Anyone been to Italy recently?

[yesjenks]

I'm traveling to Italy soon with my wife and child really soon and I would love to hear from someone who's been there recently. If you have I'd greatly appreciate if you could respond here. Or, shoot me a PM. Thanks in advance!

 

[Widdy]

Yup, went to Italy in Oct. Visited Rome, Perugia, Orvieto, and Panzano/Siena in Tuscany.

 

[dimitrge]

I was there in June. Went to the amalfi coast, Capri, Rome and Florence. Its absolutely beautiful but expensive. Eat at restaurants that they locals or hotels recommend. Train stations are little sketchy, watch pockets and especially in the subway. Let me know if u have questions.

 

[PHILYD1]

I have a Vacation home in Italy so i get there pretty often, hopefully i can help you out

 

[yesjenks]

Hey guys,

My big question so far is trains. I'm planning on visiting Rome, Venice and Florence. My kid is 9 months old. I can't find anywhere online if I need to buy a full ticket for her. Any idea if she needs a ticket?

Dimitrge, people will try to pick pocket on the train?? Woa! Do you think that because we'll be with a kid we'll be a bigger "target" so to speak??

Thanks again!

 

[Widdy]

You'll be travelling between cities via trains? Not sure if this is of any help, 1st bullet point.

http://www.italiarail.com/travelling-children

 

[Turbovr3six]

My parents went in 2009 an they had one of their suitcases stolen. They had mostly Italian stuff in it(clothes, purses, wine, etc). The airport said it was taken from Milan. So I'd take all italian stuff back in carry-on bags.

Other than that,they liked it so much they claim they want to retire there Haha

 

[yesjenks]

You'll be travelling between cities via trains? Not sure if this is of any help, 1st bullet point.

http://www.italiarail.com/travelling-children

Thanks Widdy! This just seems so unclear to me "Seat, couchette and other reservations must be made even for a child traveling for free and still requires a reservation fee." When I try to make the reservation I get charged the same price as an adult. Is it safe to only buy 2 tickets and deal with the kid fee when we get there?

 

[dimitrge]

The trains themselves are great and the best way to travel. We got 1st class tixs from naples to rome and to florence and back. They are fast clean and the way to go. The pick pockets are more in the stations and outside. Just keep your eyes peeled as if you were in NYC. The subway in rome stay away from. We did this hop on hop off bus tour which drops you off all over the major sites in rome. We also bought tickets from viator.com for the vatican, coliseum and the museum in florence with the david in it. Florence there was no issue at the train station. Rome is sketchy only. Don't know about venice. Just be careful. We walked around rome at night with no issue.

 

[Yonkers28]

Yup got married in July
In vasto

 

[yesjenks]

The trains themselves are great and the best way to travel. We got 1st class tixs from naples to rome and to florence and back. They are fast clean and the way to go. The pick pockets are more in the stations and outside. Just keep your eyes peeled as if you were in NYC. The subway in rome stay away from. We did this hop on hop off bus tour which drops you off all over the major sites in rome. We also bought tickets from viator.com for the vatican, coliseum and the museum in florence with the david in it. Florence there was no issue at the train station. Rome is sketchy only. Don't know about venice. Just be careful. We walked around rome at night with no issue.

Thanks for all the great info!!! Checking out that site now.

 

[yesjenks]

Yup got married in July
In vasto

Congrats!

 

[Widdy]

Plan your Vatican City trip ahead of time, if you're going... on certain days, you can wait on 1-2 hours lines just to get in. Private tours is one option to skip it entirely, but comes at a premium price. I took the subways in Rome with no problem, keep your wallet up front and be cognizant of your bags/backpacks.

 

[Yonkers28]

The best way to really get the feel of Italy is to go to the small little town that are still original. All the big city are nice but way to many tourist .

 

[Widdy]

The best way to really get the feel of Italy is to go to the small little town that are still original. All the big city are nice but way to many tourist .

+1 !!! Nothing like the old towns... was done with Rome in 2 days.

 

[yesjenks]

Anyone know where to buy cameo's at a good price in Rome or Venice?