Tips when Traveling in Italy

There are so many important tid-bits of information about traveling I was lucky enough to find out through many friends before I left. I hope at least one person comes across this blog and finds out some good info about Italy especially particular places.

Important Tips to Know When Traveling in Italy
1. Always watch your things, pick pockets are in full force where ever you go, especially in Rome. So, make sure your passport and money are in an inconvenient place on your person.
2. Carry a backpack... or at least make your husband do it. We loaded ours with water and snacks. People charge crazy amounts for water so just do yourself and your wallet a favor.
3. Bring hand sanitizer. Trust me.
4. Wear comfortable shoes. Chances are your feet are going to be swollen anyway you look at it... which brings me to my next point
5. Bring flip-flops. You'll be glad you did around day 3 and you can't fit your swollen feet into those 'comfy' shoes.
6. Don't EVER pay for the price they give you on the street! EVER! Trust me when I say their ripping you off no matter how you look at it. I had a guy in Pisa try and make me pay 10 EURO for a turquoise bracelet. I told him a guy down the street offered me 5 Euro for the same thing. (Everyone sells the same crap all over Italy) He said he'd give it to me for 4 and I said no and started to walk away... He gave in for 3 Euro! Which brings me to my next point...
7. If your not interested, DON'T LOOK AT THEM! These people will follow you (literally chase after you) and nag you until you give in. JUST firmly SAY,"NO!!!"
8. Everyone speaks English. It the universal language when traveling in Europe so don't be afraid that nobody is going to understand what your saying. They even yell at you in English to come into their shops.
9. Prioritize your stops. I suggest hitting up Rome last. Just because it's a perfect ending to a trip.
10. There are tolls all over Italy, be prepared and make sure you have Euro coin!
11. DON'T use any money exchange businesses. They rip you off! Only use a Bank or take your money out of an ATM.
12. Last but not least, GET THERE EARLY! Where ever it might be... just get there early before the crowds start to show up.

Pisa
1. There isn't much in Pisa other than the Leaning Tower. So don't plan on spending more than a day there. We only spent about 2 hours and we were done.

Florence
1. Research your trip and make reservations! We spent 2 hours in a line in Florence to see the David. The Florence museum actually has a reservation line! So do it!
2. You can see the most of what Florence has to offer in a day. If you want to spend time at all the museums, make it two.

Rome
1. Buy a Roma Pass! It's 25 Euro per person. This pass gets you into every museum including The Forum, The Colosseum and some place else. You fly past everyone who's been waiting in line for hours and it's fantastic!
2. If museums are not your thing in Roma... Go to the Forum and wait in-line there to buy a ticket. It's about half the price of a Roma pass and it's about a 30 minute wait. That same ticket gets you into the Colosseum! Which usually has a 2 hour wait--- do yourself a favor and GO TO The Forum FIRST!
3. There's a man by the Trevi Fountain selling REAL paintings! There is art all over Rome but it's all the same prints! They set out their fake paint set and pretend their creating masterpieces, when in fact their not. Anyways, he was legitimate- I bought 3 watercolors for 40 Euro. It was so worth it! He's to the right and up the street a little. Check him out!

4. Wear modest clothes to the Vatican. They wont even let you in St. Peter's Basicilia if your wearing something without selves or low cut. Make sure you have a cover and and your shorts/skirt are to the knee.
5. The famous square (where the obelisk is) at the Vatican as well as St. Peter's is free to get into. However, the Vatican museum is not free and that where you'll see the Sistine Chapel.
5. If someone comes up to you and puts a rose in your hand. GIVE IT BACK! They're not being nice, they want your money! Remember... just say,"No!"
6. There are men dressed as gladiators all over Roma. Don't ask to take a picture with them unless you negotiate a price with them first. They charge obscene amounts (15 Euro) for a single picture. Taken with your camera by the way---
7. Stay outside the 'main part' of the city! We stayed at a wonderful hotel. The Shangri La (I know, a little ironic) Anyways, it's a quick walk to the Metro! It was 4 Euro for an all day pass and totally worth it! Also, it's way cheaper than taking a cab!
8. The Pantheon is free to get into!
9. Make sure you check out the Spanish Steps the the Fountain of the Four Rivers (That's where Roma's night life is)

Venice
1. I don't think I spent enough time in Venice to give lots of tips. But, I will say two things...
2.take a guided tour. I learned more about Venice in the short time I was there than I ever learned in a history book!
3. Get up early and take a walk through the many alley ways and see Venice for what it is... a beautiful city. And it's not crazy crowded!

So, I hope this helps~ Feel free to ask any questions. I'll tell you everything I know.

Venice

Venice is beautiful! We didn't spend much time there and honestly... we were supposed to go home after Rome. Nevertheless, we made a stop in Venice. We got there around 7 am and by 8 am we were on a boat heading the the main island. We got there so 'early' that nothing was open until about an hour before we left. In Europe EVERYTHING opens late and closes early! It's really quite annoying, but it was nice to be there before the crowds started showing up! Anyways, I think Venice is a little over-rated and over priced. Then again I was only there for about 4 hours. I tried to haggle a street vendor selling original paintings and he was not trying to hear what I had to say! Quite rude actually. We didn't do a gondola ride... I KNOW! How can I go to Venice and not go on a gondola ride?! Well, we're going back to Venice when we leave for our cruise next year(we had to push it back). So I can wait until then! :)
Here are some pictures I took walking around the city.

St. Mark's Square


Gondola's


The famous Square where you can feed the pigeon's


St. Mark's Basilica


Yes, the buildings are leaning-


The Grand Canal


Look close--- DON'T THOUCH! HA!


Yummy berries










I just had to take a picture of this






My hubby : )

Rome

Rome was the best part of our trip! We spend 2 days seeing the sights and shopping(of course). After leaving the Vatican our tour continued onto the Circus Maxi-mus, The Colosseum and then the Forum. We didn't go inside any of these places but everything in Rome is fairly open. That night we had dinner at a lovely Italian restaurant and then had an illumination tour of Rome at night. We saw the Pantheon, Spanish Steps, The Piazza Novona Fountain(Fountain of the 4 rivers) and The Trevi Fountain. I'll never forget it.

Here is a video of few places we stopped during the night tour.


After spending the day walking around we went to bed and woke up the next morning ready to see the sights all over again. I learned so much about traveling in Europe during this trip. I'll share my pointers with you in another blog that will soon follow. Anyways, Rome was amazing. I'll just post pictures so you can see for yourself.

The Vittoriano (Monument to the King of Italy)










The Trevi Fountain




The Forum (ruins of ancient government buildings)
















They have these water fountains all over the city and are perfectly healthy to drink from!


The Colosseum






Totally Cameron's idea!










The Pantheon


















*Sorry there's so many pictures--I took over 700 so this is the SHORT SHORT version.