Italy

I was astounded. Simply one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been to, in every sense of the word. Can’t wait to return!

This is really a question but I can’t seem to save it as one (the question is empty?)

Anyway,
I imagine this is a very nice place to visit in April. Can anyone confirm or deny that?

The last time I went to Italy was the 1st time as well. It was AUG 2008. I went there to visit my BF. I spent 2 weeks there travelling from the north, to the central & right to the south of Italy. During the month of AUG, it is when everybody is having their summer vacation. The atmosphere is so GREAT & relaxing! At that time all everybody cares about is having fun & nothing else. I especially like the time when we were @ the Lake of Garda, we even crossed the lake to went to Malcesine. I am visiting again somewhere around Jan 2009 =)

Bomarzo in the province of Viterbo, between Rome and Florence. It’s a medieval village perched on a hill. It has become quite famous thank to its restored Parco dei Mostri. Even Readers’s Feast in Melbourne had a book on the park/garden of Bomarzo. I spent many a summer there before comming to Australia.

I’ve heard so many rave reviews from different friends here in AZ that have gone to Italy in the past couple years. It seems to be the place to go. Their pics are so fantastic. I’m thinking it can also be a very romantic place to go to.

After several failed attempts to get to there, hubby and I finally visited Italy last summer. I fell in love with this land. We saw Rome, Perugia, Florence, Pisa, Cinque Terre, Pompeii, Salerno and Positano. I saw beauty and history and romance in every corner of every street of every city. Can’t wait to go back.

1. Be aware that every place (I mean every frickin little lame ass cafe) charges a “cover charge,” usually 2.50-3.50 Euros PER PERSON.

2. By the end of two weeks, I was dying for something other than a carb based meal with cheese and tomatoes.

3. Don’t go to Rome, at least that’s what I was told.

4. Do hike the Cinque Terre and swim in the Mediterranean.

5. Do visit and stay in Venice. Most of the island is much of the same: stores selling glass jewelery, masks, clothes you won’t like, gelato, etc. Just enjoy hanging out and try to book some tours.

6. Be sure to book tours well ahead of time, because you won’t be able to do so on short notice.

I went to Italy when I was 18 with a tour group called EFtours that consists of students at schools. I was in highschool at the time and the middle school was the school participating in it so I asked if I could go as a chaperone. It was two weeks for $1,200 including room, board and flight. We went to every major city in Italy. The best trip of a lifetime and by going through EFtours I didn’t have to babysit anyone..it was a huge group of about fifty people and we had a tour each day that lasted about two hours and then we were free to run off in the city alone for like ten hours. once we got back to the hotel we could leave and party at night too. it was the best trip i’ve ever gone on. beautiful place.

I took a summer course in Rome on Roman art, architecture, and archaeology. The course lasted only three weeks, but it was the equivalent of a full year course. Basically, it entailed walking around Rome (we used very little public transportation) from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm six days a week for three weeks—I can’t think of a better way to fall in love with a city than to spend three weeks straight discovering it by foot!! It was my first time leaving North America, and it’s still one of my favourite trips ever!

I went to Rome, Venice, Florence and the Cinque Terre, and it was fabulous. Travelling alone, on a tiny budget, my first city was Rome, which kind of scared the fuck out of me. Maybe a city best kept for later when you feel a bit more comfortable with the travelling experience.

Florence was lovely, a pure work of art. Venice was exactly as I imagined, but I think I would have enjoyed it more if I was there on a romantic escape. Next time ;)

The Cinque Terre was a bit of a hard core experience (I was there mid-winter, involved a lot of hiking in wet conditions), but the views where absolutely worth it, and the villages stunning. An amazing experience. Do it!