a "pickpocket" proof backpack as well as a wallet that loops through my belt and under my shorts. I will try and be conscious of that the whole time
This post was edited on 9/15/16 at 9:08 am
Posted on 9/15/16 at 9:10 am to BlackenedOut
quote:
BlackenedOut
Thanks man. I hadn't really looked into food in either city. was just going to try to find local off the beaten path things. We are staying near the Gothic Quarter in Barcelona so trip to the coast isn't far.
I will definitely write down those places to eat and check them out. Thanks
Posted on 9/15/16 at 9:16 am to Throbinhood
I have a google map filled with restaurants shoot me an email and I will share it with you.
<---------- at gmail
If you are looking for a once in a lifetime culinary experience, highly recommend taking in lunch at Carme Ruscalleda's St. Pau restaurant. It will knock your socks off but it is pricey.
<---------- at gmail
If you are looking for a once in a lifetime culinary experience, highly recommend taking in lunch at Carme Ruscalleda's St. Pau restaurant. It will knock your socks off but it is pricey.
Posted on 9/15/16 at 9:46 am to Throbinhood
Be prepared to be corrected on the notion that American food portions are big.
This post was edited on 9/15/16 at 9:47 am
Posted on 9/15/16 at 11:24 am to Throbinhood
For Barcelona, book your times to Parc Guell, Sagrada, etc online before you go. Otherwise, you'll be standing around for 3 hours like an idiot.
And "Before you go" can literally be while picking up wifi right outside the venue. You may have to wait 30 minutes for the entry time at worst, but still better than 3 hours.
And "Before you go" can literally be while picking up wifi right outside the venue. You may have to wait 30 minutes for the entry time at worst, but still better than 3 hours.
This post was edited on 9/15/16 at 11:27 am
Posted on 9/15/16 at 3:13 pm to Throbinhood
Come back with a review and LOTS of pics!
Posted on 9/15/16 at 5:28 pm to Throbinhood
Love both cities
Learn a few phrases, I am, thank you, please, good morning, afternoon etc
Wear a hidden pocket
Make copies of your passport, keep it in your hotel safe
Eat at local restaurants, ask cab drivers, concierge etc
Make reservations at all museums it will save you hours by not waiting in line
Smile, Smile
Learn a few phrases, I am, thank you, please, good morning, afternoon etc
Wear a hidden pocket
Make copies of your passport, keep it in your hotel safe
Eat at local restaurants, ask cab drivers, concierge etc
Make reservations at all museums it will save you hours by not waiting in line
Smile, Smile
Posted on 9/15/16 at 10:30 pm to Throbinhood
For Rome: Buy a Roma Pass, you get 3 museums/sites free then others are discounted and you will have a special expedited line at museums and Colosseum, etc. Well worth the $$ just for the expedited entry. Make a reservation before you leave for the Galleria Borghese or you will not get in. Do the Palatine Hill same day you do Colosseum. Go to Ostia Antica if you have time. There is so much to see in Rome you will barely make a dent in a week.
Posted on 9/16/16 at 10:17 am to Throbinhood
Just got back from Barcelona. Was my first overseas city as well. Had a fantastic time. Went to a FC Barca game the day we landed and even with the jet lag it was surreal to see Messi. Lot of architecture, can't miss La Sagrada Familia and Park Guell.
Take a day trip to Montaerrat if you can. Probably the coolest day on my European trip.
We ended almost every evening on the beach after sightseeing all day. Probably gonna be chilly when you're there but it was a really nice although crowded beach. The guys walking around selling beers were annoying but it was nice having a cold one for a euro whenever I wanted.
Coolest thing we did was check out this local neighborhoods festival. They decorated every street and had a crazy fireworks parade. Look to see if there are any local events going on when you are there.
Pickpockets I feel were overblown, just don't look super touristy. Keep stuff in buttoned pockets or in your front and keep your hand on your pocket if you're on the metro or Las Ramblas.
I can get by in Spanish but most people figured out I wasn't that great and spoke in English
Take a day trip to Montaerrat if you can. Probably the coolest day on my European trip.
We ended almost every evening on the beach after sightseeing all day. Probably gonna be chilly when you're there but it was a really nice although crowded beach. The guys walking around selling beers were annoying but it was nice having a cold one for a euro whenever I wanted.
Coolest thing we did was check out this local neighborhoods festival. They decorated every street and had a crazy fireworks parade. Look to see if there are any local events going on when you are there.
Pickpockets I feel were overblown, just don't look super touristy. Keep stuff in buttoned pockets or in your front and keep your hand on your pocket if you're on the metro or Las Ramblas.
I can get by in Spanish but most people figured out I wasn't that great and spoke in English
Posted on 9/16/16 at 3:13 pm to tween the hedges
quote:
just got back from Barcelona
Pics and review??
Posted on 9/17/16 at 6:01 pm to Throbinhood
I recently did the Domus Aurea tour. It's the ruins of Nero's palace, the Golden House. It's a current archaeological site, and it's an awe-inspiring sight. You have to wear hard hats on the tour. You can get tickets here: Tours available in English, Italian, and Spanish
I also recommend the tour of the Domus di Palazzo Valentini. It's another underground archaeological site that was discovered next to Trajan's column underneath a Renaissance palazzo. The domus dates back to the 3rd Century C.E., and was clearly owned by a senator because of the apparent wealth of the home. You walk on glass floors so that you can see the ruins discovered underneath you, and the museum uses a light show on the walls to recreate what the home would have looked like 1700 years ago. It was incredible. I highly recommend.
There are also a couple food tours that are incredible. Go on the Taste of Testaccio food tour. Part of the tour is one of the best restaurants in Rome imo, Flavio al Velavevadetto. It's built into a hill composed of ancient Roman pottery shards that keep the restaurant cool. A full lunch here is one of the last stops on the tour. You eat from 9:30 to 3 p.m., and during that time, you try some of the best dishes Rome has to offer.
For restaurants, I recommend Flavio, of course, Open Baladin (a craft beer bar near the Marcellan Theater with an amazing buffalo mozzarella burger), and Ai Tre Scalini (a small restaurant in Monti, definitely need a reservation or a long wait). For gelato, I recommend Panna & Co. or Giolitti's. Be on the lookout for whether they cover the gelato in metal containers. If not, it's from powder, and won't be as good. For a spectacular view, there's a cafe with beer and snacks on the third floor of Castel Sant'Angelo with a breathtaking view of the Vatican and Rome. In the end, you won't cover everything, so don't exhaust yourself trying to do so.
I also recommend the tour of the Domus di Palazzo Valentini. It's another underground archaeological site that was discovered next to Trajan's column underneath a Renaissance palazzo. The domus dates back to the 3rd Century C.E., and was clearly owned by a senator because of the apparent wealth of the home. You walk on glass floors so that you can see the ruins discovered underneath you, and the museum uses a light show on the walls to recreate what the home would have looked like 1700 years ago. It was incredible. I highly recommend.
There are also a couple food tours that are incredible. Go on the Taste of Testaccio food tour. Part of the tour is one of the best restaurants in Rome imo, Flavio al Velavevadetto. It's built into a hill composed of ancient Roman pottery shards that keep the restaurant cool. A full lunch here is one of the last stops on the tour. You eat from 9:30 to 3 p.m., and during that time, you try some of the best dishes Rome has to offer.
For restaurants, I recommend Flavio, of course, Open Baladin (a craft beer bar near the Marcellan Theater with an amazing buffalo mozzarella burger), and Ai Tre Scalini (a small restaurant in Monti, definitely need a reservation or a long wait). For gelato, I recommend Panna & Co. or Giolitti's. Be on the lookout for whether they cover the gelato in metal containers. If not, it's from powder, and won't be as good. For a spectacular view, there's a cafe with beer and snacks on the third floor of Castel Sant'Angelo with a breathtaking view of the Vatican and Rome. In the end, you won't cover everything, so don't exhaust yourself trying to do so.
Posted on 9/17/16 at 11:09 pm to Athanatos
quote:
I recently did the Domus Aurea tour.
Can you post pics?
This post was edited on 9/17/16 at 11:09 pm
Posted on 9/18/16 at 1:41 am to Throbinhood
Never had issue with pick pockets and visited some beautiful areas in Italy. Mainly Venice which I feel is a tourist trap but they still have a lot to do.
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