![\"20120704-160105.jpg\"](\"http:\/\/asyouwill.com\/italy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/07\/20120704-160105.jpg\")
<\/p>\nWell the trip is now over, I’m writing this on the flight back. Beyond this post I will make two more: The first will be the full quality pictures taken with my DSLR, the second, the edited video of the trip (once I get time to work on both.) This has been a wonderful holiday, and I find these things are better when shared with others. If anyone wants to do something next year, even of it recovers some of the same territory, I would love to go again, wether with just someone else or with a group.<\/p>\n
Below, is a list of observations, lessons and minor events that occurred during this trip, which didn’t make it into the blog postings. Listed in no particular order:<\/p>\n
\u2022 Not booking hotels ahead of time is highly beneficial, though it seems preplanning would be a prudent move. If you miss a train, or plane or just change your mind on when or where you want to go, there is no stress involved with missing your appointment. In addition, cheaper deals can be had when you book in person (and not all hotels even have an online presence to prebook). There are always plenty of hotel rooms pretty much anywhere you go.<\/p>\n
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\u2022 Names that work fine in one language, don’t always work out so well in another. Examples: Griefmart (Austria) sausages called wudy pronounced “woody” (Italy), overpriced gas station<\/p>\n
called Agip (Italy)<\/p>\n
\u2022 Italian’s are all about the hard sale. Restaurants have someone, usually the owner always standing outside, and of you even glance at him or the menu, he will try to talk you into eating there. It’s similar with retail and especially street vendors, in your face asking you to buy. I’m not a fan of the high pressure sales approach myself. In any event, if you are easily suckered into purchases, bring someone along who isn’t.<\/p>\n
\u2022 When traveling never do the brochure tours, or at least almost never. Looking over some of the hotel brochures we had for backup maps, manyof the places visited where either cheap (10-12\u20ac) or free and most where 10-20 minutes away. If we had done one of those tours it would have cost 55\u20ac per person for a very short shuttle ride and a guided tour. If you need a guided tour you can always get one of the self guided tour, use a smart phone, or better yet, have someone along in your group who is interested in history.<\/p>\n
\u2022 The streets in Rome are a nightmare for both pedestrians an cars. Some times the signal for Peds shows green when traffic in the opposing direction also has green, other times it works. Some major intersections (4 way,3 lanes) have no control, you just have to walk out and hope the traffic stops. People here,understandably get frustrated with the driving conditions and to make up time will create their own lane, and no one stops at a red light to make a right hand turn (beware if you are crossing the street with a bus blocking the view…)![\"\"](\"http:\/\/asyouwill.com\/italy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/07\/Rome_traffic-150x150.jpg\" "\\"Rome_traffic\\"")
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\u2022 Of the 15 trains we rode in Italy and the 9 buses, only three times was there someone to check if we had a ticket or paid to get on, and they wonder why their country is in debt.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Italian culture is very laid back, things will happen when they happen. It’s a nice way to relax, unless you need something done right away, but as the old saying goes, “When in Rome.<\/p>\n
..”<\/p>\n
\u2022 All the water, \u00a0most places in Europe, is potable, though often times the taste is rubbish. If you have a little extra room, bring a portable water filter (they make them for camping) it will make most water taste a lot better and will save you quite a few euro in the process.<\/p>\n
\u2022 One day in Paris while we were eating lunch at a corner caf\u00e9, I was watching the traffic pass by. A couple stopped at the light. The woman was sobbing bitterly, while the man spoke to her with an apathetic face. I don’t know what transpired, but I prayed for them both, and hope whatever it is will be resolved.<\/p>\n
\u2022 In Cinque Terra, while walking down one of the narrow streets we came across a group of old ladies, I couldn’t understand what they were saying, but it seemed they might be gossiping, meanwhile a little old man sat by himself a few meters away, content to not be a few meters closer.<\/p>\n
\u2022 When in Rome, make sure to get\u00a0enough euro from an ATM. Apparently, Monday was some for of bank holiday, and when that happens, the ATMs just don’t work. Nothing to tell you this, the machine just says your card was rejected or in the case of an unfortunate man we passed, it just eats your card.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Some Recommended Hotels, the best of the trip:<\/p>\n
In London: Any of the Thistle hotels<\/a><\/p>\n In La Spezia:\u00a0Firenze & Continentale<\/a><\/p>\n In Monterosso, Cinque Terra: Hotel Baia<\/a><\/p>\n