William D. Chavis

My wife and I have round trip airfares from Houston to Milan, Italy beginning 4-16-98 thru 4-25-98. This is an award presented to us as from the company I work. They have been good to us with the free air travel but have left everything else up to me. We have never traveled outside of the USA and solicit any help any reader of this notation may offer. Being a Texan, I can get by a little with Spanish but don't know the Italian language. Will that be a major problem? What is the recommendation of travel means and what should we see? We plan on taking $3000.00 to spend, is that sufficient? Anything else this ole boy should know?

Tom

Since you have approx. 10 days, typically 1st time tourists see Venice, Florence, and Rome. I suggest you travel by train between the cities. Also, languuage is not a major hurdle - I would say learn enough to enjoy the experience more. As far as expenses in these cities: I'd estimate food/lodging to be $200 - 250/day, sightseeing fees about $40/day, gifts/souvenirs - $50/day, transportation - $50/day (on average across all days given you'll only travel by train for a few days. Do plan on making reservations for hotels in advance. Do read up on Italy beforehand. Do purchase rail passes here before you start your trip. Do get currency ($150) and some trav. check ($200) and plan on bringing ATM and credit cards to cover the remainder of your expenses. As a footnote, there's a great Venice restaurant called Al Como (I believe) owned by uprooted Texans - I'm sure they'll make you feel right at home.

Bill Chavis

Tom,
Thank you for the input of my inquiry. That was nice and helpful.

Nicole

Bill, Congratulations on winning your trip! I agree with a lot of what the previous reply says. I've been to Italy a few times and can say hello, goodbye, thank you in Italian and that's about it. Just make an effort to say these things, learn how to say "do you speak English?" and usually people will be happy to speak English if they know it. As for how to travel, you can rent a car or take a train, and that's usually personal preference. Last time I traveled to Europe in the summer of '97, I traveled with one other person and we took the train everywhere. Go to a travel agent to find out what the best EuroRail pass would be -- there are many to suit a shorter trip like yours. For instance, we bought the EuroPass, which covered 5 total days of train travel across 4 or 5 different countries. Since you may only stay in Italy, there may be a more appropriate pass. Milan is a major city with a train station that goes everywhere. I agree that you should definitely see Venice (I've been there 3 times now and it's wonderful and very unique). However, in the 9 days or so that you have, I would not see all major cities, and if you saw Venice, Florence and Rome, you really wouldn't have time to see anything else. I suggest you cut out one of those and choose a smaller town instead so that you can get a different experience of Italy away from a bustling city. My last trip to Italy included a stay in Bellagio on Lake Como, which I highly recommend. It's a very small relaxful town on a beautiful lake in the Italian Alps. And don't run around trying to cram too much in -- I know from experience that's a mistake. You only wind up being tired and not seeing the cities sufficiently. My rule of thumb is AT LEAST 2 nights in a city, more if possible, and definitely at least 3 nights in the larger towns. Check out my personal travelogue of my last trip to Bellagio and Venice -- it contains photos and more info (www.lunadesigns.com/travels/). Have fun!

BILL CHAVIS

NICOLE,
thank you for your splendid suggestions. It is helpful in our planning. Thanks again.

Joe Lomax

With a knowledge of Spanish, you will be surprised how much you can read, but the sound of the language is different. For some quick help, learn the pronunciation rules and though you won't be really speaking Italian, between your effective Latin and your English, you probably will get along very well. As for phrases, the most important is "Dove il gabinetto?" (Doe-vay eel gob-een-ay-toe, approximately) "Where is the bathroom?" Learn one to ten and spend the rest of your time learning the words for food. With your knowledge of Spanish, this will seem like review. Remember, if you eat: you survive, and no where is survival better than Italy. Now, for the really good news: The absolute best web pages on Venice (english or italian) is run by an expatriate Texan, Juli Van Zyverden. Find her at: http://www.iuav.unive.it/~juli/ and her venice pages at: http://www.iuav.unive.it/~juli/venindx.html

BILL CHAVIS

JOE,
Thanks for the input. I did not mean to imply I was greatly knowledgeable of Spanish but somewhat so with the TEX/MEX spoken in the Houston area. At any rate, you've helped my confidence with your comments of being able to read a little. My wife and I are excited and counting the days. THANKS!

BILL CHAVIS

TOM,
Thanks for the input. I did not mean to imply I was greatly knowledgeable of Spanish but somewhat so with the TEX/MEX spoken in the Houston area. At any rate, you've helped my confidence with your comments of being able to read a little. My wife and I are excited and counting the days. THANKS!

BILL CHAVIS

TOM,
Thanks for the input. I did not mean to imply I was greatly knowledgeable of Spanish but somewhat so with the TEX/MEX spoken in the Houston area. At any rate, you've helped my confidence with your comments of being able to read a little. My wife and I are excited and counting the days. THANKS!

Donna

You are going to have a great time!! Here are a few things that I would reccomend. When I went to Europe for the first time I also flew into Milan. I didn't feel comfortable taking a taxi into the city since I heard it was very expensive and I was a bit nervous about getting ripped off by the cab driver.(I'm from NYC and know how they prey on tourists - especially those who do not speak the language.) At least that was my fear. So, I opted for taking the shuttle bus into Milan. It was so easy to do. After I got my luggage, I exited through customs and took a right into a waiting area. There was a ticket counter on the left before going outside and I bought a ticket. It was around $7-$8 I think. But the person was very nice and spoke some English. The bus pulled up and we all got on then arrived at the Milan Train Station 45 minutes later. Very Easy. Here is the way I would do it. Since the bus leaves you at the train station, probably early in the morning, I would go directly to Venice. Before getting on the train go to the deli/all purpose store in the train station and buy some food for the train. Don't forget the wine. If you like knowing exactly where and when the train goes it's fun to buy the time table from the newsstand guy. Venice is the most easy city to feel comfortable when being in Itlay for the first time since everyone else there is a tourist too, practically! I would stay at a hotel close to the train station since it's easy to get lost in Venice. It would be the Albergo Santa Lucia for me. Just a couple blocks from the station. Simple rooms but very clean and friendly. Double about $90 a night. that includes breakfast. Fax#041-71-51-80. After a few days I would travel to Rome. I would plan for my visit to include a Sunday so I could see the Pope. I would also take a cab when I arrived at the train station to my hotel. For Rome I would choose Pensione Navona. Great location and the owners speak English! Double runs about $80. Ask for a courtyard room. Fax 06-6880-3802 After Rome then Florence. I like staying at the Hotel Visconti because I find it budget and charming. About $60 for a double. Next I would take the train to one of the towns on the Cinque Terre. I would stop in Pisa on the way to see the leaning tower. My favorite is Vernazza. It's a nice place to recover from all the art you saw in Florence. Then it would be back to Milan for a couple of days before going home. Don't miss the view from the top of the Duomo. Go around the church until you find the elevator or if you've had too much pasta take the stairs. Please e-mail me if you want even more details. I have quite a variety of hotels I love in all price ranges. I didn't even mention my favorite restaurants. BIG TIP -- Pack Light - one easy-to-carry pack per person.
CIAO

Maira

Bill: Congrats on a great opportunity to visit a wonderful country! In case you are lokking for a place to stay, my husband & I stayed at the Sheraton Roma. They honored the Entertainment Book discounts, about $100/night (you may be familiar with this yearly coupons book sold in every state). A breakfast buffet was included and it was an amazing sight every morning! They had free van transportation to any major spot in Rome (from where they would pick you up at your convenience). The staff was incredibly pleasant and the rooms were very comfortable. Rome is to savor, so take your time. Take a guided tour to Pompei. It is worth it! Have the best time, Bill, you'll be planning a second visit!

BILL CHAVIS

DONNA & MAIRA,
HOW NICE FOR BOTH OF YOU TO RESPOND TO MY INQUIRY. ALL THE SUGGESTIONS ARE A GREAT HELP TO MY WIFE AND I AS WE MAKE ARRANGEMENTS. WE ARE LESS APPREHENSIVE SINCE READING THE RESPONSES OF SO MANY AS YOU. THANKS AND THANKS A LOT!