Monday, August 28, 2006

Attention Italy Travelers...

I would love suggestions of things to do, places to eat and places to shop in Italy. Especially in Rome, Umbria and Tuscany. So, if you have been to Italy and know of a few good places, please comment. Especially you, Frank!

3 comments:

Genevieve said...

have you seen the leaning tower in Pisa? It's hilarious, and a quick one hour train ride from Florence. (not sure where you are going in Tuscany...)

I don't have any real restaurant recommendations, sadly. My one real suggestion is if you are traveling by train at all, book in advance. and don't listen if the ticket seller tells you you don't need to book in advance because you have a rail pass and the booking costs 5 euro. it is so worth it. Italian trains are notoriously crowded and you want an actual seat assignment. also if you buy a round trip ticket you need to validate it both times or you risk a fine. (she says from experience)

Genevieve said...

oh, the other thing I learned? If you order a pizza and it doesn't say cheese is one of the toppings, it's not. (I thought it didn't say cheese because, um, pizza has cheese on it)

Ellen said...

I've been sitting here racking my brain trying to remember what the heck I did for a year over there...

First, when you go to Florence, go to the Museo Zoologico Specola. It's on the other side of the Arno. It's wild. Some crazy scientist back in the 1800's collected exotic animals and stuffed them. And there's a stuffed sewer rat that's as big as a cat!

Between the Academia and the Duomo, there is a hotel called The Hotel California. My apartment was right across the street. Not that you care, but oh well.

In the Segnoria Piazza, where the Uffizi is, there is this little cafe with the best gelato EVER.

Oh! And over by the San Lorenzo church, there is a street flea market with great cheap stuff like scarves, jewelry and bags. (plus you can go into the big food Market there and get some huge olives and dried mangos. Yum.)