This opening post in our series of the "Adventures in Italia" will serve the purpose of outlining the trip.
Italy in at Nut Shell:
1) So beautiful and yet so trashy. That's right, trash everywhere. No one tells you about that, but people threw their trash everywhere. We literally watched a man throw continuous trash out a train window as we were in motion.
2) Scooters galore.
3) Love of: the Simpsons, Duff Beer Brand, and Super Man.
4) So much pizza and none was the same.
5) Stray cats, dirty, muscly stray cats.
Our Itinerary:
4 Nights in Rome
4 Nights in Napoli
4 Nights in Lecce
3 Nights in Bari
3 Nights in Rome
I had an event planned for each day we were in a city and one full travel day calculated in case anything went wrong.
Tips:
1) Credit Cards: Get your pin in advance as gas stations, bancomats (ATMS), and a few places require a pin- which we didn't have.
2) Cafe's/Bar's: Café's and Bars are one in the same. A pub would probably be closer to a bar that we expect and still that is pretty nonexistent. For your coffee consuming pleasure you should be aware that there will be a fee associated with sitting and drinking your coffee. You will see a lot of Italians standing at the counter drinking their coffee quickly and bolting- this is to avoid the fee. Sometimes the fee is nominal and other times it can be quite expensive.
3) Bathrooms: A lot of places do not have the following crucial bathroom items- toilet seat covers, toilet paper, and toilet seats. No joke, in homes, in restaurants, cafe's and more will consistently be missing one of these items. Let's just say my thigh muscles are pretty strong now. Also, something I learned from a tour guide is that the bars, etc are required to have a working bathroom that anyone can use. So you are not required to buy something, you can use the bathroom. If they say no call the cops and they will be shut down for the day.
4) Trains: You buy your tickets, which will not have the Binario Number (track number) so you will have to go to a reader board and locate it. This was extremely difficult so just ask someone which track. Also, buying from an actual teller was easier and much more helpful. Lastly, you need validate your tickets before you get on the train so look for the machine.
5) Phone: The iPhone 5 should work internationally as you can switch out the SIM card out. We had the 4 so that was not an option so we bought a disposable phone for fairly cheap. Wind and Vodaphone are easily found anywhere.
6) Food: Take the time to travel off the beaten path and you will find better food.
7) Crossing Streets: Traffic is crazy and sometimes there isn't a crosswalk with a comforting little flashing person telling you when it's ok to cross. Here's is what you have to do- don't run but walk deliberately with a purpose so that the drivers can calculate your next move and swerve very closely around you. Also, don't look at them as it will freak you out. Just keep looking forward and moving at a consistent pace. If you wait for someone to stop you could be waiting forever.
8) Lines: Italians don't wait in line they just butt in, so throw out your elbows and get aggressive.
9) Maps: Buy a map, seriously.
10) Shoes: Everyone wears tennis shoes, everyone. I tried to wear a heeled sandal and about fell over. Too many cobbled streets and such that it was a bit treacherous. I thought I could tough it out but without the Italian experience I was a mess. Find cute flats, you won't regret it, and tennis shoes.
11) Water: Water is gross there, very soft tasting as Ryan put it. We avoided the fountains because it grossed us out, but they are everywhere and they are free. Near the ended up using them and the water was good. We were also very dehydrated so all the water tasted fine at that point. The fountains are from minerals springs below and are tested daily- supposedly. So you should be fine.
Costs:
1) Lodging: We used airbnb.com and paid no more than $67 a night, cheapest of $46. Two of our locations were with people which was really nice to get insider tips. The two apartments we stayed in on our own were quite nice and spacious. Almost every place offered us Italian Breakfast- which was nutella and a lot of carbs with coffee. Approximated Total Cost for Lodging: $1300
2) Flight: Lots of searching and scouring and procured tickets from Seattle to Rome with one layover of $1100 a piece. Here are the tips I was informed about, buy on a Tuesday, that is the cheapest. Flight in and out on a week day or a Saturday proved to be cheapest. Also, wipe your cookies before you buy as the sites remember your search histories and will raise prices on you. Approximated Total Cost for Flight: $2200.00
3) Food, Travel, Events: We didn't buy any of our events in advance with exception to the Castellana Caves. Research on the Internet and speaking with our hosts we were advised against it. Not to mention it gave us the flexibility of our schedule which was really nice. Also, we ended up paying for guided tours and we would totally recommend it. Yes, it cost a lot more but we saved a lot of time by not having to wait in line and it enriched the experience as we received so much more information then we would have. Our travel consisted of trains and taxis. For food we did breakfast at home as much as possible and lunch and dinner out. I drank the house wine as they give you so much for so cheap! Approximated Total Cost for Food, Travel, Events: $3,000.00
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