europe travel suggestions? quesion for italian catholics?

Barcelona:
Mas sangria, por favor!

Sorry I don't have any other tips, since we did mostly touristy things. Tapa Tapa was good, but not the best. I loved Organic 11, c. de la junta de Comerc. I saw the other Gaudi sites, but skipped the church as we were tired and from the outside it was clearly visual overload. If you have to pick just one, go for the church.

Check the shops in the area around this spot: http://www.vaho.ws/ (click on Vaho gallery) for some excellent shopping drinking, and dining.

Be wary of pickpockets on Las Ramblas at night.

Sorry to hear about your season TP.

If you're in Rome, go and have a bite and some wine at this place. http://www.casableve.it/ You won't regret it.

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Originally Posted by Hayduke

Sorry to hear about your season TP.

If you're in Rome, go and have a bite and some wine at this place. http://www.casableve.it/ You won't regret it.

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That site looks cool, but it's all in Italian. What's the place all about?

It's just a restaurant off the beaten track a bit. The owner is a complete wine nut and really friendly. He'll probably ask you where you're from & what wine you like. Then give you a taster of six or seven different wines you might like. (Not the most expensive, just what he reckons you might like and he'll be right). The food is just cold dishes but really, really good. It's a great way to spend a lazy afternoon.

There's probably 1 tourist for every 1000 people that go in there.

I spent last spring semester in Europe and got a chance to spend some time in Nice, Rome and Florence. First I'd like to agree with Buster and everyone else who said you should hit up Siena. IMO its much nicer than Florence and the duomo in Siena is absolutely stunning, even more so than the duomo in Florence. That said, here are things at each place:


Nice: If you have never been to a riviera town before than despite the fact there aren't a lot of specific things worth seeing and that it will be crowded, it is a very pretty place. I recommend hiking up the long stairwell on the waterfront that puts you atop of this hill/cliff with an amazing overlook of the harbor. Besides that, take a stroll through vielle nice (old nice) and sit down at a cafe and people watch.

Rome: Some people don't like Rome but I loved it. There is soooo much to see and the food is quite good. Word of advice, don't use the metro it's a waste of time, and don't bother taking a tour bus or renting a car or anything like that. If you start out at the Pantheon you can walk your way to all of the major outdoor landmarks (Trevi fountain, Spanish steps, Forum, Victor Emmanuelle Building, Colleseum, etc). A trick I picked up in my travels is that you can almost always get a guided tour for free by casually joining one or pretending you are looking at something nearby and just listen in (The extra 10-20 euros is a lot when your a college student). Definitely take a stroll through the hill above the Roman forum and go to as many gelaterias (sp) (gelato stores) as you can because the gelato there is wicked good. Check out the Lonely Planet or another guide book for fav places, or just walk into any random one you see. When you are sussin out a gelato place always look for banana. If it is yellow or any color besides like a greyish tint, its artificial BS and you don't want none. Other than that sit down somewhere and get a pizza. Ya, I know its probably not what you'd think to order but Rome had the best pizza out of anywhere I was in Italy (didn't make it farther south
than that) and it was really really good. Oh and the vatican is definitely worth fighting the crowd. You must see the sistine chapel, as well as the inside of st. peters basillica, which gives free english tours on some type of schedule. It is breath taking. You don't realize the sheer size of the place because of how well done it was scale wise. However you could fit the statue of liberty directly under the dome and the torch wouldn't reach the ceiling. Ya, how cool is that?

Florence: I wasn't a huuge fan of Florence, probably partially because when I was there the weather sucked and the Uffizi was closed one of the days so we didn't go in. Take a walk along the river and cross ponte vecchio. Also when you are on the other side of the river from the Duomo and everything else, check out pitti palace (its nice to just sit on the stone and gaze around) and hike up the steps to the gardens of michaelangelo or whatever that area is officially called. It has a nice view of the city and it pulls you a bit away from crowds. In Florence check out the duomo, hike the steps to the top of the campinille tower, but definitely go see the Davidat the academia I believe, it is absolutely stunning. In terms of where to go, there is a restaurant on lookers left alleyway of St. Croce if you're facing the front. It was recommended by a local and it has great dessert.


I have all my travel photos online if you want to check them out and see exactly which things you want to see in person and which you could do without. It all depends on your taste in art and architecture. And if you need any more specific tips/advice feel free to PM me.

Europe Travel Photos

Go see the Palio in Siena - held on July 2nd and August 16th.
Truly a MUST-SEE.

As for religious stuff, you must also visit Assisi and see la Basilica di San Francesco. I've seen almost every major church in Italy, and this one takes the cake so to speak in my book.

Stay away from Venice. Not much there and not really worth more than a day. If you do go, might want to check out Murano.


Florence is great on the weekday, madhouse on weekend.


If you like steak, go to Siena and search around for the local record store. Guy who owns it is Mickey Blues. He'll set you up with a restaurant in Florence that is only open to close friends and shit. One of the best steaks I've ever eaten. Also, must eat at La Torre in Siena...fantastic place.

And if near Rome, Pompeii is a must also.

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If you have any questions, feel free to PM me. Studied in Italy for a semester and majored in it.

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Originally Posted by snoogens

If you like steak, go to Siena and search around for the local record store. Guy who owns it is Mickey Blues. He'll set you up with a restaurant in Florence that is only open to close friends and shit. One of the best steaks I've ever eaten.

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OK, let me make sure I have this correct: I'm supposed to ask a dude named Mickey Blues at the record store in Siena about a secret steakhouse. Could this get me killed? ;)

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Originally Posted by Twoplanker

OK, let me make sure I have this correct: I'm supposed to ask a dude named Mickey Blues at the record store in Siena about a secret steakhouse. Could this get me killed? ;)

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Yeah dude...everything about the getting killed part. :)

Also, if you like jazz and blues and all that shit, he's the guy to talk to. Never met anyone more knowledgable about the stuff. Has an amazing record colleciton too.

MICKEY BLUES
Via Santa Caterina 37
53100 - SIENA
Tel : 0577/226709
E.mail : mickeyblues@freemail.it

OK, one last bump and pump for the traveller's info. Leaving Friday.

Also, funny how dark things seemed when I first posted this thread. I'd just had surgery and wasn't at all sure I was going to retain the use of my left hand. How things have changed in just a few months! My hand is still whacked, and I'm probably going be gimped because of it eventually, but now I just don't give a shite! :cool:

Anyway, on with the advice...

I advise you to have fun and make sure you get my memory cards for the camera before you leave.


And just cut the hand off and have a ski pole surgerized to your arm. :biggrin:

I'll try to remember to write more about Rome, but I'll throw in a couple things first.

Watch yourself in the Piazza Navona. It's super famous and very beautiful, which also means it's a huge tourist trap and a theives' paradise. I had two very good friends live in Rome for a year and they told me flat out to avoid walking across the middle. It's like walking across a minefield of pickpockets. The classic trick is for little gypsy kids to come up and beg while one of them snakes your wallet. Also the restaurants on the Piazza aren't that great. I'm not saying don't go there. I'm just saying be on your guard.

The Castle Sant'angelo near the Vatican is really cool. Also be sure to walk up to the garden above the Spanish Steps, the Villa Borghese.

St. Peter's is really beautiful, but I also went to the Chiesa de Gesu. Despite the fact it was being renovated and half the church was covered in scaffolding, I thought it blew St. Peter's away.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gesu

Also don't forget to walk down the Appia Antica just outside the main city. It was the main road into ancient Rome and is filled with ruins, beautiful villas, stunning views of the Roman countryside, and Christian catacombs.

Restaurant report to come later. Best cuisine in any city I've been too. Cheap, insanely good quality, and a different dining culture. Skiaholic is right, it's the best pizza I've ever had. I literally didn't eat pizza for 6 months after I got back. I only had one or two pizzas there over the course of a week and it spoiled me that badly.

Do not attempt to give the Pope a hot lead enema, no matter how cool you think Michael Kenyon is.

Awesome advice. I hungrily await your restaurant report.

I'm already planning on going to this place, based on the advice of someone that lives in Livorno:

http://www.anticoristorodicambi.it/

So stoked!

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Originally Posted by Arty50

I'll try to remember to write more about Rome, but I'll throw in a couple things first.

Watch yourself in the Piazza Navona. It's super famous and very beautiful, which also means it's a huge tourist trap and a theives' paradise. I had two very good friends live in Rome for a year and they told me flat out to avoid walking across the middle. It's like walking across a minefield of pickpockets. The classic trick is for little gypsy kids to come up and beg while one of them snakes your wallet. Also the restaurants on the Piazza aren't that great. I'm not saying don't go there. I'm just saying be on your guard.

The Castle Sant'angelo near the Vatican is really cool. Also be sure to walk up to the garden above the Spanish Steps, the Villa Borghese.

St. Peter's is really beautiful, but I also went to the Chiesa de Gesu. Despite the fact it was being renovated and half the church was covered in scaffolding, I thought it blew St. Peter's away.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gesu

Also don't forget to walk down the Appia Antica just outside the main city. It was the main road into ancient Rome and is filled with ruins, beautiful villas, stunning views of the Roman countryside, and Christian catacombs.

Restaurant report to come later. Best cuisine in any city I've been too. Cheap, insanely good quality, and a different dining culture. Skiaholic is right, it's the best pizza I've ever had. I literally didn't eat pizza for 6 months after I got back. I only had one or two pizzas there over the course of a week and it spoiled me that badly.

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Dammit, I already packed the enema gear!


:nonono2:

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Originally Posted by Buster Highmen

Do not attempt to give the Pope a hot lead enema, no matter how cool you think Michael Kenyon is.

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you're going to love florence..
all the normal stuff there is cool (duomo, david, etc.) but the one thing I remember most vividly was walking up to the plaza of micheangelo and taking in the city..

I would recommend buying the "The Miracle of Castel di Sangro" by Joe McGinniss.

Great book about an outsider embracing italian football (soccer) in a small Italian town. Part Fever Pitch, Part Godfather. It will get you in the mood to embrace Italy.

Nice hotels where I have stayed:
Florence and Rome: The Excelsior (Westin)
Nice: The Negresco
Hotels are expensive, but comfy, and cheap european city hotels suck.

Restaurants in Florence that are inexpensive and very good: Aqua al 2 (Due); Alle Murate
Don't miss these. The crowds are young and Italian. The price is right. The food is quality with nice portions.

In Rome, I have heard good things about Crudo (never been, but my friend, who spends a lot of time in Rome, swears by it. (She's a model)

When in Naples, definitely take a hydroboat over to Ischia. The place is magic and all the tourists flock to Capri

Dinner in Florence: Enoteca Pinchiorri. Stunningly good.

http://www.enotecapinchiorri.com/

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Originally Posted by Twoplanker

by boat - norweigan cruise line. we have a day in each city, 2 in barcelona.

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How does the cruise line get you to Florence? With only one day, stick to the turist spots: It is hard to do these cities in one day, but it would be a shame to visit Rome and not see St. Peter's or The Colosseum;) Don't forget to throw a coin in the Trevi Fountain

My wife and I were in Italy in April on our honeymoon. Of the cities you listed we only visited Florence. We flew in and out of that city and spent only one night on each end there.
The only real advice I can offer is this: If you want to visit the big museums (Accademia for David or Uffizi) look into buy tickets in advance or a tour that includes them. We did a walking tour of the city that ended with Accademia. We waited for about 5 minutes to get in. The line for people not on tours was a least and hour long. This was April, a slow time of year.

Siena is cool too. If you’re heading there PM me and I can send you .PDFs of self guided walking tours. We unfortunately forgot them but I think they would have been good to have.

Trip Advisor is a good site. It’s basically all traveler reviews and opinions.

Here is my gallery of Florence: Florence photos
And the rest of the trip, including Siena, if you care: All Italy Galleries

I was in Italy, France and Germany 3 years ago.

Rome is amazing, spend as much time here as you can. The only other Euro city I went to that compared was Berlin (I'm big on the WW2 and Cold War stuff). Better than Paris in nearly every way, IMO. Don't miss the Ancient Roman stuff (Colluseum and area), or the Vatican. I'm not Catholic either, but it is an amazing place and will be apprecieated by everyone. The ceiling of the Sistine Chappel.... no words for it.

Florance is nice, but not rome nice. I went to florance before Rome, probably a good thing because as far as museums, art, history, and archetecture go, Rome is better. That said, it still beats pretty much anything in North America. It has a different feel than Rome too, much more laid back and less metropolatian

For food, look for ma and pop places in the basements and main floors of appartments. They are usually better and cheaper than visable resteraunts around tourist places. The resteraunts on sidestreets are usually better than those in the middle of plazas.

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Originally Posted by Buster Highmen

Dinner in Florence: Enoteca Pinchiorri. Stunningly good.

http://www.enotecapinchiorri.com/

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That's the second recommendation for that restaurant. I just wish I could figure out how to operate their website.

Looks....pink.

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Originally Posted by Twoplanker

That's the second recommendation for that restaurant. I just wish I could figure out how to operate their website.

Looks....pink.

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Anything Relais & Chateaux has to be good. I have stayed/ate at their places in Lech and Berwang, Austria. Both were exceptional!

Try this cite: http://www.relaischateaux.com/enoteca/

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Originally Posted by Twoplanker

tell me something truly unique and special that i should not miss in any of the following cities. or maybe some unique aspect of an obvious attraction (e.g., whats the best thing to see at the vatican?)

barcelona, spain

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Parc Guel by Gaudi, and anything else by Gaudi including the chuch, the museum, and the buildings he designed. Take lots of water to park, and bring a lunch picnic. If I had one mission only, it would be Gaudi.

Be sure to spend an evening in the Gothic quartier, drinking wine and eating tapas. The Spanish move from one bar/restaurant to the next, having one drink and maybe tapas and moving on. Eventually, they might park for dinner, at around 11-midnight. Then it's club time.

The aquarium and surrounding area (shopping mall) is nice, but designed for tourists. It's at the end of Las Ramblas, and not very Spanish.

Las Ramblas is worth a look, and if you read Orwell, you might recall that the revolution was taking place there.

If you can make it up to Les Fugeures (sp?) see the Dali Museum.

Olymipic Park is not much to see, but a nice view.

Picasso museum is alright, but less than I expected.

A note on Barcelonian art: it is worth a look. If there is an exhibit in town that looks interesting, and it will be advertised all over the city, go to it.

Enjoy it.

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Originally Posted by Buster Highmen

Dinner in Florence: Enoteca Pinchiorri. Stunningly good.

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Info like this is very valuable!