The 'Italy' forum was very helpful in planning our vacation. For reference I thought I'd post this report.

Our time in Rome and Naples was wonderful. We had NO problems. These forums had me absolutely paranoid of Italian travel, especially in Naples. I was expecting hordes of gypsies shadowing my every move... nothing. Didn't even see any gypsies or whatever it's P.C. to call south eastern European white trash. Relax and go.

Answers to questions I had:

Keens shoes saved me! Rick Steve's bag worked great and Lufthansa allowed me to carry it on. For day trips like Pompeii where I had to take extra clothes (it was chilly), SLR camera, picnic, etc, I took a Flight Series backpack from the North Face called the Electron 26. Safety in crowded places is an issue with backpacks: with this bag a shoulder strap I had could snap into the side compession clips, converting it to a shoulder bag for those dodgy areas like the metro.

I'm glad I took my Nikon D70. I got shots that you can't get w/a point-and-shoot, which I also brought along. If you're not sure, just bring it. Next time I'll leave the video camera at home. I rarely used it.

Hoard your 5 and 10 Euro notes. Italians just don't keep alot of change on hand.

We used taxis exclusively in Rome. If you can afford it, don't waste your time with public transportation. I probably wouldn't stay in the Coliseum area again. The Hotel Lancelot was nice, but there are not a lot of decent restaurant options.

I don't find the Vatican museum to be worth the hassle. The archeological museum in Naples was very dissapointing and I'm an archeologist by training. Unless you are into statuary, skip it and just go to the National Museum in Rome.

I bought an Italian rail pass. It worked fine, but from now on I will buy point to point tickets. I travel first class and unless you have a reservation you probably won't have a place to sit.

I still hate pasta.

If anybody can point me to a roaster selling a real Italian style blend, email me. Way too much robusta in American espresso.

I like clean clothes: I take a ton of socks and BVD's, and a couple extra shirts. When they get stale I just throw them away instead of dealing with laundry or carrying dirty clothes all over. Many hotels have laundry service I noticed.

I took a Garmin 76S GPS with a downloaded Italian map. Don't bother unless you are renting a car: then it's very cool. Bring an antennae for it then. In the city the buildings are so high you can't get a signal. Fun on trains too, watching your progress.

Make sure hotels, etc. give your bill in Euros, not dollars.

Get those museum reservations, or spend hours in line.

The Soviet emmigration continues: Russians, Ukranians, Belorussians, are found everywhere in Italy. My wife is Tatar, and her Russian came in handy many times.

I won't be reading any replies, so save your time.

OMG..this is toooo funny! Jkline ask "If anybody can point me to a roaster selling a real Italian blend...." and than ends his trip report with "I won't be reading any replies, so save your time". LOL

Is this an April Fools Day Joke???

LoveItaly, jkline does say for people to email him, but doesn't leave an email address! Maybe you're right about the April Fool's joke.

Well, it was an interesting trip report anyway.

Hi WillTravel, oh yes he does say to email him! Hmmmm..well maybe this poster is suffering from jetlag, LOL.
Take care!!!

I'm glad jkline isn't reading any replies because it frees me to say that his opinion of the archeological museum in Naples is about as worthwhile as his opinion on pasta.

LOL nessundorma, I agree. Glad I don't have to have him as a travelling partner.

>The 'Italy' forum was very helpful in planning our vacation.<

And he still bought a railpass?

Funny. Please skewer Sorrento, the Amalfi Coast, Cinque Terre and all things Tuscan next year. Save Venice for '08.

Good April Fool's, jkline.

I only wish I knew which regular poster registered a brand new name for the purpose of posting this -- which covers roughly 75% of the topics discussed here.

And the "I won't be reading any replies, so save your time" was an especially good touch.

LOL! When was the last time you heard anyone say "BVDs"?? I'm sure he's having fun reading all our postings. Happy April Fool's Day Fodorites!

And skip the Archeological Museum in Naples, it's just statues? Get real!The outstanding features--and what distinguishes it from many other collections of classical antiquity--are the mosaics, articles of daily life, and the "secret cabinet" which contains artifacts of sexuality. Okay, happy April's fool!

Great joke, especially the dismissal of the Vatican museum! I doubt though that a regular poster would register a brand new name, kind of weird - don't you think Neo?