Going to Italy in two weeks!!

[trophyhunt]

Finally today the wife and I can say we are going!! Been planned and booked for almost a year, and just today the airline confirmed we can go June 1st.  Just need a negative test before the flight! Spending a couple nights in Venice, then Rome and the last 2 weeks will be in Sicily! I think we are going to hit it perfectly, shouldn’t be packed!  Any ideas from people who have been to where we are going? Plan on a snorkel or dive trip and maybe a fishing trip once in Sicily.  Now I can start getting excited! 

[jay.sharkbait]

Finally today the wife and I can say we are going!! Been planned and booked for almost a year, and just today the airline confirmed we can go June 1st.  Just need a negative test before the flight! Spending a couple nights in Venice, then Rome and the last 2 weeks will be in Sicily! I think we are going to hit it perfectly, shouldn’t be packed!  Any ideas from people who have been to where we are going? Plan on a snorkel or dive trip and maybe a fishing trip once in Sicily.  Now I can start getting excited!

Glass shops on the island outside Venice are cool. Coffee in piazza San Marco is a must.

Taormina is fun and decent shopping. There are some pretty cool ruins there. Meat market in Catania is an eye opener.

I’d do Portofino and Santa Margherita over Rome.

Dont drink any booze that has a volcano on the label.

Have fun!

[Boss .300 winmag]

Lots to see in that country, I’ve been to Italy several times and haven’t barely touched what’s to see.

Two days in Venice will be adequate, two days in Rome not so much. Rome has so much to see it’s mind boggling. Just hit the man attractions if you only have two days there.

Pic pockets AKA Gypsy kids are very crafty beware, one will be trying to sell crap to you while the others are relieving you of your pocket goodies.🤣

I carried a camera bag in front of me with my stuff in it all zipped up, plus wallet in front pants pocket, absolutely nothing in back pockets, or pockets with out zippers.😉

Never been to Sicily.

What’s the volcano booze Jay?

I know there ouzo used to have opium in it.🤯

[Oh Mah]

Trophy- You should try and pick up some Zamberlan boots while your their,Prob half the price. 

[trophyhunt]

Trophy- You should try and pick up some Zamberlan boots while your their,Prob half the price. 

good idea! In fact I think a few good brands are made there, thanks.

[trophyhunt]

Lots to see in that country, I’ve been to Italy several times and haven’t barely touched what’s to see.

Two days in Venice will be adequate, two days in Rome not so much. Rome has so much to see it’s mind boggling. Just hit the man attractions if you only have two days there.

Pic pockets AKA Gypsy kids are very crafty beware, one will be trying to sell crap to you while the others are relieving you of your pocket goodies.🤣

I carried a camera bag in front of me with my stuff in it all zipped up, plus wallet in front pants pocket, absolutely nothing in back pockets, or pockets with out zippers.😉

Never been to Sicily.

What’s the volcano booze Jay?

I know there ouzo used to have opium in it.🤯

thanks for the advice, I ordered a money belt today, that will keep everything secure. 

[Stein]

Money belts work, I have a small pouch on a string that sits under my shirt.  I've stuffed cards and money in my socks, generally anywhere except loose cargo or back pockets.  If it's super sketchy, I walk around with a hand in my pocket that has my wallet. 

[trophyhunt]

I will have my head on a swivel, they will prob think I'm an a hole because I'll suspect everyone who walks by or near me!!   

[Sandberm]

When asked where in the U.S. you are from, tell them Amanda Knox is a neighbor and how kick butt her parties are.

[pianoman9701]

Wow, that sounds like it's going to be fantastic. For me, that would be one of the ultimate foodie trips. 

[pianoman9701]

When asked where in the U.S. you are from, tell them Amanda Knox is a neighbor and how kick butt her parties are.

 

[trophyhunt]

Wow, that sounds like it's going to be fantastic. For me, that would be one of the ultimate foodie trips. 

Yeah our kedo diet will be over for the duration, in fact, we will slowly start eating some carbs about a week before we leave.  We don't want any stomach issues, might gain some weight, but their food doesn't contain most the BS stuff that we have in ours.  Fresh food markets will be a daily thing for us.

[Taco280AI]

Of those listed I've only been to Venice and did the touristy stuff. Hopefully the lines aren't long for some of the bigger attractions. Enjoy the food. They're terrible drivers out there, some of the worst I've seen in Europe.

[pianoman9701]

Wow, that sounds like it's going to be fantastic. For me, that would be one of the ultimate foodie trips. 

Yeah our kedo diet will be over for the duration, in fact, we will slowly start eating some carbs about a week before we leave.  We don't want any stomach issues, might gain some weight, but their food doesn't contain most the BS stuff that we have in ours.  Fresh food markets will be a daily thing for us.

If you gain a few lbs and have a blast doing it, nothing is lost (literally!). My wife and I want to go to Thailand and we've decided no diet there or we'll starve. 

[Oh Mah]

Lots to see in that country, I’ve been to Italy several times and haven’t barely touched what’s to see.

Two days in Venice will be adequate, two days in Rome not so much. Rome has so much to see it’s mind boggling. Just hit the man attractions if you only have two days there.

Pic pockets AKA Gypsy kids are very crafty beware, one will be trying to sell crap to you while the others are relieving you of your pocket goodies.🤣

I carried a camera bag in front of me with my stuff in it all zipped up, plus wallet in front pants pocket, absolutely nothing in back pockets, or pockets with out zippers.😉

Never been to Sicily.

What’s the volcano booze Jay?

I know there ouzo used to have opium in it.🤯

thanks for the advice, I ordered a money belt today, that will keep everything secure.

with all my travels i place my wallet in my front pocket,no one could possibly steal it.dont talk to any of the loiters in the airport.HAVE A SAFE TRIP. 

[Stein]

I will have my head on a swivel, they will prob think I'm an a hole because I'll suspect everyone who walks by or near me!!   

Yeah, not much different than any other place.

I always make a copy of my passport and have my bank info, 800 numbers and card numbers in case something happens so I can easily fix it.

[trophyhunt]

I will have my head on a swivel, they will prob think I'm an a hole because I'll suspect everyone who walks by or near me!!   

Yeah, not much different than any other place.

I always make a copy of my passport and have my bank info, 800 numbers and card numbers in case something happens so I can easily fix it.

Bank numbers is a good idea, we will write it on our passport copies.  Let the bank know today of our plans, dates and places we are traveling to.

[wadu1]

"Bank numbers is a good idea, we will write it on our passport copies.  Let the bank know today of our plans, dates and places we are traveling to."
Make sure you do this, saved my bacon  once in Great Brittan, Mexico  and one in Canada. The only one I forgot was the BP gas card, could not use it without prior approval. 

[trophyhunt]

So Expedia doesn’t know their azz from a hole in the ground, my wife did some digging and it turns out we aren’t on a COVID free flight like they told us.  Right now she’s looking for another flight that IS COVID free. Only one so far is 2 days later, so no trip to Venice.  It’s a good thing she’s doing all this running around cause if it was my stubborn butt, I’d tell them to kiss my American azz. Cozumel is sounding pretty damn good right now.

[trophyhunt]

Not going, the wife is beside herself. Anyone know a cool romantic place to go in a week, for a week?  Need to surprise her with something. We like woods or log cabins.

[Whitpirate]

Trattoria Al Gazzettino
Sotoportego de Le Acque 1 San Marco, 4997, 30124 Venice Italy
https://www.algazzettino.it/

Pretty mind bending food.
Venice is great.   
Risotto con salsiccia e radicchio di Treviso (thank me later)
IF they are in season still they have a small whole fried crab from the lagoon.  It is super seasonal and tastes like the best parts of the ocean were fried and amazing.



Rome -- gotta get some gelato, and Roman style pizza and Cacio E Pepe. Spaghetti alla Carbonara

Sicily
Arancini -- rice balls stuffed with meat and capers and deep fried.
Cassata -- looks weird but tastes pretty amazing desserts
Damn near any fish dish... whole roasted with capers and lemons are good but I've never had a bad piece of fish in Sicily. 

Too bad you aren't gonna do any part of Tuscany because I can put you on some really nice stuff up there.

Looking forward to hearing about your trip!


 

[Whitpirate]

Not going, the wife is beside herself. Anyone know a cool romantic place to go in a week, for a week?  Need to surprise her with something. We like woods or log cabins.

Well dang..... Santa Barbara is better than expected but its CA so there is that.

Florida is always good for a week at the beach.

South Padre Island if you are into TX.

[Miles]

So Expedia doesn’t know their azz from a hole in the ground, my wife did some digging and it turns out we aren’t on a COVID free flight like they told us.  Right now she’s looking for another flight that IS COVID free. Only one so far is 2 days later, so no trip to Venice.  It’s a good thing she’s doing all this running around cause if it was my stubborn butt, I’d tell them to kiss my American azz. Cozumel is sounding pretty damn good right now.

Can you expand on the term “covid free flight”?  What airline is promoting and promising “covid free flights”?  I’ve yet to hear of that one...

[elkaholic123]

I think he means Covid tested flight!
https://www.google.com/amp/s/thepointsguy.com/news/american-airlines-covid-tested-flights-italy/amp/

[luvmystang67]

Ahhh dang, not going?!?  Italy is the best!  Sorry to hear.  Venice is one of the coolest places ever.  But really every place in Italy is a little different and they're all excellent.  I never worried or had problems with pick pockets.

Have fun domestically.

[Timberstalker]

Not going, the wife is beside herself. Anyone know a cool romantic place to go in a week, for a week?  Need to surprise her with something. We like woods or log cabins.

Have you ever been to Jackson Hole?

[BD1]

If all you need is a negative test before travel than why not test and go?

[trophyhunt]

Sorry guys was in the blues for a few days.  It not just a negative test, we were planning for that. Only Certain flights are considered COVID free flights. And in order to rebook for that flight was another 2,600.