Advice about traveling to Italy

[propita]

My Mom has a time-share membership, which she can transfer to all these places listed in the organization's book. She wants to go to Italy and have me go along, but neither of us knows much about Italy. And we don't speak Italian beyond simple menu items.

Since there's places to stay in this time-share all over the country, what area is a good place to stay? We'd be staying in the one place, but that doesn't mean we can't take a train elsewhere for a day trip.

She'd like to see Rome and maybe Venice or Florence. She's 75, and while she walks fine, she gets tired, so hikes are not in the picture. We're the type of people who might see a few of THE sights, but enjoy just looking around and talking with people. Oh, and she keeps kosher but she does enjoy vegetarian food. I just don't eat pork or shellfish.

Any suggestions on planning such a trip? What area to stay? Websites or persons to talk to? What time of year is best--this summer is not possible.

 

[Count Zero]

Well, summer might not be the best idea, anyway, because it can get very hot. I'd recommend spring time for Rome.
Vegetarian food isn't a problem at all. I don't know about kosher, though in Rome it shouldn't be a problem, either.
Rome, Florence and Venice are all longer than a day trip away from each other, so you'd have to decide for one place. You could probably do Verona from Venice. A nice day trip destination from Rome is Ostia (it's even just a half-day trip, really). There you can walk through the ruins of the old Roman city.

 

[Alidar Jarok]

If she keeps Kosher, go to the Jewish ghetto in Rome. Although one of the places I went didn't have anyone who spoke English (although they did speak Hebrew, interestingly enough).

If you're based in Rome, everything is more than a day trip away, but there's plenty to see (especially if you like cool historical stuff). If you're based in Florence, you can see Pisa and Siena in day trips. Venice is pretty, but, if you had to pick one place in Italy, I would not recommend it.

That's about it. If you decide on a specific place, I can help you more.

 

[wew]

Parts of Venice might be difficult to explore if she can't walk far. However the water buses do hit the major tourist sites. However the summer is probably the worst time to visit Venice. Last year, it was 40 C when we arrived, it was miserably hot.

Actually, Italy gets incredibly hot during the summer, especially when the siroccos come across from northern Africa.

You might check out the lake district in northern Italy, it isn't to bad in regards to weather.

 

[Rii]

Whilst in the capital city, I would advise doing as those who live there do.

 

[Mr. B]

I've never been to Italy, but I will offer this tidbit...

Excuse me, where is the bathroom? = Mi scusi, dove' il bagno?
[mee SKOOzee, dohvey eel banyo]

 

[Roger Wilco]

She'd like to see Rome and maybe Venice or Florence. She's 75, and while she walks fine, she gets tired, so hikes are not in the picture. We're the type of people who might see a few of THE sights, but enjoy just looking around and talking with people.

That's the best way to travel anyway imo.

Honestly, I think you can't do much wrong in Italy with that mentality; probably best avoid July/August though if possible, not just because of the weather but also because it's overrun with tourists.

 

[WillsBabe]

Italy is one of the most kick-ass places on God's earth. Like others have said, I'd avoid the summer months, especially the high summer months. A couple of years ago on Lake Garda it topped over 40 degrees, so even that isn't safe.

Florence is a lovely compact place to visit. I'd heartily recommend it in either spring or autumn, and everything is pretty much within walking distance.

 

[Colonel Green]

Avoid the summer for sure, it's very hot. As has been said, most things are at least a day from Rome, but I was able to visit Naples and Pompeii on a day trip from Rome without too much trouble.

 

[Mark Antony]

Florence and Rome are amazing cities and if you visit them you will have a great time. However, I've been to a lot of places and, in my opinion, Venice is the most beautiful place in the world. Every single building is a work of art, and the people are incredibly friendly - and there are no cars, which is good if you just like looking around and talking to people.

Wherever you go, be careful about going on public transportation. When I was in Rome I couldn't buy a ticket on a bus. I had to go somewhere else to buy the ticket, and then I had to get it stamped when I got on the bus. There were two American girls in my hostel who were distraught because they didn't know that you had to get your ticket stamped, and the inspectors fined them 50 Euros each.

 

[propita]

Thanks for the advice.

Mom can walk, but not all day. And we're thinking about the spring. Right now it's just casual planning, throwing out ideas. She suggested a couple of days in New York first, then wherever we decide on the timeshare, then a day or so elsewhere that would let her see Venice. She's always wanted to see Venice. She had hoped it would be with Dad...

 

[Cornholio]

if you like cats, go to the Coliseum, there's hundreds of 'em livin' there.

 

[Colonel Green]

^ Same deal at the Largo Argentina, but even moreso. My wife and I were walking down the street at about 3am when we just stumbled across the site by accident. First thing I said was "These ruins smell like cat pee"

We then noticed the dozens of cats. They were actually quite friendly, apparently there is a shelter nearby.

 

[Canadave]

Wherever you go, be careful about going on public transportation. When I was in Rome I couldn't buy a ticket on a bus. I had to go somewhere else to buy the ticket, and then I had to get it stamped when I got on the bus. There were two American girls in my hostel who were distraught because they didn't know that you had to get your ticket stamped, and the inspectors fined them 50 Euros each.

That's just common sense, though. Public transit is different everywhere, so it just makes sense to research how it works, or to ask someone about it. You're being silly if you don't do that.

 

[John Picard]

Where is iguana_tonante? If anyone can advise you, it is he.

 

[Shatnertage]

^ Same deal at the Largo Argentina, but even moreso. My wife and I were walking down the street at about 3am when we just stumbled across the site by accident. First thing I said was "These ruins smell like cat pee"

We then noticed the dozens of cats. They were actually quite friendly, apparently there is a shelter nearby.

My wife and I ended up hanging out there for a while, playing with some of the cats in the shelter. One of my favorite discoveries in Rome.

Back to the OP: I don't eat pork or shellfish either, and I didn't have any trouble finding food to eat in Italy. I'd recommend trying Tuscan bread soup if you're up in Florence, and there's a great little restaurant called Acchiapaphantasmi (Italian for Ghostbusters, though I might have mangled the spelling) in Rome that we both really liked. Really cool mozzarella bar, too.

On our last trip, we had our toddler in a stroller, and I can definitely say that Venice is tough if you have mobility issues. Charming place, but I'd agree with the others that if you're doing one city, this shouldn't be it.

My biggest memory of Florence was hanging out on the balcony of our room (we were staying in a bed and breakfast) with a bottle of prosecco and just enjoying the ambience. When we went (April) it was swamped with American college students, so certain places had a spring break feeling.

You can always take the train to Florence from Rome for a day or two...that's how we got around.

If you can, check out some of the Fodor's or other guides for a few cities, and see which has the things you like the most. That's how we planned our trip, and it worked out well.

 

[Alidar Jarok]

I've never been to Italy, but I will offer this tidbit...

Excuse me, where is the bathroom? = Mi scusi, dove' il bagno?
[mee SKOOzee, dohvey eel banyo]

Bagno is bath. I'd suggest gabinetto or WC (pronounced Vee chee).

As for public transportation, I seem to remember the Metro in Rome to be pretty straight forward, but I can't remember the details.

 

[propita]

Many years ago, we navigated the London Underground with no problem--though that was English.

I'm filing suggestions away for now. Mom's thinking of Spring. Hubby may go, too. Mom says he's more than welcome, since she'll feel more at ease with a man along, like's Hubby, and he and I can go out if Mom needs a rest. She's not hobbling or anything, but she get tired. At 75, she drives into LA 2-3 times a month to take her mother on errands. If she can do that, she can do anything--my grandmother is a bitch.