So then, the land of spaghetti and vineyards...

Venice for the achitecture, Bologna for the Ducati factory, and Rimini for the great beaches and nightlife, oh yes, and the Bimota factory!

[maviczap]

Sister went to Pompei and Mt Etna, bit touristy and when they went it was during a heatwave, but unlikely when you're going. Well worth a visit.

Me I've only been skiing in Italy, but the grub was the best I've ever had on a skiing holiday

[Stu]

Originally Posted by Bluepete

Check opening times, they switch it off on Wednesdays.

Pete

Really?



I thought it was half day Tuesday. My Hairdresser when I was growing up was Italian and she only worked half day Tuesday, told me once that was why.

Originally Posted by the_lone_wolf

A drunk, xenophobic Scotsman...

Mama Mia!!

Not drunk, possibly xenophobic, definitely a Scotsman.

Originally Posted by Bri w

Avoid Aberdeen

I agree, I am really a choochter

Originally Posted by missyorkie_chris

Bit late for that now dear And I think you could be right Bri, Aberdeen really should be avoided at all costs, according to Frankie Boyle anyway hehe

And what reasons did he give?

Florence is lovely, Milan I found awfully dreary and industrial. We got tickets from a street seller so see Rigoletto(in Verona) in the open air, in the evening, and it was quite a spectacle as it was totally lit by candlelight, and I don't even like opera but what an experience. It's expensive but if you wait till just before it starts they often let the cheap seats go really cheap, it was absolutely incredible.

Venice smells in summer, but if you can, get the canal bus to the island with the cemetery on it-absolutely amazing, ask someone or google it, we spent a day on that(free) amazing faded frescoes, and paintings ans mosaics. The water laps at the edges of it in places coming over the edge, just beautiful. You'll love it.

Oh, and in a coffee shop, sit at the bar(cheaper than a table) and do not have a coffee in St Marks square(£6.00 each 15 years ago).

You'll love it.

[Vindaloo]

Only briefly been to Naples ... and that was when I'd just finished school, so .. erm ... err ... three or four years ago . Thought the place was a real dive - dirty, busy and crazy and completely out of my comfort zone - and would never want to go again (at the time). Now I'm a bit older, those are all the things I look for in somewhere to holiday as that tends to make it a bit more exciting.

We went to Pompeii and I remember it as being one of the best places I've ever been ... probably from the point of view of doing Romans in history at school and being able to go around a real roman town - and the fossilised remains of people caught escaping the eruption. I seem to remember it's a train ride direct from Naples.

I could do with knowing a bit more about Rome - a friend fancies a bike trip there this summer .

Adrian

Thanks a lot guys and gals, some great advice there!

I'd love to see an Italian opera Shona, so will definitely be on the lookout for one!

[maviczap]

Oh yes, my sister used to work as an Au Pair in Florence, so that also gets the thumbs up, as the others have said

Ten days to go!!!


So this is the basic route we've planned.


If you can't read it then it's Milan - Lakes (possibly all 3 will see how it takes us) - Verona - La Spezia via Genova for the Cinque Terra then on to Pisa - Florence - Rome - flying back from Naples.

Sorted out so far: health insurance, Interrail Pass, YHA membership.

Need to sort out travel insurance! Not had to buy it before, anyone got any tips?

Also I'm starting to compile a list of stuff to take with me, any stuff you think I might need and am likely to forget (i.e. not toothbrush and head ... )

I'm planning on taking a large 55litre backpack and that's it so I won't be packing the beloved kitchen sink

If your account has changed into a graduate bank account, check with them about insurance as mine comes with travel insurance