Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with europe and italy

Advice on my trip to Italy

Rustbeard — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 11:48:17 -0800

So I'm going to Italy for a class and then I'm planing on traveling around for a little while afterwords in the month of August. I'll probably stay mainly in Italy, but I would like to go to Greece and maybe visit my cousins in France. I've never done something like this so I really could use some help with my trip. Is there some guide for people for backpacking in Europe? What are just some overall recommendations on traveling like this? What type of bag and what to bring. How do I go about getting a euro pass? Or is it better to just rent a car? Should I go to hostels? If so how should I be prepared for that, I've never stayed at a hostel? what do people generally do about cell phones when traveling abroad?
How do people generally book hotels and other things if they can't speak the language?
I'll probably be bringing my netbook since my class recommends to bring a laptop, anything I should know about converters and stuff like that?
Is it better to get Euros here in the US at a bank or somewhere else?
Also I don't speak another language but will try to learn some Italian before I go.
Aslo some recommendations on where to go and what to see would be great. I'm more into nature and ruins, as well as food. Not really into clubs and touristy areas, crowds in general.
Sorry for the mass of questions. I'm a bit of an introvert and never really planned a trip like this for myself. And I will probably be doing this by myself so I'm a little nervous about it.
Just some general advice and recommendations would be really great.

Getting a night train reservation

bajema — Wed, 20 May 2009 13:16:10 -0800

Need help making a reservation on the night train from Naples to Venice. I'm taking a trip to Europe this summer and want to take the night train from Naples to Venice on June 26. I would like a double sleeper compartment for this train. I also have a 2nd class rail pass. I leave for Europe on June 11 and won't be in Italy (arriving in Rome) until June 23.

I wanted to be sure that I had reservations on this train, so I went ahead and booked a double sleeper through Rail Europe. Several days later, I received an email from them saying that they were unable to make the reservation because the train was not in their reservation system yet (which makes me wonder why they are selling tickets for it) and that they would keep trying each day until 5 days before I leave for Europe, afterwhich I'd have to make the reservation locally.

How can I be sure that I have a spot on this train. I'm okay with cancelling the Rail Europe booking if there is another option. Any ideas?

Mobile software for the mobile traveller?

zaebiz — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 16:30:18 -0800

What applications/software for your mobile device did you find useful/essential for travelling? I will be travelling initially around Europe and then who knows.... I have an iMate JasJam phone running Windows Mobile 6 but would acquire another device if this will be more suitable for running useful applications.

more bang for my meager buck

mustcatchmooseandsquirrel — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:35:50 -0800

I'm going to Rome for one week in February. How can I cheap out on lodging while there? I'm traveling with my boyfriend. The trip itself is only affordable to begin with because of the awesomeness of EasyJet. We're planning on trying to couchsurf but, if that doesn't work out, do you know of any hostels/hotels/monasteries where we can stay for less than 30euros/night total cost? (if you have any other advice on enjoying oneself in Rome while not spending much money, that's welcome too!)

Train travel around France and Italy for cosy travellers

vizsla — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 16:00:52 -0800

Rail trips across France and Italy. Any recommendations, experiences, sights, travel wisdom for an over 30 couple who like to see the world from their window without too much hassle and in as much comfort as possible? (Also kind of keen on seeing Pompeii and the south of France)

Screw Chevy Chase

Christ, what an asshole — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 14:03:51 -0800

I'm looking for underrated, obscure European vacation stops. A couple friends and I are going to Europe for a month (Nov/Dec), and we plan on doing the whole Eurorail/hostel thing across several countries. 1/3rd of the destination stops are for my choosing, and while I know they'll be making the saturated, obvious choices like Rome, Barcelona, Paris, Amsterdam, etc., I'd like to spice things up with places that don't automatically spring to mind but offer the same level (if not more) of awe. Ideally, cities that aren't automatic tourist stops where most everyone speaks English and there's a McDonald's on every corner (but also not so far out of the way from mid-Europe like some hole-in-the-wall, Eastern-European Caspian city).

What sort of places have you visited that you would recommend?

Be My Italian Guide

defben — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 19:24:23 -0800

I'm leaving for Europe this week and will be gone for about two and a half weeks. I've got a bunch of family in Germany so they'll be showing me around there, but I'm also planning on going to Italy for approximately five days, give or take (no rigid schedule). I was hoping some people could give me some first hand recommendations on what would really make my experience a blast. I've done some reading and am thinking of visiting Rome and Florence, but nothing set in stone

I'm a bit of a foodie/cooking enthusiast, so I'd love to sample some great authentic food while there. I'm not a nature nut, but do love its beauty (hoping to hike some of the FichtelGebirge while in Germany). I would love to get a feel for the culture, if that's at all possible. Maybe some market places and such. But really, any recommendations would be appreciated. Not a huge museum guy, but am open to hitting one or two. Maybe some music or nightlife?

Also, what does everyone recommend on travel? Is the Eurail the way to go or are they're cheaper alternatives?

Thanks for any recommendations.

Please evaluate my route from Italy to Spain by car

zaebiz — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 02:07:07 -0800

I plan to drive from Venice, Italy to Valenica, Spain in April or May 2009 using the following route. I will stay for a few days or weeks in little spots along the way. I should have about six weeks in total. I mostly want to see a little of Spain and Italy, the French Riviera, Montpellier, Marseilles and finish at Valencia. Apart from that anything else I should try to see? Any parts of the chosen route I should avoid? What's driving like along that route? Any rental car companies which will let me pick up in Italy and drop off in Spain?

Foreign guides around Europe

vizsla — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 21:21:43 -0800

How does a 40ish year old male with enough money find his way around Europe without foreign language skills? Is it possible to hire guides to travel with, or at least to show them around on a city-by-city basis for this sort of thing? I'm thinking specifically France, Spain, Italy. Willing to use University students or some other creative possibility. Mostly there for a holiday but may also need to talk to real agent agents about places in France or Spain.

Anything other than Contiki?

skepticallypleased — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 12:54:03 -0800

Travelling +strangers is better than travelling alone right? Well, that's a dilemma my friend (I swear, it's a friend!) is in this summer as he has time off but none of his friends do. He would like to go to Europe but be a bit social about it. Everyone mentions Contiki but I want to know if they might have any competitors that people feel are better. Do they? (Previous inquiries seem to ask for low cost alternatives or plan your own trips -- The cost of Contiki seems just right for my friend so options near or above their price range would be fine). Also, he would like to target Italy/Southern Europe -- but mostly Italy. Thanks!

Where to go from Lyon?

flibbertigibbet — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 22:25:31 -0800

I'm thinking of taking a day/weekend trip from Lyon (Rhône-Alpes) to... somewhere. I'd like the destination city to be pretty close. Any suggestions? (I've managed to scrounge up some additional cash since my last question. Yay!).

I'm trying to figure out what to do with a long weekend during a trip to Lyon. I'd love to go to Paris, seeing as this will be my first trip to Europe, period. Problem: the tickets are so expensive (80 Euros, 130CAD/USD) that I'm thinking of trying to find something closer, and, err, cheaper. (Just as a quick comparison: the cheapest trip to Milan costs about the same as the average trip to Paris, both via train.)

I'm really open to suggestions. I'm into art, architecture, religious studies, and history, so anything along those lines would be awesome. Tiny town known for its beautiful churches? Sure!

Thanks in advance.

If it's MyAir.com, why can't I book a flight?

Scram — Tue, 05 Sep 2006 19:06:06 -0800

Why can't I purchase a cheap air ticket on Italian MyAir.com from the US? MyAir.com seems to have the only cheap flights from Bologna to Paris--as little as .01 Euro with tax. I have my eye on a 19.99 Euro flight on October 29, but every time I try to complete the purchase through their web form, I get an error message that says "you seem to have entered the wrong credit card details" (which I haven't) and warning me that if I do this three times I'll get bounced out of the system.

So I stopped after two times and called the airline number (0044 2073651597) a couple of times in business hours, but it was always busy.

Then I asked a travel agent in LA if she could make the booking, and she said neither she nor any travel agent in the US could book with MyAir, and suggested an AirFrance flight for $350 instead. This would put quite a crimp in our honeymoon budget, so we said nix.

So, great hive mind, I ask you: Is there an international travel agent I can hire in Italy or elsewhere in Europe? Or can I ask someone in Italy to buy tickets in someone else's name? Are there other cheap airlines flying Tuscany - Paris (Florence would be okay too) that I am overlooking? Can American Express handle this? Or is there an alternate way of communicating with MyAir?

Any suggestions much appreciated. Thanks!

From Modena to Trondheim - on a student's budget

divabat — Thu, 22 Jun 2006 17:34:02 -0800

I'd like to go to Modena, Italy in early December to meet some friends. I'd also like to attend a student festival in Trondheim, Norway, in mid-February. What else can I do between December and February? I'm right now planning a mostly-hypothetical European trip in my head.

I'd like to go to Modena, Italy around Dec 8 - Dec 11 2006 to visit some friends.
I'd also like to attend ISFiT 2007 in Trondheim, Norway from Feb 16 - Feb 25 2007.

I have all this time in between and I'm not sure what to do with it. I'd like to participate in youth/student-oriented activities (though a music festival every week would be rather overkill). Anything creative, out-of-the-box, and international is great.

I would be departing from either Brisbane or Sydney, Australia, or Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, depending on my visa situation. I have a Bangladesh passport (with Malaysian permanent residency), and I need a visa for nearly everywhere. I'm not sure if the European embassies in Australia (I'll be studying in Brisbane come July) will let me apply for a visa there, or if I have to go back to KL and get it done there instead. A Schengen visa would allow me to go to a lot of places at once, so that would be the most convenient.

(I'll be flying straight back to Brisbane, probably through Sydney.)

There is a slight possibility that I might pop over to the US for a bit in January for a meeting/some volunteer stuff (I have a US visa so that's not a problem) but it's not a priority, just a "maybe".

Questions:

1. Aus/KL -> Modena -> ????? -> Trondheim -> Brisbane. What goes in the "?????" slot? I've been to The Netherlands, Belgium (loved both places), Germany, France, and elsewhere in Italy. I've also been to Switzerland and the UK, though I'd rather not factor that into my tour because I need separate visas for those.

2. Do I get the Schengen visa from the Italian embassy (first stop) or the Norwegian embassy (longest stay, but last stop, possible sponsorship)?

3. How do I get to Modena from Rome and Trondheim from Oslo?

4. I haven't a lot of money. Really. Malaysian ringgit does not travel far, and I don't know how much Australian dollars I'll be able to earn. How do I keep within a really low budget? Are there places that would pay me to travel, or sponsor me? (I might get something for ISFiT, but I need to be accepted first).

Any ideas, thoughts, etc would be good. It would be my first fully independent trip (well, save my 2 week trip to Denver this April, which I still owe my parents money for - they bought tix) and anything helps!

How to get to Turin?

bamassippi — Mon, 05 Dec 2005 09:18:24 -0800

I'll be in Europe during the Winter Olympics in Turin, so I thought I'd swing by to catch an event or two. I got online to book a hotel today, and there's nothing available (big surprise). However, I still want to go... should I stay in Milan or Genova and catch a train into town for a day trip or something? I've never been to Italy... so I don't know how complicated it would be to "catch a train" for a day trip.

Cheap hotels in Venice and Milan

amberglow — Sat, 18 Dec 2004 14:43:53 -0800

CheapItalyHotelFilter: I'm going there in a few weeks, and need recommendations for 50 euros or less. Any ideas? + 3 nights in Venice, 4 in Florence, and 2 in Milan. I think i may have found for Florence, but need tips for Venice and Milan (Milan is Sat and Sun. nights).

advice wanted for 10-12 day trip to Italy

Wallzatcha — Fri, 13 Aug 2004 13:19:01 -0800

My wife and I are planning a 10-12 day trip to Italy in late Sept. and are looking for advice. We are torn between a guided tour-type trip where the majority is planned out for you or just getting tickets and hotel rooms and making the plans while we are there. Any advice or experience? We are definitely going to visit Rome and Vatican City, probably Tuscany as well. We are hoping to enjoy a pretty laid-back trip but we don't want to get home and feel like we didn't experience enough of the culture.

Home Exchange

jasper411 — Wed, 21 Jan 2004 14:04:19 -0800

We're considering going to Europe for a few weeks this summer, and thought about the possibility of exchanging houses with someone over there, as a way of saving money (we have a house in San Francisco, a pretty popular place to visit).

But we're worried about the possibility of ending up with some crooks or thoughtless people in our house, and coming back home to find that we've been ripped off, had property messed up, etc. Has anyone had any experiences with any reliable (or not so reliable) places that help make house exchanges successful (e.g., screening applicants, etc.)?