A few more questions about Italy.....?

Question

In March my mother and I are going to Rome. That's a long way away, but since I'm so excited I'm looking into everything now...and, I don't want to be stuck planning everything last minute. So, here are my questions....

1) I've been looking at a town called Assisi. It doesn't seem to be that far from Rome. If we wanted to take a day trip there (to experience the Italian countryside), how would we go about doing that? It looks like such a beautiful town (though, all of Italy is beautiful) and I would really love to see it....so, any advice you have about that is appreciated.

2) I looked into renting a villa, but the package we're getting with hotel + flight is much cheaper. What is the best way to get from the air port to the hotel? A cab I'm assuming...but, I've read in travel brochures and things online (which seem determined to scare you into not going) that there are a lot of fake cabs around...that, they'll put your luggage in the trunk and take off before you can even get in the back seat. Or, charge for more than what is appropriate. I'm thinking that we'll tell them where we're going before hand and settle on how much it will cost before we even go (though, I don't want to sound rude!) and one of us (either my mother or I) will be sitting in the cab while the other helps the driver with the luggage....is that being too paranoid? From the sound of these magazines and papers I've read, things like this happens...though, I'm not saying just in Italy (don't get me wrong), but in any big city I assume.

4) What are some foods we should be sure to try? We can't eat out a lot (we're on a budget), so when we do we would like to have something spectacular...though, I'm sure most of it is. I know that real Italian food is nothing like the Italian food we have in America. A friend has told me that while we pay more attention to bulk (such as on a pizza...it's very thick usually and has a lot of toppings), Italians pay more attention to spices and such. So, any direction you can give me on what to eat is helpful...though, I think while there I'll want to try everything....lol, I'll have to resist.

3) Do you have any general advice? I know about the dress codes for churches and stuff like that, I'm aware of pick pockets and scams and all the obvious stuff. Anything else that most people don't seem to be aware of?

I'm very excited to see Italy...I've wanted to go for years now. Thank you for the help!

Answer 1

Assisi isn't that close to Rome. The fast train goes in the middle of the day and it will take you almost 4 hours to get there on the morning train. Check out the following page which is on www.seat61.com  

http://orario.trenitalia.com/b2c/TimeTab...

With that in mind and the fact that there is so much to do and see in Rome, I suggest you perhaps plan a separate trip to visit Umbria / Tuscany as the whole area has much to offer. I spent 8 days in Rome and still didn't see everything.

I took trains / the underground to get to/from the airport - the trains run roughly every half hour and take about 30mins. However, taxi would certainly be easiest. If you have concerns, then yes it would be prudent for one of you to get in whilst the other watches the luggage be loaded, but there are official taxi ranks at the airport and you're unlikely to be ripped off. All taxis have meters, but note that there are surcharges for certain times of the day / luggage / airport taxes.

I found lots of lovely, reasonably priced restaurants. Head for the side streets rather than eat in the main piazzas or near the major tourist landmarks. Eating out is a treat, although Italy is not cheap. Just check your bill to ensure nothing is listed that you haven't had and note that a cover charge is added by most places. Get a decent guidebook to help you find the reasonably priced places - I thought Lonely Planet's "Rome" was very helpful.

If you're going to be there mid-week, get tickets for the Papal Audience that takes place each Wednesday.  I went to the office the day before and just asked for a ticket. I was travelling alone but it was the middle of summer and very busy in Rome, but I still got one. To be sure, write and ask for tickets. There's a section in the Lonely Planet book (which is how I found out about them. Seating is (or was) first come, first served so get there early to get a good seat. You will have to go through a security check. I'm not a Catholic but that was a fantastic morning and I am SO glad I went.

Start queuing early for the Vatican Museum  / Sistene Chapel.

You have to book to visit the Villa Borghese - but it's worth it.

If you do want a side trip out of Rome, Ostia Antica and Tivoli were lovely...I did both in the same day, by train. You would get to see a little bit of the countryside too.

Answer 2

Buy Rick Steve's Italy.  It's a perfect supplement while you're there also. Assisi is an easy day trip from Rome, just buy a ticket at the train station.

Just use common sense = big cities are the same the world over.  I would avoid Naples, the crime there is horrendous.

Hit the grocery stores daily to buy bread & fruit, then have a nice dinner.  definitely have gelato, it's a religious experience there.

Also, do not over pack - this is a common mistake for first time overseas travellers.  And you will be walking on cobblestones = high heels are foolish and bags on wheel get pretty beat up.  Underwear and tee's can be washed in the sink.  Limit yourself to a total of 3 pants and a skirt, 6 tops.  The trains are great use them more than cabs.

Answer 3

check out ricksteves.com  he has train info and times or www.trenitalia.com.  Contact the villa owner and have him or her set you up with transfer to and from.

I

ve taken cabs all over italy and never has any issues.  Ask about the price from the villa owner or hotel that you are staying and make sure it stays in the ballpark.  

Try lots of seafood..it doesn't get any better then the sea food there.  Suppli di riso..is a staple in Rome and a favorite of wife...sooo good  Italian food is simple in italy but so so good!

General advise....act like you would in any big American city....look like a target...you'll be a target...keep everything in your front pockets and hold on to your shoulder strap...if it doesn't feel right..walk away.  

Dont worry to much..go have fun eat well and enjoy the dolce vita!!

Answer 4

1) by train, you can reach Assisi from Rome in near two hours, a little less (starting from 1h and 46') or a little more according to the train; look here: http://www.trenitalia.com/en/index.html

(click on "buy" in order to see the fare)

2) if you have the name of the hotel, you can look on their website; or look for it on http://en.venere.com/ and take a look at their own page; generally, hotels gave all info about how to reach them in various way. Generally, youshould be able to reach the hotel if not by subway at least by bus.

I don't know what exactly you read about cabs, but the "fake" ones I know about are some private "companies" (usually not legal) which made agreement with the hotel, so when you ask the reception for a cab thay may call them, instead.

But outside of airports, railway stations, etc you can easily find the cabs area. In Italy cabs have a sign on the roof: "TAXI".

One true issue reported is: you can find (on treu cabs) some crook who try to deceive foreign tourists (the more exposed, since they don't know habits, rules and laws) by setting the wrong class fare (I'm not sure about the English term) on the taximeter: for instance, if for your run the right class is "1", they may put instead "3", which will cost you even three times more...

Also, it seems they're asking tourisrs, especially when bringing them from the airport to the city (or vice versa), a "double fee" because they have to cover the trip back, as well... this is absolutely false. That's all illegal and if something happens I strongly suggest you to report the driver to the police.

4) You said it :) Just try the local food in an average restaurant. Even better if they can offer regional food (which is usual); more than "Italian food" you should try various kind  of "regional food".

Yes, generally American pizza are a lot heavier than Italian ones :) An Italian pizza *may* have a lot of toppings, as well, but according to the recipe. Generally they don't. The most common pizza in Italy is Margherita (mozzarella, plain tomatoe puree and basil). Other popular ones also have olives or anchovies, for instance. I heard an american tourist complaining in Italy we put too much cheese; then I realized he asked for a "Pizza ai Quattro Formaggi" (Four Cheeses)... :-D

3) Yes: remember not to dress like you're in a church when you're not in a church :)

And don't care if people stare at you: it's nothing extraordinary, just a local habit, and not meant to be taken as offensive.

Answer 5

Hello,

First off, it is not too early to start planning this trip.  

1-  Assisi is only about 2 hours away from Rome by train.  This is an easy daytrip to make.  Check out the trenitalia website for more info on travel times and prices.  You could also go to Ostia antica, bout half hour by train, or Pompeii, about two and a half hours by train.  These are both great day trips.  The Ostia trip can be done in a half a day while the Pompeii trip will take the whole day.  Pompeii is well worth the trip but it is a very long day.  If you decide to do this, leave early in the morning and come back in the evening.  This will give you time to see most of the site.  

2-  The best way from the airport to your hotel depends on you.  The cheapest way is usually the train.  But you have to handle all your own luggage onto and off of the train and then you either have to walk or get a cab from the termini station to your hotel.  Another way is to get a cab.  Yes, there are lots of cabbies who will try to rip you off but if you go to the taxi rank you should be okay.  The trip to your hotel if it is in the city center should cost 35 euros.  That is a fixed price that is controlled by law.  The option I always choose is to have a driver meet me outside of baggage claim and take me directly to the hotel.  I don't have to worry about anything.  There are two companies out there that are really good.  I use airportconnection.it but there is also romecabs.com.  Both of these companies will help with the luggage and take you directly to the front door of your hotel.  For me, this is the easiest way and I don't have to worry about anything.      

3- Get a money belt for you and your mom.  Travel with some of those travel packs of tissue.  The public restrooms in Rome are disgusting.   You can use any of the fountains in Rome to fill up a water bottle.  The water is cold and fresh.  Most Romans do this.  Also, on some of the smaller fountains that are attatched to buildings, if you look at the spout you will see a small hole.  If you plug up the bottom of the spout the water will arch out of the hole making a perfect drinking spout.  You won't need to cup your hands for a drink.  It really works.    You can only get a cab from a taxi rank.  You cannot hail them on the street.  Ranks are all over the city.  

4- As for what to eat, it doesn't matter what you order if you go to a non-tourist restaurant.  To find them, go a few streets away from the tourist area.  Also, look for menus with no pictures and in Italian.  English/picture menus are a sure sign of touristy restaurants.  Try the seafood and the different pastas.  Also, the baked chicken is usually good.  The house wines are not to be missed.  

Donna