First Timer
 

So this summer I am going on my first out of country trip. I am traveling with a group from my college to study in Montepulciano for a month this summer. I am so excited but also so unprepared for this event that seems like the biggest thing I've done in my twenty years on Earth. So getting THAT out of the way, I need help. We get weekends for to go where ever we would like. I am thinking Venice, Florence, and Positano (possibly). I don't really know how much this is going to cost (I am working off of a college students budget) but any ideas for stops or tips would be greatly appreciated.
Also, a bit of a side-note, what sort of shoes to pack. I know how typical this sounds but seriously, it is something to wonder about. Do I go with a pair of Toms, chunky Chacos (as our school recommends), or do I ditch comfort in favor of style?
As a first timer, I need some guidance. Montepulciano is our home base and from everything I've researched it looks lovely in itself. I am probably worrying over nothing, but that is my nature.
Sorry for rambling (also this is my first forum post ever). Surprise.

ah...the shoes, an ever vexing issue. Just got back from Rome All the girls are wearing a shoe that looks like sort of like a refined workout shoe (black or white) but with about a one inch wedge heel, so you get both comfort, a little height and style. They aren't that easy to find in the US though. Pumas are still cool and also comfortable. Regular workout shoes, Nikes or whatever, are sure to mark you as an american tourist. In Paris last summer, everyone was wearing a gladiator flat, or flip flops. (which i don't find comfortable) No matter what, if you really want to get around and see things...it's all about comfort. Try to mix comfort with style. If your feet hurt, your travels will be miserable.

Welcome WhitWebb!

Ah, we should all have such problems to worry about, ha ha!

I'm also new to the forum and I'd just like to tell you that you couldn't be in better hands. You'll get a lot of useful information.

As to what shoes to pack I would not ditch comfort in favor of style, even in Italy. And I don't think you have to compromise on either. Not sure what Chacos are but I think Toms would be an okay choice. I just wouldn't wear athletic shoes.

And, relax, you'll be just fine.

Ooh, so exciting!!! No wonder you're here posting about it months in advance when you probably have other studies that require attention. ;) Hopefully we can help allay those nerves / calm the excitement a bit to get you through 'til summer!!

I was a student (in Paris) a long time ago, and the first thing I did was go out and buy fashionable (uncomfortable!) shoes - it was the one thing I noticed was glaringly American about my and my classmates' attire. I almost didn't make it on the Metro in time for our tour of Sacre Coeur because my feet hurt so much! One thing I've really noticed has changed in the last 20 years is that the differences in footwear between the continent and stateside have become much less noticeable - white workout sneakers aside. As suite7 said, try to mix comfort with style.

Don't worry too much now about where you want to go on those weekends. (Easy for me to say, right?!) Travel between cities is easy; European train travel is sooo much better than what we have here, and there are cheap flights as well. It's good to have some ideas of places that interest you. But (a) once you're there - and even in the intervening months - other places will catch your attention. And (b) IMO there is no bad choice of places to visit in Italy!! The one tip I'd offer at this juncture is that once you're there in gorgeous Montepulciano, don't forget to push yourself to go to those other places. (It's so easy to sit around drinking wine until all hours and then the weekend's gone by - I'm saying this from experience...) Getting up and going is a lot easier when at least a few of your classmates have the same drive. :D

I would take Toms (with an insert with arch support), some relatively comfortable sandals, and then buy some shoes in Italy when you want/need more.

No Rome on your weekend trip list? Are you crazy? ;)

Have a great trip! You'll love Italy.

I think that you should check out Couchsurfing for those weekends away, and Leely's right - you gotta do Rome!

You will see tennis shoes, shorts and jeans on Italians. Every time I go to Italy I notice many more Italians in tennis shoes.

Thank you all so much for your help! I am thinking Toms should be a good alternative to tennis shoes (def need to check out arch inserts -- wonderful tip!) My group is doing Rome within the first few days, so no worries about skipping that! :)

I also just went to the Couchsurfing site, it sounds like a great idea but has anyone tried it? I am thinking of the movie Taken and it isn't helping...

Couchsurfing sounds interesting but I have never tried it personally. I didn't know they had it in other countries. I'd be interested to hear from someone who has tried it.

I haven't personally done couchsurfing but many friends have with no real issues. (sandicran, I didn't know it was done domestically, only internationally! LOL)

And I just read a fascinating series of trip reports by artsnletters about her son's yearlong global trek, with plenty of couchsurfing in the mix. :)
http://www.fodors.com/community/profile/artsnletters/

I have friends who've done Couchsurfing in the UK and I've met Couchsurfers from Paris and Rome, and they're all quite normal. I thought it might be fun, especially for cash-strapped students.

Another possibility for a free place to stay is the international organization called SERVAS. Travelers get a free place to stay in order to promote friendship and understanding across the world. this is not just about a free bed. Both hosts and travelers are screened. I have happy memories of my two different hosts in Paris when I was on a post-college trip more than 30 years ago. This paragraph from their U.S website is a good summation of their mission:

"For more than 60 years, United States Servas has been bringing hosts and travelers together. A place to stay, friendship to begin, ideas to be exchanged, cultures to be shared, and world peace one conversation at a time: these are the reasons why you are invited join us."

http://www.usservas.org/

WhitWebb,

Montepuliciano is in a very pretty part of the Tuscan wine country, and it doesn't have easy public transportation connections that would make visiting Venice or Positano reasonable for a week-end trip.

Rome is reachable and you might want to spend more time there despite the group tour. Florence is also reachable. Other places of extraordinary interest in the vicinity of Montepulicano are Orvieto (for its magnificent cathedral), Chiusi (for its very beautiful small Etruscan museum), and Arezzo (for its many masterpieces of art and architecture.

In lieu of Positano, consider Sperlonga for a weekend by the sea.

http://www.italyheaven.co.uk/sperlonga.html