Italy!

[laurie31]

Oh yes! Tons of flavors! And you can get more than one at a time. I mean, if you buy a small cup, you can still have two (or even three) flavors in there. My favorite is hazelnut, but my DH preferred the fruit ones. Watermelon, strawberry, lemon, etc. So wonderful.

It's fun to get two flavors that compliment each other and eat them together.

I'll see if I can dig up some photos.

Also, just because you're on a tour, don't be afraid to go out and explore when you have free time. We did a tour and it is a fun way to get exposed to Europe, and a worry-free way as well. You don't have to figure out how to get anywhere or what to do, they just take you there and tell you about it. But usually you will have some time free in the afternoon or evening. Look over your tour plan and see when and what cities you'll be in, and don't be afraid to go exploring, or check out something that isn't included in the itinerary.

Ooh, now I really want some gelato. Make it your mission to have some every day.

 

[disneylovin24]

Oh yes! Tons of flavors! And you can get more than one at a time. I mean, if you buy a small cup, you can still have two (or even three) flavors in there. My favorite is hazelnut, but my DH preferred the fruit ones. Watermelon, strawberry, lemon, etc. So wonderful.

It's fun to get two flavors that compliment each other and eat them together.

I'll see if I can dig up some photos.

Also, just because you're on a tour, don't be afraid to go out and explore when you have free time. We did a tour and it is a fun way to get exposed to Europe, and a worry-free way as well. You don't have to figure out how to get anywhere or what to do, they just take you there and tell you about it. But usually you will have some time free in the afternoon or evening. Look over your tour plan and see when and what cities you'll be in, and don't be afraid to go exploring, or check out something that isn't included in the itinerary.

Ooh, now I really want some gelato. Make it your mission to have some every day.

Thanks! I really want some too now! I will definetely be eating some everyday maybe even more then once a day I really am a big ice cream person.

 

[TLSnell1981]

Thanks! I really want some too now! I will definetely be eating some everyday maybe even more then once a day I really am a big ice cream person.

Allora, amerete gelato. E delizioso.

 

[laurie31]

Before I forget, don't worry at all about alcohol. DH and I are teetotalers. No one cares if you drink or not. The waiters will not pressure you to order wine or anything. We drank tap water almost exclusively. We ordered soda as a special treat. It's about $5 a can, so we usually chose to treat ourselves with gelato instead of soda.

Speaking of which...the promised photos!

 

[laurie31]

If you don't mind me asking then, how much money would you suggest I bring? I will probably be taking a back up credit card but last year in Europe I had some troubles with the credit card so I would prefer not to end up using it.

Do take a credit card for back-up, but plan on getting cash from an ATM. Your ATM card needs to have the VISA symbol on it (in other words, also be a debit card) and make sure your bank knows you will be in Italy and that your card is activated for Europe. ATMs have English menus and are easy to find and use. You could take a couple hundred Euro with you, and get more if you need it. Use the credit card if you make any large purchases (glass in Venice, a nice leather purse in Florence, etc), but often cash is easier for smaller purchases.


I used a Pacsafe bag and felt very safe with my passport, money, camera, etc in it.

The strap has steel cable so it can't be cut and the bag has a wire mesh within so it can't be slashed. If you scroll down, there's a short video that shows how it works.

http://www.pacsafe.com/www/index.php?_room=3&_action=detail&id=24

 

[disneylovin24]

Do take a credit card for back-up, but plan on getting cash from an ATM. Your ATM card needs to have the VISA symbol on it (in other words, also be a debit card) and make sure your bank knows you will be in Italy and that your card is activated for Europe. ATMs have English menus and are easy to find and use. You could take a couple hundred Euro with you, and get more if you need it. Use the credit card if you make any large purchases (glass in Venice, a nice leather purse in Florence, etc), but often cash is easier for smaller purchases.


I used a Pacsafe bag and felt very safe with my passport, money, camera, etc in it.

The strap has steel cable so it can't be cut and the bag has a wire mesh within so it can't be slashed. If you scroll down, there's a short video that shows how it works.

http://www.pacsafe.com/www/index.php?_room=3&_action=detail&id=24

Thank you so much for the pictures and all of the information!!!

I'm a little hesistant with the ATM card because mine was eaten in a machine in Madrid last year. It was all activated and ready to use in Europe but there was still a problem with it apparently and the machine noticed it and ate it. So even if I go with a ATM card Im probably going of course take my credit card and still a decent amount of back up cash. But I guess Im gonna decide that all officially in April.


Im all over that website now looking at bags! Thanks for recommending it

 

[disneylovin24]

http://www.pacsafe.com/www/index.php?_room=3&_action=detail&id=135


I think I am sold on this one! It gives me a lot more space then the bag I used last year (for an extra jacket, rain coat, guidebooks) but still can be kept infront of me and is really well equipped to protect against pickpocketers.

The only thing is it might be a pain to have to open so many pockets and I don't know if I should trust my stuff in thr front pocket (like my small stuff: phone, camera, money).

All the reviews for it are very positive though! The only negative ones I found had to do with the side pockets not being able to fit water bottles and being a pain to open every time.

 

[can84]

In Venice, besides the gondolas, there are water taxi type boats that will take you to other islands. Beautiful beaches that you would never know were there if you stayed in the main touristy area. My uncle lives in Venice so I had my own tour guide but it wasn't much to get there and it was less touristy.

This might seem like a common sense thing, but make sure you have appropriate clothing for touring. When I was on one trip, with a tour group, some of the girls wore short shorts and tank tops and that is frowned upon in the churches. Most of the tours include stops in the churches and they will either refuse you entrance or ask you to cover up with a shawl or something. Plan ahead.

Check with your bank if you are planning to use your ATM card. I had an issue with mine where it didn't work internationally and it made for a stressful first day when I went to take money out. After a few expensive calls back to the US, I finally got it settled.

If you can, definitely take the Vaporetto to other islands--Murano was fun to poke around all the glass stores, and I fell in love with Lido while walking around!

Here's a question.

Do they have a lot of gelatto flavors over there like we have a lot of ice cream flavors or do they just have "basic" flavors? And to those who have been to Italy what is your favorite flavor?


Im a big ice cream person (yes I have had gelatto too and enjoy that too) so Im very excited about having real gelatto over there

Oh, the gelato I think I had it for lunch almost every day. Coming back home I really missed the 3pm gelato break. My favorites were cherry (amareno), strawberry, and pistachio. The gelato here just doesn't taste as good.

 

[suzannen]

Before I forget, don't worry at all about alcohol. DH and I are teetotalers. No one cares if you drink or not. The waiters will not pressure you to order wine or anything. We drank tap water almost exclusively. We ordered soda as a special treat. It's about $5 a can, so we usually chose to treat ourselves with gelato instead of soda.

Speaking of which...the promised photos!

Laurie,
I notice in your third photo, the gelato cup is from Perché No! - one of my favorite gelato places in florence!

My favorite flavor - not so easy to always find is the "Riso" which is like a cool and creamy rice pudding, and is SO delicious on a hot day. I have dreams about that gelato!

 

[disneylovin24]

Laurie,
I notice in your third photo, the gelato cup is from Perché No! - one of my favorite gelato places in florence!

My favorite flavor - not so easy to always find is the "Riso" which is like a cool and creamy rice pudding, and is SO delicious on a hot day. I have dreams about that gelato!

So you suggest that place? Ill make sure to write it down somewhere and see where it is in relation to where Ill be! (We do get free time but generally our chaperones choose an area and we have to stay in that one area so we don't really get to go to anywhere we want to)

 

[suzannen]

So you suggest that place? Ill make sure to write it down somewhere and see where it is in relation to where Ill be! (We do get free time but generally our chaperones choose an area and we have to stay in that one area so we don't really get to go to anywhere we want to)

I loved Perché No! and also Vivoli, but, to be fair, I can't say I met a gelato place I didn't like! But, have no fear, this website will give you detailed info and addresses for some of the best gelato places, so no matter where you find yourself, one should be nearby! http://www.amoitaly.com/firenze/gelato.html

 

[disneylovin24]

I loved Perché No! and also Vivoli, but, to be fair, I can't say I met a gelato place I didn't like! But, have no fear, this website will give you detailed info and addresses for some of the best gelato places, so no matter where you find yourself, one should be nearby! http://www.amoitaly.com/firenze/gelato.html

Thanks for the website! It looks great, I book marked it so I have it and when my trip gets closer I can really read up and then print it out to throw in a guidebook.




I think Im going to buy the bag I posted the link to above. The 50 dollars isn't exactly cheap but from the reviews and pictures and all it seems like a wonderful bag to have. I figure besides Europe I can use it in Disney and since Im going to be going to college in a year I figure it'll be something useful at some point for college.

 

[laurie31]

Laurie,
I notice in your third photo, the gelato cup is from Perché No! - one of my favorite gelato places in florence!

My favorite flavor - not so easy to always find is the "Riso" which is like a cool and creamy rice pudding, and is SO delicious on a hot day. I have dreams about that gelato!

We took a tour of Florence with a guide, and he took us there. He said it was the best gelato in Florence. He was wonderful, btw, if anyone's interested in a private tour. I know the OP is going with a group, but in case someone else might be interested, his name is Eugene Marrtinez. He has a website: www.tgiflorence.com It was really nice to get to customize a 4 hour tour to see the things we wanted to see. Also, we had prepurchased our tickets for the Accademia to see David, but even the line to pick up pre-purchased tickets was SCARY long! We would have missed our train to Pisa (or missed seeing David) if Eugene hadn't gone in and done...something...and suddenly we had our tickets and were going inside. He is an official guide licensed by Florence which is why he said he was able to do that. He also took us to get pastries from what he said was the best bakery in Florence. All I know is, they melted in our mouths. They were the best pastries we had in Italy. Amazing!

He is an American who moved to Italy, so he's easier to understand than an Italian speaking English. Not that I don't love to hear an Italian accent but sometimes it's easier to understand a native speaker.

He was a really nice guy, too. We had a fun day! (and if it weren't for him, I would probably STILL be browsing the jewelry shops on the Ponte Vecchio. )