Anyone Been to Italy?

[VaultedTreehouse]

I'm going on Saturday for a week. Really looking forward to it. Bringing a group of high school kids and a couple of other female chaperones. Free trip, and their parents sign something saying the kids can drink so I don't have to worry about that....I start in Milan and work my way down. Will see it all....Any advice on things to do, avoid (like the thieving Italians(full disclosure---I'm half Italian) ?

 

[Concorde]

I'm going on Saturday for a week. Really looking forward to it. Bringing a group of high school kids and a couple of other female chaperones. Free trip, and their parents sign something saying the kids can drink so I don't have to worry about that....I start in Milan and work my way down. Will see it all....Any advice on things to do, avoid (like the thieving Italians(full disclosure---I'm half Italian) ?

Vaulted,

If you like Mountains you could visit Valtellina ( eat "pizzoccheri" if you have the opportunity ) then the lake of Como. They are not to far away from Milan.

Concorde

 

[pier0]

Concorde,

for someone coming to Italy for the first time (and just for a week), I don't think Valtellina is the place to go...

They'll probably go Venice, Florence, Rome...

I wouldn't spend too much time in Milan though.

 

[VaultedTreehouse]

Yeah Pier, most of the time will be spent in Rome and Florence.

 

[dougstewart]

Yeah Pier, most of the time will be spent in Rome and Florence.

You will not be disappointted. I was there back in the 70's while in the Navy and I long to go back. Being on a tour with kids, your trip is probably already planned, but get a good guide book (Frommer's, et al) for further tips. Please give us a full report when you return.

 

[coconutman]

Italy has a lot to offer.

 

[DarrylParsons]

You'll find everything pretty expensive, especially now that the dollar is weak vs. the Euro. Otherwise it should be enjoyable...lots of stuff to see and friendly people. Best way to make a good impression and be treated nicely -- greet them in Italian and ask if they speak English before you say anything in English. If you just start right off speaking English, they will take that as arrogance.

 

[Concorde]

Concorde,

for someone coming to Italy for the first time (and just for a week), I don't think Valtellina is the place to go...

They'll probably go Venice, Florence, Rome...

I wouldn't spend too much time in Milan though.

Pier,

If he have only one week to spend yes i agree.

Darryl you wright on the USD. Just think that 5 years ago 1 USD was around 2200 ITL, now it is around 1500 ITL.

 

[gman]

if this is your first time traveling to europe one thing you will realize.the usa is the greatest place to live in the world.

 

[mizagot]

I lived there for a time. I consider it now my second home (and find that I miss it quite often).

 

[Woody0]

greet them in Italian and ask if they speak English before you say anything in English. If you just start right off speaking English, they will take that as arrogance.

Reminds me of a trip in my youth. In many parts of Italy when I tried to speak pigeon Italian I was responded to in German, which was not helpful!

Milan is just a place to arrive, fashion and banking but nothing otherwise of real interest. Florence and Rome are the places to see and Venice if you can squeeze it in.

Going to Rome week after next for a cruise of the Greek Isles returning to Venice. Looking forward to my first visit to Naples. Looks like a major archeological expedition which should be fun.

 

[DELSOLII]

Lake Como.

Nothing like it anywhere.


Sol II

 

[arniesarmy]

Spent 10 days in Italy back in 1982....had a Eurorail pass ...loved the people, especially on the trains where they would be arguing back and forth in the individual booths ... all the teenage girls were bombshells and all the older ladies had mustaches ... went into Rome and although I wasn't Catholic I wanted to see the Pope do the Mass on Sunday. According to the Let's Go book put out by Harvard students, you had to pick up a free ticket from certain Catholic churches to have a seat in St. Peter's Square. I go up to one, walk in and see a priest. I make a square with my figures and say, Papa tickets???

He looks at me and says, "Oh, you want to see the Pope?" Spoke better English than I did. Turns out the guy was from Chicago and had been working over there for a few years.

I just loved Italy.

 

[wilheim]

Lake Como

 

[mj23]

When you get back to the USA you will think you are eating fake food that is how good the food is in Italy!! Have fun and enjoy!

 

[Concorde]

You guys are making me remind when was young, writing about "my" lake. I feel old ( like 5steam post ). Joking ... Here is "my town" called Dongo ( very famous because they catch Mussolini on 45 ) ...

http://www.larioonline.it/english/altolario/dongo.html

 

[SALTHEITAL]

Went to Sicily for a month!

Great stay.

Priceless!



VIVA L'ITALIA !


SAL