Thread: Holiday in Italy: recommendations???

I live in Genoa wich is far less thah 50 miles from 5 terre, I can reccomand you
I Like very much the south part of Italy, from Campania to Sicily, is cheaper than north, and sea is better.

If you plannig to visit Liguria I suggest you to see even the west-side, from Imperia(near France) to Savona, and visit

Wherever you choice to go, I tink is very difficult don't find very good wines, cheeses and amazing cusine

In Liguria Our tipical dishes are Pesto, Focaccia al formaggio of recco, vegetables salt cakes,Pansoti,Ravioli with "tocco", and much more

Thera are also a few of uncommon wines, In 5 terre you have to try "Sciacchetrà"

For every town and every season you'll find a tipical dish

Tell me where you want to go, maybe I can be more precise

Sorry for my poor english, i'm a little busy

Some great tips Zoidberg. I've never really explored the South much -- once went to Sorrento and Naples, the latter seriously put me off returning! But maybe next time I should adventure south.

But there's one thing you have to admit, football in the North is better!

(Juve, Inter Milan, AC Milan, Roma, Fiorentina, Parma...)

Nobody has mentioned Milan yet. Domo, LaScala etc. If you go to Florence, don't miss the Pitti Palace. Great artwork just thrown up on the walls. Rome deserves some time. I generally stay near the Via Venitto. The Spanish steps are just around the corner on Via Sistina.

Rick

I went to school in austria and spent a week in northern Italy while I was there. Milan is gorgeous. Take a train ride up through the Brenner Pass into Austria. The scenery is amazing.
Drink the house wines! You can find other stuff, sure, but the house wines are the best. Usually all natural, made in someone's basement like their families have been doing for a few hundred years.

Originally Posted by majurey

Some great tips Zoidberg. I've never really explored the South much -- once went to Sorrento and Naples, the latter seriously put me off returning! But maybe next time I should adventure south.

But there's one thing you have to admit, football in the North is better!

(Juve, Inter Milan, AC Milan, Roma, Fiorentina, Parma...)

..... And Genoa Cfc!!!!Oldest and best footbal team in Italy! whe are in B-league (like englis first division) since 11 years, BUT we'll back a big team! (that's I Hope )

In Milano there are 2 barbers where you can have a Str8 shave, I have their address, but I don't remeber now
In Naples there are a big problems for Camorra's (is the name of naple's mafia) violence, wath problems did you had?

Cheers

No problems as such (well, not mafia-type ones anyway!! ), but it just didn't feel too friendly and not as 'pretty' architecturally as north... maybe we didn't see the right parts?

I can't say I know a lot about Serie B. But in England now the Premiership is top league, then Championship, then 1st Division, and finally 2nd division. Every year they seem to demote 1st division -- it was originally the top one, but go figure... it's re-branding gone mad!

My advice, in no particular order:

1. B&B's are often a great deal in Italy, nicer and more comfortable than pensioni, cheaper and friendlier than hotels. This book is well worth owning.

2. Booking in advance is good for the big three (Rome, Florence, Venice). It's somewhat less important for other places.

3. May and June are excellent months to travel in Italy; July gets pretty hectic; August (esp. mid-August, known as Ferragosto [August holiday]) is to be avoided at all costs, as it's when virtually all Italians from the cities take their vacations on the sea and in the mountains. Nothing will be open in the cities, and everything will be booked everywhere else.

4. Don't wear shorts, if you have any wish to pass for native. This is true in general, but all the more so in churches, even churches that are tourist destinations.

5. Don't eat at "ristoranti," which tend to be overpriced and aimed at tourists. Instead look for a "trattoria" or "osteria" packed with locals. Lunch hours are pretty fixed, 12:30 - 2. Get off the main drag of whatever town you're in between these times, and follow your ears to the sound of clinking cutlery and muffled conversation. Beaded curtains in doorways are also a good sign.

6. Accept every invitation extended to you, except those of the hucksters who work the train stations in major cities. Italians are proud, generous, and hospitable with a flair that verges on grandiose; indulge them and they'll show you a great time.

7. Don't be fixated on tourist destinations. Some of the smaller towns in Italy have wonderful food, atmosphere, etc.

8. Speak whatever Italian you can muster, even if you mangle it. It'll be warmly received. Italians aren't French.

1. Some resturants may have a charge (capurto) for the use of a table.
2. There may be a charge for the bread.
3 The wine should probably be less than 15 euros. I was last in Rome in 2001(?). Santa Margurita, in the stores was $7.50 a bottle. The Italians have been making wine for a long time and even the inexpensive ones are good. I wouldn't expect a big markup in the resturants either.
4. Beer and coke should be about the same price in resturants.
5. Personally, I would avoid shell fish during the summer. It is served. The locals have no problem with it, but North Americans might.
6. In Venice there is a resturant caalled Due Forni(sp?) (Two Friends). It has a casual side and a formal side. Pricey. I was last there in 2003. 75 euros per person. Very good. As you face Saint Marks (San Marko) from the square, it is maybe 100 meters down the street closest to San Marko, on the left.


Rick

Originally Posted by majurey

Umbria is where the Maestro is based and we will be hopefully paying a visit to pick up an order (which I've yet to place). But that would be a great experience, to order a Livi and pick it up in person (luckily Katie speaks Italian).

Sorry for bumping this old thread, but as I'm going to Umbria in april I'm strongly considering placing an order for a razor by the Maestro. Do you have any tips? How did you go about it?

Originally Posted by mastermute

Sorry for bumping this old thread, but as I'm going to Umbria in april I'm strongly considering placing an order for a razor by the Maestro. Do you have any tips? How did you go about it?

Lynn (adjustme69) is the US rep for the Maestro's razors. He made a trip there and wrote up a report on his journey. I'd PM him for details of how to arrange the razor, as well as other things to see while there. (He's likely tied up this weekend with the Ohio razor get together, so if he doesn't reply promptly, that's why.)

I seem to recollect someone else made the trip last summer... I believe they also wrote a trip report, so you might want to do a search and find that, too.


edit: here's the two threads:
http://straightrazorpalace.com/showthread.php?t=6383
http://straightrazorpalace.com/showthread.php?t=14394