Vicenzo,

I'm glad you enjoyed the United States. Although I can't imagine why anyone would prefer the United States to Italy, life is wonderful because we all have different perspectives.

I absolutely love Italy. I get a wonderful feeling when I am there that I can't describe in words. I love the food! We just don't have food like that in the US. I also love the people, the culture, the architecture and what I view as a much different perspective on life than the American one. Italians know how to slow down and enjoy the important things in life: family, art, culture and food. In my opinion, they seem to place a higher importance on those aspects of life than Americans do. American culture is much more focused on making money (for example businesses don't close down for lunch because that would mean earning less money).

Thank you for your interesting post.

Daria

Hi Vincenzo. If you've ever been to Rome, New York, Naples, Florida, or Venice, California, you'd understand why we Americans prefer their counterparts in Italy.

You also have amazing Roman ruins and women who are works of art.

I can't imagine why anyone would prefer the Italy to the United States.

I get a terrible feeling when I'm their (must be the body stink and the sufficating ciagarette smoke.) I hate the food. (You can't get decent Tex-Mex or a bagels.) I hate the people (must be the body stink and sufficating ciagarette smoke) the culture (everyone is Italian - there is no stimulating diversity like in the US), art (like there the museums in NY, Chi, LA aren't better) and the architecture (you want architecture, give me Monument Valley and the Grand Canyon.). What I view as a much different perspective on life than the American one. Italians are lazy and are always looking for an excuse to goof off. (for example businesses close down for lunch time.)

Hmmm...If kbrown isn't careful, she might start sounding rather insular.

Well, the Italian culture IS different. Not all cultures have an obsession with body odor, and smoking....Did you know that Asians find non-Asians' body odor unpleasant? I think it has something to do with non-Asians' amount of hair and of sweating.

Just some food for thought...

Lil

Kbrown,

Did you forget to take your meds this today?

kbrown
Don't be a !

OOOPS! Meant to say

Vincenzod

I think the opposite. Why do so many Americans only holiday within their national borders. Yes, the 50 states that comprise the US are all different but they aren't that different. How boring to only holiday in one country...

I live in Italy, close to Amalfi Coast, in Penisola Sorrentina.
Because of job I am moving to Romagna, a very nice and sweet place.
I thank everyone for their kind replies to my message.
Ciao a tutti.

Hello All!

One thing that no one's mentioned is the time / travel factor and age. As a travel agent, I see this happening with my clients.

It takes a certain amount of money, time and stamina to travel internationally, many people just can't face a long plane ride as they get older, so it makes sense to do it while you're younger! I have a mother and daughter who have taken motorcoach tours in Europe for the past 5 years, and this year the daughter told me that Mom just can't hack the long plane ride and wants to stay closer to home. People start "adjusting" their methods of travel.

Lyb...I agree about San Francisco, and perhaps one reason why so many people like it is that it's got an "international" or Mediterrean feel to it more than most cities. And, I also lived in Monterey (have we met?)! In fact, I moved 3,000 miles from Pennsylvania to live there, and it was the best decision I could have made. It will always rank as one of my favorite places in the US.

Regards,

Melodie

Melodie,

I don't know, maybe we have met...

But we sure do have something in common...we live in a beautiful part of the country. Of course, I still want to travel all over the world.

walzmatilda, having lived in Philly and S.F., I find that S.F. is much more beautiful than Philly and its environs. Yes, the Fine Art Museum in Philly is infinitely superior to anything in S.F. or the West Coast (barring some L.A. museums) and Fairmount Park is prettier than Golden Gate Park, but you can't beat the weather and ambience and the healthy but great tasting food in S.F.

I can't speak for Rome, Venice, Florence or any of the major Italian cities because I haven't gone on my trip yet, but some American cities like Washington D.C., NYC, and Boston are just as cultured as any cities in Europe. The only thing is in Europe, particularly Greece and Italy, the places are sooo old that the history is almost palpable...

Lil

Vincenzo, please e-mail me if you would be so kind. TVP