What was your favorite thing to see/do in Italy?
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Jun 14th, 2007 | 05:57 AM
#12
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,285
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While staying with friends who were living in Sutri, a little town about 45 minutes north of Rome, we were about to sit down to lunch and had no wine. Michael and I left in a hurry with an empty litre Coke bottle and headed to a tiny local restaurant, in a house on a very narrow street (only open for lunch, and one of the few businesses in town open at all during midday). For less than a dollar the proprietor filled our bottle with his own, true "house" wine, made on the premises.
The midday closings are frustrating at first, for just when you're thinking of picking up something for lunch, the stores are shuttered. Or a headache strikes just as the pharmacy closes. but eventually you adapt and do your shopping with everyone else. Once you "go with the flow" you discover that siesta can be one of the best times of the day for a tourist. It forces you to slow down, rest your feet or even your eyes, and recharge for the afternoon. You may find a cafe or restaurant open where you can be lazy over lunch, have a glass of wine, read your guidebook or stare at your companion. Sit in the sun or shade, seek out a little park - even retire to your room if you're near. Just one of the lovely things about the sweet life.
The midday closings are frustrating at first, for just when you're thinking of picking up something for lunch, the stores are shuttered. Or a headache strikes just as the pharmacy closes. but eventually you adapt and do your shopping with everyone else. Once you "go with the flow" you discover that siesta can be one of the best times of the day for a tourist. It forces you to slow down, rest your feet or even your eyes, and recharge for the afternoon. You may find a cafe or restaurant open where you can be lazy over lunch, have a glass of wine, read your guidebook or stare at your companion. Sit in the sun or shade, seek out a little park - even retire to your room if you're near. Just one of the lovely things about the sweet life.
Jun 14th, 2007 | 10:26 AM
#14
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 16,253
Likes: 0
It's different now that it was after my first trip, and with every trip and age I am, it changes.
Probably overall, it was the first time I was plunked by a bus down in front of the Colloseum- how I felt for about an hour. Like I had returned or something, hard to describe.
Overall now, it is walking between close towns and just being in everyday Italy. I particularly like towns like Formia, or Gaeta or Rapallo or places like that which are not tourist worthy. I don't know why.
Probably overall, it was the first time I was plunked by a bus down in front of the Colloseum- how I felt for about an hour. Like I had returned or something, hard to describe.
Overall now, it is walking between close towns and just being in everyday Italy. I particularly like towns like Formia, or Gaeta or Rapallo or places like that which are not tourist worthy. I don't know why.
Jun 14th, 2007 | 11:24 AM
#19
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 793
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Our Italian instructor once listed 10 things great about Italy, I think they are, in no particular order...
1) Architecture (the duomos, churches, palaces ...)
2) Painting and sculpture
3) Music, Opera: Vivaldi, Verdi, Puccini ..
4) High fashion and industrial design
5) Italian cuisine
6) Italian wine
7) Gelati (deserves to be mentioned as a separate category from Food)
8) Breathtaking landscape/scenery (CT, the Amalfi coast, the Italian Riviera, Sardenia ... Tuscanny countryside, Umbria ...)
9) People and a beautiful language
10) Nice Mediteranean climate
Doesn't that sums it up why so many people are crazy about Italy??
Now I should really get back to work ...
1) Architecture (the duomos, churches, palaces ...)
2) Painting and sculpture
3) Music, Opera: Vivaldi, Verdi, Puccini ..
4) High fashion and industrial design
5) Italian cuisine
6) Italian wine
7) Gelati (deserves to be mentioned as a separate category from Food)
8) Breathtaking landscape/scenery (CT, the Amalfi coast, the Italian Riviera, Sardenia ... Tuscanny countryside, Umbria ...)
9) People and a beautiful language
10) Nice Mediteranean climate
Doesn't that sums it up why so many people are crazy about Italy??
Now I should really get back to work ...
Jun 14th, 2007 | 11:33 AM
#20
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,285
Likes: 0
I also truly enjoyed driving in Italy. Maybe it was the Alfa, maybe it was proving to my then BF that I could safely get us through the hills with a stick and from place to place with my recently learned Italian. And it forced me to engage the place in a new way.
Let me put in a pitch for my favorite guidebook: City Secrets. There is a Rome version, as well as one covering 'Venice, Florence and the Towns of Italy'. The City Secrets book breaks down Rome by area, each with it's own little map. On the map are locators to match the comments provided by outsiders who share all their favorite, secret places. At any moment while out and about you can open the book and discover what ovetn overlooked place is just around the corner from where you stand. It's fantastic, and has led me to some great discoveries, whether art, architecture or gastronomy.
Let me put in a pitch for my favorite guidebook: City Secrets. There is a Rome version, as well as one covering 'Venice, Florence and the Towns of Italy'. The City Secrets book breaks down Rome by area, each with it's own little map. On the map are locators to match the comments provided by outsiders who share all their favorite, secret places. At any moment while out and about you can open the book and discover what ovetn overlooked place is just around the corner from where you stand. It's fantastic, and has led me to some great discoveries, whether art, architecture or gastronomy.
