Italy-

[DFoster 0]

Next week I'm off to Italy with my wife for 12 days.  Were taking a semi structured tour of the country so I don't expect to squeeze in any fishing. I am hoping to find myself in at least one of the Italian fly shops at some point during the trip to purchase a memento or two.  Furs and feathers are out because I don't want to have to deal with customs any longer than necessary after the long flight home.  Neither of us are Italian but my wife has a fascination with Italy, it's food and culture and as this is our 20th anniversary year so...   I'm excited to go, I know we will eat well and it will be an amazing life experience but I hate leaving New England in the beautiful Autumn.  Lately the cool, crisp mornings here constantly draw my thoughts to fishing.  At this time of year it is inescapable for me and normally the vacation time I'm using for Italy would be reserved for long, wonderful days on a stream.  That will have to wait until October though, this week is about packing and trip preparations.  We have a wedding for a friend this weekend followed by the long flight out.   

[RickZieger 0]

Have a good time.  Also congratulations.

Rick 

[chugbug27 0]

Enjoy Italy!!

[DFoster 0]

Thanks guys!

[flytire 0]

have fun!

[SalarMan 0]

Three words...ENJOY, ENJOY, ENJOY. Safe travels Dean.

[flyflinger 0]

Congratulation on your anniversary, and enjoy your trip.  The big cities have many amazing historical venues (which you will pay dearly to see, and some require reservations) - a reputable guide can do wonders (also expensive).  Example: Michelangelo's David in the Accademia Gallery of Florence is expensive, and is in a very small museum, (basically one large room, and you can't take photographs!)  

Try to get advice about restaurants that are not just tourist traps (aka expensive mediocre food).  Smaller towns are better for getting a real taste of Italy, but unfortunately, that's not were all the famous attractions are located.  You will see restaurants where the tourists are taken to a lesser section (once literally on picnic tables), and another part of the restaurant has tablecloths and china for the locals and special guests like food writers.  This happened to us in Venice where we had a reservation months before arrival and had to wear coat and tie. 

Just be mindful that the pickpocket problem is severe in the cities, especially Rome, especially in train stations.  They also monitor ATM machines to see who's making withdrawals.  The police won't do anything and will only waste your time filling out paperwork (which they are going to do absolutely nothing with).  We actually caught a pickpocket in the Rome Termini Train Station.  The officials threatened to arrest us for assault if we didn't let him go, and they let him walk.  Keep your wallet in a front pocket with your hand over it in crowded areas.  Women need to keep hands on their purse in those crowded areas (like carrying a football).  

I'm not trying to be a downer, but you may benefit from the info . . .          

Regards, 

 

. 

[DFoster 0]

37 minutes ago, flyflinger said:

Congratulation on your anniversary, and enjoy your trip.  The big cities have many amazing historical venues (which you will pay dearly to see, and some require reservations) - a reputable guide can do wonders (also expensive).  Example: Michelangelo's David in the Accademia Gallery of Florence is expensive, and is in a very small museum, (basically one large room, and you can't take photographs!)  

Try to get advice about restaurants that are not just tourist traps (aka expensive mediocre food).  Smaller towns are better for getting a real taste of Italy, but unfortunately, that's not were all the famous attractions are located.  You will see restaurants where the tourists are taken to a lesser section (once literally on picnic tables), and another part of the restaurant has tablecloths and china for the locals and special guests like food writers.  This happened to us in Venice where we had a reservation months before arrival and had to wear coat and tie. 

Just be mindful that the pickpocket problem is severe in the cities, especially Rome, especially in train stations.  They also monitor ATM machines to see who's making withdrawals.  The police won't do anything and will only waste your time filling out paperwork (which they are going to do absolutely nothing with).  We actually caught a pickpocket in the Rome Termini Train Station.  The officials threatened to arrest us for assault if we didn't let him go, and they let him walk.  Keep your wallet in a front pocket with your hand over it in crowded areas.  Women need to keep hands on their purse in those crowded areas (like carrying a football).  

I'm not trying to be a downer, but you may benefit from the info . . .          

Regards, 

 

. 

Thanks for the good advice.  We have been warned about the pickpockets and uncaring police from my brother in law who is a United Captain.  We are actually going to use small sling packs worn in front during crowded locations.  These have multiple zippered pockets and will force any would be thief to have to guess.  In my experience thieves always look for the easiest target.  Even at home I always keep my wallet in my front pocket but I also will keep it on the bottom of the main compartment under my water bottles with the pack worn in front.  We are travelling with another couple so we will have 4 sets of watchful eyes which is a good thing.  As the police are not going to be any help at all so we are doing our best to make sure we don't need them in the first place.  It's sad that we need to take these precautions in a 1st world country but when in Rome-

[SilverCreek 0]

I would recommend getting both a passport book and a passport card. You keep the card in a secure place like the hotel safe so that if your passport ever gets stolen or lost, you can take your passport card to the local US consulate and get a duplicate passport book,

 

[DFoster 0]

Thanks Silver i’m not sure if we have enough time at this point to get one, but I will look into it

[SilverCreek 0]

My wife and I visited Italy with a trip through the wine country and then down to Pisa, Rome and then to Pompei.

Some photos our trip to from Rome and Italy.

Where Julius Caesar was assassinated in the Roman Forum. Romans still leave flowers.

 

Sistine Chapel ceiling by Michelangelo.

 

Excavated victim of the eruption of Mount Vesuvius at Pompie in 79 AD.

 

[Mark Knapp 0]

Have fun, safe travels.

[DFoster 0]

On 9/12/2024 at 9:15 PM, SilverCreek said:

My wife and I visited Italy with a trip through the wine country and then down to Pisa, Rome and then to Pompei.

Some photos our trip to from Rome and Italy.

Where Julius Caesar was assassinated in the Roman Forum. Romans still leave flowers.

 

Sistine Chapel ceiling by Michelangelo.

 

Excavated victim of the eruption of Mount Vesuvius at Pompie in 79 AD.

 

Thanks Silver!  Rome, Pompeii and Pizza are all on the tour.  History becomes so much more "real" when you see the locations in person.

[DFoster 0]

On 9/13/2024 at 9:24 PM, Mark Knapp said:

Have fun, safe travels.

Thanks Mark, we're excited to go.  The only down side is missing a few weeks of prime fishing and being separated from our 2 dogs who we will miss terribly.

[Mark Knapp 0]

5 hours ago, DFoster said:

Thanks Mark, we're excited to go.  The only down side is missing a few weeks of prime fishing and being separated from our 2 dogs who we will miss terribly.

Life is full of tough decisions. The creeks and your dogs will be there when you get back. Try to endure.