Stay in Italy Using Interval International - REVIEW

[smep013]

I was worried about the language being a barrier, but it was not at all.
People appreciated me trying to speak Italian, in stores and at restaurants, but they all then spoke the best English they could right back at me.
It truly was an easy and perfect experience - and any "fears" I had washed away the minute we arrived.

 

[jfinke]

It has been 10 years since I have been to Italy. However, even in the big cities, people were extremely friendly and worked with you regarding language vs. the French.

There also seemed to be a point where they started teaching English in their education system. Everyone under 30 seemed to be able to speak some English. People over 30 did not.

 

[OurDogCisco]

Thanks for Sharing.... Glad you had a great time... I can't wait to see the pictures..

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Glad to hear the local Italians were nice to you. While in Bosnia, in the town of Medjugorje, many, many Italians came over for holiday by bus, and were very, very rude!! So maybe there's still hope! Great report!

 

[bub]

Given the current rate of exchange with the Euro, and the price of a decent hotel room in Italy, this sounds like a good deal to me.
Thanks so much for sharing!

 

[bonnielynn]

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=508670

This thread explains how to post a picture..

 

[smep013]

I have 1700 photos!
As soon as I get a chance to go through them, I'll post and let you guys know!

 

[MBELSANTI]

Glad to hear the local Italians were nice to you. While in Bosnia, in the town of Medjugorje, many, many Italians came over for holiday by bus, and were very, very rude!! So maybe there's still hope! Great report!

When DS and I went to Italy 5 years ago for a 2 week stay, we found most everyone to be very warm and welcoming. Maybe I am biased because I am of Italian decent and most of my family lives there. It could be because I was with a small child (they really love kids there). You are going to find rude people everywhere you go...even in the US! I tried really hard while I was there to not be an "ugly American" as some of them call us.

As for language barriers, the only place I found one was in the town my Mom is from which is not one of the major cities most tourists visit. Tourism is so big over there that most Italians learn English to get by.

 

[MBELSANTI]

We had one king size bed. I'm not sure if there are studios with double beds or not. I did not ask.

There are 1 BRs as well. I visited one and it was spacious, about the size of a 1BR in WDW.

There was not a pool, but there were many Community Pools nearby. We actially visited a spa in Viterbo and it was quite nice - swam in the pool there for a few hours one night. (Had to pay, but it was so hot it was worth it!)

I am wondering why on II website they say that they have a pool? This is what they showed under Amenities:

Car Rentals · Exercise Room, Equipped · Grocery/Convenience Store · Lake · Laundry Facilities · Playground · Swimming Pool, Indoors · Swimming Pool, Outdoors · Whirlpool Spa or Hot Tub

Maybe they are talking about the community pool nearby?

 

[BWV Dreamin]

When DS and I went to Italy 5 years ago for a 2 week stay, we found most everyone to be very warm and welcoming. Maybe I am biased because I am of Italian decent and most of my family lives there. It could be because I was with a small child (they really love kids there). You are going to find rude people everywhere you go...even in the US! I tried really hard while I was there to not be an "ugly American" as some of them call us.

As for language barriers, the only place I found one was in the town my Mom is from which is not one of the major cities most tourists visit. Tourism is so big over there that most Italians learn English to get by.

I was in Bosnia for a religious retreat at Medjugorje. It was the feast of St. Joseph's, and that is a holiday in Italy. Without getting into the story behind Medjugorje, they came in droves to the town for 3 days. At St. James Church where 6 masses a day are held in 6 different languages, the Italian mass was always after the English mass. Well, you could barely get out of the pew, let alone out of the church. They came cramming in all at once, and the closing hymn had just started!!! No waiting for you to get out the door, just mayhem and pandamoniam getting in and out!! This behavior was consistent for the entire 3 day holiday. I was not having very Catholic thoughts by day 3 to say the least! I come from an Italian family, and I can't say my family members are any nicer than those Italians!

 

[MBELSANTI]

I was in Bosnia for a religious retreat at Medjugorje. It was the feast of St. Joseph's, and that is a holiday in Italy. Without getting into the story behind Medjugorje, they came in droves to the town for 3 days. At St. James Church where 6 masses a day are held in 6 different languages, the Italian mass was always after the English mass. Well, you could barely get out of the pew, let alone out of the church. They came cramming in all at once, and the closing hymn had just started!!! No waiting for you to get out the door, just mayhem and pandamoniam getting in and out!! This behavior was consistent for the entire 3 day holiday. I was not having very Catholic thoughts by day 3 to say the least! I come from an Italian family, and I can't say my family members are any nicer than those Italians!

LOL What is is with Europeans and going to church? I live in a predominantly Polish neighborhood of recently immigrated Poles. Our chuch has massses in English and Polish. I have the same complaint as you do about the Italians in Bosnia. Our Polish mass is after the English one and they arrive 1/2 hr before their mass, while ours is still going on and they are there talking.

 

[smep013]

Okay, this is my first attemp to post photos... all will be of the resort and the town of Soriano.

 

[smep013]

 

[smep013]

 

[smep013]

 

[smep013]

If anyone has any questions or wants more photos, please let me know!
(I can email a link with more photos so I do not post hundreds here!)

Thanks!

 

[bub]

Thanks so much for posting the pictures. Love especially the "putti" cupids over the bed, and the one of the bidet (always a novelty).

 

[tomandrobin]

If anyone has any questions or wants more photos, please let me know!
(I can email a link with more photos so I do not post hundreds here!)

Thanks!

Yes, please post a link to the rest of the photos. My wife will love seeing all of them.....and me too !

 

[mouseclick1]

Your pictures are beautiful! I just finished watching a Travel Channel show on Italy. Between the show and your pictures, I want to go now!

I would love to see more pictures.

 

[smep013]

These are all from the resort and Soriano...
Enjoy

http://photobucket.com/StaceyItaly08