Italy - Advice

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#1106944 12-Aug-2014 11:11

Whilst in Rome a day trip to Florence on the train would be worthwhile.

ZiglioNZ

194 posts

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#1106950 12-Aug-2014 11:16

From Milan, one hour you're on Lake Como, or Switzerland / Lugano.
Three hours, you're in Venice.
Two hours to Genova, Cinque Terre.
I wouldn't spend too much time in Milan itself, although it's my home town ;-)

Stress

48 posts

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#1106972 12-Aug-2014 11:40

Italy is just awesome, you'll have a great time. One easy pick pocket tip, keep your money in your front pocket and when it starts to crowd up, put your hands in your pockets. Easy.

clicknz

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#1106982 12-Aug-2014 11:57

Re. gadgets - (depending on what you're taking of course), I was recently reminded of the handy tip to take a multi-plug power strip from home and get a local plug adapter for it. So much easier than getting several adapters and then finding that your room has only one powerpoint.
I also found it hard to get my head around the Italian power sockets - seems two thin prongs for non-earthed and 2 fatter prongs plus a thin prong for earthed... but there seemed to be differences sometimes...?

Cheers,
Mike

Photographer/Videographer clickmedia.nz

robjg63

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#1106983 12-Aug-2014 11:59

Kingy: robjg63 covered most of the important stuff. Keep your wallet somewhere other than your back pocket and just keep your eyes open (especially in busy areas).

In Rome the best thing we got told was instead of getting in the big queue at the Colosseum go around the corner to the Roman Forum and purchase your tickets there. Not only is the Forum a must see but you get tickets to the Colosseum and can then skip the line there after.

Also one thing we stumbled upon while lining up for tickets at the Forum was a young American tour guide who took us on a tour through the Forum. Was well worth the extra 5EUR as without the tour we wouldn't have known what we were looking at. Something I actually wish we did at the Colosseum.

Thats a really good bit of advice. My wife and I were staying about a 10 minute walk away from there. We wanted to see the Forum more than the Colosseum and I realised quite by accident that our ticket covered both. We were up quite early to get into the Forum - from memory it was a Sunday morning - absolutely no queues. They shut off the roads around this area to vehicles (I think just Sundays) and its great to wander around the roads.

By the time we got to the Colosseum (which is well worth looking at) the queue was horrendous. We actually stood in it for a little while before we twigged that if you went way up the front (and already had your ticket) you could go straight in. Everyone else was standing in the queue to buy tickets.

Likewise if you decide you have to go to the Vatican, then buy your ticket in advance off the internet, get there early, and dont be fooled to stand in the achingly long queue that everyone seems to be standing in. There is another (much shorter) queue for ticket holders - but you have to look for it. Personally I thought the Vatican was interesting enough - but the shuffling queue for the sistine chapel put me off that part - it made me think what it must have been like to be prisoners manacled at the ankles and made to walk 5 km in them.

Nothing is impossible for the man who doesn't have to do it himself - A. H. Weiler

invisibleman18

1360 posts

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#1107009 12-Aug-2014 12:28

Kingy: robjg63 covered most of the important stuff. Keep your wallet somewhere other than your back pocket and just keep your eyes open (especially in busy areas).

In Rome the best thing we got told was instead of getting in the big queue at the Colosseum go around the corner to the Roman Forum and purchase your tickets there. Not only is the Forum a must see but you get tickets to the Colosseum and can then skip the line there after.

Echo this advice for Colosseum. Get your combined ticket at the Roman Forum then you go skip the queue at the Colosseum and go up the ticket holders line. Not many people seemed to do this when I went. Another thing to be aware of outside the colosseum is the guys dressed up as gladiators. I had my camera out taking photos outside and was quickly pounced on by a couple of them. Before I knew it they had grabbed my camera and I was posing for a photo with one of them then they asked for 40 Euros. Don't worry though, they were not unpleasant or anything and gave the camera straight back before payment, they just try it on to see what they can get. I gave them a few coins and went on my way.

If you think you can manage the tough climb, the view from the top of the Sistine Chapel is not to be missed. This is a photo I took:

As for pickpockets I was warned that Rome and around the Leaning Tower of Pisa are pretty bad for it but I didn't have any trouble. Just keep your wits about you, don't have too much cash on you in the same pocket and don't leave your wallet in your back pocket or cameras and things clearly hanging out. Camera hanging around your neck is probably not a good idea. I also got a Pacsafe slashproof backpack which gave me peace of mind having read about thieves cutting the bottom of your bag with a knife from behind you to take whatever came out. When on a bus a local pointed to my bag and seemed to indicate to me that it was not a good idea to carry it on my back.

Bung

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#1107035 12-Aug-2014 13:26

I know several people that have had back packs cut and emptied. The usual accomplices creating a hold up in front to bunch up the crowd. Similar thing on escalators 1st guy drops something to hold you and 2nd tries for pockets. The last bag theft I've heard of started with something foul being dropped from above over bag and shoulders. When bag taken off and victim busy wiping clothing somebody sprints past and lifts bag.

It probably comes down to a numbers game you only have to be a bit more alert than all the other May June tourists.

Sharesies

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networkn

Networkn
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#1107047 12-Aug-2014 13:52

ZiglioNZ: From Milan, one hour you're on Lake Como, or Switzerland / Lugano.
Three hours, you're in Venice.
Two hours to Genova, Cinque Terre.
I wouldn't spend too much time in Milan itself, although it's my home town ;-)

The 6 days in Milan is actually being organized by the crowd I won the competition through, there will be some down time, but I expect to spend at least a portion of it in my room dealing with business related things. I'll try to keep that to a minimum though as I have wanted to spend time in Italy since my love of food first
grew! They have arranged tours to Venice and Como for us to go on some of the days as well which is superb!

Rome is the part of the trip where I have complete freedom to decide what to do on my own.

ZiglioNZ

194 posts

Master Geek

#1107085 12-Aug-2014 14:37

networkn: The 6 days in Milan is actually being organized by the crowd I won the competition through, there will be some down time, but I expect to spend at least a portion of it in my room dealing with business related things. I'll try to keep that to a minimum though as I have wanted to spend time in Italy since my love of food first
grew! They have arranged tours to Venice and Como for us to go on some of the days as well which is superb!

Rome is the part of the trip where I have complete freedom to decide what to do on my own.

It sounds fantastic! Can I come too?

Hopefully you guys will have the opportunity to spend a night in Venice!
At night, past 8pm, the town transforms itself, tourists disappear and Venetians start populating the little squares.
"Calli" (little streets) become deserted and spooky, very easy to get lost!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2RGrz1mZve8&list=RD2RGrz1mZve8#t=176

insane

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#1107169 12-Aug-2014 17:06

networkn: Hi There!

I am very fortunate to have won a trip to Italy recently! ...

Would appreciate any insight or experiences.

If you do decide to go into the Vatican Museum / Sistine Chapel etc, make sure you buy a 'skip the line' pass. It only costs ~$10 more than the normal ticket and can be arranged through most Hotels etc, we got ours from the little ticket office for http://www.city-sightseeing.com/tours/italy/rome.htm outside the main plaza on the left, (someone posted a picture of before).. We then walked past about maybe 1KM of people / 3 hours waiting in line and went straight in :)

Also don't eat close to any of the main tourist attractions (Piazza Novona especially), the food one or two streets away is MUCH better. Just look for locals at the restaurants, if you only see tourists keep walking.

matt188

47 posts

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#1107174 12-Aug-2014 17:21

Recommend a day trip from Rome to see the Pompeii ruins. We paid 107 euro per person which included bus, local guide, lunch and entrance tickets.

nate

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#1107180 12-Aug-2014 17:32

If you do end up getting a local SIM card, I had one from TIM (Telecom Italia Mobile). Worked much better than the other guys I was with who went with alternatives.

You will need your passport. You can't buy a SIM without one. No exceptions.

matt188

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#1107184 12-Aug-2014 17:39

nate: If you do end up getting a local SIM card, I had one from TIM (Telecom Italia Mobile). Worked much better than the other guys I was with who went with alternatives.

You will need your passport. You can't buy a SIM without one. No exceptions.

Yes, don't get a Wind SIM card. I found the reception was very bad compared to my friend who was doing the $5 Vodafone roaming.

afe66

3181 posts

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#1107261 12-Aug-2014 19:47

If the US government says there is a threat somewhere and their citizens should stay away, go there and enjoy the silence.

We spent an amazing weekend in Venice when the US government said there was a "terrorist threat".

Place was deserted, lovely views, great photos.

(Were outnumbered by the police.)

stuartmac

66 posts

Master Geek

#1107268 12-Aug-2014 20:15

I was there about 12 months ago for a 3 week trip - bought a prepay SIM (TIM) for 10 euros - SIM + 5 euro credit, but which included unlimited data for the first 30 days. Was probably an introductory offer to get prepaid users hooked on data, but still good value for money!

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