The Lowes Go To Italy
We love to travel! This summer, we took a wonderful vacation to Italy, basing ourselves in Rome and taking some excursions out of the city. I was unprepared for how much I would love Italy, and especially Rome. I thought that Rome would be a dry experience of museums and monuments. My husband suggested staying there, and I reluctantly agreed. I'm so glad. I was captivated by the eternal city! The museums and monuments were absolutely not dry, but more importantly, the entire city was just a delight for the senses. Narrow, quaint alleyways with blooming flowerboxes, sidewalk cafes, architectural details, cobblestone streets, and the food. Oh, the food. I can't wait to get back. If you want to whet your appetite for the amazing experience of Rome, I highly recommend Athony Doerr's book Four Seasons In Rome. I read it later. If I had read it first, I would have better known what I was in for.
I did a lot of research before we left, and we learned some things as we went. In spite of all my advance effort, I was a little nervous about traveling to a place that was so unfamiliar. I'm writing here partly to record the details for our family so we don't forget them, but also to provide information for those who might want to make a similar trip. I planned everything on my own - we did not use a travel agent. It took many hours, but we like the independence of making our own decisions, and I think we save money that way. So, for what it's worth, here is a chronicle of our trip with helpful tips for those who might want to do something similar. Be aware that the Lowe family does very active sight-seeing trips! We are saving a more luxurious vacation for a special anniversary!
Tip No. 1: Get the Rick Steves guide book to Rome and maybe the one for Italy as well. We found them very helpful! You may also want to download his Audio Europe app onto your phone and then download audio tours for the places you're visiting. It's all free.
Tip No. 2: Read the forums on Trip Advisor for the cities where you plan to go. Check in and read every day for several weeks before your trip. You will be surprised at all the tips, tricks, and info you'll pick up. I looked up every hotel and restaurant we considered on Trip Advisor. It was the most helpful resource I had.
Tip No. 3: Use google maps as you plan your itinerary to see how far you will have to walk between the sights. Google maps will show driving directions, walking directions, public transportation options, etc. We also used it trying to find our way around Rome and Venice, but it works better to use it as a map than to have it give you turn-by-turn directions. GPS is not very responsive in either Rome or Venice. The little dot didn't keep up with us, or it floated away off the route.
Tip No. 4: Learn a few Italian phrases and words, but don't worry. I got by in Italy with buon giorno (good morning), buona sera (good afternoon), grazi (thank you), and scuzi (excuse me). Almost everyone we encountered spoke English. A couple of times when we were out in Tuscany, I bought something from a clerk who didn't, but we managed to communicate well enough. Still, it's respectful to at least say what you can in the language.
Tip No. 5: Do a little research about ordering from Italian menus and restaurant traditions. This article was helpful.
Tip No. 6: Book tickets for the big attractions ahead of time as much as possible, because the lines can be terrible, but don't go overboard. Once you've bought a ticket, you feel you have to do it even if you're tired. In some cases, leave open the possibility to pass.
Tip No. 7: If at all possible, don't go in the heat of the summer. It's ridiculously crowded and just as hot as Florida. But, if summer is when you can go, then go. We did, and we had fun.
Tip No. 8: In most cases, you can get the best price on plane fare and hotel by getting a package deal for your airfare and hotel. Whether you use Delta Vacations, Costco Travel, Expedia, or similar sites, you can always do better by bundling. If you want to do a multi-city trip with hotels in more than one place, my friend swears by European Destinations. The best time to buy plane tickets for a summer trip is usually 60-90 days in advance based on what I've read. We're pretty loyal to Delta, and I like using the Delta Vacations site. Their hub is at our airport, and we have one of the credit cards that helps us add up flyer miles. You can't book multi-city trips with Delta Vacations, though.
Tip No. 9: If you choose a BnB, make sure you find out if there are any extra fees before you click "buy." They sometimes charge a hefty cleaning fee. Be aware that all lodging is going to include a tax per night.
Tip No. 10: If you're there in the summer, you'll be outside most of the day and sweating up a storm. You'll also want to drink wine. This is a recipe for dehydration. I took some single-serve packets of electrolyte powder to mix in with a bottle of water. It helps.
Tip No. 11: Money: Change a couple of hundred dollars to euros to have them when you land - private drivers and taxis to your hotel may require cash. However, find a bank close to where you are staying and use their ATM to get euros once you arrive. Most of the banks had an ATM right outside their door. Be sure you alerted your bank/credit card companies ahead of time that you would be overseas. Split the cash you're carrying among the members of your group so that one person is not holding all the cash.
There are more tips embedded throughout the journal! Hope you find it enjoyable and helpful!
Part One: From Atlanta to Rome - the tale of our flight, and info on dealing with taxi drivers
Part Two: Our Hotel and First Night - our hotel and how/why we chose it. Where we ate.
Part Three: The Colosseum and Roman Forum - Trevi Fountain, Capitoline museum, and a fabulous restaurant. How to choose a good restaurant.
Part Four: Day Trip From Rome to Pompeii - how to travel to Pompeii by train, how to avoid being scammed by ticket hawkers, good neighborhood pizza joint
Part Five: The Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's Basilica, Pantheon, Shopping
Part Six: Venice and St. Mark's - private glass artist demo, great restaurant
Part Seven: Piazza Navona, Capuchin Crypt, and Concert - and another great restaurant
Part Eight: One-Day Tour Through Tuscany
Part Nine: The Flight Home
Tip No. 1: Get the Rick Steves guide book to Rome and maybe the one for Italy as well. We found them very helpful! You may also want to download his Audio Europe app onto your phone and then download audio tours for the places you're visiting. It's all free.
Tip No. 2: Read the forums on Trip Advisor for the cities where you plan to go. Check in and read every day for several weeks before your trip. You will be surprised at all the tips, tricks, and info you'll pick up. I looked up every hotel and restaurant we considered on Trip Advisor. It was the most helpful resource I had.
Tip No. 3: Use google maps as you plan your itinerary to see how far you will have to walk between the sights. Google maps will show driving directions, walking directions, public transportation options, etc. We also used it trying to find our way around Rome and Venice, but it works better to use it as a map than to have it give you turn-by-turn directions. GPS is not very responsive in either Rome or Venice. The little dot didn't keep up with us, or it floated away off the route.
Tip No. 4: Learn a few Italian phrases and words, but don't worry. I got by in Italy with buon giorno (good morning), buona sera (good afternoon), grazi (thank you), and scuzi (excuse me). Almost everyone we encountered spoke English. A couple of times when we were out in Tuscany, I bought something from a clerk who didn't, but we managed to communicate well enough. Still, it's respectful to at least say what you can in the language.
Tip No. 5: Do a little research about ordering from Italian menus and restaurant traditions. This article was helpful.
Tip No. 6: Book tickets for the big attractions ahead of time as much as possible, because the lines can be terrible, but don't go overboard. Once you've bought a ticket, you feel you have to do it even if you're tired. In some cases, leave open the possibility to pass.
Tip No. 7: If at all possible, don't go in the heat of the summer. It's ridiculously crowded and just as hot as Florida. But, if summer is when you can go, then go. We did, and we had fun.
Tip No. 8: In most cases, you can get the best price on plane fare and hotel by getting a package deal for your airfare and hotel. Whether you use Delta Vacations, Costco Travel, Expedia, or similar sites, you can always do better by bundling. If you want to do a multi-city trip with hotels in more than one place, my friend swears by European Destinations. The best time to buy plane tickets for a summer trip is usually 60-90 days in advance based on what I've read. We're pretty loyal to Delta, and I like using the Delta Vacations site. Their hub is at our airport, and we have one of the credit cards that helps us add up flyer miles. You can't book multi-city trips with Delta Vacations, though.
Tip No. 9: If you choose a BnB, make sure you find out if there are any extra fees before you click "buy." They sometimes charge a hefty cleaning fee. Be aware that all lodging is going to include a tax per night.
Tip No. 10: If you're there in the summer, you'll be outside most of the day and sweating up a storm. You'll also want to drink wine. This is a recipe for dehydration. I took some single-serve packets of electrolyte powder to mix in with a bottle of water. It helps.
Tip No. 11: Money: Change a couple of hundred dollars to euros to have them when you land - private drivers and taxis to your hotel may require cash. However, find a bank close to where you are staying and use their ATM to get euros once you arrive. Most of the banks had an ATM right outside their door. Be sure you alerted your bank/credit card companies ahead of time that you would be overseas. Split the cash you're carrying among the members of your group so that one person is not holding all the cash.
There are more tips embedded throughout the journal! Hope you find it enjoyable and helpful!
Part One: From Atlanta to Rome - the tale of our flight, and info on dealing with taxi drivers
Part Two: Our Hotel and First Night - our hotel and how/why we chose it. Where we ate.
Part Three: The Colosseum and Roman Forum - Trevi Fountain, Capitoline museum, and a fabulous restaurant. How to choose a good restaurant.
Part Four: Day Trip From Rome to Pompeii - how to travel to Pompeii by train, how to avoid being scammed by ticket hawkers, good neighborhood pizza joint
Part Five: The Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's Basilica, Pantheon, Shopping
Part Six: Venice and St. Mark's - private glass artist demo, great restaurant
Part Seven: Piazza Navona, Capuchin Crypt, and Concert - and another great restaurant
Part Eight: One-Day Tour Through Tuscany
Part Nine: The Flight Home
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