Mad Cow
Welshers and Dawdlers Beware!
Yeah, the sleeper trains are a great option on this. Another friend served his mission in France and has offered several ideas along those lines.
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Mad Cow's Italy trip discussion thread (3 Viewers)
- Thread starter Mad Cow
- Start date
butcher boy
Footballguy
I did this overnight train on my honeymoon. If you do this, splurge for the private room/bed. It's a bunk bed setup, not exactly romantic, but perfectly comfortable. I've heard nightmare stories about the shared rooms on these trains. The greatest part is that you combine one night's sleep with an entire day of travel. Also try and get an early hotel check-in in your destination city. When you get off the train, you'll be a little gross and will want to shower.
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butcher boy
Footballguy
johnnycakes
Footballguy
Yes, I did, in fact... not to eat, but to see if the menu really listed a Quarter Pounder with Cheese as a Royal with Cheese... yes, they did. And I promptly got thrown out of that McDonald's for taking photos of the menu!!
Doctor Detroit
Please remove your headgear
I've spent a lot of time in Paris, always thought the people were awesome.
I lived in Italy for six years and speak Italian, so I'm partial to it. But I think France is awesome, second best country to visit in Europe IMO if we are excluding trips to bang broads.
I lived in Spain, meh. It's ok, not sure why anyone would got there over France or Italy though.
Sarnoff
Footballguy
I value your opinion, and would kindly request a more detailed list of places for an American male to visit, which includes trips to bang broads. TIA.
Doctor Detroit
Please remove your headgear
If you were using the criteria of good looking, easy, enjoy a hump, and normal here are the top ten IMOI value your opinion, and would kindly request a more detailed list of places for an American male to visit, which includes trips to bang broads. TIA.
1. Moldova
2. Lithuania
3. Latvia
4. Slovakia
5. Ukraine
6. France
7. Poland
8. Estonia
9. Croatia
10. Bulgaria
I don't have any real experience in Hungary, so I didn't rank it. I think I could change my mind about any of the top six, they probably all held my #1 ranking especially after I had just left. On looks alone Spain, Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, and Italy are top five IMO but Spain and Italy have more conservative and highly protective cultures while those Russian chicks are just all ####### crazy. Moldova is basically Ukraine with less crazy chicks, Finland and the UK don't have very good looking women but they are really easy.
I like Irish broads also, but I there is just too much talent in that top ten with Czech Rep and Serbia not even making the list. Tons of untapped talent in Serbia, literally. Greek chicks can be hot but they are hairy and they smell like fish because you are what you eat.
Chemical X
Footballguy
unlike the uber rich Dr Detroit who lived in italy, most of us can only visit. i vote italy, but knowing a realistic budget would help plan something.
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massraider
Footballguy
France has a bunch of French people. Really, that's all the reason you need to go to Italy.
NutterButter
Footballguy
NutterButter
Footballguy
If you do go to France, you really need to find a way to get up to Normandy. Its a memorable experience.
This is probably worthwhile advice if you're deeply into the American experience around the world thing.
But otherwise, it's pretty much the North Dakota of France. Which is to say, still way more awesome than North Dakota, but a lot duller and drearier than the rest.
NutterButter
Footballguy
Not really following. Paris was great and all, but its been about 15 years now and I still remember how enormous the experience was of being there at Normandy cemetery. I do get quite sentimental about the sacrifices others have made for this country though so that has a large part to do with it. Whether I get back to any other part of France is no big deal, but I'll definitely make it back there.
If you're into that sort of thing you should do both the WWI and WWII battle fields.
NutterButter
Footballguy
Thanks for the suggestion. Someday. I was back packing through europe so the itinerary was a little scattered and time was limited. My buddy and I were lucky to just make it up to Normandy.
Ilov80s
Footballguy
Right, the key to all of this is, "what you are into." Are you into history? Wine? Big cities? Shopping? Small laid back towns? Touristy things? Seeing how the locals love? Europe has it all, you just need to know what you want out of it.
chet
Footballguy
Not true at all. You were probably being a typical American and deserved what you got.
I've spent a lot of time in Paris and haven't noticed a higher ratio of #######s there than anywhere else.
Dentist
***Official FBG Dentist***
I'm offended.... don't you know who i am?Oofff... my apologies... I confused you with the Dentist. He's the official FBG cheapskate. My apologies. Still, Paris is nothing but a big shopping mall. If you go to France, avoid Paris. it sux ###.And how am I the FBG cheapskate exactly? Whatever, man.Oh, you get it, alright... you're the FBG cheapskate... the guy who will have his wife drive around the airport for an hour while he runs in to get his tickets or bags or whatever, so he doesn't have to pay for parking. The guy who squeaks when he walks. The guy who, when he steps outside, a bird lands on his shoulder and chirps, "cheep, cheep, cheep".Not sure I get the humor/inside joke/jab at who you think I am.
but i've been to paris and it was an absolute cash grab!
johnnycakes
Footballguy
My apologies to you, then, too. If I seem confused, here's why.I'm offended.... don't you know who i am?Oofff... my apologies... I confused you with the Dentist. He's the official FBG cheapskate. My apologies. Still, Paris is nothing but a big shopping mall. If you go to France, avoid Paris. it sux ###.And how am I the FBG cheapskate exactly? Whatever, man.Oh, you get it, alright... you're the FBG cheapskate... the guy who will have his wife drive around the airport for an hour while he runs in to get his tickets or bags or whatever, so he doesn't have to pay for parking. The guy who squeaks when he walks. The guy who, when he steps outside, a bird lands on his shoulder and chirps, "cheep, cheep, cheep".Not sure I get the humor/inside joke/jab at who you think I am.
but i've been to paris and it was an absolute cash grab!
Brony
Footballguy
chet
Footballguy
NutterButter
Footballguy
In the French countryside, they were very hospital. In about a half dozen other countries, not the slightest problem. In Paris, oh those Parisians love to pretend like the don't speak English.
chet
Footballguy
You're a guest in their country. How would you react if some tourist came up to you and started yammering at you in Mandarin, German, Arabic etc? Well guess what? It happens to them every day and all day. Paris is the most visited city in the world.
Like I said, typical ethnocentric American who thinks everyone should bend over backwards to speak English and gets pissed off when they don't.
NutterButter
Footballguy
Funny how I didn't have a problem politely asking for directions anywhere else on my trip. You're right, its just me.
Mad Cow
Welshers and Dawdlers Beware!
So it looks like Italy curb-stomped France. I had originally wanted Italy, then thought Paris might be an easier trip? Anyway, loving the Italy idea. Few questions:
1. Which airport is best to fly into? Looks like there are 3 in Rome, or nearby
2. Where would you get your lodging in Rome? For Amalfi coast, it looks like there are some amazing small hotels to get, but did not know if a larger one might suit well enough there.
3. For driving there, do I need to get the International Drivers License?
4. Would it be feasible for a few days in Rome, a few in Tuscany and then a few in Amalfi? Looks like I am going opposite directions. Would there be an easier route to go that you can see from experience?
1. Which airport is best to fly into? Looks like there are 3 in Rome, or nearby
2. Where would you get your lodging in Rome? For Amalfi coast, it looks like there are some amazing small hotels to get, but did not know if a larger one might suit well enough there.
3. For driving there, do I need to get the International Drivers License?
4. Would it be feasible for a few days in Rome, a few in Tuscany and then a few in Amalfi? Looks like I am going opposite directions. Would there be an easier route to go that you can see from experience?
johnnycakes
Footballguy
Mad Cow
Welshers and Dawdlers Beware!
butcher boy
Footballguy
Where in Tuscany? I cant speak for Amalfi, but the train system in general in Italy is fantastic and way better than driving. Driving in Italy is an experience in itself and one I'd rather not repeat, especially in or near Rome. My last trip we did it entirely by train and did Florence, Venice, and Bologna. Never missed a car.
Figures...............................Done it, a couple of times, but thanks.
skol asylum
Footballguy
North Korea sounds like mysterious fun.
Chemical X
Footballguy
per favore, can you provide your budget and time to be spent in italy? we have done italy multiple ways, cruise, private tour, etc. driving is difficult, the big cities prohibit cars. i could write a book about my experiences, but i would recommend hitting roadtoitaly.com and customize a tour for yourself. delta flies to Milan and Davinci FCO. think this, work with christina lee at RTI. she will set up transportation, tours, transfers.....anything you can think of. fly into Milan, hit lake como, view last supper, train to venice, train back to florence, museums, driver south Thru Wine country, stay in castle, driver to rome, tour of Pompei. save Amalfi coast for another time. fly home from rome.
Mad Cow
Welshers and Dawdlers Beware!
Honestly, I have not set a budget. I am planning on a lot. Not that I want to stay at the fanciest hotels, etc., but I will pay to have a good time. I was thinking about 11 days including travel, but could find another, so say 12 including travel. Would love a couple of days on the Amalfi coast, since my wife has always wanted to do that after seeing about a hundred RomCom's with that in it.
Jules Winnfield
Footballguy
The people turned into a building with medical equipment and beds and stuff?NutterButter said:
Mad Cow
Welshers and Dawdlers Beware!
simey
Footballguy
I'm not sure I've met anyone who's been to both (Florence and Rome) who didn't prefer the former.
butcher boy
Footballguy
Florence is a nicer place to stay and relax. However, I'm a big history buff and love seeing all the historical sites, so I'd much rather do Rome if I had to pick one and I hadn't visited before. Florence is certainly a better pick for a get away trip with the wife if you aren't as into all the ancient stuff.
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cstu
Footballguy
I loved driving in Italy but wouldn't drive in Rome. There's a Sheraton business hotel outside Florence that has free parking and shuttles into Florence. If you want to do day trips and don't need a luxury hotel it's the perfect location.
butcher boy
Footballguy
Eh, the perfect location for me was within Florence at a small hotel in the piazza signoria. Going to Florence and staying at a business hotel just seems so wrong to me. To each their own I guess.
Jules Winnfield
Footballguy
Fly to Naples and your 20 miles away from Amalfi. I would move to Amalfi next month if I win the powerball Saturday
Dan Lambskin
Footballguy
Re rental cars I'd see if your credit card covers you for international accidents
Some do some don't but if they do you can decline the extra coverage which is $$$ ( or take a risk without it)
Some do some don't but if they do you can decline the extra coverage which is $$$ ( or take a risk without it)
Brony
Footballguy
Every time I've been to a historic war battleground in current times, I'm always underwhelmed. I love reading military non-fiction though - the stories of the soldiers and telling how things really were always left more of an impression than seeing a nicely mowed grassy area and a cannon freshly painted black. I'm probably in the minority though.NutterButter said:
Chaos Commish
Footballguy
Chem X gave you great advice. RTI is awesome. It sounds like you need to see the Amalfi coast, so do it. But use Road To Italy. You will not regret it. I know I've given this advice before and been thanked over and over for it. Here's a link for a combo Rome Amalfi trip. Call them and customize it to your preferences. An overnighter to Capri is a great choice. You will not need to drive.
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Tick
Footballguy
I voted France/Paris, but would actually recommend Burgundy. I worked some in Chalon-sur-Saone and it was a great base... a day trip to see tons of castles and see Lyon, another to the Alps at Chamonix, a winery tour at Beaune, a two-day trip to see the papal palace at Avignon (who knew?), see the Roman aqueduct at Uzes, and float a (topless) river at Pont d'Arc (if it's open, you could see the Chauvet cave painting replica), maybe another down to the French Riviera... just wandering around from place to place on the back roads is really neat - all the farmhouses are superold stone buildings and you stumble across Roman baths and such.
There are some great little restaurants in Chalon-sur-Saone, and probably all over. It was pre-iPhone when I went, so they're probably a lot easier to find now. I found random brasseries to be pretty crappy, but the nice ones were as good as it gets. The St. George hotel's restaurant served the meal my wife still calls the best she's ever had - she had venison and I had pigeon (it's been 15 years, likely to be different chef, management and owner by now).
The people were very friendly everywhere but Paris.
There are some great little restaurants in Chalon-sur-Saone, and probably all over. It was pre-iPhone when I went, so they're probably a lot easier to find now. I found random brasseries to be pretty crappy, but the nice ones were as good as it gets. The St. George hotel's restaurant served the meal my wife still calls the best she's ever had - she had venison and I had pigeon (it's been 15 years, likely to be different chef, management and owner by now).
The people were very friendly everywhere but Paris.
