We may go to Italy in May/Any experience with groups that plan tours while there.

[Paz]

We are thinking about flying over and renting a place to stay in the mountains where our relatives live. My dad speaks a little Italian but the rest of us do not. My mom is terrified of the idea of having to rely on relatives for touring,etc. when we don't really speak the language and we're going to be a little secluded in the mountains. The rest of us don't want to go with a complete tour. Anyone know of companies over there who will take you on day tours of Rome, etc?

[cat in black]

My hubby took me to Italy for 2 weeks for our 35th wedding anniversary. We went last summer. We did our homework and drove all over Tuscany, toured Rome, and went to the Amalfi Coast and the Isle of Capri. We rented a car in Tuscany and spent extra $$ for a GPS system. That little GPS saved us from EVER getting lost--and believe me those little winding roads in Tuscany were not well labeled. The whole trip was just perfect and we didn't have a single problem. I bought an Italian program on CDs from Barnes & Noble and studied like crazy for 3 months before we went. With a little tourist's dictionary, I was able to manage just fine. We ditched the car when we got to Rome and either walked or used public transportation. Watch out for pickpockets (gypsy children!) and you can get by just fine. Rick STeve's website is a wealth of information. We used the reviews at tripadvisor.com to avoid making mistakes with hotels and restaurants.

I rarely visit this website since the format changed. You can write me at
catleonard AT ntelos DOT net
if you have questions.

Italy is absolute perfection! Have a wonderful time.

[Laura Corin]

Getting around Rome is very easy. Take the train to the city, then pick up the open-top bus (outside the main train station) that tours the city. It stops at all the sights and you can get off and on all day. Any guide book will give you details. If you have more time, you can do the whole thing with a map, your feet and an occasional underground train. I don't speak a word of Italian and did it with Calvin when he was seven; I will be doing the same again with Hobbes in a few weeks.

Best wishes

Laura

[Stacia]

Where in the mountains will you be? We just got back from a ski trip over there (northern Italy) -- we've been to this same place 2x before over the previous 10 years. Ten years ago, you needed to know Italian or German. Now, many, many folks understand/speak some English, and Spanish is much more commonly known too. (Really, I heard so many languages being used that you could get by w/ parts from many, lol.) So, I wouldn't worry, generally -- I think w/ a little bit of prep on your part w/ some key phrases in Italian & a guidebook, you'll be fine.