Hello,

My husband and I are planning a trip to Italy in late June. We hope to spend a couple days in Venice, Tuscany, and end up in Rome before returning to the States. Our tickets are bought and we are psyched. Now we need some help in more detailed plans.

For our time in the Tuscany region we are most interested in Florence, Pisa, and Chianti.

Does anyone have suggestions about staying in the countryside and renting like a Vespa to travel on back country roads to those cities? Any ideas, suggestions, information about prices, and what's available would be awesome.

Thanks from an excited explorer!

I live in the US and I go to Italy 4 times a year where I have a BMW motorcycle.
My suggestion is to fly into Rome then take the train to Venezia and back. You can then rent a Vespa in Rome and move north toward Florence.

You can take the Roman Road Cassia for example toward Tuscania - below is also an alternative ruote going North from Rome
http://www.lifeinitaly.com/motorcycle/tours-from-rome-1.asp

I would stop in Pienza and the Val D' Orcia - Montepulciano - S Gimignano - Siena Firene and then if you want Pisa - There are many ways to take this ride and the good part is that any way you will approach it it will be beautiful !
Paolo

Hello Hezzy,

How very fun that you're going to Italy! I am envious, as I always am when somebody goes... and very excited for you.

If you have some extra money and want a taste of fine dining near Siena in the Chianti region, check out Relais Borgo Scopeto (http://www.relaisborgoscopeto.it/SFTWScopeto/xING/relais.asp. It is an amazing, four-star hotel with an exquisite dining room. And it's expensive to stay there but worth every penny.

The bus between Rome and the Tuscan region is nice - you get to see the countryside. And every place Paolo reccomended, of course.

Have fun!!
Take pictures and post them here on the site when you return so we can check out your trip.

Teresa

We just returned from a 4-week trip to Italia. In case you are thinking about a trip to Italia in the near future, let me warn you that as a result of a weak US dollar, you lose about 40 cents on a dollar.
None of us speak any Italian but soon found out the locals have a passion for speaking English and were most generous with their information. My most used Italian was, “Me dispiace, non parlo bene Italiano”. (I am sorry; I do not speak good Italian) It is amazing how fast you pick up the essential Italian survival phases. The word “prego” seemed to mean most anything, from you are welcome to go right ahead or excuse me. So when it doubt, you just say “prego”.
Our month long journey to Italy included one week in Florence, one week in Rome and one week in Venice. I am sure staying in these ‘fast cities’ gave us a distorted idea of Italy. We did get a taste of the smaller cities as we took day trips out of each city. We had a Rail Italia train pass that allowed close to unlimited train travel for the month. I am most pleased to report that the “Roamin 4um” has no tails to tell of the time-honored tradition of the sciopero, a.k.a. strike. The Eurostar Italia was the nicest train.
Upon arrival in Milano, “the Roamin 4um” took a 2 day trip to Northern Italy, passing through the Lake Como area to a small Italian town, Tirano. (We loved the town) From Tirano, we hopped on a train called the Berinina Express through the Italian Alps to St. Moritz, Switzerland. The Bernina Express train trip is said to be among Europe's finest and dramatic alpine train rides.
Our first ‘fast city’ was a week in Florence. Florence is, above all, Medieval. Florence, a city that was a center of more recent history, the Renaissance. It was, like Italy has been in general, awe-inspiring. Our apartment was located with a view of the Ponte Vecchio (old bridge). Almost all the main historical sights are within a 20-minute walk. In Florence we are talking the genius of men like Michelangelo, Leonardo, Machiavelli, Galileo, Dante, Amerigo Vespucci led by the great patron of Renaissance thinking; the wealthy banking family the deMedici’s. Genius followed the money!
Since Florence does not have an underground and buses are sometimes tricky to master The Roamin 4um walked a lot. The very first thing that a new tourist of “this pedestrian city” is confronted with is the traffic. What little sidewalk you are given (no more than a meter wide) is generally taken over by autos that have parked with 2 wheels up over the curb. If you can squeeze pass the little room remaining, you will be confronted with mopeds that are parked on the sidewalk.These same vehicles also park in the crosswalks. The results are that the pedestrian is forced into the streets. Italian drivers are notorious for driving excessively fast, making for hair-raising experiences. Yes, walking the streets is an adventure unto itself. I must concede they are all very skilled drivers, don't get me wrong, but they all love speed. To add to this, it seems that most of the eligible population of Florence, from old women to young males with stylish haircuts to priests in vestments, drives around on little scooters, Vespas and their knock-offs. Crossing any street in Florence is a challenge. Florence just reverberates with cars and Vespas zipping by. Some may think the energy from sucking in carbon monoxide is invigorating. Florence needs a Renaissance as to the acute effects due to the formation of carboxyhemoglobin in the blood, which inhibits oxygen intake. Does this “unfriendly pedestrian city” have any respect for the fact that at high concentrations, CO exposure can be fatal? The primary culprit of Florence’s next “plaque” will be the inhaling of CO. One would feel the natives will take care of their population problem in a more civilized manner.

Have I mentioned that I LOVE the Italian ice cream, GELATO? The best gelato in Italy is found in Florence. We are talking an edible art form.
Florence is an absolute haven for lovers of the art world. We all agreed that being able to visit Michaelangelo's "Statue of David", supposedly the best and most admired sculpture of the human form in the world, was a highlight. While in Florence we took a day trip to Assisi and Perugia and a day trip to Siena, San Gimignano and Pisa.
We leave for Roma armed with such important knowledge that European toilets come in many forms and varieties. Some not very user friendly by USA standards. Europeans are a little more careful with water usage also. Many toilets have 2 different flushes—a little flush and a big flush—for obvious reasons. Oh, yes! Italians do not queue. He who pushes hardest gets to the front.
The ‘Eternal City’. A city with a history that extends from its founding among the seven hills on the banks of the Tiber by salt and metal traders to its rise to global dominance led by Julius Caesar and his nephew Caesar Augustus. Again, we are talking Romulus and Remus and extraordinary development over five centuries. In history, culture and art, what city can match Rome's greatness — and curse —. The curse is that a visitor can never see more than a fraction of what's there in one visit. Part of the greatness is that there is just so much, you can enjoy a first-rate cultural experience and never pay a cent.
Our apartment is located just a few blocks from St. Peter’s Square and one of Europe’s midget countries, the Vatican. I
Our first day of Rome sightseeing, included the Coliseum. Being there forces you into multiple perspectives, none of which you can manage: What was it like to be a spectator? A victim? In another culture 2,000 years ago? We walked through the Roman Forum with a vista that opens on a field of ruins in various states of repair. One can almost imagine what the scene must have looked like when the Empire was in flower and committed to being magnificent in public. Fascinating, moving, almost eerie. Our tour included one amazing sight after another.
Our day concluded at the Piazza Navona, the shape of the chariot racetrack that once was there. The piazza musicians were entertaining. The piazza Navona at night was yet another in a day of glorious public spaces.
Our day trip via train to Naples, Pompeii and the Amalfi coast We spent very little time in Naples but the Pompeii and Mt. Vesuvius tour was outstanding. If we ever return to Italia, I am heading straight to Amalfi Coast and famous coastal resort towns of Amalfi, Positano and Ravello.
OK, I must admit by this time I have vowed, no more Duomos (Italian for cathedrals) However, how does one pass on San Pietro in Vaticano (Basilica of St Peter). We are talking the St Peter’s Basilica built on the site thought to be that of the tomb of St Peter. We are talking Michelangelo and the Sistine Chapel.
Our last night in Roma was featured by dining at the home of pasta, Alfredo’s. We all indulged ourselves in the taste of the famous fettuccine in triple butter sauce, invented by the first-generation Alfredo.
Arrivederci Roma, Goodbye, goodbye to Rome . City of a million moonlit places, City of a million warm embraces, Where we found the one of all the faces, Far from home! It's time for us to part.

Another smooth Eurostar ride out of Roma and we were in Venezia in 4 hours. We immediately fell in love with Venice! It is so picturesque, unique and charming that you just want to move right into one of the gorgeous decaying but elegant palaces. Never did we imagine that a city just a few hours from Rome by train could be so different from the Eternal City. So different, in fact, that it seemed we had crossed the border into an entirely different country.

Florence and Rome: a dramatic Vespa-infested change from the pedestrian city of Venice. Venice is a ridiculous idea and its realization is indescribable. The throngs of tourists (including us, of course) cannot defeat the city's basic rhythm: Street, alley, passage, up a bridge, down a bridge, street, passage, open space. Somehow we were able to manage the maze. (A few breadcrumbs helped) We purchased a weekly water bus pass and toured the island via canals and the Adriatic. Relaxing and great way to see the sights.
I must confess, by this time my tastebuds were burning out on a steady lunch and dinner diet of pizza, pasta and ‘meat’… oh, for a good USA meal. Is there a reason my 3 travel companions are calling me “Gelato Dundee”? I might add that the Italian pizza is boring. We found a tiny restaurant, LaZucca, a few alleys from our apartment with as many meatless dishes as ones with meat.
We took a day trip, via train, to Verona. In Verona, Romeo and Juliet seem to be on every tourist's mind. The "Balcony of Juliet" is a mob scene, as every tour group in this part of Italy converges on it all day long. Verona was a pleasant surprise. The autos stopped at stop signs, did not park on the sidewalk and in general acted in a very civilized manner. Just when we had become comfortable with walking (or running) so that you weave around the Smart-cars and motorbikes careening towards you.
We took a second day trip to the Italian Tyrol. High in the Dolomites, tourism is huge. Proximity to the Austrian border resulting in the natives speaking German. The tram up into the mountains was spectacular!
We were very surprised at the number of villages up in the mountains.

After a week, it was time to say Arrivaderci to Vanessa-- --and board our train to Milano and our air transportation back to the USA.

You are planning a trip to Italy? The ‘Roamin 4um’, made up of my wife and I along with my brother-in-law and his spouse, recently traveled to Italy for a month. Let me preface my comments with the thought that no country or culture is perfect. However, Italy gives new meaning to the word “scam”. Who said, “there’s a sucker born every minute”? Well, Italy has tens of thousands new suckers arriving by train, plane, auto and bus every day, The result is that the con artist, thieves and pickpockets don’t need to change their methods much; they just practice them until they've got it perfect.
In one breath I would like to say, Italy is wonderful so relax and enjoy! Yes, we had a great time seeing the sights, and would do it again. I just wouldn't exactly consider it a relaxing experience. , None of the scams ruined our enjoyment, but before you depart on a Taste of Italia journey, Google Italian travel scams. I assure you the reading will better prepare you for a nation that gives new meaning to ‘rip off artist’!

"Chi la dura la vince."
Those who don’t give in will prevail

Does they offer a viajes barato ? I want to have some info regarding with that place.

Any input on tipping, we are leaving in a few days and I'm having trouble location information regarding same. Don't want to insult anyone but don't want to over tip either!!

Mille grazie,

From what I remember - although that was before the Euro took over - that most restaurants include the tip in the bill. That seemed standard over most of Europe except if the service was exceptional. In that case you can round up the bill by adding a few coins.

I think the same goes for taxis as well, round up to the nearest Euro or two. However try to negotiate a fare with the driver before you step in the cab.

Porters and other service people I do not have any experience with in Italy. but considering how far the dollar has fallen compared to the Euro, 1 Euro per bag seems very generous to me.

Good Luck!

Mi sposa and I will be visiting Lago di Bolsena (VT) in autumno 2008. Would someone like to recommend some coastal areas within an hour or two from Bolsena that are laid-back and enjoyable, not so much "touristy"? We... er, I... plan to speak as much Italian as I can learn by then, so the more native, the better. Thanks for any hints! /tb

Mi sposa and I will be visiting Lago di Bolsena (VT) in autumno 2008. Would someone like to recommend some coastal areas within an hour or two from Bolsena that are laid-back and enjoyable, not so much "touristy"? We... er, I... plan to speak as much Italian as I can learn by then, so the more native, the better. Thanks for any hints! /tb


I think if you start a thread of your own under the same category, you stand a better chance of getting good responses. Your query is getting kind of lost in this thread.

Thanks -- will do just that!

Spent a holiday and travel (http://aboutitaly.org) in Italy? It was really great. Lots of tourist attractions to see.

Oh my god, you've went to Pompeii!! That place is magnificent


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my favorite spot in Italy: http://ad79.wetpaint.com/