hopingtotravel

FWIW, I love my red Delsey hard-side rolling bag which came from (I think) the Magellan catalog. It has 4 roller skate like wheels that go in circles. Can be pushed as well as pulled.

Fairhope

Re: public bathrooms--we found one in Perugia that "sealed" after you used it and closed the door and completely sanitized itself--the whole bathroom.

sfowler

The best way around the maid "thing" is to do the laundry at the end of the day and hang it overnight. This does require only truly drip drys, but is a super way around those hotels that have little signs forbidding you to do laundry in your room. I remained on good terms with my favorite little Paris hotel for three years using this ruse. However the towels WERE soaking

Tiff

Hi Cassandra,welcome home -

<All taxis will circumnavigate to your destination; all drivers will contrive to increase your fare. Learn debating Italian or be resigned.>

Comment and a question for you. When I was in Italy, actually anywhere I travel, I always try to ask the front desk, or a concierge in advance what the approximate fare will be from Point A to Point B. When I get into the taxi I state (in English, it has never been a problem) my destination and ask how much. I have found that 9 times of out 10, when I follow this procedure, they almost always quote me what the front desk/concierge originally quoted.

However, I was in Italy five years ago.

My question is, "What was your procedure?" Did you get a quote for your fare first, or did you just hop in and go.

Again welcome home and thanks, I appreciate it. Tiff

Cassandra

In no particular order: we received 5 bills -- 3 restaurants, 1 shop, and 1 hotel (Due Torri in Rome) where the "decision is final" notation appeared and we were charged in dollars. Seemed to me it happened more in Rome than elsewhere -- once in Sorrento, I think. "It's not us, it's the machine" claimed one server when we protested. We never bothered to press the point -- just tried to remember to ask earlier next time -- and, alas, almost never did remember. It was, finally, not a problem; but I suspect it will be an increasingly common practice.

We usually asked the cab "how much [quanto?] to XXX?" before we got in, but at least 2ce other than the time in Sorrento (see part 2), we ended up with a fair amount more because of add-ons and a greedy meter. In Sorrento, I knew from our map that he was taking a very circuitous route, but since we'd already agreed on a price, I wasn't worried -- just curious about why he'd do that.... perhaps to make us think it was a long ride and we should pay him more. Didn't work.

And yes, DH had pockets bulging with items shamelessly lifted from breakfast and the BA Terraces club at Gatwick (guess he didn't trust AA to feed us adequately) plus two books, an apple and a lot of film canisters -- and was pulled over by TSA as we arrived in RDU. The agent explained that he wondered why we were wearing coats in 76F weather (no room in luggage) and what on earth was in DH's right front vest pocket (a book). I was just grateful they missed the apple, which was contraband, I realized later.

Marilyn, we actually had a great great time! These are just things I jotted down as we went along, thinking they might be helpful to alert other Fodorites to! Sorry if it came out as a blanket whine. Didn't mean to do that!

ira

> I always try to ask the front desk, or a concierge in advance what the approximate fare will be from Point A to Point B.<

We took a cab from FCO to a hotel at EUR Parc Medici. Having checked the map beforehand, I thought that it was about a 10 min ride.

The cabbie roared along at about 100 MILES per hour for almost 1/2 hr. Cab fare 45E.

I asked at the hotel desk and was told that the usual fare was about 45E.

The next morning, the shuttle bus from the hotel got us to the airport in under 15 min.

Poohgirl

I really enjoyed your trip post. I, for one, don't think you sound like a whiner at all. I'm looking forward to reading about the rest of your trip.

Tiff

Hi Ira,

So if I am understanding your post correctly, are you saying that the front desk of your hotel was not being honest, either, because it was the airport was only 15 minutes away? I'm sorry, please forgive, I am just not sure if I am understanding what you are trying to convey.

I just have always tried to have an idea of how far away the destination is (mainly for a timing issue so I can plan accordingly)and the approximate cost before hand, and I have had good luck. Wanted to know now if I should change my plan, ha.

Thank you, Tiff

SeaUrchin

I love your observations and don't think they are negative, just a live and learn attitude.

In Sorrento the driver might have taken you around the block a few times because at different times of day some of the streets are closed to through traffic and some are one way. Luckily for you you agreed beforehand. I bet the other drivers gave you your driver because it was a short ride and they were betting on getting longer ones.

I love your drying rehearsal too. I could have used that advice as I packed and repacked for a few days damp pants on one trip.

crefloors

Cassandra...really loved reading your report and I don't think their was anything negative in it. Some people wouldn't be happy if you hung 'em with a new rope. I too have had experiences that make you think "live and learn", and that's why we travel...to learn. I, like you, can usually find something amusing in the ...lets say interesting experiences, and thanks for sharing them with us.

crefloors

oops...there not THEIR. See, I can spell...duh! Anyway, I'm on to your part three now.

erical77

Cassandra,

Loved your report. My husband and I just got back from 2 weeks in Rome, Florence, Tuscany and Venice.

Question for you that we couldn't figure out - why does it always seem to take so long to get your check at restaurants in Italy? We'd order desert, eat it and 20-30 min later, we'd still be waiting for "il conto". We thought it was just us but ran into another American couple who said it happened to them a lot too.

Did you notice that?

crefloors

Don't you have to request the bill, they won't just bring it to you like they do in the states?

Dayle

Eric,

In Italy you will not be presented with the check until you ask for it. They don't try to "turn tables" like in the US.

Cassandra

Yes, etiquette demands that they wait until you ask for il conto. In most places they expect you to stretch dinner out, esp. the part with espresso and/or grappa (although if you are in a tourist-magnet place they can start to look a little impatient if you wait too long and they want to keep clientele churning).

A pleasant surprise in Venice: frequent offers of on-the-house grappa, limoncello, or sambuca or whatever, most often at more pricey places but very nice, nonetheless. They always looked disappointed if we asked for il conto instead.

erical77

Thanks Cassandra. In most places, we finally just asked for the il conto. We were just afraid that we seemed rude for doing so... guess not!

grayland

I have heard the "foreign currency" (being charged dollars) discussed before. You indicate that it was done in restaurants as well as hotels.
I have not experienced it yet but wonder exactly how they could justify it in a restaurant. Do they charge Italians, Germans, Brits, etc in US dollars? Have to think that I would not accept it in as much as it obviously only applies to US Citizens.
It is one reason why I prefer to use ATM's and pay in Euros.
As a further note to this....I recently received a notice from my United Airline Visa (Chase Bank) that they would change the "exchange" fee on transactions even if they were charged in US Dollars. Not sure how the two things are related.

Sue_xx_yy

On another thread re DCC (Dynamic Currency Conversion) a poster pointed out that it is a violation of the terms of VISA's agreement with vendors for the latter not to offer their clients a choice of currency. VISA's decision will certainly be final, should they decide to enforce the agreement with the vendor. As would my decision to complain to VISA be final; I am normally resigned to paying a certain unofficial 'tourist tax', but that phrasing "the decision is final" strikes me as both rude and an unforgivable attempt to intimidate and coerce. A business transaction is meant to be an agreement, not a unilateral demand, and furthermore an agreement the terms of which should be understood up front, not after the fact.

I quite understand you are offering a few live-and-learn observations from your own experience, and see nothing unduly negative about them. Looking forward to more.

wanderer

Cassandra -
Just back from Venice and loved your post!!

It brings back memories of the day I walked into the WC, and there was a man standing at the sink! Thinking I had inadvertently walked into the wrong door and the men's room by mistake, I apologized in Italian as best I knew and backtracked out. It was my first intro to "shared" sinks. I also had never seen those toilet bowls sunk low into the floor. Requires strong legs and good aim!!

I am also grateful that we are not the only ones who thought on our first day that the vaporetto launch WAS the vaporetto.

Keep writing!!

Such fun to travel and discover differences like this!

jean253

Good report Cassandra , thanks for giving your views, I always say other peoples expieriances are the cheapest.
Re the CC charge in $s wuold it mean that we would not be charged the foriegn currency 3% exchange fee on the Visa plus a poor rate ? if so we would be better off paying in $s at the point of sale.