Can you let us know the name of the cafe on the Mercato San Ambrogio?>>

I didn't remember its having a name, and I don't remember the glass surround either! [are we talking about the same place???] anyway you don't need a name for it as you aren't going to be reserving a table - it's a strictly turn up and sit down where you can/queue until there's a space sort of place.

Travel smith has several very lightweight rain jackets and coats.

Ann, I think it is the same one, there only seems to be one that is actually within the market. You can see some pictures of it on Trip Advisor.
It's not totally glass but has a lot of glass and sort of looks like a diner or a tram car. (just the shape I mean)

thanks for the TA suggestion, rcg. tt is the same one [I recognised the interior with those tables] but when I was there a few years ago it wasn't as enclosed as it now seems to be - the upper parts of the surroundings are new I think. I remember a waist high divider round it, but nothing higher than that.

however, what ever the sides were like, the food was excellent and very good value. [though nothing will induce me to try tripe salad again!]

I think you were very brave to try tripe salad once Ann!
The tripe stand near the market was part of my tour but no tripe crossed my lips...I was happy to just take a photo of it.

The weather forecast is interesting! It appears that this time Seattle wins as for the drier weather...still keeping my fingers crossed.

Living in Seattle, I have too many light weight rain coats. As for shoes, I will take my asics with me, sandals for the hopefully dry days and will also check out Nike fly knit that you suggested...

Thank you very much

rcg & annhig, you must both be speaking of Trattoria Rocco, shown in this video on Elizabeth Minchilli's blog:

http://www.elizabethminchilliinrome....ogio-florence/

Yes that's it Leely, great video, thanks!

In my experience, cloth sneakers dry out faster than leather ones, and leather sometimes gets permanently damaged when it gets soaked.

I don't buy any special travel clothing. It's overpriced and usually dowdy to boot. I have two rain jackets that fold into their own zipped pockets that I bought at our local sporting goods store. One is lighter weight than the other, and I take one of them on any trip where I might encounter wet weather.

In the summer, I always take a lightweight cardigan sweater, either cotton or wool, depending on the forecast. In spring and autumn, I would probably take one of each. Evening and early morning temperatures in a Tuscan hill town can be chilly at any time of year.

I wouldn't waste precious time looking for an ATM that saves me a piddling 3% currency conversion fee, or even a flat €3 foreign withdrawal fee. That's less than the unnecessary tips that so many people insist on leaving in Italian restaurants.

rcg & annhig, you must both be speaking of Trattoria Rocco, shown in this video on Elizabeth Minchilli's blog:>>

Now I understand why the pictures of the restaurant look so different; the surrounds and divisions between the tables weren't there when we visited and had lunch.

rcg - I've tried it twice! once in Florence in the salad, and another time in Rome in trippa alla Romana just in case I preferred it hot rather than cold.

I can tell you that I dislike it, whatever temperature it's served at.

Ah! I imagine you've never had trippa alla marchigiana! That's really delicious, cooked slowly with kidney beans and tomatoes, with a bit of onion.

I've never had tripe in a restaurant in Italy, though. Most people around here don't trust it unless they personally know the person who's cooking it. We have a good friend who makes it once or twice a year, and invites us to share it.

In Philadelphia, near where I grew up, there's a local specialty called Pepper Pot, which is a thick vegetable stew with tripe and lots of pepper. That's certainly good!

Well I grew up eating all kinds of weird stuff as my parents liked organ meats and Dad was a hunter so I probably ate it when I was a child. But I don't eat most meat anymore and the thought of organ meats just makes me squeamish now.

I've never had tripe in a restaurant in Italy, though. Most people around here don't trust it unless they personally know the person who's cooking it. We have a good friend who makes it once or twice a year, and invites us to share it. >>

well, it's all round to yours then, bvl. you get your friend to come and cook, I'll bring the wine.

She'd be sure to welcome you, Ann!

We have lightweight jackets that pack into its own pocket from the Izod outlet. It also doubles as just a lightweight jacket for dry days, too.

one day, perhaps, bvl!

Yes, looks like I will be facing some major weather changes for sure; it will be raining. I picked up a very light raincoat, I have ones with extra lining but thought I would not need it. I have picked up an umbrella, asics, sandals for the hopefully dry days and both long sleeve and short sleeve dresses. Anything else? Thank you very muvh

Everything has been very nice so far! I have a question in regards to tax refund. My flight leaves 6:30am from Florence so the global exchange will be closed. I was thinking of doing it during my connecting flight in Amsterdam but I was told that I have to show them the actual item in order for them to give me the money. I am checking them in a suitcase so I won't have them with me in Amsterdam. Any suggestions appreciated!?

You need the official stamp on the paperwork, have you actually checked that this office will be closed?
Did you get all the paperwork from the store/s you purchased from? And have you filled in all the pertinent details, your passport number etc?
Make sure all is in order before you do this as I witnessed a man who was totally disorganized, not only did he hold up the whole line, the official was cheesed off and he was a complete ass about it, loudly complaining to all and sundry which did nothing to help with the official's mood.

I just did this when I left Florence end of March. In the Florence airport as you enter go straight along, there are some signs for it, I believe it will be on your left. I went there before I checked in, in case they asked to see the items. (they didn't) There is an official there to look over the paperwork and stamp it, then next to it is a Global Blue office, you go there, ( they are really just two booths side by side) they do their bit and then there is a box you drop it into to or they might say they will send it for you.

It took five weeks this time to see the refund on my credit card and yes, it was well worth it. You have to do it at the airport if you want the return credited to your card.

However, if you want a cash refund (it will be given only in your own currency) there is a Global Blue office near the Ponte Vecchio on the centro storico side of the river. I went there for a couple of the smaller refunds, but you still have to take that paperwork to the airport to be stamped by the government official. If you don't get the official stamp Global Blue will submit a charge on your credit card to recover the refund they gave you.

Hope this helps.

Yes, there is a global blue next to ponte vechio and also here in Siena. They were about to give me cash but then they said I have to take it to the costumes in the airport to stamp it and mail it out. They were not sure if costumes had to see the items but they thought most likely they would! That is the part I do not know. Global blue is closed until 6 am at the airport.

I have all the paperwork filled in with my passport number. So now what's the best way to do this considering my flight leaves at 6:30 am? Can I do it in Amaterdam?

I also live in Seattle. Just pack whatever you'd wear around on the weekends here in spring-time. Yes to shoes -lol! Comfortable ones and a couple pairs so you can change off. Yes to some kind of light outer layer.

StCirq on May 1, 16 at 9:42pm
"I wouldn't get any money from your bank before you leave, because you'll pay your bank exorbitant fees to do so. Just use your ATM card to get cash once you arrive from any ATM"

True. The best solution is to withdraw Euro from the ATM once you arrive in Italy. However, make sure to use an ATM that belongs to a bank, not the Travelex machines. These ones charge higher fees.

Also, make sure to have 100€-200€ in cash before you leave. In my experience, I have found that changing Dollars to Euro in the USA is much cheaper than in France.

Yes you do need that customs stamp in order to get the refund. Sometimes they want to see the items and sometimes they don't.

GlobalBlue opens at 6:00 am so I am assuming the customs office opens then as well.

Are you only transiting through Amsterdam on your way to Seattle or are you staying there?

I was told that the customs stamp has to be given at the airport you depart the EU from which would be Florence in your case. (even though you transit through Amsterdam, the last airport is considered the one you check your luggage into)

I guess if I were you I would have the items at the top of my suitcase, go to the airport early in hopes that the office for the stamp might be open, if it isn't open then I'd put those items into my carry on and try to get the stamp in Amsterdam. But I wouldn't count 100% on being able to do it in Amsterdam.

Good luck!

I don't pay my bank "exorbitant fees" to order foreign currency. Depends where you bank. That statement doesn't hold true for everyone.

Thank you rain city girl! I do not have a carry on... I'll get the refund here in Siena and hope to find costumes in Florence airport right before departure. Costumes opens before 6am.


I have two more days from my trip left. Florence was amazing! I was there for about 5 days and still could have stayed more.

As for Siena, I took day tours to south and north of Italy from here. I have walked around but not done the duoma and other museums yet. I'll do that today. Any favorite places here anyone recommends from food, shopping or sight seeing? Thank you

Glad you have had a good time! I can't help you with Siena as I have only been for a day trip and it was a few years ago.
Florence is amazing, I love it!

Please post an update when you get back! Thank you!

I have a trip report and picture. Where should I post it?

Hi August - that's great. Thanks for your posts during your trip and for doing a TR. I'm looking forward to reading it.

if you have a blog, you can post a link to it - it's that simple. Then pictures etc will show up as normal.

if it's a "normal" TR, go to "post a new topic" at the top of the page, just as if you were posting a normal new thread, check that it shows the correct forum [Europe in this case] click the right country [Italy] post your report with a title, then at the end, hit the "Trip report" icon.

[oh yes, and post a link to it here so that everyone who contributed to this thread knows its there]

Hope that helps!

Another Seattleite here. It's a traveling city.

To continue Greg's analysis:

200 example
Official rate 5/2, 1 EURO = $1.15

1. EURO ordered from BofA (8.4% premium over offical rate)
BA rate: 1 EURO = $1.2092 (BA padded themselves with 5% margin)
Total in $ = EURO * BA rate + $7.50 (normal handling charge)
Total in $ = 200*1.2092 + 7.50 = $249.34

2. EURO from BNL D'Italia ATM (3% premium over official rate)
Total in $ = EURO * Official rate + 3%
Total in $ = 200*1.15*1.03 = $236.90

3. EURO from other Italian ATM (3% plus $5, for €200, 5.2% premium over official rate)
Total in $ = EURO * Official rate + 3% + $5.00
Total in $ = 200*1.15*1.03 + 5.00 = $241.90

Continued...

4. EURO from US credit union at Italian bank ATM (1% premium over official rate)
Total in $ = EURO * Official rate + 1%
Total in $ = 200*1.15*1.01 = $232.30
(I used 1% because that's what they charge at the local CUs.)

Not a huge difference considering the cost of a trip to Europe but it adds up. The same 1% surcharge is applied to CU credit card charges.

I have 2 credit union accounts I use for travel, one of which is my usual "banking" place. I'm a great fan of credit unions -- and a great critic of BOA, which just charges too much too often.

TR coming up. Can I post pictures on TR or do I just provide a link there? Thank you

You have to post a link to your pictures.

Not all credit unions offer good currency conversion rates. I have some money in a US credit union, which doesn't have particularly good terms. I keep the account because it's convenient to me for other reasons.

TR is published. It is a short version so please fell free to ask questions. I would love to help if I can.