Speaking of gelato, my wife prefers a combination of crema and caffe---a good option after a meal. Remember, gelato is mandatory daily.

and here's a thread on Tropea, in Calabria

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...mp;tid=1373790

Buying train tickets: Most stations have automated machines for point-to-point tickets. They look like yellow ATMs, and have a touch screen & keypad. The beauty is getting rid of small coins! They even accept the 1 eurocent coins! You can pick from several languages, browse schedules, & check prices, buy R/T or one-way tickets according to the time you pick. The drawbacks -- if you buy a Eurostar or Intercity that requires seat reservations, you still go to the counter for the reservation. So read the schedule carefully, make sure you are buying the right ticket! Also, you can not buy international tickets from the machines. Don't forget to validate...

For a good orientation tour of Rome try the " CIAO ROMA" trolley.It allows you to hop off and on at will at 12 stops in centro Rome.

BLISTERS ON YOUR FEET. This is serious stuff when you are walking on hard pavement. My American "Band-Aid" brand was ineffective for the hard walking in Italy. I must share this with everyone. A pharmacist in Italy recommended that I buy Compeed brand bandages. Wow! The bandage is flesh-toned, and is covered with a film of impermiable polyurethane (to water, impurities and bacteria). The cell activity is concentrated only on the wound, and the bandage is light, super-comfortable and almost invisible.

The results are amazing. The blister was gone in two days...completely healed. I purchased more boxes when I was in France.

You can't purchase in the U.S. (the FDA hasn't approved it).

Thanks to all who have added helpful information.

Hi all,

There is a new number for reservations for the Secret Itineraries tour of the Doge?s palace 011 39 041 271 5911

If you dial 1016868 ahead of the 011, your call will be only 10 cents per minute.

For bus serice from Malpensa to Stresa, go to www.comazzibus.com to book a seat. During season, there are 3 busses in the AM starting at 0845.

Hmmm ! I seem to be lax in my duties.
However, mi scusi, I have a kidney stone that is meandering south and causing some discomfort.

And, the most important phrase you can learn in Italian is " dove la toiletta ?" Buon viaggio !

Good advice, Bob.

Hope you pass your kidney stone without too much trouble.

here's a thread on 100 best things to do in Rome

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34443219

Grazie Ira, The eagle has landed and I feel better--except I would feel even better if I had a trip plan in progress

great thread on favorite restaurants in Rome

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...&tid=74946

ATMs, TCs and CCs

VISA and MC charge 1% over the bank exchange rate.

MBNA does not add an additional fee.

AMEX charges 2% above the bank rate.

European ATMs do not charge a fee to give you Euros. Your bank will charge you a fee for "out of network" use of your card. This can be anywhere from 0 to $3.50 each time you use it.

Your bank may add 1 - 2% above the exchange rate for ATM withdrawls.

Traveler's Checks, denominated in dollars, are useful for emergencies, but not much else.

We charge as much as possible and use ATM's only when necessary.

Topping. This is a treasure trove. Thank you Ira for getting this started.

any recommendation on when's the best time to visit??

Personally, I think the best time is the last week of May/first week of June, as the spring flowers are blooming and summer heat has not begun; or mid-September, after all the Italians have just gotten back, happy and rested from their August holidays and the weather has not yet turned cool. Really, you can make a case for any time: sunflowers in July; grape harvest in October, Carnivale in February...

FYI: For a Rome, Bologna, Milan and Lake trip report, see http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...amp;dirtyBit=1

For a pristine B&B on a lovely hill top in Chianti, look at www.borgoargenina.it But, you will need to drive to dinner.

for a good thread on what to wear, see

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34490469

Opera season in Verona is a real happening. The Arena di Verona is the setting and dates back to Roman times.
For more about this, and to order tickets, go to these sites:
www.arena.it
www.verona.com