Going to Rome,florence, Naples for the first time, any suggestions as to what to do there besides the obvious?

Question

By the obvious i mean the coleseum, sistine chapel etc. I'm a fan of the mom and pops restaurants and hole in the wall places. I really want to explore those little known special places in Italy that i know are out there. So what do you suggest!

Answer 1

You will have more fun if you don't have a strict plan.  Go to the must see things but leave some room for adventure.

Answer 2

In Florence, Restaurant La Giostra

http://www.ristorantelagiostra.com/ingle...

A bit pricey, but not totally out of sight.  Ask and follow their recommendations for your meal, and wine (they will try and fit your budget).  You will not be disappointed, in fact you may say its the best you've had.  Their family hospitality in an elegant setting is shown to you as you enter the restaurant, enjoying complimentary Champagne.  You will need reservations! Make them while in town.

If you dare getting a rental car, and are up for an adventure in Tuscany, and dare to foray off the beaten path go to Ristoro Di Lamole.

http://www.ristorodilamole.it/eng_index....

Maps of the region are not great, so for what its worth try

http://www.divinacucina.com/code/lamole....   for a general route.  Take the effort to find this place.

Basically, take the road from Florence to Greve, look for the left turn labelled Lamole.  Follow the road, don't give up, keep going, it will be the Tuscan hill road from the movies, and just keep going and going.  

This can be part of a fabulous self directed day trip, getting into Chianti and banging around this whole area.

The biggest problem is getting back to your hotel in Florence, late at night, driving on roads unknown to you, but they are fairly well marked.  

I rented from the Avis near the train station which is close by the Duomo, so I navigated back by keeping my eye on the Duomo.You may even want to spend a night in the region.  Contact them, there are rooms nearby (especially after drinking local chianti from the carafe, and the owner running around filling your glass with homemade Limoncello until you must insist he stop..  

You will PRAISE me after this experience.

You asked, this is your answer.

BTW only an idiot will get in line at the museums.  They all take prepaid reservations which allow you to bypass the line, with a short 15 minute wait.

Answer 3

If you're going with a tour, especially, don't stay in the areas they drop you off at. They like to take you to the most touristy areas, so always walk a little ways off so you can find the places where the actual residents of the area eat and live. That way you get much more of the flavour of the place.

I had a lot of fun just hanging out in Rome, wandering around, so I would reccommend just taking a camera and a bit of spending money and walking around the city. In Florence, there are a lot of amazing statues and such, and the Uffizi gallery of course. However, if you decide to go to the Uffizi, be warned that the lines are huge, and unless you're super committed to seeing the stuff inside, I would suggest that you stick to the art outdoors and see more of the town. I've had friends who have spent literally whole days in the queues, trading places so they could eat. So you might be better off skipping the gallery and seeing more of the city. Unfortunately, I've only stopped for a few hours in Naples, so I can't help you out there. But remember, when you're doing your wandering around, keep an eye out for pickpockets!

Answer 4

Go see a gallery. Better yet go to the Frog museum. It's great here is link

http://www.fribourgtourism.ch/en/navpage...

Dead frogs posed you'll enjoy it. Oh it's in switzerland. Just jump on the plane and fly over. You'll be in Europe anyway.

Answer 5

Just make sure you take plenty of cool clothing. It's going to be like 120 degrees in the shade in Italy this time of year.

Don't wear too much jewelry, in fact don't wear any of it at all, there's just too many pickpockets in all of Italy.

Know who you're traveling with, if you're in a tour group, make sure you get to know these people because pickpocketers like to mix in with the crowd.

Visit the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, there'll be plenty of mom and pop restaurants.

Florence; visit the large open air markets, and Cero di Firenze, it's a hilltop outside of the city giving you amazing vistas.

Answer 6

Don't know about that but you should read The Birth of Venus before you go. It will make you look at Florence in a whole new way.

Answer 7

Rome, visit Via del Corso, Via Condotti FOR GREAT Shopping!

Go to the Pincio(pincho) and Villa Borghese for a nice walk with your friends family or partner.

Answer 8

Make SURE you visit Il Brothel Piccolo