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Posted on 4/16/17 at 9:31 am to tduecen
if you are in the heat and walking a ton, wearing pants and loafers makes you look silly. eurotardish. lol. For a nice dinner? sure. But walking all over during the day? hell no. Call me an ameritard but You want to be comfortable. snappy attire is the last thing I am worried about or impressing my euro friends with. 
you can blend in without standing out. lose the ball cap. wear black athletic shoes for foot support. Doesn't jump out like all the other colors and last but not least.....parla italiano? parlando italiano va un lungo cammino!
you can blend in without standing out. lose the ball cap. wear black athletic shoes for foot support. Doesn't jump out like all the other colors and last but not least.....parla italiano? parlando italiano va un lungo cammino!
Posted on 4/16/17 at 11:05 am to poochie
Here right now.. it's very warm. Didn't need a coat at all, just bring a light jacket
Posted on 4/16/17 at 10:55 pm to hungryone
quote:
RE: traveling from FCO to Trastevere...follow the "Treno" signs in the terminal to the train station at the airport. Take the F1 train (listed as "Fara Sabina" for its end station)...departs about every 1/2 hour. You can buy a ticket from a machine or from a person (machine is easy enough)...stamp your ticket at the machine before you get on the train. While you wait for the train, get an espresso at the train station coffee bar and wonder why every hole in the wall in Italy can turn out a decent espresso at 1.50 euro but Starbucks can't manage it at twice the price.....
Get off the train at Trastevere station....exit the station (a couple flights of stairs, IIRC). Depending on where you are staying in Trastevere, you will probably need to walk through the drop off area in front of the station and go out to the middle of the street opposite the station to catch the #8 tram line (going toward the right if you stand w/your back toward the station). A tram ticket is 1 euro; you can buy one from the little store at the train station. Validate the tram ticket once you board the tram...the machine might be at front, or it might be midway down the tram car. Definitely stamp your ticket--the fine for riding w/o a validated ticket is fat (like 100 Eu). To determine which stop is closest to your lodging, use the ATAC website in English: you can look up your destination and plot the best stop: LINK . If you stay on until the Tiber river, you've gone too far.
This is good advice. If you are staying in Trastevere for a few days, I'd get a 1 or 3 day metrebus pass that covers the Roman public transportation system, though it does not extend to some outskirts, to Fiumicino, or to Ostia Antica. But for your purposes, you shouldn't be going outside its bounds. It gives you unlimited access to the metro, bus, trams, and local trains. They are much cheaper than you'd end up spending on cabs, or you can plan on a significant amount of walking. Try the Taste of Trastevere tour with Eataly near the beginning of your trip, so you can eat at your favorite neighborhood place on your tour on your last night. Trastevere and the neighborhood across the river from it, Testaccio, have excellent restaurants that also aren't packed with tourists. If you like history, Flavio al Velavevodetto is a must.
Posted on 4/17/17 at 7:18 am to lsurulzes88
quote:
One other tour we did in Rome that I highly recommend to everyone going was Le Domus Romane di Palazzo Valentini. It's two old villas underground that were discovered during a renovation. They put glass floors and walls throughout the whole thing and use modern projection to enhance the areas that were destroyed over time. It was a nice, relaxing time and an awesome way to see preserved architecture that you would have to use your imagination for otherwise.
This is a top 5 tour in Rome. Rome has such an incredible underground you have to do at least one tour below street level. The Domus Aurea is a lesser known one that takes you through Nero's old palace which is now an architectural site.
Posted on 4/17/17 at 2:35 pm to poochie
Don't want to hijack your thread, but it looks like you've gotten plenty of responses.
We're heading to Italy in September and are still trying to finalize plans. We're going to have 13 nights and are going to Rome/Florence/Venice. It seems some people love Cinque Terre and others aren't as impressed. Would it be worth trying to make four stops in that short of a time frame?
If not Cinque Terre, then what about the Amalfi Coast? We'll knock out all of the must-see tourist items, but are much more into exploring and getting a feel for the cities.
Advice is appreciated.
We're heading to Italy in September and are still trying to finalize plans. We're going to have 13 nights and are going to Rome/Florence/Venice. It seems some people love Cinque Terre and others aren't as impressed. Would it be worth trying to make four stops in that short of a time frame?
If not Cinque Terre, then what about the Amalfi Coast? We'll knock out all of the must-see tourist items, but are much more into exploring and getting a feel for the cities.
Advice is appreciated.
Posted on 4/17/17 at 3:39 pm to LC4Tigers
Amalfi Coast is lovely, but unless you are already planning to go to Naples or Capri, I'd split the days evenly between the three cities listed, or plan some day trips to smaller towns/countryside nearer those cities. Amalfi is a string of tiny towns connected by scenic, twisting mountain roads. It's sleepy in the off season, clogged with tourists in peak season...
Posted on 4/17/17 at 4:55 pm to hungryone
hungryone, you have any general advice for Siena? Spending 3 days there, one day I have a 2 hour walking tour scheduled in the AM and another day we will be doing a 5 hour wine tour
Posted on 4/17/17 at 6:16 pm to poochie
I've travelled to Europe for 25+ years and have been to Italy probably 15 times. I'll throw my two cents in.
Cash and payments: Put everything you can on a credit card, especially one that does not charge the usual 3% foreign conversion fee on purchases. In recent years, Visa and MC have come to be accepted by most businesses, just as in America. You likely will only need to hit up an ATM (with your debit card, not credit card) once or twice. Don't take out too much money near the end of the trip. It will cost you dearly to re-exchange back to dollars at a currency exchange!
Transportation: I always use the buses and subways in Rome. There are only two subway lines, so it's an easy system to navigate. I usually get a multi-day pass. The system is known as "ATAC" and below is a link (you don't need to buy the tickets until you get there, but this gives you an idea). Currently, a 48 hour unlimited use ticket is only 12½ euro. Pretty cheap if you ask me. Just make sure you keep your wallet in a front pants pocket if you're in a crowded bus or subway.
Rome Transportation System
When I arrive at the Rome airport, I just head for the taxi stand and take an offical cab to my hotel. No big deal. All licensed taxis have "Comune di Roma" decals (with the license number) on the doors. As others have said, the current official flat rate from the airport to central Rome (including Trastevere) is euro 48. Unless you have a lot of luggage, taxis should be able to accomodate 4 people. During the stay, only use these official metered cabs.
Safety: leave your passport, one credit card and any excess cash in a room safe if you have one. In fact, even if you don't have a room safe, your passport is probably safer at the hotel, than with you all day. Do make copies of your passport (ID photo page) and carry that with you, and only one credit card and money for the day. Your driver's license will be a handy official ID for renting those self-tour audio guides at museums. Never give them your passport to hold. Avoid crowds who are watching an argument or fight. IME, a lot of commotion means pick pockets are busy with naive tourists!
Trastevere is one of my favorite areas of Rome to stay! I also really like the Prati near the Vatican. Many, many small local inexpensive restaurants, trattoria, tavola calda and snack bars.
Cash and payments: Put everything you can on a credit card, especially one that does not charge the usual 3% foreign conversion fee on purchases. In recent years, Visa and MC have come to be accepted by most businesses, just as in America. You likely will only need to hit up an ATM (with your debit card, not credit card) once or twice. Don't take out too much money near the end of the trip. It will cost you dearly to re-exchange back to dollars at a currency exchange!
Transportation: I always use the buses and subways in Rome. There are only two subway lines, so it's an easy system to navigate. I usually get a multi-day pass. The system is known as "ATAC" and below is a link (you don't need to buy the tickets until you get there, but this gives you an idea). Currently, a 48 hour unlimited use ticket is only 12½ euro. Pretty cheap if you ask me. Just make sure you keep your wallet in a front pants pocket if you're in a crowded bus or subway.
Rome Transportation System
When I arrive at the Rome airport, I just head for the taxi stand and take an offical cab to my hotel. No big deal. All licensed taxis have "Comune di Roma" decals (with the license number) on the doors. As others have said, the current official flat rate from the airport to central Rome (including Trastevere) is euro 48. Unless you have a lot of luggage, taxis should be able to accomodate 4 people. During the stay, only use these official metered cabs.
Safety: leave your passport, one credit card and any excess cash in a room safe if you have one. In fact, even if you don't have a room safe, your passport is probably safer at the hotel, than with you all day. Do make copies of your passport (ID photo page) and carry that with you, and only one credit card and money for the day. Your driver's license will be a handy official ID for renting those self-tour audio guides at museums. Never give them your passport to hold. Avoid crowds who are watching an argument or fight. IME, a lot of commotion means pick pockets are busy with naive tourists!
Trastevere is one of my favorite areas of Rome to stay! I also really like the Prati near the Vatican. Many, many small local inexpensive restaurants, trattoria, tavola calda and snack bars.
Posted on 4/17/17 at 7:45 pm to 62Tigerfan
Thanks again guys for all the help. Finalizing day-to day details. A few more questions:
How hard/rough is it to get around Rome by foot? Example: Staying in Trastevere area. Day 3 we have a tour of the Colosseum and surrounding area in the morning. I'd like to hit Scala Scanta that that afternoon and finish off around Piazza Navona then mosey back to Trastevere. From Trastevere to the Colosseum is about a 25 min walk, from there to the Scala Scanta is a 17 min walk, would take public transportation to the Piazza Navona area then walk back to Trastevere that late afternoon/night. None of these walks would be in circumstances that they have to be made in that allotted time. Basically the first one would be over 2 hours, the second one over 5+- and the last one is essentially open ended until we get back to our ABNB.
High level schedule (with big walking days noted):
Day 1 fly there, day 2, arrive, stay around and acclimate to Italy/Rome/Trastevere, go to bed early
Days 3 and 4 would be big sight seeing/walking days in Rome
Day 5 travel by car through countryside, Pisa, Lucca, arrive in Florence late afternoon
Days 6 and 7 Big sight seeing/walking days in Florence
Day 8 breakfast in Florence, travel to Venice by train mid morning, spend afternoon walking around/getting feel for venice
Day 9 big sight seeing/walking day in Venice
Day 10 fly back
Note: when i say "big walking day" i don't mean rushed by any means, just more distances with a long alloted time to get from point a to point b.
so, should i plan on walking that much or focus on hopping around by public transportation?
also, multiple references saying leave things at hotel. We're staying at an AirBNB place so i would rather keep everything of value on my person save for 1 credit card hidden somewhere in the ABNB (with copies elsewhere). I've purchased a pacsafe backpack to keep everything in. Is this a good/bad/meh plan? I'd feel safer having it on me and me paying extra attention to it than having it sit in our room.
How hard/rough is it to get around Rome by foot? Example: Staying in Trastevere area. Day 3 we have a tour of the Colosseum and surrounding area in the morning. I'd like to hit Scala Scanta that that afternoon and finish off around Piazza Navona then mosey back to Trastevere. From Trastevere to the Colosseum is about a 25 min walk, from there to the Scala Scanta is a 17 min walk, would take public transportation to the Piazza Navona area then walk back to Trastevere that late afternoon/night. None of these walks would be in circumstances that they have to be made in that allotted time. Basically the first one would be over 2 hours, the second one over 5+- and the last one is essentially open ended until we get back to our ABNB.
High level schedule (with big walking days noted):
Day 1 fly there, day 2, arrive, stay around and acclimate to Italy/Rome/Trastevere, go to bed early
Days 3 and 4 would be big sight seeing/walking days in Rome
Day 5 travel by car through countryside, Pisa, Lucca, arrive in Florence late afternoon
Days 6 and 7 Big sight seeing/walking days in Florence
Day 8 breakfast in Florence, travel to Venice by train mid morning, spend afternoon walking around/getting feel for venice
Day 9 big sight seeing/walking day in Venice
Day 10 fly back
Note: when i say "big walking day" i don't mean rushed by any means, just more distances with a long alloted time to get from point a to point b.
so, should i plan on walking that much or focus on hopping around by public transportation?
also, multiple references saying leave things at hotel. We're staying at an AirBNB place so i would rather keep everything of value on my person save for 1 credit card hidden somewhere in the ABNB (with copies elsewhere). I've purchased a pacsafe backpack to keep everything in. Is this a good/bad/meh plan? I'd feel safer having it on me and me paying extra attention to it than having it sit in our room.
This post was edited on 4/17/17 at 7:53 pm
Posted on 4/17/17 at 8:07 pm to poochie
Haven't read the entire thread, but are you using a guide at all in Rome? I've got the name of a fantastic Roman guide who speaks perfect English, has a larger than life and authentic Italian personality, can get you to the front of the line most everywhere you go, and can show you some of the best restaurants around.
Also, I highly recommend one of the food tours in Testaccio or Trastavere. I'd go with the one in Testaccio.
Gelateria La Romana is the best gelato in Rome. It's authentic (not the powdered stuff) and not known by most tourists since their locations tend to be in areas tourists don't frequent.
Also, I highly recommend one of the food tours in Testaccio or Trastavere. I'd go with the one in Testaccio.
Gelateria La Romana is the best gelato in Rome. It's authentic (not the powdered stuff) and not known by most tourists since their locations tend to be in areas tourists don't frequent.
Posted on 4/17/17 at 8:22 pm to poochie
Only bad thing about Rome is that the metro isn't nearly as dense as what you see in London or Paris, so you are forced to do a lot more walking than in other cities.
I'd be weary of wearing sandals too much. Rome has a lot of cobblestone streets that are uneven and somewhat hard on the feet. I'd go with a comfortable, closed shoe over sandals.
The rooftop bar at the Hotel Indigo on the east side of the Tiber across from Trastavere is a lot of fun. There's a great bartender there named Claudia who gave us fantastic service when we were there a few months ago.
If Catholic, don't miss the Holy Stairs.
I'd be weary of wearing sandals too much. Rome has a lot of cobblestone streets that are uneven and somewhat hard on the feet. I'd go with a comfortable, closed shoe over sandals.
The rooftop bar at the Hotel Indigo on the east side of the Tiber across from Trastavere is a lot of fun. There's a great bartender there named Claudia who gave us fantastic service when we were there a few months ago.
If Catholic, don't miss the Holy Stairs.
Posted on 4/17/17 at 8:23 pm to RedStickBR
Best street food in Florence:
Posted on 4/17/17 at 8:26 pm to RedStickBR
Planning on wearing regular comfortable running shoes. Don't mind walking.
Planing on hitting the holy steps.
Planing on hitting the holy steps.
Posted on 4/17/17 at 8:26 pm to RedStickBR
Dal Moro's is the best street food in Venice. It's made to order pasta sold in a Chinese container that works great for walking around with and keeping your pasta warm:
Posted on 4/17/17 at 8:28 pm to poochie
Rome is a fantastic city for walking, esp in the historic center. You will see much more on foot, with ample time to absorb the sights. Parts are hilly (the seven hills making up the city) but no impossibly so. It's a good idea to plan to take the bus from St John Lateran over to Navona, it will give you a rest for a bit as well. Navona to Trastevere is an easy stroll, and you can either detour through Campo di Fiori or the Ghetto to see yet another area. Either neighborhood offers a bakery or two (eat some pizza bianca for me, a focaccia like only in Rome flatbread topped w/herbs, oil, and salt), plus sights...like the Ponte Fabricio from the ghetto to the Tiber Island....oldest extant bridge in Rome, built in 62 BC and still used daily.
RE: keeping things on your person vs. storing at the AirBnB...that's a call I'd wait until on site to make. I stayed at one in Dublin recently, and it was very secure. Owner met us, double locks on doors, on 5th floor of a secure apartment building. I had no qualms about leaving my stuff there. Gonna use one in London in a month, hope it feels as secure. I often wear hiking style pants when traveling, partially because the zippered leg pockets are hard to pick and handy for carrying passport, etc. Ditto for a light jacket w/zippered interior chest pocket. If you can wear the backpack as a cross-body bag that you can sling toward the front, you should be fine...esp if it has flaps covering the zippers and/or locking zips. I would not stroll around all day with a double-strapped backpack on my back....too easily rifled thru while you are gawking at the sights. I travel w/a unisex Tumi daybag that serves as my crossbody handbag yet is easily carried by my better half when I get sick of lugging it.
Oh and one final Rome tip: there are public drinking fountains all over the city. Roman water is delicious, bring a Vapur foldable bottle or Nalgene or similar and drink that free city water from some of the coolest looking fountains around. (Note: if a fountain is marked "Non-Potabile", it's not drinkable water.
RE: keeping things on your person vs. storing at the AirBnB...that's a call I'd wait until on site to make. I stayed at one in Dublin recently, and it was very secure. Owner met us, double locks on doors, on 5th floor of a secure apartment building. I had no qualms about leaving my stuff there. Gonna use one in London in a month, hope it feels as secure. I often wear hiking style pants when traveling, partially because the zippered leg pockets are hard to pick and handy for carrying passport, etc. Ditto for a light jacket w/zippered interior chest pocket. If you can wear the backpack as a cross-body bag that you can sling toward the front, you should be fine...esp if it has flaps covering the zippers and/or locking zips. I would not stroll around all day with a double-strapped backpack on my back....too easily rifled thru while you are gawking at the sights. I travel w/a unisex Tumi daybag that serves as my crossbody handbag yet is easily carried by my better half when I get sick of lugging it.
Oh and one final Rome tip: there are public drinking fountains all over the city. Roman water is delicious, bring a Vapur foldable bottle or Nalgene or similar and drink that free city water from some of the coolest looking fountains around. (Note: if a fountain is marked "Non-Potabile", it's not drinkable water.
Posted on 4/17/17 at 8:32 pm to hungryone
Do me just one favor in London: eat at Dishoom at least twice. The wife and I love Indian and it's the best we've had. While there, do not pass on the aged Indian old fashioneds. Best old fashioned I've ever had.
Posted on 4/17/17 at 9:00 pm to poochie
Tell me more about "the other side of the river" in florence.
Posted on 4/17/17 at 9:04 pm to poochie
Other side of the river is great. Lots of good leather on that side of the river, but the best is Papini just on the north side of the Ponte Vecchio. They've made leather for nearly every US President and make incredible leather money clips. I've had one for three years that is still as good as the day I bought it after daily use.
Posted on 4/17/17 at 9:12 pm to RedStickBR
Noted, Thanks. Was also told to see the Pitti Palace which appears to be near there as well. We'll spend that first day in Florence taking it all in and do our tours on day two.
Next q: booking train tickets from Florence to Venice. I've muddled my way though so far on their website but noting is in english and i'm probably making big unseen mistakes. Any websites allow booking in english or just wait to book there? Looking for the fast train from Florence to Venice.
Next q: booking train tickets from Florence to Venice. I've muddled my way though so far on their website but noting is in english and i'm probably making big unseen mistakes. Any websites allow booking in english or just wait to book there? Looking for the fast train from Florence to Venice.
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