Seeking Advice

[ladysprite]

So I promised myself someday I would go to Italy. Except that, when I put things in abstract terms like that, I never actually get around to doing them - I come up with excuses to postpone, and not to waste money on frivolities, and reasons it's not practical, until it's too late. So I promised myself last year that in 2012 I would go to Italy, because when I set concrete dates like that, it's harder to back out.

And now, with umbran anticipating gainful employment, it looks like this is actually going to be feasible. Which is both awesome and scary.

Here's the deal - I've never traveled outside the country before, with the exception of one (awesome) week in England when I was 22. I've never been somewhere that I don't speak the language, I've never had to navigate foreign cities, and I have precious little idea of what to expect.

So I'm taking this opportunity to pick the brains of my friends - any advice for traveling the world, and Italy in particular? We're looking at going sometime in October, both for our anniversary and because I've been told that's a decent time of year to head there, and I'd like to go to Venice, if only because that's where a huge chunk of my SCA efforts have been focused. Rome would be awesome too, if it's feasible to hit both. A coworker has recommended this tour company, which *seems* pretty cool, but I'm not sure whether that would fall into the category of 'making things incredibly easier' versus 'spending a lot of money to make the experience pre-processed and cheesy.'

Any hints, advice, or experiences in general would be welcome!

Comments

[jdulac.livejournal.com]

I found Italy fairly easy going (in spite of my surname, I don't really speak the language). I managed to stay in small family pensiones, which aren't too expensive. Venice is a wonderful city to walk in. You don't even have to go anywhere special, just wandering around is fabulous. There are high speed boats (vaporetto) that are the equivalent of buses up and down the Grand Canal that are easy to use (Gondolas are for tourists and expensive, you might treat yourself to one in the evening but its like getting a horse drawn carriage to go to the grocery store). You will always find good food. You don't need to eat in fancy restaurants -- there are little places in every piazza, and a plate of vongole by a canal is perfectly satisfying. San Marco is a zoo, but that's ok. Has probably been for centuries.

I recommend taking the train between cities. You can figure out the trains easily enough and they work well. Do not drive -- it is not for the faint of heart. Luckily, you don't need to. Florence, for example, is a small city and you can walk wherever you want to get to. There is more art per square inch there than anyplace on earth, be prepared for brain overload. Rome is much bigger, but you can get around.

I wouldn't stress about it. These places are used to tourists. Dress modestly in churches (no shorts or tank tops). You can be topless on the Lido, but it's all a question of context. Keep your valuables close, don't carry around a ton of luggage, it is a nuisance on the train. You can use a credit card or ATM card anywhere. People don't use Travelers Cheques any more, expect people to be puzzled by them if you try. There are also Changes (Cambio), but the ATM is easier (4 digit passwords last time I checked).

I assume you'll be with your husband, which means you won't have to put up with the heckling men direct at anything resembling an attractive woman.

Read up in advance, Rick Steves is probably a great guidebook, but also check out Lonely Planet, Fodors, and similar, just to get some perspectives.