Support NeoGAF

[bigboss370]

basically i plan on going to Italy sometime this summer, but i have absolutely no idea what to do there or where to go (im going to visit my cousins). i don't really want to rely on my cousins to host and take me places since im not sure they're the most dependable on that >_>

i was wondering if Gaf could help me in telling me what exactly i should do there and how much money i need? im going for about a week, and i need to find a cheapish hotel too. me and friends will be landing in milan, and i want to visit venice too.

should we just all go to spain instead? i dunno, halp ;_;

 

[BladeWorker]

basically i plan on going to Italy sometime this summer, but i have absolutely no idea what to do there or where to go (im going to visit my cousins). i don't really want to rely on my cousins to host and take me places since im not sure they're the most dependable on that >_>

i was wondering if Gaf could help me in telling me what exactly i should do there and how much money i need? im going for about a week, and i need to find a cheapish hotel too. me and friends will be landing in milan, and i want to visit venice too.

should we just all go to spain instead? i dunno, halp ;_;

Cheapish hotels in the fashion capital of the world?

Also: I loved Italy in August, but Venice gets stinky in the hot months. Spain is a party.

If you insist on Italy, go to:
Pisa - leaning Tower
Rome - coliseum, ancient rome, Vatican, Gelato
Florence - Uffizi, Academia, Duomo
Venice - bargain yourself a deal with a gondolier, get yourself some seafood on the canals, ride out to Murano or a couple other islands, see St Marks, dress up with a mask...

If you end up booking yourself on tours, I found that the Australian guides proved to be the most knowledgeable and friendly.

I found Spain on the whole to be a more laid-back country with a good night scene, great food, lots to see and do for everyone, from museums, galleries, gardens, and sculptures, to food, random street entertainment, and other miscellany. There's a chocolate museum in Barcelona. I also spent the same amount of time in both countries - just under a week each - and spent 3x as much in Italy as I did in Spain, and we stayed in "hostals" - which, it would appear, were a step up from Hostels but not as nice as what I know as hotels. In Spain, it was also very easy to hop on a regional train and take a day trip out to somewhere I'd never heard of. I wouldn't have tried that in Italy.

 

[bigboss370]

thanks for your help. just wondering was your trip to Italy and Spain back to back, like within the same week-ish? and around how much did it cost you sans plane ticket? i'd like to know in US dollars..

 

[Salazar]

If you go to Venice, throw the dudes selling handbags on the bridges over into the water.

Seriously, someone needs to do this. They pick on women walking alone, and they're too fucking aggressive.

 

[AMUSIX]

basically i plan on going to Italy sometime this summer, but i have absolutely no idea what to do there or where to go (im going to visit my cousins). i don't really want to rely on my cousins to host and take me places since im not sure they're the most dependable on that >_>

i was wondering if Gaf could help me in telling me what exactly i should do there and how much money i need? im going for about a week, and i need to find a cheapish hotel too. me and friends will be landing in milan, and i want to visit venice too.

should we just all go to spain instead? i dunno, halp ;_;

Definitely go to Italy...

GO TO FLORENCE!!!

STAY
-Hotel Piccolo...cheap, simple, walking distance to everything...don't expect AC (you have a fan) but you can borrow their bikes for free, which is cool
VISIT
-Uffizi....one of the world's finest art collections. Do not pass this up...keep an eye out for Judith Slaying Holofernese by Artemisia Gentileschi (one of my favorite works)
-Santacroce...the church alone is pretty cool...but what is amazing is who is buried here. Walk around and just be blown away by one massive name after the next...also, they have the robes of St Francis of Assisi in their relics.
EAT
-Trattoria Sostanza...simply put, this will be one of the best pieces of beef you will ever taste, and possibly one of the best meals you will ever have


As for hotels in Venice, if you want to stay in the city (so many people stay just outside and constantly take the train/bus in) I would strongly suggest Hotel Agli Alboretti, if you can get a good rate. The location is simply phenominal (be prepared to walk across the entire city getting there) their breakfasts are excellent, they are english-friendly, and incredibly helpful. The rooms are small, but you're really paying for location...the only thing is that their prices can sometimes be a bit high depending on when you go.


Edit: also, Milan is...well, it's a city. I'd almost suggest skipping it. There are some great things to see/do/eat there, but with only a week, you might want to see places that retain more 'old world charm'...there is amazing graffitti in Milan, though (it's an odd compliment, but it's true...there's also a LOT of it).



EditEdit: as for Spain, I can't say my experience there was a good one. I've only visited Madrid and Barcelona, but neither city appealed to me. Madrid did have an excellent museum, though...and if you do go to Barcelona, take a trip out to Montserrat, see the Abby and do a walk/hike (truly an incredible place).

However, I was a little baffled that I couldn't find dinner after 9:30pm in Barcelona when all I've heard about Spain was how late their day goes. The food we did have was good, but still didn't match what I've had in France and Italy (and the Czech Rep. for that matter). Also, Madrid proved to be one of the most expensive cities I've visited (outdone only by London and Salzberg).

I know people rave about Spain, but I'm thinking I won't return until I go with someone who loves it and is willing to show me what I've overlooked. I keep thinking I just didn't 'do' Madrid and Barcelona correctly...which would be the only times that has happened.

 

[bigboss370]

thanks for the help guys.

however, i am now thinking of a new approach. i have actually never been outside of canada with friends, this will be my first time. and its going to cost a lot of money, $3000 at least with plane fare.
thats why i've decided i want to do more than italy, i was thinking of going other places like switzerland! now i do enjoy architecture, but i what i enjoy more is the outdoors. i like beaches, vast views on mountains, waterfalls, etc. so i want to incorporate those things into my trip.

do you guys have tips on where to go based on this? and is it feasible/reasonable to want to do this within a $3000-$3500 budget?

my starting point aka where i will land and take off from is milan.

 

[Doytch]

I'm gonna piggyback on this thread, since you officialised it n shit.

I'm starting a tour the Czech Republic, Austria and Germany next week. In order, Prague, Ceske Budejovice, Brno, Znojmo, Vienna, Linz, Salzburg, Munich. I'm actually Czech so I don't need too much advice on that part, but stuff to check out in Austria/Munich would be awesome. Time-wise, I'll be in Vienna May 24-29, and then work my way west, eventually reaching Munich on June 9ish and leaving June 14.

I'll be biking from Vienna to Linz along the Donau route, but don't yet have a route figured out from Linz > Salzburg > Munich (or for Cz/Aus border > Vienna) if anyone has any ideas for that, too.