travelling to Italy - need your advice!!!
Apr 26th 2007 | 1:26 am
#31
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: travelling to Italy - need your advice!!!
> <[email protected]> wrote:
>> Hi! My husband and I (we live in the US) are going to travel to Italy
>> for about two weeks in Aug - Sept. Neither of us speaks Italian or has
>> prior travel experience traveling to Italy, so we need your advice
It's almost sacrilege in this newsgroup, but I'd say your best
bet for a first-time trip to Italy is to book with a tour group
such as Trafalgar.
That way, you avoid hotel-hunting, worries about where and what
to eat, rental cars and language problems -- and still see all
the major sights.
Much easier on the nervous system...
-- Ron
>> Hi! My husband and I (we live in the US) are going to travel to Italy
>> for about two weeks in Aug - Sept. Neither of us speaks Italian or has
>> prior travel experience traveling to Italy, so we need your advice
It's almost sacrilege in this newsgroup, but I'd say your best
bet for a first-time trip to Italy is to book with a tour group
such as Trafalgar.
That way, you avoid hotel-hunting, worries about where and what
to eat, rental cars and language problems -- and still see all
the major sights.
Much easier on the nervous system...
-- Ron
Apr 26th 2007 | 1:58 am
#32
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: travelling to Italy - need your advice!!!
On Thu, 26 Apr 2007 09:26:53 -0400, Ronald Hands
<[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>>> Hi! My husband and I (we live in the US) are going to travel to Italy
>>> for about two weeks in Aug - Sept. Neither of us speaks Italian or has
>>> prior travel experience traveling to Italy, so we need your advice
>
>It's almost sacrilege in this newsgroup, but I'd say your best
>bet for a first-time trip to Italy is to book with a tour group
>such as Trafalgar.
>
>That way, you avoid hotel-hunting, worries about where and what
>to eat, rental cars and language problems -- and still see all
>the major sights.
>
>Much easier on the nervous system...
>
>-- Ron
Good grief, everyone has a first time for visiting a
country. We don't all resort to packaged tours. Two
weeks is sufficient time to see a great deal, and not
have to rush from place to place. You can't see
everything in Italy in that timespan, but you can
enjoy a number of cities in a leisurely fashion.
I don't speak Italian and never had a problem in Italy.
I would suggest first acquiring a few guide books and
checking off places in Italy that seem appealing, and
then coming back to this group with specific questions.
It is not difficult to find a hotel, and "worry about what
one will eat"? That is ludicrous.
You may have a nervous condition that keeps you from exploring
on your own and irrational fears, but I'd keep them to myself
and not pass them on.
<[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>>> Hi! My husband and I (we live in the US) are going to travel to Italy
>>> for about two weeks in Aug - Sept. Neither of us speaks Italian or has
>>> prior travel experience traveling to Italy, so we need your advice
>
>It's almost sacrilege in this newsgroup, but I'd say your best
>bet for a first-time trip to Italy is to book with a tour group
>such as Trafalgar.
>
>That way, you avoid hotel-hunting, worries about where and what
>to eat, rental cars and language problems -- and still see all
>the major sights.
>
>Much easier on the nervous system...
>
>-- Ron
Good grief, everyone has a first time for visiting a
country. We don't all resort to packaged tours. Two
weeks is sufficient time to see a great deal, and not
have to rush from place to place. You can't see
everything in Italy in that timespan, but you can
enjoy a number of cities in a leisurely fashion.
I don't speak Italian and never had a problem in Italy.
I would suggest first acquiring a few guide books and
checking off places in Italy that seem appealing, and
then coming back to this group with specific questions.
It is not difficult to find a hotel, and "worry about what
one will eat"? That is ludicrous.
You may have a nervous condition that keeps you from exploring
on your own and irrational fears, but I'd keep them to myself
and not pass them on.
Apr 26th 2007 | 2:07 am
#33
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: travelling to Italy - need your advice!!!
On Thu, 26 Apr 2007 09:26:53 -0400, Ronald Hands
<[email protected]> wrote:
> worries about where and what
>to eat,
in Italy!!! Thats the joy of the place.
--
Mike Reid
UK walking, food, photos "http://www.fellwalk.co.uk" <-- you can email us@ this site
Spain walking, food, tourism "http://www.fell-walker.co.uk"
Beginners UK flight sim addons "http://www.lawn-mower-man.co.uk"
<[email protected]> wrote:
> worries about where and what
>to eat,
in Italy!!! Thats the joy of the place.
--
Mike Reid
UK walking, food, photos "http://www.fellwalk.co.uk" <-- you can email us@ this site
Spain walking, food, tourism "http://www.fell-walker.co.uk"
Beginners UK flight sim addons "http://www.lawn-mower-man.co.uk"
Apr 26th 2007 | 2:11 am
#34
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: travelling to Italy - need your advice!!!
On Apr 26, 4:36 am, The Reid <[email protected]> wrote:
> On Wed, 25 Apr 2007 21:09:17 +0200, Deeply Filled Mortician
>
> <deepfreudmoors@eITmISaACTUALLYiREAL!l.nu> wrote:
> >Renting a car is what you do in the US. DON'T do it in Europe!
>
> thats a wild over generalisation. I'm sure you yourself have said so.
> I'm very pro car but dont like driving in Italy much. Its crowded
> everywhere and the nice bits are the cities, so trains will be fine.
I've done both. It really depends upon where one is staying
and going and what one is doing whilst there. Trains are fine
between city centers. Getting around in the country can
be a bit more difficult. A car would be much more time
efficient. We wandered around Tuscany in a car seeing
wineries and small towns over a 3 day period that would
have been a real challenge by train. Alternately we took
a train to Florence, Rome, Asissi, etc.
> But if you want to see the Scottish Highlands, the English Lake
> District or Spain outside of the big cities, driving is much more
> effective in getting you where you want to be.
Portions of France can be the same. Going to and from Paris
can be easy from many places. Going from "nowhere to nowhere"
can be a whole day affair involving early morning taxis and
long hours at connecting train stations.
> On Wed, 25 Apr 2007 21:09:17 +0200, Deeply Filled Mortician
>
> <deepfreudmoors@eITmISaACTUALLYiREAL!l.nu> wrote:
> >Renting a car is what you do in the US. DON'T do it in Europe!
>
> thats a wild over generalisation. I'm sure you yourself have said so.
> I'm very pro car but dont like driving in Italy much. Its crowded
> everywhere and the nice bits are the cities, so trains will be fine.
I've done both. It really depends upon where one is staying
and going and what one is doing whilst there. Trains are fine
between city centers. Getting around in the country can
be a bit more difficult. A car would be much more time
efficient. We wandered around Tuscany in a car seeing
wineries and small towns over a 3 day period that would
have been a real challenge by train. Alternately we took
a train to Florence, Rome, Asissi, etc.
> But if you want to see the Scottish Highlands, the English Lake
> District or Spain outside of the big cities, driving is much more
> effective in getting you where you want to be.
Portions of France can be the same. Going to and from Paris
can be easy from many places. Going from "nowhere to nowhere"
can be a whole day affair involving early morning taxis and
long hours at connecting train stations.
Apr 26th 2007 | 2:14 am
#35
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: travelling to Italy - need your advice!!!
On 26 Apr 2007 07:11:39 -0700, me <[email protected]> wrote:
> I've done both. It really depends upon where one is staying
>and going and what one is doing whilst there. Trains are fine
>between city centers. Getting around in the country can
>be a bit more difficult. A car would be much more time
>efficient. We wandered around Tuscany in a car seeing
>wineries and small towns over a 3 day period that would
>have been a real challenge by train. Alternately we took
>a train to Florence, Rome, Asissi, etc.
thanks for posting the simple truth of it!
--
Mike Reid
UK walking, food, photos "http://www.fellwalk.co.uk" <-- you can email us@ this site
Spain walking, food, tourism "http://www.fell-walker.co.uk"
Beginners UK flight sim addons "http://www.lawn-mower-man.co.uk"
> I've done both. It really depends upon where one is staying
>and going and what one is doing whilst there. Trains are fine
>between city centers. Getting around in the country can
>be a bit more difficult. A car would be much more time
>efficient. We wandered around Tuscany in a car seeing
>wineries and small towns over a 3 day period that would
>have been a real challenge by train. Alternately we took
>a train to Florence, Rome, Asissi, etc.
thanks for posting the simple truth of it!
--
Mike Reid
UK walking, food, photos "http://www.fellwalk.co.uk" <-- you can email us@ this site
Spain walking, food, tourism "http://www.fell-walker.co.uk"
Beginners UK flight sim addons "http://www.lawn-mower-man.co.uk"
Apr 26th 2007 | 2:41 am
#36
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: travelling to Italy - need your advice!!!
On Thu, 26 Apr 2007, me wrote:
> Trains are fine between city centers. Getting around in the country
> can be a bit more difficult.
Personally I use only public transport (since I have no car nor driving
license) or eventually take part to organised tours with a very well
qualified organization (TCI). However I'd tend to agree with the above
statement.
You can reach very very easily by fast train most major cities (say
region capitals) in Italy, particularly in the North and Centre. You can
reach easily by train most cities (say province capitals) again
particularly in the North and Centre. In some cases the frequency of the
train will not be very high, or you'd need connections. You can reach as
easily other interesting resorts if they are located on a main line.
I agree that going to secluded places by train can be sometimes tricky
(served by few trains per day). Using local buses has the problem that
it is not always obvious to find which route, where they depart, the
fare, or how to get the ticket.
Tickets are a problem discouraging tourism with public transport in
Italy, since they are almost never sold on board (sometimes with a
surcharge), and may be difficult to get at minor train stops (since
those stations are often unmanned nowadays).
Said that, going around by train among cities is as easy in Italy as
anywhere in those parts of Europe I know. Getting to minor places by
train or public transport can be trickier than in some other countries.
It depends whether you want to see cities and the landscape in between,
or drive to odd countryside locations. This is something one does not
necessarily do on a first visit, but otherwise is better done by car.
On the other hand with cars in cities you have the problem of parking.
The bigger the city, the larger the problem.
--
----------------------------------------------------------------------
[email protected] is a newsreading account used by more persons to
avoid unwanted spam. Any mail returning to this address will be rejected.
Users can disclose their e-mail address in the article if they wish so.
> Trains are fine between city centers. Getting around in the country
> can be a bit more difficult.
Personally I use only public transport (since I have no car nor driving
license) or eventually take part to organised tours with a very well
qualified organization (TCI). However I'd tend to agree with the above
statement.
You can reach very very easily by fast train most major cities (say
region capitals) in Italy, particularly in the North and Centre. You can
reach easily by train most cities (say province capitals) again
particularly in the North and Centre. In some cases the frequency of the
train will not be very high, or you'd need connections. You can reach as
easily other interesting resorts if they are located on a main line.
I agree that going to secluded places by train can be sometimes tricky
(served by few trains per day). Using local buses has the problem that
it is not always obvious to find which route, where they depart, the
fare, or how to get the ticket.
Tickets are a problem discouraging tourism with public transport in
Italy, since they are almost never sold on board (sometimes with a
surcharge), and may be difficult to get at minor train stops (since
those stations are often unmanned nowadays).
Said that, going around by train among cities is as easy in Italy as
anywhere in those parts of Europe I know. Getting to minor places by
train or public transport can be trickier than in some other countries.
It depends whether you want to see cities and the landscape in between,
or drive to odd countryside locations. This is something one does not
necessarily do on a first visit, but otherwise is better done by car.
On the other hand with cars in cities you have the problem of parking.
The bigger the city, the larger the problem.
--
----------------------------------------------------------------------
[email protected] is a newsreading account used by more persons to
avoid unwanted spam. Any mail returning to this address will be rejected.
Users can disclose their e-mail address in the article if they wish so.
Apr 26th 2007 | 3:25 am
#37
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: travelling to Italy - need your advice!!!
On Thu, 26 Apr 2007 16:41:20 +0200, Giovanni Drogo
<[email protected]> wrote:
<sensible advice cut>
what's this group coming to!
--
Mike Reid
UK walking, food, photos "http://www.fellwalk.co.uk" <-- you can email us@ this site
Spain walking, food, tourism "http://www.fell-walker.co.uk"
Beginners UK flight sim addons "http://www.lawn-mower-man.co.uk"
<[email protected]> wrote:
<sensible advice cut>
what's this group coming to!
--
Mike Reid
UK walking, food, photos "http://www.fellwalk.co.uk" <-- you can email us@ this site
Spain walking, food, tourism "http://www.fell-walker.co.uk"
Beginners UK flight sim addons "http://www.lawn-mower-man.co.uk"
Apr 26th 2007 | 5:37 am
#38
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: travelling to Italy - need your advice!!!
> <[email protected]> wrote:
>> Hi! My husband and I (we live in the US) are going to travel to Italy
>> for about two weeks in Aug - Sept. Neither of us speaks Italian or has
>> prior travel experience traveling to Italy, so we need your advice
> It's almost sacrilege in this newsgroup, but I'd say your best
> bet for a first-time trip to Italy is to book with a tour group
> such as Trafalgar.
> That way, you avoid hotel-hunting, worries about where and what
> to eat, rental cars and language problems -- and still see all
> the major sights.
All of the things you mention are very easy in Italy. No hotel? Go
to the tourist office in any airport or train station and they'll hook
you up. What to eat? Italy is full of great restaurants, just walk
around and go into a place with locals - instead of the restaurants
they take tour groups, which are mostly tacky, overpriced, and
mediocre. Language problems? A little Italian will enhance your
experience, but you can get by fine in English. Getting around? Take
the train unless you are visiting tiny villages. And tours are much
more expensive than doing it on your own for the same level of
accommodation, plus you are stuck to the tour's schedule, which
usually means 9 cities in 11 days or something awful like that.
>> Hi! My husband and I (we live in the US) are going to travel to Italy
>> for about two weeks in Aug - Sept. Neither of us speaks Italian or has
>> prior travel experience traveling to Italy, so we need your advice
> It's almost sacrilege in this newsgroup, but I'd say your best
> bet for a first-time trip to Italy is to book with a tour group
> such as Trafalgar.
> That way, you avoid hotel-hunting, worries about where and what
> to eat, rental cars and language problems -- and still see all
> the major sights.
All of the things you mention are very easy in Italy. No hotel? Go
to the tourist office in any airport or train station and they'll hook
you up. What to eat? Italy is full of great restaurants, just walk
around and go into a place with locals - instead of the restaurants
they take tour groups, which are mostly tacky, overpriced, and
mediocre. Language problems? A little Italian will enhance your
experience, but you can get by fine in English. Getting around? Take
the train unless you are visiting tiny villages. And tours are much
more expensive than doing it on your own for the same level of
accommodation, plus you are stuck to the tour's schedule, which
usually means 9 cities in 11 days or something awful like that.
Apr 26th 2007 | 9:14 am
#39
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: travelling to Italy - need your advice!!!
Make credence recognised that on Thu, 26 Apr 2007 13:56:37 +0200,
Martin <[email protected]> has scripted:
>On Thu, 26 Apr 2007 13:55:02 +0200, Deeply Filled Mortician
><deepfreudmoors@eITmISaACTUALLYiREAL!l.nu> wrote:
>
>>Make credence recognised that on Thu, 26 Apr 2007 12:53:02 +0200,
>>Martin <[email protected]> has scripted:
>>
>>>On Thu, 26 Apr 2007 12:37:51 +0200, Deeply Filled Mortician
>>><deepfreudmoors@eITmISaACTUALLYiREAL!l.nu> wrote:
>>>
>>>>Make credence recognised that on Thu, 26 Apr 2007 11:12:21 +0100, The
>>>>Reid <[email protected]> has scripted:
>>>>
>>>>>On Thu, 26 Apr 2007 12:00:42 +0200, Deeply Filled Mortician
>>>>><deepfreudmoors@eITmISaACTUALLYiREAL!l.nu> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>Renting a car is what you do in the US. DON'T do it in Europe!
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>thats a wild over generalisation.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>For a two week trip?
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>what's "two weeks" got to do with anything?
>>>>>>
>>>>>>Erm, read the orignal post.
>>>>>
>>>>>I did, still dont agree.
>>>>
>>>>For two weeks in Italy? Why on earth would you want a car?
>>>
>>>Why shouldn't he want a car is a better question.
>>
>>Two weeks vacation, minus time picking up and dropping off the car,
>
>How long do you think that takes?
Hours that would be better spent sightseeing, relaxing, or eating and
drinking.
>>trying to park, driving around, getting lost, dealing with a new
>>driving culture, possibly needing an international drivers licence
>>(for the Americans, not sure), add to that the high cost, plus if you
>>crash it, your holiday is likely to be ruined.
>
>and if you get run over by a bus?
That can also happen in a car.
> If you crash a hire car and have had the sense to take out full insurance, they
>just give you another one.
Martin: "Urm, we've crashed our car. Can we have another?"
Agency: "No problem. Should it be delivered by a blonde, or brunette?"
>I think you exaggerate the problems. Driving in Italy is no worse than many
>other places. I feel happier driving in Italy than in the Netherlands.
Parking sucks massively anywhere in Italy you'd want to go, and roads
are narrow, and traffic is chaotic.
>> And all this time you
>>are focussed on driving, and not on enjoying the scenery.
>>
>>The alternative is to sit on the train, and relax while the scenery
>>goes past.
>
>We have rented a hire car for a week in Italy several times. We found it saved a
>lot of hanging around waiting for public transport. Whether or not it is worth
>having a rental car depends very much on what you want to do in Italy.
I'm guessing it wasn't your first two weeks in Italy.
--
---
DFM - http://www.deepfriedmars.com
---
--
Martin <[email protected]> has scripted:
>On Thu, 26 Apr 2007 13:55:02 +0200, Deeply Filled Mortician
><deepfreudmoors@eITmISaACTUALLYiREAL!l.nu> wrote:
>
>>Make credence recognised that on Thu, 26 Apr 2007 12:53:02 +0200,
>>Martin <[email protected]> has scripted:
>>
>>>On Thu, 26 Apr 2007 12:37:51 +0200, Deeply Filled Mortician
>>><deepfreudmoors@eITmISaACTUALLYiREAL!l.nu> wrote:
>>>
>>>>Make credence recognised that on Thu, 26 Apr 2007 11:12:21 +0100, The
>>>>Reid <[email protected]> has scripted:
>>>>
>>>>>On Thu, 26 Apr 2007 12:00:42 +0200, Deeply Filled Mortician
>>>>><deepfreudmoors@eITmISaACTUALLYiREAL!l.nu> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>Renting a car is what you do in the US. DON'T do it in Europe!
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>thats a wild over generalisation.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>For a two week trip?
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>what's "two weeks" got to do with anything?
>>>>>>
>>>>>>Erm, read the orignal post.
>>>>>
>>>>>I did, still dont agree.
>>>>
>>>>For two weeks in Italy? Why on earth would you want a car?
>>>
>>>Why shouldn't he want a car is a better question.
>>
>>Two weeks vacation, minus time picking up and dropping off the car,
>
>How long do you think that takes?
Hours that would be better spent sightseeing, relaxing, or eating and
drinking.
>>trying to park, driving around, getting lost, dealing with a new
>>driving culture, possibly needing an international drivers licence
>>(for the Americans, not sure), add to that the high cost, plus if you
>>crash it, your holiday is likely to be ruined.
>
>and if you get run over by a bus?
That can also happen in a car.
> If you crash a hire car and have had the sense to take out full insurance, they
>just give you another one.
Martin: "Urm, we've crashed our car. Can we have another?"
Agency: "No problem. Should it be delivered by a blonde, or brunette?"
>I think you exaggerate the problems. Driving in Italy is no worse than many
>other places. I feel happier driving in Italy than in the Netherlands.
Parking sucks massively anywhere in Italy you'd want to go, and roads
are narrow, and traffic is chaotic.
>> And all this time you
>>are focussed on driving, and not on enjoying the scenery.
>>
>>The alternative is to sit on the train, and relax while the scenery
>>goes past.
>
>We have rented a hire car for a week in Italy several times. We found it saved a
>lot of hanging around waiting for public transport. Whether or not it is worth
>having a rental car depends very much on what you want to do in Italy.
I'm guessing it wasn't your first two weeks in Italy.
--
---
DFM - http://www.deepfriedmars.com
---
--
Apr 26th 2007 | 9:17 am
#40
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: travelling to Italy - need your advice!!!
Make credence recognised that on Thu, 26 Apr 2007 13:59:39 +0200, Tim
C. <[email protected]> has scripted:
>Following up to Deeply Filled Mortician
><deepfreudmoors@eITmISaACTUALLYiREAL!l.nu> :
>
>>Two weeks vacation, minus time picking up and dropping off the car,
>
>Arriving at railway station in good time, working out how to use the bus to
>get to your hotel, or fighting your way through the taxi queue.
>
>>trying to park, driving around, getting lost,
>
>Driving around and getting lost is part of the fun.
LOL!
I'm thinking it's not how a couple of Americans imagine spending their
time in Italy, examining a map, trying to understand directions from
some Italian guy on the street, and dealing with Italy's endemic poor
road signage.
--
---
DFM - http://www.deepfriedmars.com
---
--
C. <[email protected]> has scripted:
>Following up to Deeply Filled Mortician
><deepfreudmoors@eITmISaACTUALLYiREAL!l.nu> :
>
>>Two weeks vacation, minus time picking up and dropping off the car,
>
>Arriving at railway station in good time, working out how to use the bus to
>get to your hotel, or fighting your way through the taxi queue.
>
>>trying to park, driving around, getting lost,
>
>Driving around and getting lost is part of the fun.
LOL!
I'm thinking it's not how a couple of Americans imagine spending their
time in Italy, examining a map, trying to understand directions from
some Italian guy on the street, and dealing with Italy's endemic poor
road signage.
--
---
DFM - http://www.deepfriedmars.com
---
--
Apr 26th 2007 | 9:17 am
#41
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: travelling to Italy - need your advice!!!
On Thu, 26 Apr 2007 23:14:18 +0200, Deeply Filled Mortician
<deepfreudmoors@eITmISaACTUALLYiREAL!l.nu> wrote:
>Make credence recognised that on Thu, 26 Apr 2007 13:56:37 +0200,
>Martin <[email protected]> has scripted:
>
>>On Thu, 26 Apr 2007 13:55:02 +0200, Deeply Filled Mortician
>><deepfreudmoors@eITmISaACTUALLYiREAL!l.nu> wrote:
>>
>>>Make credence recognised that on Thu, 26 Apr 2007 12:53:02 +0200,
>>>Martin <[email protected]> has scripted:
>>>
>>>>On Thu, 26 Apr 2007 12:37:51 +0200, Deeply Filled Mortician
>>>><deepfreudmoors@eITmISaACTUALLYiREAL!l.nu> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>>Make credence recognised that on Thu, 26 Apr 2007 11:12:21 +0100, The
>>>>>Reid <[email protected]> has scripted:
>>>>>
>>>>>>On Thu, 26 Apr 2007 12:00:42 +0200, Deeply Filled Mortician
>>>>>><deepfreudmoors@eITmISaACTUALLYiREAL!l.nu> wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>Renting a car is what you do in the US. DON'T do it in Europe!
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>thats a wild over generalisation.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>For a two week trip?
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>what's "two weeks" got to do with anything?
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>Erm, read the orignal post.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>I did, still dont agree.
>>>>>
>>>>>For two weeks in Italy? Why on earth would you want a car?
>>>>
>>>>Why shouldn't he want a car is a better question.
>>>
>>>Two weeks vacation, minus time picking up and dropping off the car,
>>
>>How long do you think that takes?
>
>Hours that would be better spent sightseeing, relaxing, or eating and
>drinking.
IME around 20 minutes to pick up & zero to drop off.
>
>>>trying to park, driving around, getting lost, dealing with a new
>>>driving culture, possibly needing an international drivers licence
>>>(for the Americans, not sure), add to that the high cost, plus if you
>>>crash it, your holiday is likely to be ruined.
>>
>>and if you get run over by a bus?
>
>That can also happen in a car.
>
>> If you crash a hire car and have had the sense to take out full insurance, they
>>just give you another one.
>
>Martin: "Urm, we've crashed our car. Can we have another?"
>Agency: "No problem. Should it be delivered by a blonde, or brunette?"
Not Martin, I was the passenger.
Hertz Orly: Where is it? How many Km on the speedo?
>
>>I think you exaggerate the problems. Driving in Italy is no worse than many
>>other places. I feel happier driving in Italy than in the Netherlands.
>
>Parking sucks massively anywhere in Italy you'd want to go, and roads
>are narrow, and traffic is chaotic.
Only in cities. I don't drive into cities, anywhere.
Traffic is chaotic everywhere, narrow roads aren;t unique to Italy.
>
>>> And all this time you
>>>are focussed on driving, and not on enjoying the scenery.
>>>
>>>The alternative is to sit on the train, and relax while the scenery
>>>goes past.
>>
>>We have rented a hire car for a week in Italy several times. We found it saved a
>>lot of hanging around waiting for public transport. Whether or not it is worth
>>having a rental car depends very much on what you want to do in Italy.
>
>I'm guessing it wasn't your first two weeks in Italy.
I have never been in Italy without either a hire car or my own car.
--
Martin
<deepfreudmoors@eITmISaACTUALLYiREAL!l.nu> wrote:
>Make credence recognised that on Thu, 26 Apr 2007 13:56:37 +0200,
>Martin <[email protected]> has scripted:
>
>>On Thu, 26 Apr 2007 13:55:02 +0200, Deeply Filled Mortician
>><deepfreudmoors@eITmISaACTUALLYiREAL!l.nu> wrote:
>>
>>>Make credence recognised that on Thu, 26 Apr 2007 12:53:02 +0200,
>>>Martin <[email protected]> has scripted:
>>>
>>>>On Thu, 26 Apr 2007 12:37:51 +0200, Deeply Filled Mortician
>>>><deepfreudmoors@eITmISaACTUALLYiREAL!l.nu> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>>Make credence recognised that on Thu, 26 Apr 2007 11:12:21 +0100, The
>>>>>Reid <[email protected]> has scripted:
>>>>>
>>>>>>On Thu, 26 Apr 2007 12:00:42 +0200, Deeply Filled Mortician
>>>>>><deepfreudmoors@eITmISaACTUALLYiREAL!l.nu> wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>Renting a car is what you do in the US. DON'T do it in Europe!
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>thats a wild over generalisation.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>For a two week trip?
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>what's "two weeks" got to do with anything?
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>Erm, read the orignal post.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>I did, still dont agree.
>>>>>
>>>>>For two weeks in Italy? Why on earth would you want a car?
>>>>
>>>>Why shouldn't he want a car is a better question.
>>>
>>>Two weeks vacation, minus time picking up and dropping off the car,
>>
>>How long do you think that takes?
>
>Hours that would be better spent sightseeing, relaxing, or eating and
>drinking.
IME around 20 minutes to pick up & zero to drop off.
>
>>>trying to park, driving around, getting lost, dealing with a new
>>>driving culture, possibly needing an international drivers licence
>>>(for the Americans, not sure), add to that the high cost, plus if you
>>>crash it, your holiday is likely to be ruined.
>>
>>and if you get run over by a bus?
>
>That can also happen in a car.
>
>> If you crash a hire car and have had the sense to take out full insurance, they
>>just give you another one.
>
>Martin: "Urm, we've crashed our car. Can we have another?"
>Agency: "No problem. Should it be delivered by a blonde, or brunette?"
Not Martin, I was the passenger.
Hertz Orly: Where is it? How many Km on the speedo?
>
>>I think you exaggerate the problems. Driving in Italy is no worse than many
>>other places. I feel happier driving in Italy than in the Netherlands.
>
>Parking sucks massively anywhere in Italy you'd want to go, and roads
>are narrow, and traffic is chaotic.
Only in cities. I don't drive into cities, anywhere.
Traffic is chaotic everywhere, narrow roads aren;t unique to Italy.
>
>>> And all this time you
>>>are focussed on driving, and not on enjoying the scenery.
>>>
>>>The alternative is to sit on the train, and relax while the scenery
>>>goes past.
>>
>>We have rented a hire car for a week in Italy several times. We found it saved a
>>lot of hanging around waiting for public transport. Whether or not it is worth
>>having a rental car depends very much on what you want to do in Italy.
>
>I'm guessing it wasn't your first two weeks in Italy.
I have never been in Italy without either a hire car or my own car.
--
Martin
Apr 26th 2007 | 9:24 am
#42
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: travelling to Italy - need your advice!!!
Make credence recognised that on Thu, 26 Apr 2007 13:00:53 +0100, The
Reid <[email protected]> has scripted:
>On Thu, 26 Apr 2007 13:55:02 +0200, Deeply Filled Mortician
><deepfreudmoors@eITmISaACTUALLYiREAL!l.nu> wrote:
>
>>Two weeks vacation, minus time picking up and dropping off the car,
>
>you are joking, about 20 minutes. How much time will the train option
>spend waiting at stations?
20 MINUTES???
That wouldn't even cover the time it takes to fill out forms, let
alone find the place (twice), collect the car, return it with the tank
full, and waiting for the agents to get there shit together. Come
on...
>>trying to park, driving around, getting lost, dealing with a new
>>driving culture, possibly needing an international drivers licence
>>(for the Americans, not sure), add to that the high cost, plus if you
>>crash it, your holiday is likely to be ruined.
>
>>And all this time you
>>are focussed on driving, and not on enjoying the scenery.
>
>not really true, you still see the scenery and you turn off and stop
>when its good, unless maybe if you are a "grip wheel, mouth open" type
>driver
No problem. In Italy there are nice wide parking areas anywhere you'd
want to pullover. Remember the Amalfi Coast?
>>The alternative is to sit on the train, and relax while the scenery
>>goes past.
>
>the scenery available from trains is not usually the best and you cant
>stop to take photos. Its *far* from cut and dried. I visited loads of
>small places in Italy you wouldn't get to by train unless you had a
>*lot* of time. for the cities you just park asap and do the city on
>foot, then when you leave you go where you want. Italy *is* a country
>where train is a good option, but its only one option.
For a first 2 week journey, I wouldn't recommend anything else.
--
---
DFM - http://www.deepfriedmars.com
---
--
Reid <[email protected]> has scripted:
>On Thu, 26 Apr 2007 13:55:02 +0200, Deeply Filled Mortician
><deepfreudmoors@eITmISaACTUALLYiREAL!l.nu> wrote:
>
>>Two weeks vacation, minus time picking up and dropping off the car,
>
>you are joking, about 20 minutes. How much time will the train option
>spend waiting at stations?
20 MINUTES???
That wouldn't even cover the time it takes to fill out forms, let
alone find the place (twice), collect the car, return it with the tank
full, and waiting for the agents to get there shit together. Come
on...
>>trying to park, driving around, getting lost, dealing with a new
>>driving culture, possibly needing an international drivers licence
>>(for the Americans, not sure), add to that the high cost, plus if you
>>crash it, your holiday is likely to be ruined.
>
>>And all this time you
>>are focussed on driving, and not on enjoying the scenery.
>
>not really true, you still see the scenery and you turn off and stop
>when its good, unless maybe if you are a "grip wheel, mouth open" type
>driver
No problem. In Italy there are nice wide parking areas anywhere you'd
want to pullover. Remember the Amalfi Coast?
>>The alternative is to sit on the train, and relax while the scenery
>>goes past.
>
>the scenery available from trains is not usually the best and you cant
>stop to take photos. Its *far* from cut and dried. I visited loads of
>small places in Italy you wouldn't get to by train unless you had a
>*lot* of time. for the cities you just park asap and do the city on
>foot, then when you leave you go where you want. Italy *is* a country
>where train is a good option, but its only one option.
For a first 2 week journey, I wouldn't recommend anything else.
--
---
DFM - http://www.deepfriedmars.com
---
--
Apr 26th 2007 | 9:28 am
#43
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: travelling to Italy - need your advice!!!
Make credence recognised that on 26 Apr 2007 10:37:07 -0700, Iceman
<[email protected]> has scripted:
>> <[email protected]> wrote:
>>> Hi! My husband and I (we live in the US) are going to travel to Italy
>>> for about two weeks in Aug - Sept. Neither of us speaks Italian or has
>>> prior travel experience traveling to Italy, so we need your advice
>
>> It's almost sacrilege in this newsgroup, but I'd say your best
>> bet for a first-time trip to Italy is to book with a tour group
>> such as Trafalgar.
>
>> That way, you avoid hotel-hunting, worries about where and what
>> to eat, rental cars and language problems -- and still see all
>> the major sights.
>
>
>All of the things you mention are very easy in Italy. No hotel? Go
>to the tourist office in any airport or train station and they'll hook
>you up. What to eat? Italy is full of great restaurants, just walk
>around and go into a place with locals - instead of the restaurants
>they take tour groups, which are mostly tacky, overpriced, and
>mediocre. Language problems? A little Italian will enhance your
>experience, but you can get by fine in English. Getting around? Take
>the train unless you are visiting tiny villages. And tours are much
>more expensive than doing it on your own for the same level of
>accommodation, plus you are stuck to the tour's schedule, which
>usually means 9 cities in 11 days or something awful like that.
To quote the Reid, "thanks for posting the simple truth of it!".
--
---
DFM - http://www.deepfriedmars.com
---
--
<[email protected]> has scripted:
>> <[email protected]> wrote:
>>> Hi! My husband and I (we live in the US) are going to travel to Italy
>>> for about two weeks in Aug - Sept. Neither of us speaks Italian or has
>>> prior travel experience traveling to Italy, so we need your advice
>
>> It's almost sacrilege in this newsgroup, but I'd say your best
>> bet for a first-time trip to Italy is to book with a tour group
>> such as Trafalgar.
>
>> That way, you avoid hotel-hunting, worries about where and what
>> to eat, rental cars and language problems -- and still see all
>> the major sights.
>
>
>All of the things you mention are very easy in Italy. No hotel? Go
>to the tourist office in any airport or train station and they'll hook
>you up. What to eat? Italy is full of great restaurants, just walk
>around and go into a place with locals - instead of the restaurants
>they take tour groups, which are mostly tacky, overpriced, and
>mediocre. Language problems? A little Italian will enhance your
>experience, but you can get by fine in English. Getting around? Take
>the train unless you are visiting tiny villages. And tours are much
>more expensive than doing it on your own for the same level of
>accommodation, plus you are stuck to the tour's schedule, which
>usually means 9 cities in 11 days or something awful like that.
To quote the Reid, "thanks for posting the simple truth of it!".
--
---
DFM - http://www.deepfriedmars.com
---
--
Apr 26th 2007 | 6:33 pm
#44
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: travelling to Italy - need your advice!!!
Following up to Deeply Filled Mortician
<deepfreudmoors@eITmISaACTUALLYiREAL!l.nu> :
>and dealing with Italy's endemic poor
>road signage.
Tell me about it. :-(
Italy has to be one of the worst places for road signs.
Maybe Alpine France/inland Provence, off the main tourist routes come a
close second.
--
Tim C.
<deepfreudmoors@eITmISaACTUALLYiREAL!l.nu> :
>and dealing with Italy's endemic poor
>road signage.
Tell me about it. :-(
Italy has to be one of the worst places for road signs.
Maybe Alpine France/inland Provence, off the main tourist routes come a
close second.
--
Tim C.
Apr 26th 2007 | 7:23 pm
#45
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: travelling to Italy - need your advice!!!
On Thu, 26 Apr 2007 23:24:11 +0200, Deeply Filled Mortician
<deepfreudmoors@eITmISaACTUALLYiREAL!l.nu> wrote:
>>you are joking, about 20 minutes. How much time will the train option
>>spend waiting at stations?
>
>20 MINUTES???
>
>That wouldn't even cover the time it takes to fill out forms,
What forms? Two signatures on one form.
>let
>alone find the place (twice),
they have desks in the airport, its not hard.
>collect the car,
wheel your luggage trolley to the car, put it in the boot, drive away.
compare to getting a train.....
>return it with the tank
>full,
10 minutes, so what?
>and waiting for the agents to get there shit together. Come
>on...
Uh?
Utter nonsense from my experience. 20 minutes was fairly generous.
>No problem. In Italy there are nice wide parking areas anywhere you'd
>want to pullover. Remember the Amalfi Coast?
Yes, you cant just stop the instant you want to, but its perfectly
practical to park somewhere. compared to taking photos from trains,
its no contest.
>>>The alternative is to sit on the train, and relax while the scenery
>>>goes past.
>>
>>the scenery available from trains is not usually the best and you cant
>>stop to take photos. Its *far* from cut and dried. I visited loads of
>>small places in Italy you wouldn't get to by train unless you had a
>>*lot* of time. for the cities you just park asap and do the city on
>>foot, then when you leave you go where you want. Italy *is* a country
>>where train is a good option, but its only one option.
>
>For a first 2 week journey, I wouldn't recommend anything else.
the OP should go with the two unbiased views posted.
--
Mike Reid
UK walking, food, photos "http://www.fellwalk.co.uk" <-- you can email us@ this site
Spain walking, food, tourism "http://www.fell-walker.co.uk"
Beginners UK flight sim addons "http://www.lawn-mower-man.co.uk"
<deepfreudmoors@eITmISaACTUALLYiREAL!l.nu> wrote:
>>you are joking, about 20 minutes. How much time will the train option
>>spend waiting at stations?
>
>20 MINUTES???
>
>That wouldn't even cover the time it takes to fill out forms,
What forms? Two signatures on one form.
>let
>alone find the place (twice),
they have desks in the airport, its not hard.
>collect the car,
wheel your luggage trolley to the car, put it in the boot, drive away.
compare to getting a train.....
>return it with the tank
>full,
10 minutes, so what?
>and waiting for the agents to get there shit together. Come
>on...
Uh?
Utter nonsense from my experience. 20 minutes was fairly generous.
>No problem. In Italy there are nice wide parking areas anywhere you'd
>want to pullover. Remember the Amalfi Coast?
Yes, you cant just stop the instant you want to, but its perfectly
practical to park somewhere. compared to taking photos from trains,
its no contest.
>>>The alternative is to sit on the train, and relax while the scenery
>>>goes past.
>>
>>the scenery available from trains is not usually the best and you cant
>>stop to take photos. Its *far* from cut and dried. I visited loads of
>>small places in Italy you wouldn't get to by train unless you had a
>>*lot* of time. for the cities you just park asap and do the city on
>>foot, then when you leave you go where you want. Italy *is* a country
>>where train is a good option, but its only one option.
>
>For a first 2 week journey, I wouldn't recommend anything else.
the OP should go with the two unbiased views posted.
--
Mike Reid
UK walking, food, photos "http://www.fellwalk.co.uk" <-- you can email us@ this site
Spain walking, food, tourism "http://www.fell-walker.co.uk"
Beginners UK flight sim addons "http://www.lawn-mower-man.co.uk"
