Traveling to Italy

[KJS]

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there are 5 towns on the riviera called the "cinque terre" - don't miss it. you'll love it

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I was planning to go here, got off the train, saw like 10 dudes in UW hoodies, got right back on the train. Yes it is beautiful but when I was there it was overrun by frat guy types.

I went to Noli, which is further North on the Riviera and loved it. Very small town with good beaches, a couple castles and great food.

I also liked Terracinna for a medium sized beach town south of Rome.

KJS

[good2cu]

Italy is my favorite place ever. Florence and Cinque Terre are musts. Rome is pretty meh.

[jfk]

In Tuscany, not far from Pisa, is a small town called Lucca. It was a major highlight of our '92 trip. Lucca is an old walled city and has a very traditional way and feel about it. We (the wife and I) stayed in a villa (Villa Brancoli) up on the hill and used it as a base for excursions. The meals in Lucca were outstanding.

Siena has been mentioned in this thread and it was a highlight, very much worth the trip. Siena is known for its town square and a duomo which features alternating black and white ringed pillars. Another town we enjoyed was Pienza, which is walled and in a scenic, hilly area. I remember a wild boar prosciutto we found there that I'd love to find again.

Florence didn't make quite the impression that others normally have but a trip is somewhat obligatory. A regret is not making it to Venice.

In Rome, I thought the Vatican was a major highlight. I've not heard it discussed often as a leading tourist destination, but found myself struck by it. This is not an opinion tainted by religious or aesthetic considerations, but the Vatican made a lasting impression.

[Narcileptico]

Spend one day at most in Rome. You will seriously be in awe at how rude the Romans are to outsiders. People everywhere outside of Rome are very friendly in general though.

[testaaja]

I was there last summer for a week. We drove from Bologna to Tuscany taking the little mountain roads. It was very very VERY beautiful. The scenery was stunning. The drive was long but it was a blast. We got to see those little villages and small coffee shops etc etc, houses on both sides of the road, man it was awesome.
I recommend visiting Firenze, dunno why because I didn't really like it but just visit there [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img].
We were at this big mansion with a pool and [censored] and had a direct view to a wine field, A W E S O M E.

If you go, go to a small village and get a house for a period of time. Get your bread from the bakery every morning etc. Just a few tips from me [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Edit: pisa was [censored], don't go there.

[nolanfan34]

A couple more questions, great responses so far!

A few people have mentioned driving. Sounds like it's a feasible option? I think my wife is a little concerned about renting a car and driving in a foreign country, but I'd love to do it.

Also, best place to fly in and out of? Or is it good just to fly anywhere in Europe and take a smaller carrier from there? I have not been to Europe so thoughts ae appreciated.

[daryn]

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if ever in florence near piazza santo spirito check out borgo antico! love that restaurant

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sick restaurant... I wanted to go back but didnt have enough time

Coco Trippone (a little far away... past the main road beyond piazza di san marco) was amazing too

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i rented an apartment right above borgo antico for a month, best time of my life. also the best thing i did was rent a vespa and buzz around town all night long. very early in the am i'd stop in at a local pastry joint for cappuccino and pastry and then hit the sack. i'd sleep all day while the tourists were out flooding the streets. getting a scooter is the best thing ever

[daryn]

oh yeah some pics of san gimignano, the small city near florence i recommend checking out

[NicksDad1970]

Italy is my second fav place I've been (1st was Darwin Australia). I lived there for 6 months from Jan - Jun 1994.

I lived about 45 min north of Venice in Aviano in what they call the prealps. The people were awesome and the scenery was incredible. I actually did do "Rome in a day". I don't advise just one day for that city.

One thing that struck me was how a new building down there was like 700 years old.

I would recommend getting out and meeting locals. Also Rome was really cool but a lot of places were very touristy.

Edit - I forgot to mention the driving down there is the craziest I've seen. You can pass anywhere and oncoming traffic is supposed to move for you. In Rome I saw people driving on sidewalks etc.

[nolanfan34]

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Edit - I forgot to mention the driving down there is the craziest I've seen. You can pass anywhere and oncoming traffic is supposed to move for you. In Rome I saw people driving on sidewalks etc.

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Yeah, that scares the heck out of me, but I'm assuming the countryside driving isn't as bad, right?