Anyone been to Italy? Need input.

[TheProfessor]

So my wife and I celebrate our 5th wedding anniversary this August and we were thinking of going to Italy to celebrate. I've just learned though that August is not a good month to go to Italy due to the fact that nearly two thirds of all shops, restaurants, etc. will be closed for hoildays! Is that true? If so, is it still worth going or better to go another time? We're looking to spend two night in Venice, two nights in Florence, and four nights in Rome.

Is it safe to assume that rail is the way to go when travelling between cities?

Anything else we need to know about?

[Jeff-TheBiz]

Rail is good, but make sure you have your return ticket purchased in advance.. if they sell out, you get to wait for the next train.

[TheProfessor]

I think all of our trips are going to be one way so that shouldn't be a problem.

[jaM3ican]

If you are of the religious nature and plan to visit the Vatican, make sure your wife covers her shoulders. My wife went one year before we met and she was not allowed in for that same reason.

[TheProfessor]

We are not really very religous, but we have every intention of seeing the Vatican. That's good info, thanks!

[Jeff-TheBiz]

And what ever you do, if you are visiting museums... do not take any pics,

This little guy almost got me arrested.

[CanadaGTO]

Looks like you'll be in Europe around the same time I will. You've heard right that in August a lot of the locals go on vacation and a lot shuts down. You should still be okay though if you're not too picky :) I'm staying with relatives so this wont effect me too much though.

Have fun though, you should love it :)

Also, if you've got a little time, rent a car and go out to the country for a few days. Nothing like seeing areas that are not tourist traps.

[marchz24]

I've been to Italy. It's awesome! August is a very HOT month to be in Italy. I mean very HOT. Just be ready to sweat buckets. I've been to Rome and Venice. Very nice! When I went we weren't their long so their wasn't very much time to relax. We did a lot of sight seeing. It's a very beautiful country and if you have the opportunity to go see it you should. Especially if you don't have kids. Good luck!

[matt]

i hope that i can be of some help given that my family is originally from Italy. you mentioned the holiday in august, it is called ferragosto and is a big holiday in Italy and usually the italians will take a week or more like 2 weeks off as vacations. i don't think it is the best time to visit italy during this period but you can probably do some things still, im not to sure about tourist things, but rest assure many shops and stores will indeed be closed in the cities as the owners too go on vacations for this period. as people above said, it is really hot during this time. when i was there during ferragosto a few years ago we went to the beach and everything was okay as the italians themselves go to these places, but stores, im not too sure. either way, im sure you'll enjoy yourselves, but do a little research on where u want to go and if it will be open, if u need any more help or suggestions let me know

[ZeroChalk]

I've been to Italy too. Liked Florence but IMO 1 day is good enough. Rome was awesome. Venice I disliked. Took a gondala ride and there was garbage floating (smelled like a sewer) everywhere in the water. Mind you, take that with a grain of salt... there are ton's of people who love that city (my sister included and she's been 3x).

[TheProfessor]

To be perfectly honest I don't have much interest in going to Venice but my wife really wants to go. Both of us really like the heat so I don't think it'll be too bad. My biggest concern is that things we want to do and see will be closed. We're not going there to shop so if stores/malls and whatnot are closed I don't care. I do want to go and see the sights, sit in a cafe somewhere overlooking a square, and just soak up the culture. If I can still do that during the ferragosto then I'm happy.

Thanks for the info thus far guys!

[bluntman]

http://www.lifeinitaly.com/travel/italy-when.asp

From the first sentence of the fourth paragraph:

During July and August, all of the tourist attractions in the cities and elsewhere remain open. Many of the cities like Rome have organized evening visiting hours in the museums which allow tourists to enjoy the magnificent works of art in a suggestive and relaxed atmosphere.

A few things to remember:
- pizza is different in Italy
- have some gelato
- in a cafe, you pay first and then order
- coffee is an experience, especially if you take it with cream/milk
- watch your valuables on the busy streets
- it's hot in Rome during the summer (there were a record number of deaths reported in Rome, due to the heat, a couple of summers ago...so drink a lot of water)
- brush up on a little Italian (eventhough they speak English, it's always nice to converse with the locals in their native tongue...remember the adage, "When in Rome...")
- when in Florence, go to the top of the Duomo (the cathedral) and you'll get a panoramic view of the Tuscan region and the city.
- check out the Academia and the Ponte Vecchio as well, in Florence
- have a Bellini in Harry's Bar in Venice (just like Ernest Hemmingway)
- restaurants will charge you extra if you eat/have a drink outside while the band is playing in St. Mark's Square (Venice)
- the streets are confusing in Venice, but they are well worth exploring
- join up with other travellers if you want to take a gondola ride, they can be expensive
- check out the glass blowing factories and the Dogge's Palace
- if you can, go to the islands surrounding Venice, either Burano or Murano (they are also good places to pick up some authentic handmade Carnivale masks or lace)
- a water taxi from the Venice train station to St. Mark's is expensive, take "public transportation"
- bring good walking shoes when exploring the Roman Coliseum and the Forum, the place is huge!
- don't forget to visit the Pantheon and the Piazza Navona (they are right by one another)
- join a tour (find a guide beforehand) when going to the Vatican
- as mentioned previously, women must not have bare shoulders when entering the Vatican, but also, no shorts are allowed...pants or dresses only
- no photos can be taken of the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel but you can shoot away inside St. Peter's Basilica (this place is massive!)
- Rome does have a subway system if you are sick of using taxis or walking
- don't forget to throw three coins in Trevi Fountain
- make sure to visit "The Wedding Cake" in Rome, since it is your wedding anniversary
- take some time to sit on The Spanish Steps and do some people watching

[TheProfessor]

Wow, that is awesome info Bluntman, thanks!

[bluntman]

Enjoy!

If I remember anything else I will post it up here.

[SGT06]

- Prepare to wait in line wherever you go.
- Someone mentioned Vatican's dress code (It is a church). Sunday dress mode maybe not suit a tie but casual is ok (not bbq style).
- Don't eat on the main strips unless you are prepared to pay a high price for the view. i.e. Pizza slice and coke will cost you upward of $10 Euro.
- It's gonna be scorching hot during the summer months..good thing there are plenty of gelato flavours to be had.

[TheProfessor]

If we go to the vatican during the week what's dress code like? Can we both just wear jeans and a short sleeved shirt?

[bluntman]

If we go to the vatican during the week what's dress code like? Can we both just wear jeans and a short sleeved shirt?

Yes, that's fine. If you are fortunate enough to go there on a Wednesday, I believe the Pope conducts a public mass on that day.

You probably know this already, but don't get a hotel in Venice, but rather outside of the city and take a train in, it's cheaper.

The European attitude is different than the North American attitude, it is very laid back - things will get done, just not a promptly as we are accustomed to over here.

[TheProfessor]

Alright, we're now thinking of pushing the trip back a month or two for a few reasons:

1) The weather will be a little bit more comfortable
2) Hopefully once school starts there will be a few less tourists all over the place
3) We can avoid the Italian Holiday shut down

So anyone have any comments on going in say late September or early to mid October?

[bluntman]

The weather is much more comfortable in October than during the summer. The thing is, there really never is a "down season" for tourism in Italy so there will be crowds of tourists whenever you go, at least this time, the crowds will be of tourists and not tourists and locals.

[TheProfessor]

The weather is much more comfortable in October than during the summer. The thing is, there really never is a "down season" for tourism in Italy so there will be crowds of tourists whenever you go, at least this time, the crowds will be of tourists and not tourists and locals.


So you think it's still better to go in August? We're really struggling with this trip right now and for whatever reason I'm not finding very useful info online.

[bluntman]

"...the weeks immediately before and after the 15th of August which is the peak of the holiday season for Italians. However, if you are visiting cities like Rome, Florence or any city for that matter, July or August are excellent months I would say. In August when most Italians will be on vacation, it becomes amazingly easy to visit the cities. Traffic becomes minimal, and parking in Rome for example which is normally a stressful impossible task - becomes so easy! Then we must consider the nightlife!"

From:
http://www.lifeinitaly.com/travel/italy-when.asp

Personally, I would go in October, but my anniversary isn't in the summer. :)

[TheProfessor]

Yeah, I read every word in that link you posted.....some very useful info. We're not so hell bent on being in Italy for our actual anniversary which is why we are now considering going a little later. I'll have to look into flights and hotels to see if it is significantly more expensive/cheaper (hopefully the latter).

Thanks again Blunty.

[MaxRPM]

The wife and I were there in October 2005. We flew from Paris to Pisa and rented a car from the airport. Drove From Pisa to Florence to Venice then into Austria. For two or more people, car is cheaper and more convenient then train and you see a hell of a lot more. Pisa is nice but you don't need much more than a day. Florence is nice, go out and experience the city and mingle with the locals. Avoid Venice on a weekend, that's when all the cruise ships roll in and all the Americans come and complain that it's not America. It will be more crowded than a Toronto mall on Christmas eve.

[TheProfessor]

How was the weather when you guys went? I'd actually really like to drive, but I've been told that to have a car in Rome is a no-no. I wonder if we can pick up a car in Venice, drive it around and drop it off in Florence?

[MaxRPM]

Weather was excellent, pants and a t-shirt are fine and a thin jacket in the evening. Rome may be different because it is a little further north.

Driving can seem a little crazy in the cities because all the scooters but it never bothered me. I haven't driven in Rome. Geta GPS, it will save some time. I went to Europe again in the spring of 2006 and drove a lot and bought Microsoft Autoroute with GPS and installed it on my laptop. Saved a lot of time specially in the cities. I believe most rentals will offer GPS units now.

Shop around for rentals, some charged a big "one way" fee which can cost more then the rental. I went with Avis but booked it through my TD Travel Card agent. Avis online charged too much. I used Hertz.com the second time and the one way charge was nominal, sign up for their membership, 10% discount.

[bluntman]

Weather was excellent, pants and a t-shirt are fine and a thin jacket in the evening. Rome may be different because it is a little further north.

Umm, Rome is south of Florence, Pisa and Venice.

http://www.disi.unige.it/person/PalamidessiC/EXPRESS97/italy.gif

[MaxRPM]

I stand corrected...I was thinking Milan, one city we wanted to go to but skipped because it was too far off our planned route. Skipped Rome too for the same reason.

[TheProfessor]

I'm not sure why but I don't have any desire to go to Milan.

[bluntman]

Milan is "fashion capital" of Italy...a lot of models could be roaming around the streets while are there...fashion houses should be showing their Spring 2008 collection around October. ;)

I've heard Milan is a more industrial city...kind of like Hamilton. :D

[MaxRPM]

If you like racing try and time your trip with a race. I wanted to go to San Marino for to a MotoGP race but couldn't work it out with regards to timing even though it was only a day off the schedule.

[TheProfessor]

Somehow I doubt my wife would like it if I tried to coordinate our anniversary trip with a race!

[MaxRPM]

I didn't think my wife would enjoy seeing a Muay Thai (Thai Kick Boxing) tournament on our honeymoon last October but she enjoyed it enough that I was ready to leave before she was. :-)