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Gelato Print Friendly Page Before visiting Italy I had not heard of Gelato...my bad. Well, I now know why my sister was so excited about Italy, and the gelato was one of the biggest reasons. This is the most incredibly wonderful, delicious, rich, ice cream on earth.This stuff is so much better that the ice cream we have at home. If I lived in Italy, I would need a much larger wardrobe...I'd say about 5 sizes bigger. Ask a few locals which gelato shops are their favorites; you’ll find the best of the best that way.
Back to Top Ride! Print Friendly Page When you first get to any Italian city, get thineself on a city bus! A self-guided bus tour is a great way to see the city and get away from the touristy areas of town. Get a bus pass and ride. Ride for an hour. Then ride some more. Get off the bus and wander around. Get back on a bus and gaze out the window. Soak up the city. Ride, ride, ride!
Back to Top Walk! Once you’ve taken your self-guided tour by city bus, walk everywhere you can. You’ll see so much more of daily Italian life, you will meet interesting people, and you’ll run across hidden treasures. One of our favorite places in Rome was the little indoor farmer’s market we stumbled on just a few blocks from Termini. Walk, walk, walk!
Back to Top Panini Print Friendly Page The word “panini” translates into English as “sandwich.” Proof positive that sometimes things get lost in translation. A sandwich is to a panini is what macaroni art is to the Mona Lisa. This tasty creation of Italian ingenuity and cuisine perfection was so good we have included it in our recipe section of this website. Joy’s husband calls them smashed sandwiches, and they were a delicious surprise. Really, I am not one to get all excited about a sandwich…but this is no ordinary sandwich. It is a Panini…and it is my friend.
Back to Top Bars: Pastries and Coffee Print Friendly Page Look for the nearest “bar” for some amazing pastries and coffee to get you going in the morning! Or mid-morning. Or afternoon. Or evening. Pretty much whenever. Early morning is a great time to step into bar and get the true flavor of Italian life. It seems like everyone in Italy starts their day by stopping in for a pastry (to die for) and a quick shot of “coffee.” This coffee stuff isn’t what your mother made. It is a true jolt of hot “wake-me-up-and-call-me-Jackson” cup-o-Joe.
Back to Top Caffe – Italiano and Americano Italians are famous for their coffee, or caffe. The Italians like their coffee in concentrate form. Caffe Italiano is what Americans call espresso. Caffe Americano is what Americans call coffee. If you simply ask for a caffe, you will receive caffe Italiano. Unless you are looking for a powerful shot of espresso, remember to ask specifically for a Caffe Americano. Me? I like the quick kick of the ol’ Italiano. We have included more information on this Italian version of No Doze on our recipe page. Coffee Recipe
Back to Top Grocery stores Print Friendly Page The fruits and vegetables in Italy are best described as alien…they are not of this world. If you were to inject foods with about 10 times their flavor, you would have Italian food. Onions taste like ONIONS! Tomatoes taste like TOMATOES! I mean, every food was incredible! And the cool thing was, all of this was available at the local neighborhood grocery store. I dare you to eat an Italian carrot and tell me that I’m not telling the truth. Besides, it’s fun to go to the grocery store just to see how different they are from what we’re used to at home.
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Metro Print Friendly Page The Roma Metro is much like any subway in the States, but without the graffiti and trash. It is a great way to get around; fast, easy and relatively inexpensive. A 1-day pass is convenient, but keep in mind that it’s only valid until midnight of the day of purchase – not 24 hours from when you buy it. I found that out the hard way.
Back to Top Roma Pass Print Friendly Page To cut down on the cost of traveling around Rome, you’ll want to purchase a Roma Pass. Available at any Tourist Information booth, the Roma Pass is good for 3 days of unlimited public transportation and also for free entrance and discounts to some of the more popular tourist attractions and museums. You only get a couple of free entrances, so use your Pass first at the more expensive ones such as the Coliseum.
Back to Top Mama Angela's in Rome There are certain places you go and will remember all your life, and Mama Angela's is just that sort of place. This affordable restaurant is located a few blocks northeast of Termini on Via Palestro off Via Vicenza. If you are staying at Hostel Rome des Artistes (www.hostelrome.com) or Hotel des Artistes (www.hoteldesartistes.com) you get a 15% discount at Mama Angela’s. The food is as good if not better than most places in Rome, but it’s the people that makes this place so special. From the friendly English-speaking servers with their great personalities and awesome service, to the owner who makes you feel like you are his most important customer, you’ll feel like a regular the first time you visit. Order the day's special and you can't go wrong. A great place...we highly recommend it, and we really hope you get a chance to eat there.
Back to Top Roman Forum Print Friendly Page This is an awesome place to visit. Be ready to spend a lot of time walking - 'cuz it's huge! This is the site of ancient Rome complete with the Senate building and even the prison where the Apostle Paul was...well...in prison. It is a remarkable historic sight. Remember to bring your Rick Steves book or you won’t know what you are looking at (besides the obvious: ancient ruins).
Back to Top Coliseum Print Friendly Page The Coliseum is a great indicator that yes, you are in Rome. It takes a bit for my brain to actually catch up to these kinds of realities. The place is huge and is a wonderful place to tour. They let you see the inside and walk all around the perimeter of the open labyrinth of passageways that were once beneath the floor (the floor isn’t there anymore). This underground structure was complete with ramps and elevators to move people and animals on to the stage floor. Pretty cool, except for the whole gladiator, Christian, lion thing.
Back to Top Appian Way Print Friendly Page Ok, this too is a place where you need to be ready to walk a lot. This is the ancient road to Rome, where you can see the ruins of the places once inhabited by the wealthy and powerful citizens of the Roman Empire. The road had been so well-traveled by merchants, citizens and ancient armies that the stone is worn in ruts from the wagons and chariots of old.
Back to Top Pantheon Print Friendly Page I have been to both city hall and the downtown library, and they both pale in comparison to the Pantheon. I think the Taj Mahal might come in a close second though. Wow! This ancient temple – now Catholic Church - is unbelievable. The marble and columns and size and color and even the holey ceiling are just so Pantheon. The scale of the building is overwhelming. It even has doors that 20 stacked Yao Mings wouldn’t have to duck under. Splurge a little and pay for the audio tour – it was the best 6 euros I spent on the entire trip. Of all the places we visited in Rome, the Pantheon is the one I would have been really bummed if we hadn’t made time to see. I say this after having seen it myself, because before, I had seen pictures but it didn’t really impress me. Boy was I wrong.
Back to Top Trevi Fountain Print Friendly Page This is a cool place to go. No matter when you go, expect a lot of people to be there. We even
went at 3 a.m. and the place was packed! A lot of tourists and a wonderful waterfall sculpture.
It is simply amazing.
Back to Top Vatican Museum Print Friendly Page This museum is a must see. It has a lot of history stuff including great art and religious artifacts. I really liked the old altar art from the early Christian church. Your last stop will the the famed Sistine Chapel. Amazing. You'll dig this place.
Back to Top The Vatican Print Friendly Page You will be amazed at the size of the Vatican and the tremendous amount of art on display. Heck, the entire place is a work of art. We took the stairs to the cupola where you can look waaay down to the floor of the basilica below, where people look like ants and my knees became unstable. They have stairs that also go to the top of the cupola where you can get a great view of Rome, but heights make me a bit queasy. In addition to touring St. Paul’s Basilica and climbing the cupola, be sure to go downstairs to the tombs of the Popes. A visit to the tomb of Pope John Paul II is especially moving experience.
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Florence Florence apartment One thing that made our trip to Italy such a great experience is that instead of staying in a hotel, we rented an apartment for the time we were in Florence. This allowed us to live in a part of town that wasn’t focused on tourists and we got to know the people in our building and neighborhood. The clerk at the local grocery store got to know us by name, and we really felt at home. We recommend getting an apartment if you are going to be in one city more than just a few days. It gives you a whole different experience and also adds a lot of convenience to your trip. We had our own refrigerator, kitchen, washing machine and oven. We cooked most of our own meals, and in Italian fashion, we hung our clothes out to dry on the balcony. It was wonderful. If you are going to be in Florence, contact Ana and Lorenzo at www.florencehousing.it to arrange apartment accommodations. They manage several apartments throughout Florence and are a great resource for local information.
Back to Top Walk Everywhere You Can And we mean, everywhere you CAN. Your feet may rebel a bit, but Florence is a work of art in itself. It is truly a walking city. Everything is within walking distance, and the little discoveries on the back streets are wonderful.
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Uffizi Museum Print Friendly Page Get reservations (especially during the high season) and plan to spend the entire day here. The Uffizi is a huge museum with great stuff from the masters. Also, check out the snack area on the second floor. It has an open air balcony next to the castle. It is a great place to grab a quick lunch, talk to other tourists, and let your feet rest a bit.
Back to Top Accademia - Home of Michelangelo’s David Print Friendly Page You have to go visit this museum. Cool place with a lot of great sculpture stuff. David was incredible, and I am glad that I got to see it in person. The rest of the museum is pretty cool too because I like looking at sculpture stuff.
Back to Top Ponte Vecchio Print Friendly Page This unmistakable landmark of Florence is a “must-see” if you are anywhere near Florence. The Ponte Vecchio has the distinction of being the only bridge left unharmed by the Nazi army in WWII when they stormed through this beautiful city. It is a favorite place for tourists and locals to visit. There are a lot of shops that line the bridge which is kinda nice for window shopping as you cross over. It also has a fantastic view of the bridges up and down the Arno River.
Back to Top Piazza Michelangelo Print Friendly Page This piazza is located on a hill where you get a great view of Florence. The day we were there, a college student from Argentina was sitting on a bench playing classical guitar. Between the view and the beautiful music, it was an enchanting visit. Take the bus to Piazza Mechelangelo and walk down the hill back to the center of Florence. Nice!
Back to Top Boboli Gardens Print Friendly Page The Gardens at Boboli are huge! We spent all day going from one end of the park to the other and I think we still missed some stuff. It is a wonderful place to escape the city and just walk in nature. There are miles of footpaths through the trees and up the hills. Climb to the top of the hill for a great lookout from the top of the fort. From here you get awesome views of Florence. Great place for a day’s outing, but bring your walkin’ shoes. You’re going to need them.
Back to Top Easter and the Exploding Cart (Scoppio del Carro) Print Friendly Page Say you are in Florence and it is Easter. Well, have we got a treat for you. In Florence they have an Easter celebration like you have never seen. They put this huge wooden cart out in front of il Duomo (Florence’s cathedral) and pack that sucker with fireworks. Then, when thousands of people have crammed the streets around the cart, they light the puppy off with a super rocket bird that shoots out from the cathedral. Sounds of heavy machine gun fire-crackers pound the crowd, and a flippin’ million missiles go tearing into the sky, releasing thunderous explosions and plumes of color and smoke. The crowd goes nuts, and I go...WOW! The cart shoots this stuff for a good 15 minutes, which I think made for the coolest Easter ever! It was really loud and really, really cool! Who would expect an Easter celebration like that?
Back to Top Cathedral / il Duomo Print Friendly Page When in Florence, you cannot miss the il Duomo. No, really. If you are in Florence you can’t miss it because it is the largest structure in the city. A beautiful Renaissance structure with some Gothic and Byzantine architectural features. It is really big and really beautiful. The detail on the outside of the cathedral is amazing. It has carved marble all around, going from the street all the way to the roof. Spiraled columns, sculptures, and fine craftsmanship indicate that if it were to be built today it would cost more than “a lot.” Be sure to go inside the Duomo, cathedral and basilica – they are really something to see.
Back to Top Fiesole Print Friendly Page Just a few kilometers north of Florence, you’ll find the town of Fiesole. It is a relatively short trip by city bus (bus #7) and you can walk everywhere in Fiesole. The town is known for its crafts and homemade wares which are available for purchase all over the town. It is a great place to just stroll and have a relaxing afternoon. Be sure to visit the monastic Church of San Francesco.
Back to Top Lucca One of my favorite cities in Tuscany is Lucca. It is located just outside of Pisa and has a wonderful charm that makes you want to spend the rest of your life there. The city parks, the wide walking path atop the city wall and the colorful and open town square is what sold me on the town, and the people are absolutely wonderful. So now I always say, “When in Pisa, go to Lucca.”
Back to Top Sienna Print Friendly Page This is an old medieval town with all the charm and color of an old medieval town. The city reminds me a lot of San Francisco with its trolley cars, the wharf and…no, wait, that is San Francisco…The cool thing about Sienna is that it was built on a hill, and it has a lot of very steep streets. It also has a massive city square where everyone likes to go and just hang out. It is lined with restaurants and shops and a lot of outdoor cafes. It is a real pleasure to visit, and a town you will want to return to again.
Back to Top Pisa Print Friendly Page The workmen blew it and their new bell tower started to lean. But luckily, their shoddy workmanship has paid off big time for the people of Pisa. Today, millions of people flock to this city to take pictures of themselves holding up the tower. Now that’s the best illustration of lemonade out of lemons I can think of. My take on Pisa? The city was pretty nice and the tower was leaning. Other than that, I would rather be in Lucca.
Back to Top Rural Tuscany Print Friendly Page We really only saw rural Tuscany from the train window. It was beautiful! Someday I will rent a farmhouse in Tuscany and spend a couple months going to the small villages and wineries. If you have the time and the money to rent a car, I would highly recommend spending a great deal of time in rural Tuscany. It is absolutely gorgeous.
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Venice Stay in Murano Print Friendly Page The island of Murano is a short water taxi ride away from Venice and is a very nice community. We stayed at a hotel on Murano, waking to the sounds of the bell tower and the smell of ocean waters. Murano is a small island that is world famous for its beautiful glass creations. There are several glass foundries you can tour as well as many shops and restaurants that are within walking distance from anywhere on the island. Our Murano Island hotel, Locanda Conterie (www.locandaconterie.com), was beautifully appointed, clean and cost much less than the hotels in Venice. We highly recommend staying in Murano. At the very least, when in Venice, take a short trip to discover this traveler's treasure.
Back to Top Vaparetto pass If traveling to Venice and you plan to be in the city for more than a day, we recommend purchasing a Vaparetto pass. The pass is good for all water bus transportation. I was smart and bought a 72-hour pass. Then I was stupid and lost it. Then I bought another one, put it in a safe place, and enjoyed three days of cruising the canals.
Back to Top St. Mark’s Square Print Friendly Page One of the highlights of Venice is St. Mark’s Square. This is the location of St. Mark’s Cathedral, the Doge’s Palace and a host of buildings with really cool architecture. There are quite a number of shops, restaurants and outdoor cafes lining the square. The cathedral is spectacular and the atmosphere is electric. Oh, and pigeons are everywhere in the square. Some entrepreneurial Italians even charge tourists for birdseed to feed the pigeons…smart!
Back to Top Venice's Jewish Ghetto Print Friendly Page Nestled in a small nook of Venice is the oldest Jewish ghetto in Italy. The neighborhood is rich in culture, community and history. One of the most interesting museums in Venice is located here in the Jewish museum. You can also take a walking tour of the synagogue and attractions in the community that highlight the history and struggles of the Jewish people in the ghetto. Joy was especially interested in the history of the community during WWII and how it affected the people living in this ghetto. We both give it two thumbs up!
Back to Top Wander in Venice Venice is a city like no other I have been to. The most enjoyable time I had was wandering through the narrow alley streets, finding small courtyards and exploring the numerous neighborhoods throughout the city. It’s amazing what you find if you take the time to wander.
Back to Top Bridge of Sighs Print Friendly Page One of the most famous sights in Venice is located just around the corner from St. Mark’s Square. The Bridge of Sighs was built to transport accused prisoners from the courthouse on one side of the canal to the prison on the other side of the canal. The name is said to have derived from the prisoners stopping at the small windows in the bridge to catch a final glimpse of Venice (sigh) before serving their sentence. That bummer of a story is a big contrast to the beauty of this bridge over the canal. It is uniquely Venice and is a sight you will always remember.
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