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| Author | Topic: Italy |
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 MsPetersFan1
Registered User
Registered:
6/25/2002
From:
Long Island, New York & Boston, | posted: 3/11/2005 at 10:39:58 PM ET
Hi everyone! I've been away from the boards for a while but I have a question. Has anyone been to Italy and if so where do you recommend going/seeing? I'm planning a trip for July and was wondering if it is necessary to learn some Italian?
~* Megan *~
|  dulcinea4
Registered User
Registered:
5/13/2003
Fav. BP Song: MoveOn
Fav. BP Show: Gypsy
Fav. BP Character: Bailey Lewis
Fav. BP CD: Sondheim, Etc Live At Carnegie Hall
| posted: 3/11/2005 at 10:54:29 PM ET
I was there last summer when I was travelling around Europe with friends and none of us spoke Italian, though I do speak Spanish so that kind of helped a tiny bit. We started in Rome and spent 6 nights (plenty of time to see the sights...Vatican City etc.)We then took a train to Pisa and spent 1 night (sufficient cuz kind of expensive) Then we went to Monterrso one of the five towns known as Cinque Terra. Everyone who was backpacking said we had to go, but I didn't see what all the fuss was about. It was a cute town, but really not much to do and I've been to prettier beaches (like Nice or in the Caribbean. We were there for 2 nights and were ready to move on...not big night life and after living in Madrid for 6 months and also visiting San Sebastain in northern Spain, it just didn't compare)We also went to Venice for 2 nights. Awesome and not as expensive as we thought. We could have used an extra day to roam around the canals. We then went to Como by train for 1 night and took a boat ride on the incredible lake to Bellagio (wanted to see what the Las Vegas hotel was based on) and flew to Paris on a cheap flight from Bergamo just north of Milan (scary town I would not recommend going to...even Italians I know wondered why we went there...cuz of the cheap flight) Couldn't work in Florence, but most say it is a must see. I will have to go there next time when I catch the southern part. Know this is long, but I hope that helped. Pm me if you have any questions. Ciao!
|  Jean
Registered User
Registered:
6/7/2003 | posted: 3/12/2005 at 4:54:02 AM ET
I was in Italy in May 2002 for 2 weeks; I was on a tour--rather than spell out the whole thing, here is a description of the tour I was on:
http://www.adventures-abroad.com/tours/html/IT1.htm
1) since I was on a tour language was not an issue, although when I was on my own a few times I found that no one spoke much English. It didn't matter in restaurants, because to my surprise I was able to easily figure out the menu as we use the Italian words in the US for Italian food. Otherwise, I'd recommend some rudimentary Italian phrases.
2)Must sees: Rome, Florence, Venice.
3)If you have time: Siena, Pisa, Verona-Padua, one of the lakes
4) Think about what you like--if its art, then go to the must sees--the best museums are there. If its beautiful scenery and wine and relaxing, then the lakes, Tuscany and Cinque Terre. I like going to churches, for the art and architecture, but Italy also has the best coleseums which are very impressive. I like to sometimes just walk around and get the feel of a place; I'm also very fond of sitting around the plazas or squares with a coffee or glass of wine and just watching people.
I'm going to Sicily in May for 2 weeks--can't tell you about it as I haven't been yet, but we're going especially for the Roman-Greek ruins (the friend I travel with says she never saw a pile of rocks she doesn't love). Again on a tour so I have no problem with language.
I am very poor at languages but I try to learn some words or phrases in what ever country I go to. I can say hello/goodbye/coffee with milk/bathroom in 8 or 9 languages--but not Chinese.
arrivederci!
| jmslsu01
Registered User
Registered:
6/9/2003
From:
northern VA | posted: 3/12/2005 at 11:55:50 AM ET
Whenever you travel abroad,it's considerate to learn some phrases. It shows your interest and eagerness to interact with people. You don't need to sign up for a language course,although more power to you if you do! Just simple courtesy phrases go a long way in breaking the ice and showing that you're not the dreaded Ugly American. However,once people learn that you're an English speaker,they may be eager to practice their English with you,if they know some English. If you want to practice your (German,Dutch,etc),this significantly diminishes the possibility!
Also-be aware that some may use you as a sounding board to air their grievances against U.S. policy and government. You may encounter this when you go in Italy,due to the attack on the Italian journalist's convoy recently. This may not happen-sometimes it does,sometimes it doesn't. Just be aware that it may happen,and know that they may know just as much as U.S. policy and government as you do. Again,sometimes it happens,sometimes it doesn't. I don't know if this happens very much in Italy.
(Not trying to insult your intelligence-many people are aware of this. This is not really a secret,I know. I don't know if you've been abroad before.)
Have fun! There are tons of guidebooks on Italy,so finding information will not be a problem.
Jenn
| Karen
Registered User
Registered:
5/3/2002 | posted: 3/12/2005 at 12:06:21 PM ET
Just pretend you're Canadian. It's much simpler.
| dulcinea4
Registered User
Registered:
5/13/2003
Fav. BP Song: MoveOn
Fav. BP Show: Gypsy
Fav. BP Character: Bailey Lewis
Fav. BP CD: Sondheim, Etc Live At Carnegie Hall
| posted: 3/12/2005 at 1:55:18 PM ET
That's funny, Karen, that you should say that b/c I travelled with 2 Candians last summer around Europe, so by default I was became the third Canadian (even though I didn't have a Canadian flag sewn to anything I was carrying/wearing like all the others we bumped into as we were travelling) Funny, eh?
|  Rose
Registered User
Registered:
9/28/2003
From:
NY
Fav. BP Song: No One Is Alone and Some People
Fav. BP Show: Gypsy
Fav. BP Character: Rose/The Witch
Fav. BP CD: Gypsy
| posted: 3/13/2005 at 12:48:30 AM ET
Italy is wonderful. If you stick to the big cities your ok with English as long as you know some key phrases. Florence and Venice are a must see. I kind of thought that Rome was a bit overwhelming. If you have time go to Anacapri it's beautiful. My favorite part of Italy is actually Sicily though.
"Oh no, you won't. No, not a chance. No arguements, shut up and dance." -You'll Never Get Away From Me
"And if it wasn't for me then where would you be Miss Gypsy Rose Lee?" -Rose's Turn
| MsPetersFan1
Registered User
Registered:
6/25/2002
From:
Long Island, New York & Boston, | posted: 3/14/2005 at 11:04:34 AM ET
Thank you all so much for your help. I actually did consider the possibility of being verbally attacked because of US politics, so I thought to myself - since I disagree with American policies on most issues, why not learn the phrase "I do not agree with American politics." I've been learning Italian by CD and it's great - highly recommend it.
So far, my friend and I are going to visit Pisa, Florence, Milan, Venice, and Rome.
Thanks again for your help!
~* Megan *~
|  Sister Rose
Registered User
Registered:
5/4/2004
From:
NYC | posted: 3/14/2005 at 5:24:39 PM ET
I was in England in November and the only people who said anything to us about U.S. politics and their dislike of Bush were some Americans we met in a pub. 
"Anyone who stays home is DEAD!"
| jmslsu01
Registered User
Registered:
6/9/2003
From:
northern VA | posted: 3/14/2005 at 9:46:14 PM ET
quote:
Thank you all so much for your help. I actually did consider the possibility of being verbally attacked
Megan-
As you can see by Sister Rose's post-it may or may not happen. But verbally attacked....that's a strong phrase. I've no doubt it has happened. I didn't mean to suggest that the citizens of Europe lay in wait for an unguarded American gazing at an ornate cathedral and bellow until said American falls into the fetal position.
And a problem with pretending to be Canadian is that it would be your luck to run across a group of suspicious Canadians. At least,that would happen to me.
Don't stress about it. Good luck with that Italian CD. Have you learned the most important phrases yet? Dove e l'ospedale? Dove' il bagno? Dove e la biblioteca? 
Sadly,my knowledge of Italian doesn't extend much more than that.
Jenn
| Jean
Registered User
Registered:
6/7/2003 | posted: 3/14/2005 at 9:59:01 PM ET
"Where is the bath??
I agree, Jenn, it's not really much of a problem. I've been to 19 countries in the last 5 years, and not once have we been verbally asaulted.
Of course, we did have some pretty lively discussions in the tour bus driving around Spain, but that was between people on the tour (the Americans and some very interesting Canadians.)
| jmslsu01
Registered User
Registered:
6/9/2003
From:
northern VA | posted: 3/14/2005 at 10:03:53 PM ET
It's not bagno? Or bano? Bathroom? I don't have an Italian dictionary nearby-just half-bits of useless information floating in my brain.
I wonder if this happens more with expatriates or those living abroad for an extended period of time,rather than with tourists (you're more likely to befriend locals and interact with them more,and have real conversations,I imagine). Is dulcinea still reading this thread?
Jenn
| Karen
Registered User
Registered:
5/3/2002 | posted: 3/14/2005 at 10:05:29 PM ET
Jean, what exactly did you call it? I always asked "Dove la bagna?"
And Jenn, I appreciate your biblioteca question, but you left out one of the most important phrases: "Un litro di vino rosso, per favore."
| Jean
Registered User
Registered:
6/7/2003 | posted: 3/14/2005 at 10:08:39 PM ET
dove รจ la stanza da bagno=where is the bathroom?
bagno=bath
http://world.altavista.com/tr
Close enough! Although I find the word "toilet" gets me where I need to be, regardless of the country or the language.
| jmslsu01
Registered User
Registered:
6/9/2003
From:
northern VA | posted: 3/14/2005 at 10:15:08 PM ET
Karen-one of my friends from graduate school gave me the fourth T-shirt (actually,it's a sleepshirt,but I see that I linked to the T-shirt) on the left for my birthday a year ago. I also have the T-shirt directly to the right of it,which I have worn on occasion for a casual work day. Lots of comments,but,of course,not many from the children. Sweet innnocence!
Jean- a ha. Thank you!
Jenn
| Karen
Registered User
Registered:
5/3/2002 | posted: 3/14/2005 at 10:23:35 PM ET
Love those shirts!
Jean, I was afraid you were going to say "casa di m--da" or something.
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