 Going to Italy for 2 weeks, 1st time abroad, TIPS?
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Joined: Jun 2007
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Leaving for Italy on Saturday, renting a Fiat and doing a +/-1300km, 14 day roadtrip starting in Venice, across to the West coast and down to Salerno and the Amalfi Coast, then north up to Rome to fly back home.
Not my first roadtrip, but first time abroad so if anyone travels to Europe alot or lives in Italy (Italians welcome) theres some technical questions...
Cellphone situation, did you get a new plan, buy one in Italy, or pay a lot of money?
GPS - Just realized my garmin doesnt have European maps, is that common to find over here? Might have to buy a new one. Wondering if I should wait to get to Italy, not sure if it'll work the same over here.
How did you handle your money? Was your ATM card working right? Were people picky about Euro dollars?
Anywhere in particular I should definately get to?
What else?
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Re: Going to Italy for 2 weeks, 1st time abroad, TIPS?
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Joined: Jun 2007
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Loquacious
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Do you drive like a lunatic? If you do, you'll fit in 
"You can't believe everything you read on the internet" : William Shakespeare
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Re: Going to Italy for 2 weeks, 1st time abroad, TIPS?
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yes I do, I'm from New Jersey.
Not that you'd understand being in England and all.
I cant wait to be romping on that Fiat like a damn go cart.
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Re: Going to Italy for 2 weeks, 1st time abroad, TIPS?
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,354
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
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Quote:
Leaving for Italy on Saturday, renting a Fiat and doing a +/-1300km, 14 day roadtrip starting in Venice, across to the West coast and down to Salerno and the Amalfi Coast, then north up to Rome to fly back home.
Not my first roadtrip, but first time abroad so if anyone travels to Europe alot or lives in Italy (Italians welcome) theres some technical questions...
Cellphone situation, did you get a new plan, buy one in Italy, or pay a lot of money?
GPS - Just realized my garmin doesnt have European maps, is that common to find over here? Might have to buy a new one. Wondering if I should wait to get to Italy, not sure if it'll work the same over here.
How did you handle your money? Was your ATM card working right? Were people picky about Euro dollars?
Anywhere in particular I should definately get to?
What else?
It might be too late to order an SD card from Garmin for Europe. I have one for Australia/NZ. It just fits in the back of my GPS and it works fine.
I bought my phone overseas (Thailand). Wherever I go, I just buy a sim card from a local phone service. Works fine for me, but not sure if you can if your phone is locked. Might be easier to just buy a cheap throwaway phone while there.
ATM's are a great way to access funds without having to carry large amounts around with you. Being Italy, I would think you should have no problems with that. Just be sure to call your bank in advance and let them know, so they don't panic seeing a number of withdrawals from Italy. Be wary of pickpockets.
Go to AAA and get an international driver's license.
Maybe get a travel guide from your local library and carry that with you.
Blue/White 2007 TBA, Thruxton needles, Unifilter, AI removed, Polaris Bellmouth, Bubs, Nology Coils/wires, Lightbar, Ricor Intiminators, Hagon Nitros, Tall Sissy Bar w/luggage rack, Dart flyscreen & Lowers. 130 Mains, TrueGel Battery MG12-BS.
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Re: Going to Italy for 2 weeks, 1st time abroad, TIPS?
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Joined: Jun 2007
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Quote:
yes I do, I'm from New Jersey.
Not that you'd understand being in England and all.
I cant wait to be romping on that Fiat like a damn go cart.
That's right. I didn't drive the one time I was in New York but the dozens of other trips abroad I've done I notice the different driving styles.
You'll find it fun and doing 1300 Kim's in 14 days averaging less than 100kms a day, you'll enjoy being able to catch the sights too.
"You can't believe everything you read on the internet" : William Shakespeare
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Re: Going to Italy for 2 weeks, 1st time abroad, TIPS?
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Joined: Mar 2007
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Adjunct
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I was stationed in northern Italy from 1976 to 1980 while in the Air Force, boy what a hangover I had from the wine. Had fun though, enjoy.
'06 America, Raask foot controls, the bike use to be Graphite and Silver, now its Red and Black.
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Re: Going to Italy for 2 weeks, 1st time abroad, TIPS?
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Joined: May 2006
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Other tips are all good, but I would add these;
- Check with you insurance agent and to see if your rental car will be covered by your auto insurance. Also check with the credit card you will be using to see if it covers insurance on a rental in Italy.
- Check your medical coverage as well.
- You generally get the best exchange rate on an ATM, but beware any foreign transaction fees you card may charge. Worst exchange rates are found in the hotels and at the airport and other money changers. You will do better using your credit card when possible for purchases rather than exchanging cash because your cc company generally offers the best rate on purchases.
Lastly, I second Conway, get the international drivers license from triple A!!! Its only $15.
Have fun Tom!!
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Re: Going to Italy for 2 weeks, 1st time abroad, TIPS?
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Joined: Feb 2011
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According to every novel I've ever read set in the area the place to go in Italy for food is Balogna. Supposedly, the residents live anticipating their next meal.
Always sounded good to me.
I'm jealous.
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Re: Going to Italy for 2 weeks, 1st time abroad, TIPS?
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Joined: Jul 2007
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Worn Saddle
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Worn Saddle
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Quote:
I'm jealous.
I'm so jealous I could puke!  And I hate you.  Safe trip and have a good time! 
Fidelis et Fortis
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Re: Going to Italy for 2 weeks, 1st time abroad, TIPS?
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Bar Shake
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Bar Shake
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Quote:
According to every novel I've ever read set in the area the place to go in Italy for food is Balogna. Supposedly, the residents live anticipating their next meal.
Always sounded good to me.
I'm jealous.
Fried balogna sammiches.
Contra todo mal, mezcal; contra todo bien, también
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Re: Going to Italy for 2 weeks, 1st time abroad, TIPS?
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Joined: May 2007
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Saddle Sore
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Saddle Sore
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1. Protect your passport like it's priceless, 'cause it is.
2. Also, most civilized nations accept American dollars, take just 10's and 20's and make sure they're nearly new and all match, there's three or so styles of bills now in various degrees of printing. The different ones seem to confuse the nationals.
3. Don't pout your lips out like Mussolini used to do.
4. Take bubble wrap - it mesmerizes the natives.
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Re: Going to Italy for 2 weeks, 1st time abroad, TIPS?
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Joined: Jan 2012
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Greenhorn
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Greenhorn
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+1 on calling your banks to give them a heads up. Nothing like trying to straighten out your funding from overseas.
Outlet converters if you're bringing any gadgets.
Eat in trattorias, not ristorantes, they're usually more authentic.
You buy the ticket, you're gonna see the show.
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Re: Going to Italy for 2 weeks, 1st time abroad, TIPS?
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Joined: Nov 2009
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Loquacious
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The passing lane (the one on the left) really is the passing lane doddle in it and you will get such a blast from horns or a Ferrari stuck up your butt. Traffic circles are for going around until you figure out which route you want, two times around to get the correct road is better then having to double back. Driving in Venice not so good. 
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Re: Going to Italy for 2 weeks, 1st time abroad, TIPS?
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Venice is cool if you have a day or two to just wander around and getting lost is the norm. Juliettes balcony is in Verona you can play out the scene there and get your picture taken carressing her boob. (if you go that will make more sense) Pisa is cool although I like Lucca more. Take public transport once in Rome driving there is slow the subway is very quick to get places. If you drink coffee and don't like espresso ask for cafe Americano they will put it in a bigger cup and top up with water. Or cafe correcto they will put in a little grappa.
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Re: Going to Italy for 2 weeks, 1st time abroad, TIPS?
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AWESOME! Thanks fellas for the responses. I'm relaying the cellphone info to my wife. I know nothing of those things.
I already got my AAA drivers license
I got 500 euro
Might just buy a GPS for the trip and return it
Notified my credit cards I'm leaving
Need to call the bank
Passing through Bologna, will either stay the night or just eat lunch.
US currency would be a nice fall back, thanks for the tip.
What else?
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Re: Going to Italy for 2 weeks, 1st time abroad, TIPS?
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Joined: Jul 2011
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Oil Expert
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Tell them your a Canadian! LOL
2007 Speedmaster and miss it!
2013 T-Bird Storm and Luvin it!
Catching a yellow jacket in your shirt at 70 mph can double your vocabulary
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Re: Going to Italy for 2 weeks, 1st time abroad, TIPS?
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Joined: Sep 2009
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Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
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I'm not sure about the US money there... I doubt they'll be happy to see that, unless you're in a big hotel, and then they'll get you with the exchange rate. I've always used ATMs for all my trips abroad. Best thing... ever! Allows me to not carry a huge pile of cash, which if anything happens, would be sad to see it go! With ATMs all over, I always have the minimum I need and the possibility to get more easily. Beware of pickpockets. they are abondant in Italy, especially in big cities. Countryside is safe, but walking the street of a busy city, zip down, velcro and lock your pockets! I know of a tour guide who got his camera stolen... from around his neck! He didn't realise it until too late... that thief was already far away. If you can, Cinque Terre is a VERY popular and beautiful place to visit. Locals will look like they have no patience and quick to get angry, don't worry, it's in the blood, it's the way they deal with things... they mean well, it's just the way it comes across sometimes, viewed from the eyes of someone from the new continent. Enjoy the architecture, the pasta and the wine! Cheap and great! Oh, and be careful! The travelling bug is easily caught, and it might mean that you'll need to go on plenty more trips, should you enjoy yourself on this one!
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Re: Going to Italy for 2 weeks, 1st time abroad, TIPS?
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Joined: Feb 2005
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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Quote:
Tell them your a Canadian! LOL
Yeah Tom, which means of course, forget about orderin' "Cafe Americano" that Paul mentioned above! It's a dead give-away that you're a Yank. And thus, ONLY ever order "Cafe Canadiano" at those bistros over there...if ya can find it, that is! 
However, Paul is right about the magical and most unique city of Venice...my wife and I's favorite place on earth. Be sure to allow yourself time there before headin' to Rome.
Oh, and I'd say to put Florence on your itinerary if you can, too.
(...have a great time!) 
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: Going to Italy for 2 weeks, 1st time abroad, TIPS?
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I hope the car you rented is diesel probably is much cheaper to run. Use the gas pedal liberally the speed limit on the Autostrada is only a suggestion and there will always be someone going faster they didn't build those cars to just look pretty. Back roads are still the best. More sights, Sienna, San Gimignano, Viterbo where the warrior popes used to hide out back when they had real armies. Natural Park of Maremma near Grossetto if you need a break. Any town anywhere in Italy you will find something that makes you stop and take a look. Maybe get an extra SD card for your camera you can always edit later. "Cafe Canadiano" Dwight we tried to market that but beer and coffee didn't quite hit the target. I
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Re: Going to Italy for 2 weeks, 1st time abroad, TIPS?
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STARS AND STRIPES BABY!!! I'd rather be robbed naked by gangs of paisanos then tell people I'm from Canada!...haha
No offense to the Canadians, your mountains and marijuana laws are amazing.
Anyway, SMJoe knows the score. Thanks for the tips I'm gonna be sifting through this thread and picking out all the information and places to look up.
Keep that information coming fellas, and thanks again!
Tom
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Re: Going to Italy for 2 weeks, 1st time abroad, TIPS?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,425
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
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While I was in the service the best advice to keep your wallet safe was to keep it in your front pocket. Is that 100%? No, but its also a place that always lets you know its there, and you (or at least I developed)will get a habbit of keeping your thumb in that pocket and covering outside with your fingers (you know the cool way to hang LOLOL) You wifes purse ,, keepit held tight. If you have not heard of the card reader gadgets that theives are using here in the sates, Ill bet they have them there. It can take your card info with out even pulling the card out. Just a bump into your jeans or purse (do you have sim chips in your Visa or MC?) Get a cheep aluminum wallet at wall-mart or keep cards wrapped in foil. This keeps them safe. You will not ever want to eat in a fast food place again. The bakery's are always full of fresh bread, I lived on bread, Cappuccino and Blood oranges. If you have never had a blood orange you have not lived! LOLOL  Enjoy your trip.
Mal: "Y'all see the man hanging out of the spaceship with the really big gun?{ref, Jayne} Man's lookin' to kill some folk. So really, it's his will y'all should worry about thwarting."
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Re: Going to Italy for 2 weeks, 1st time abroad, TIPS?
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Joined: Feb 2005
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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Quote:
STARS AND STRIPES BABY!!!
Actually, I agree with ya here, Tom. On that long ride from Athens to the European Triumph meet in Gdansk Poland and beyond that Thanassis and I took a few years back, when we got to Berlin, he purchased a number of different country's flags at this little shop there, and one of 'em was a little Old Glory flag for me which I promptly attached to the back of the topbox on his borrowed BMW RT1100 that I was riding, and so wherever we went everyone would know that I am a proud Yankee!
That baby was pretty threadbare by the time we returned back to Greece.
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: Going to Italy for 2 weeks, 1st time abroad, TIPS?
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Joined: Feb 2005
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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Quote:
...You will not ever want to eat in a fast food place again. The bakery's are always full of fresh bread, I lived on bread, Cappuccino and Blood oranges. If you have never had a blood orange you have not lived! LOLOL
Enjoy your trip.
Scott is so right here. For the most part, the food in Europe seems SO much tastier than over here where it seems so much food is processed to the nth-degree for mass consumption and convenience.
(...and which MIGHT be why you'll be able to pick out most of the Yanks over there, Tom...they'll be the ones about 50 to 100lbs overweight on average!!!) 
(...oh, AND the worst DRESSED, too!)
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: Going to Italy for 2 weeks, 1st time abroad, TIPS?
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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when traveling, you need to have a general idea of what towns you will pass through on the way to where you're going, not just where you're going, especially if you're not traveling on the Autostrada (Interstate). If you are on a country highway between towns, knowing you are going to Naples or Balogna won't help unless you know the major towns between where you are and where you go. Also, do NOT use Mapquest, pure gargage over there. And the highway signs are a BIT crowded in Italy, at least from my experience driving from Leipzig Germany to Balogna, Italy. They cram a lot on the signs near major cities, and when you're tooling along at 120-130km/h (80-85mph), it can be a challenge to read the small print. A navigation system or very good atlas there is a good idea. Food will not be a problem, have only had ONE bad meal over there in Germany out of years of travel, otherwise, even McDonalds tastes better there! Otherwise, have a great journey and enjoy!
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Re: Going to Italy for 2 weeks, 1st time abroad, TIPS?
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
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But whay go to Micky D's??? I was facinated by all the squids who got off the ship when we pulled into Istanbule and went to the top of the hill (Town center) and flooded Pizza Hutt and McD's. I just shook my head, and my buddies and I went to the cafee two doors down, and had the best meal of fresh food and breads!!
Mal: "Y'all see the man hanging out of the spaceship with the really big gun?{ref, Jayne} Man's lookin' to kill some folk. So really, it's his will y'all should worry about thwarting."
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Re: Going to Italy for 2 weeks, 1st time abroad, TIPS?
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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How much baggage are you taking with you? Most people find they brought more then they need or will wear and you can wash small things in room and dry on back deck of car. Leave room for stuff you might pick up and if you need extra luggage on way home pick up what we call a Chinese suitcase, woven plastic fibre bags cheap and hold alot for carry on.
Enjoy yourselves and start thinking about the next journey. Your Italian neighbours especially second generation will be jealous of you, 1/2 my block is Italian and not many of those 2nd gens have experienced what you will in the next few weeks.
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Re: Going to Italy for 2 weeks, 1st time abroad, TIPS?
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Joined: Feb 2011
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Oil Expert
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What a coincidence. Just got a call from an 'ol buddy asking if Ruthie and I are interested in going to Italy. He goes somewhere in Europe almost every year.
BTW, he says that most Europeans are starting to forgive Americans for you-know-who. We're not quite so persona non grata as we've been the past few years.
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Re: Going to Italy for 2 weeks, 1st time abroad, TIPS?
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Joined: Feb 2005
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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...and thus explaining that comic I saw in the papers around late November of '09 that showed THIS guy here sayin'...  "Well, thank God can I travel abroad again without havin' to tell everybody that I'm Captain Canada anymore!" (...huh Chet?!) 
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: Going to Italy for 2 weeks, 1st time abroad, TIPS?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,425
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
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Mal: "Y'all see the man hanging out of the spaceship with the really big gun?{ref, Jayne} Man's lookin' to kill some folk. So really, it's his will y'all should worry about thwarting."
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Re: Going to Italy for 2 weeks, 1st time abroad, TIPS?
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Joined: Feb 2005
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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 Soooo, lemme guess here, Scott...the dude got his super powers after eatin' a gamma ray infused Tim Hortons donut, huh...err...EH?! (...I WAS gonna say there was some weird concoction in his can of Molson's, but then thought the whole "gamma ray Hortons donut" thing sounded better!)
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: Going to Italy for 2 weeks, 1st time abroad, TIPS?
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Joined: Jan 2007
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Adjunct
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Adjunct
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One small heads up...Bank cards in Europe are now all 'chip and pin' (meaning that authentication is not by signature but by electronic reading of the card and inputting the four digit PIN). Most US bank cards aren't. So make sure you know your PIN for getting money out of ATM, but also expect some strange looks when paying whilst they work out that they still need to 'swipe and sign' your cards. I travel to Europe (a lot, like twice a month) and have even had examples where the vendor simply would not/could not take my US Visa or Amex cards because his little machine did not have the swipe capability....so like most things in life, always have a Plan B (and make sure Plan B isn't just repeating Plan A)
Caspian Blue '03 BA, Union Jack/Stars and Stripes paint, BUBs, Progressive 812s, and lots of chrome
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Re: Going to Italy for 2 weeks, 1st time abroad, TIPS?
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Joined: May 2006
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Adjunct
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Adjunct
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One other thing regarding your passport. If you have a webmail account like gmail, scan your passport and email the scan to yourself. That way if you loose it you can forward the copy to the embassy.
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Re: Going to Italy for 2 weeks, 1st time abroad, TIPS?
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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Quote:
But whay go to Micky D's???
Oh, don't get me wrong, I rarely ever went to ANY American restaurant when there. The few times were typically if I were racing back and forth between Eisenach and Ditzingen (near Stuttgart) and needed something FAST along the Autobahn, not that the Wurst in the Tankstellen (gas stations) weren't too bad. Or a trip I had with a bunch of technicians who just HAD to have McD's once or twice. Otherwise, it's ONLY local fare for me wherever I go. But yeah, I've also experienced the squid thing, even when traveling on business just a few years ago. This guy I was traveling with wasted more time trying to find a tv to watch American Football on over there, and we finally found an "American Sports Bar" in Leipzig, and much to his annoyance (I wasn't surprised) they did not have American sports, only Football (Soccer) and Formula 1! Man he was smoking!(and I was laughing because he was a pain in the arse to travel with!)
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