Travel tips/insights to southern Italy (Sicily, Naples, Rome) (1 Viewer)

[CajunInVA]

Thumbs-up to the "snacks with drinks" thing - sometimes its full appertivo and other times it's just bar snacks but it's awesome. I rolled up to the hotel bar the first night and got an Aperol spritz (I had like 40 of them on the trip, lol) and they handed me a bowl with three cups that included about 10 large olives, a bunch of salted almonds, and some potato chips. Awesome.

I did Duolingo Italian for a few months but honestly apart from a few cab drivers in Rome, everyone (literally everyone) we met in Italy was happy to speak to you in English - especially younger people. I think it's respectful to know the basics (buon giorno, buona sera, ciao, per favore, grazie, prego, and "in inglese per favore" just in case) but that's it. You're good, especially if you're in tourist places. Just be polite and respectful and you'll get anything you need.

Perhaps it depends on where you go, but we didn't carry our passports and our tour people highly recommended you leave your passport in your safe in the hotel room. The only time we ever presented them was checking in hotels or at the airport. I think that generally speaking you never want to carry your passport with you when you're out and about when traveling - unless you know you're going to need it. If it gets lost or stolen, its going to be a big problem for you to deal with.

I think in Rome we had to present passports at the Vatican Museum, the Forrum, and the Coliseum. Didn’t use them anywhere in Spain.

 

[superchuck500]

I think in Rome we had to present passports at the Vatican Museum, the Forrum, and the Coliseum. Didn’t use them anywhere in Spain.

Yes, I do indeed recall now that we needed passports for the Vatican . . . (also, it’s another country).

I did also show ID at the Coliseum but I think we showed a drivers license (we had a certified tour guide with us and she did the talking, not sure what the rules are).

 

[TXSAINTFAN]

Italian insights....

Venice. Spent 2 nights there a few years ago around a cruise we took Pretty magical town but pretty sure I read recently they're starting to charge day trippers an extra charge. Another instance of 'we're getting tired of tourists' I suppose.

Spent a week in a villa in Positano. Amalfi coast is a must see. Hired a private driver to take us to Pompeii, Sorrento etc. Took the train from Naples to Rome for a few days. Rome was okay for me but crowded and seemed moreso after the week in laid back Positano.

Always book Class 1 on trains over there. We have always found that to be better than Class 2.

Took some friends with us last year and based out of Sorrento. Rented an apartment a bit away from the city center. Hired a tour company so our friends could do the Amalfi coast and Pompeii. Fell in love with Sorrento! Easy to get around, amazing food choices. We took the ferry to Capri for the day. If you do this its recommended to take an early ferry as it should be less crowded. Capri is pretty cool. Took a convertible taxi up to the top. Great views.

There are plenty of reputable tour operators to utilize. We have never had a issue with anyone we used.

This year I met the wife in Munich for an Adele show then flew into Naples and hired a driver to Sorrento. This time we stayed just off Piazza Tasso. Excellent location! Visiting the Fauno Bar is a must. A lot of shops, restaurants etc. in this area. Also easy to get down to the port for ferrys.

We did zero touristy things this trip. Chilled at the hotel pool, sat at outside cafes people watching with drinks and snacks.

 

[superchuck500]

Italian insights....

Venice. Spent 2 nights there a few years ago around a cruise we took Pretty magical town but pretty sure I read recently they're starting to charge day trippers an extra charge. Another instance of 'we're getting tired of tourists' I suppose.

Spent a week in a villa in Positano. Amalfi coast is a must see. Hired a private driver to take us to Pompeii, Sorrento etc. Took the train from Naples to Rome for a few days. Rome was okay for me but crowded and seemed moreso after the week in laid back Positano.

Always book Class 1 on trains over there. We have always found that to be better than Class 2.

Took some friends with us last year and based out of Sorrento. Rented an apartment a bit away from the city center. Hired a tour company so our friends could do the Amalfi coast and Pompeii. Fell in love with Sorrento! Easy to get around, amazing food choices. We took the ferry to Capri for the day. If you do this its recommended to take an early ferry as it should be less crowded. Capri is pretty cool. Took a convertible taxi up to the top. Great views.

There are plenty of reputable tour operators to utilize. We have never had a issue with anyone we used.

This year I met the wife in Munich for an Adele show then flew into Naples and hired a driver to Sorrento. This time we stayed just off Piazza Tasso. Excellent location! Visiting the Fauno Bar is a must. A lot of shops, restaurants etc. in this area. Also easy to get down to the port for ferrys.

We did zero touristy things this trip. Chilled at the hotel pool, sat at outside cafes people watching with drinks and snacks.

I liked Sorrento a lot too. Great coastal vibes, almost like Santa Monica or something but so much more Italian and better. Walking around at night after a fantastic meal of Italian seafood was awesome.

 

[TXSAINTFAN]

I liked Sorrento a lot too. Great coastal vibes, almost like Santa Monica or something but so much more Italian and better. Walking around at night after a fantastic meal of Italian seafood was awesome.

We've traveled quite a bit and it takes a lot to wow me but I really like Sorrento. Will go back again.