Just back from Italy - very mixed opinions!
Jul 14th, 2003, 06:55 PM
#41
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I just came back from Italy and I have to say that I am impressed by how the Italians get out of each other's way. I drove over 2,000 miles and didn't see one accident. I'm sure they happen, but it seems to me that they "move", but those scooters...my goodness, they made me laugh.
MarkY, I agree with others....I wouldn't be cocky about others not reading signs, when you seem to think that your interpretation of what is lawful is okay...despite what the signs say.
MarkY, I agree with others....I wouldn't be cocky about others not reading signs, when you seem to think that your interpretation of what is lawful is okay...despite what the signs say.
Jul 15th, 2003, 02:36 AM
#42
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I haven't read all the other postings but seems you lost the plot on a number of occasions. "didn't care for Venice" did you have your eyes open at the time? As for the driving, this is one reason why I enjoy the trains, cheap and efficient. No parking fees or hassles. "Disliked Siena from the outset," if this be the case then what was your reason for going to Italy if not to experience these wonderful hill towns, all of which have something different to offer. The day I was in Siena it poured with rain but I still enjoyed it immensly as I did all the towns.
You don't need to dodge motor scooters in Italy, they dodge you !!! After three weeks in Florence you soon learn that this is how it is.
No questions, thankyou.
You don't need to dodge motor scooters in Italy, they dodge you !!! After three weeks in Florence you soon learn that this is how it is.
No questions, thankyou.
Jul 15th, 2003, 05:47 AM
#43
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RE: KathyNZ
Are you always so judgemental when someone gives an honest opinion with which you disagree?
Not EVERYONE likes Venice or Sienna. Just as you, I love both, but sometimes find, to my total amazement, that not everyone does. Trying to shame or convert someone to your travel point of view usually results in only raising the blood pressure of both parties. Take a deep breath and chill on this one.
Now, gottatravel_europe - what is wrong with you in not seeing how wonderful... .
Are you always so judgemental when someone gives an honest opinion with which you disagree?
Not EVERYONE likes Venice or Sienna. Just as you, I love both, but sometimes find, to my total amazement, that not everyone does. Trying to shame or convert someone to your travel point of view usually results in only raising the blood pressure of both parties. Take a deep breath and chill on this one.
Now, gottatravel_europe - what is wrong with you in not seeing how wonderful... .
Jul 15th, 2003, 07:35 AM
#44
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Gottatravel_europe
Traveling with a small child would probably make me hyper-aware of scooters too; kids make sudden moves even their parents can't predict, let alone the driver of a vehicle. I'd also be more wary of crowded places with a small child - so easy to lose them! On the plus side, I too have noticed the Italian reaction to kids is generally warm and accepting.
Thanks for your impressions.
Traveling with a small child would probably make me hyper-aware of scooters too; kids make sudden moves even their parents can't predict, let alone the driver of a vehicle. I'd also be more wary of crowded places with a small child - so easy to lose them! On the plus side, I too have noticed the Italian reaction to kids is generally warm and accepting.
Thanks for your impressions.
Jul 15th, 2003, 08:54 AM
#45
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1. Driving. I have lived both in the UK (3 years) and Italy (6 months) and the first rule I was taught about London drivers which I adopted to Italy was: Drive aggressively but do not be offensive. Meaning --- GO! --- but like in a hockey game, respect the other person for pulling off a clever move don't get territorial as in "I have a right to the lane" or "how dare he cut me off I'll accelerate to stop him". The internal combustion engine is ingrained in the Italian male psyche. The first time I saw one coming at me in the centre of a 2 lane solid line road (he was passing a vehicle in his own lane) I almost flipped. The second time I simply nudged the car to the outside and didn't miss a beat. It is a sport, and I have seen woman play it even better than men in Italy. But like most sports, the minute you show weakness or hesitation, trouble.
As for motor scooters --- try driving into Sorrento on the narrow approach from the east --- the scooters are thick as flies on either side of you. Remain non plussed --- you are bigger than them and they know it.
2. Time of year --- unless you are at the beaches, June, July, August is not a good idea imo. Hot, crowded. The "big" tourist cities are crowded enough other times, add in heat and it can be miserable, especially with kids.
3. If you do go at this time (even at others) pick a base in the countryside (a small inn, villa, apt, farm --- agritourism) use the car for countryside forays and use the train to go to the bigger centers. I personally find this a more relaxed way of visiting Italy.
4. Lucca is a great town. There are many other options of this nature: Cremona, Spoleto, Verona etc which are culturally rich yet more managable to visit.
As for motor scooters --- try driving into Sorrento on the narrow approach from the east --- the scooters are thick as flies on either side of you. Remain non plussed --- you are bigger than them and they know it.
2. Time of year --- unless you are at the beaches, June, July, August is not a good idea imo. Hot, crowded. The "big" tourist cities are crowded enough other times, add in heat and it can be miserable, especially with kids.
3. If you do go at this time (even at others) pick a base in the countryside (a small inn, villa, apt, farm --- agritourism) use the car for countryside forays and use the train to go to the bigger centers. I personally find this a more relaxed way of visiting Italy.
4. Lucca is a great town. There are many other options of this nature: Cremona, Spoleto, Verona etc which are culturally rich yet more managable to visit.
Jul 15th, 2003, 10:35 AM
#46
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thanks for your post.
i have a couple of reccommendations if you ever decide to go back to italy. don't go anytime june - august. these times are generally the most crowded.
don't drive. i've had many great trips to italy and have never driven. their trains and public transportation systems are great.
cheers!
i have a couple of reccommendations if you ever decide to go back to italy. don't go anytime june - august. these times are generally the most crowded.
don't drive. i've had many great trips to italy and have never driven. their trains and public transportation systems are great.
cheers!
Jul 15th, 2003, 10:43 AM
#47
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I second the last post, I have never driven in Italy and never will. Their wonderful train system goes everywhere and is very convenient. I have a very small child and would never even attempt driving there -- and I am from LA and drive fast! Roman drivers are the worst I have heard, so why put yourself in the melee? It is so much nicer sitting relaxed in a train car watching the beautiful Italian countryside whiz past you. Traveling in the Fall or even early winter (November) when it is not too, too cold are ideal travel options with fewer crowds. Italy is a magical place -- I hope that you will be able to return someday soon, take a train and enjoy yourselves!
Jul 15th, 2003, 11:32 AM
#50
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KathyNZ- apparently not only did you not read all the posts, you didn't fully read the first one. First, I never said anything negative about Venice (except for being crowded, which was expected but still unpleasant) I qualified my experience by saying perhaps at another time it would be different.... I enjoyed every other place we visited EXCEPT Siena so if, in your NOT so humble opinion, Siena is the be-all and end-all of all Italian hilltowns then perhaps you should expand your mind....thank you.
It would be an ideal world if we could all vacation at whatever time of year we wanted... I would go back to Italy in a heartbeat.... we really did have a good time overall - perhaps I shouldn't have been so focused on the bad experiences with the driving but nearly every post one reads on here is so idealized that when one gets to a place one could be surprised by the reality(or at least the reality as I saw it). Good day.
It would be an ideal world if we could all vacation at whatever time of year we wanted... I would go back to Italy in a heartbeat.... we really did have a good time overall - perhaps I shouldn't have been so focused on the bad experiences with the driving but nearly every post one reads on here is so idealized that when one gets to a place one could be surprised by the reality(or at least the reality as I saw it). Good day.
Jul 15th, 2003, 12:19 PM
#52
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Gottatravel...thanks for your report. I like to hear what people's experiences are while traveling...the good and the bad. It is too bad there are always the same posters that just have to be so negative. I think it is a need for them "to be right".
Thanks for your post.
Thanks for your post.
