Italy.... anyone have any helpful travel hints?

[The Wielding Truth]

[ruiner4u]

1. keep your eyes closed when your in a cab...n/t

[The Wielding Truth]

2. Dangerous or dirty?

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

3. Dangerous.

They drive like they're in a video game.

[The Wielding Truth]

5. Do they drive on the left side of the road?

[The Wielding Truth]

6. I know the y use both sides....... so no smarty answers ....Hay.

[ruiner4u]

4. scary in rome...

i was being sarcastic.. the drivers over there are gutsy though... Its an experience

[Book Lover]

7. The more touristy you look, the greater you will get screwed

Learn the language - nothing says a mark more than someone who only speaks English.

Dress up and clean up - it's sad and shallow, but that's how we are. If you look a mess, you will be looked down on.

Beware the schmooze - complements are tossed around easily and may not be 100% sincere. Don't let yourself be flattered easily.

[The Wielding Truth]

12. Good hints. I wasn't thinking of how I would impress Italians. Thanks.

[Courtesy Flush]

16. I've heard that many times

I'm going to Italy for my first time this year. Everyone says don't wear white tennis shoes, or tee shirts with graphics (really, no tee shirts). Things you don't think about make you stand out as an American, and make you a target.

There's plenty of Italian language instruction on the web. Learn as much as you can.

I've never worked so hard to prepare for a vacation! :banghead:

[The Wielding Truth]

18. I have found when you're prepared you won't have to depend on

luck to have wonderful memories. Thanks, kdsusa.

[applegrove]

8. Eat that pie thing..the one with cheese, proscuto and mushrooms.

[BrotherBuzz]

9. Lose weight before traveling to Italy

Enjoy the food guilt free!

[Karenca]

23. I actually lost a few pounds in Italy!

But, I did put on 10 pounds in London:-(

[Vidar]

10. My personal experience is 30 years out of date, but here is a

forum full of hints: http://www.expatsinitaly.com/

[The Wielding Truth]

11. Great link,but I'll be lucky enough just to visit. I couldn't move there.

[Kutjara]

13. Avoid Naples if possible.

The people and food are great, but it's a crime-ridden place and very ugly. If you're going to Pompeii, Sorrento, Capri or the Amalfi coast, you'll have to go through Naples to get there, but I'd recommend minimizing your exposure as much as you can. They make good pizza, though.

[crim son]

14. I LOVED Italy. But don't drink the tap water!

Do eat the fine food. I want to go back!

[fudge stripe cookays]

15. Spend more than three days in Florence to see it all....

Avoid Livorno like the plague. It's a toilet.

But you will get great food EVERYWHERE. Even TRUCK STOPS have awesome food there.

[ikojo]

17. Rent a scooter if at all possible!!

[The Wielding Truth]

19. Do you remember the cost?

[ikojo]

21. I've never been to Italy but a friend is going

at the end of April. She's a scooter nut like I am and will be renting a Vespa.

[Arugula Latte]

20. I don't know if you're male or female, but, if you're female

and you're in central to south Italy, the men can be VERY aggressive and in-your-face, especially if you're alone or with one other female. This was back when I was a young thang, but I'm sure it still happens. They will surround females en masse at public places like Trevi Fountain in Rome. We actually would find some nice American guys to latch onto so we felt safer. Sad, but true.

Other than that, I think Italy is the BEST country on the face of the planet.

[Karenca]

22. Venice is a "one-day" day trip.

Then it gets boring.

Take a trip to Montepuciano in Tuscany---medieval
village high on top a mountain.

Dine at Il Latini in Florence.....This is a MUST!