Our first trip to Europe
Jul 1st, 2015, 11:47 AM
#21
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,369
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
jabez: <i>I have been to Rome 7 times the last 15 years. None of my stays were under six nights. I love the city, but tell all my friends going there for the first time: "Three nights MINIMUM."</i>
Try to understand that not everyone has the same travel style as you have or the same preferences and likes. Other than the Roman forum, which was amazing, I didn't care that much for Rome. Three nights there was plenty for me. But I have no doubt others could spend much more time there.
Try to understand that not everyone has the same travel style as you have or the same preferences and likes. Other than the Roman forum, which was amazing, I didn't care that much for Rome. Three nights there was plenty for me. But I have no doubt others could spend much more time there.
Jul 1st, 2015, 12:01 PM
#22
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 10,169
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
"The Italian police do NOT care at all about American tourists."
Stop and think about this statement. Suppose you were traveling from Dallas to Detroit and were robbed in Dubuque, Iowa. If the Dubuque police caught the bad guys two days later, would you be willing to go back to Dubuque a couple of years later for the trial? Would you go back to Rome for the trial of your pickpocket?
In Western democracies, the accused have the right to confront their accusers. If crooks pick on tourists, it is because they know the tourists won't be around to testify.
Most criminal cases are settled by pleading to a lesser charge. Why would a bad guy plead a case when the crucial witness won't be there?
Your caution about people helping with bags, etc, is valid. Don't scare the OP with your own anger about everything else. I've spent maybe three months in Italy over five trips, and nothing bad has happened to me at all.
Stop and think about this statement. Suppose you were traveling from Dallas to Detroit and were robbed in Dubuque, Iowa. If the Dubuque police caught the bad guys two days later, would you be willing to go back to Dubuque a couple of years later for the trial? Would you go back to Rome for the trial of your pickpocket?
In Western democracies, the accused have the right to confront their accusers. If crooks pick on tourists, it is because they know the tourists won't be around to testify.
Most criminal cases are settled by pleading to a lesser charge. Why would a bad guy plead a case when the crucial witness won't be there?
Your caution about people helping with bags, etc, is valid. Don't scare the OP with your own anger about everything else. I've spent maybe three months in Italy over five trips, and nothing bad has happened to me at all.
Jul 1st, 2015, 12:31 PM
#23
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 14,748
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The Italian police do not care about any minor thefts to any tourists, American, Chinese, Spanish, whatever. And really, how can they?
Madge, do read and follow the currency thread posted above for you. Very informative.
Ackislander, I'm glad that you've never had any one try to rip you off or scam you in Italy. I too have spent a good deal of time in Italy, and have had several small and one larger incident. I'm not filled with hate about it; in fact I'm going back ASAP and do so often.
But it's not always crime free. Petty crimes against tourists are common enough in my experience.
I don't find that my savvy looks or creaky tourist Italian or polite ways are much protection. I've been shortchanged a couple of times, and once on a 50 euro bill that I had to argue about. The scammer was as pleasant as could be, but he sure tried to get my money before he gave it back with a "I tried" shrug.
I've been ripped off by a cabby in Rome who charged 25 euro to go from Termini to Piazza Navona. It was an official Rome taxi in the queue at Termini.
In fact, aside from a young girl who had her hands in my shirt pocket on a train in Liguria, and the gas station attendant with the 50 euro bill in Umbria, I think all the other issues I've had have been in Rome.
Well, there was the old man I saw attacked in Pisa...
Anyway, Madge, don't be fooled by me, by jnewton, or by those who have been lucky enough to move through Italy incident free. Just be a bit careful.
And in Termini, if you have a bag and the escalator isn't working, take the elevator. And beware of the young boys who hang out near the elevator to help you with your bags.
Madge, do read and follow the currency thread posted above for you. Very informative.
Ackislander, I'm glad that you've never had any one try to rip you off or scam you in Italy. I too have spent a good deal of time in Italy, and have had several small and one larger incident. I'm not filled with hate about it; in fact I'm going back ASAP and do so often.
But it's not always crime free. Petty crimes against tourists are common enough in my experience.
I don't find that my savvy looks or creaky tourist Italian or polite ways are much protection. I've been shortchanged a couple of times, and once on a 50 euro bill that I had to argue about. The scammer was as pleasant as could be, but he sure tried to get my money before he gave it back with a "I tried" shrug.
I've been ripped off by a cabby in Rome who charged 25 euro to go from Termini to Piazza Navona. It was an official Rome taxi in the queue at Termini.
In fact, aside from a young girl who had her hands in my shirt pocket on a train in Liguria, and the gas station attendant with the 50 euro bill in Umbria, I think all the other issues I've had have been in Rome.
Well, there was the old man I saw attacked in Pisa...
Anyway, Madge, don't be fooled by me, by jnewton, or by those who have been lucky enough to move through Italy incident free. Just be a bit careful.
And in Termini, if you have a bag and the escalator isn't working, take the elevator. And beware of the young boys who hang out near the elevator to help you with your bags.
Jul 2nd, 2015, 02:21 PM
#24
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 78,320
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Still it seems that shenanigans like that happen so much in Termini that a little undercover cop work would wipe it out - if they need an American tourists who can look naive and rich there would be plenty of volunteers. Something is rotten in Italy and its the railway police in Termini IMO.
Jul 27th, 2015, 01:43 PM
#26
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 27,868
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Just an adapter.
2 round pin
Last picture (assuming you live in US):
http://goitaly.about.com/od/travelpa...city_italy.htm
Buy on amazon.
2 round pin
Last picture (assuming you live in US):
http://goitaly.about.com/od/travelpa...city_italy.htm
Buy on amazon.
Jul 27th, 2015, 06:05 PM
#27
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,209
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If you fly out of Malpensa the First Hotel is a nice airport hotel for the night before your flight.
www.firsthotel.it
www.firsthotel.it
Jul 28th, 2015, 12:09 AM
#28
Italy has been a place of tourism for over 2000 years. This must influence the way people behave.
Is Rome anywhere I'd be especially worried? No, but I would be worried anywhere around the world
1) Near places where there are crowds
2) Busy railway stations
So yes ask for help with bags, don't let others decide they are going to help you with bags. People with "official" yellow wastecoats on could be anything, so avoid. Even people claiming to be police in street clothes are not the police. You want people in full uniform before you take them seriously.
Don't let Termini worry you, I've had to rescue a few older Americans in Termini (and I've not been there that often) who are just tired by Rome/flights/walking/lack of train experience and just need guidance to the right platform. It is easy but there are no "retired meeters and greeters" or "step this way folks" the staff are there to keep the process working not help people out in their own language. If in doubt do what everyone else does, which is stand back and look at the big screen which calls up platforms about 15 minutes before the departure.
Is Rome anywhere I'd be especially worried? No, but I would be worried anywhere around the world
1) Near places where there are crowds
2) Busy railway stations
So yes ask for help with bags, don't let others decide they are going to help you with bags. People with "official" yellow wastecoats on could be anything, so avoid. Even people claiming to be police in street clothes are not the police. You want people in full uniform before you take them seriously.
Don't let Termini worry you, I've had to rescue a few older Americans in Termini (and I've not been there that often) who are just tired by Rome/flights/walking/lack of train experience and just need guidance to the right platform. It is easy but there are no "retired meeters and greeters" or "step this way folks" the staff are there to keep the process working not help people out in their own language. If in doubt do what everyone else does, which is stand back and look at the big screen which calls up platforms about 15 minutes before the departure.
Jul 29th, 2015, 10:13 AM
#31
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 273
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Madge-
I suggest an overnight stop in a small town between Florence and Rome. I did a similar trip (Venice, Florence and Rome) and halfway through my stay in Rome I wish I had added a small town for a change of pace. Orvieto is a nice option.
I suggest an overnight stop in a small town between Florence and Rome. I did a similar trip (Venice, Florence and Rome) and halfway through my stay in Rome I wish I had added a small town for a change of pace. Orvieto is a nice option.
Jul 29th, 2015, 12:17 PM
#32
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 78,320
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Orvieto is a great option between Rome and Florence - a classic hill town and one of the best and most interesting around. You have to take IC or regional trains to get to Orvieto as the high-speed line speeds past town without stopping. From the train station take the funicular up the volcanic pile that Orvieto crowns to the old town or buses that wind up right to the town center.
Last I knew no luggage facilities in Orvieto's train station.
Last I knew no luggage facilities in Orvieto's train station.
Jul 30th, 2015, 01:48 PM
#33
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,445
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
One late afternoon on the last day of an Italian trip we were wandering around and without really noticing where we were going, found ourselves in a deserted parking lot/street. I think it was on the Esquiline Hill--it was certainly up fairly high.
We both noticed a guy on a Vespa acting sort of squirrely--driving here and there with no apparent destination, but we didn't pay much attention until he suddenly zoomed between us and snatched my spouse's shoulder bag.
We called the police, went to the station, filed a report--
the most valuable thing in it was my spouse's camera so we didn't lose much, but it's a bummer to spend your last vacation day at the police station.
Ever since then, my spouse has hated Vespas and has never carried shoulder bags. Now we go with money belts and no cameras (except for iPhone).
We both noticed a guy on a Vespa acting sort of squirrely--driving here and there with no apparent destination, but we didn't pay much attention until he suddenly zoomed between us and snatched my spouse's shoulder bag.
We called the police, went to the station, filed a report--
the most valuable thing in it was my spouse's camera so we didn't lose much, but it's a bummer to spend your last vacation day at the police station.
Ever since then, my spouse has hated Vespas and has never carried shoulder bags. Now we go with money belts and no cameras (except for iPhone).
