Firenze - Italy

Lore

More tips from another tourist to Italy ..

"I love Italy. First read Rick Steves and when you go to Rome be sure to take a train out to Ostia Antica. It is the ancient port city for Rome and there is a whole preserved Roman city with all the ruins you could wish for to walk around and enjoy. If you have a car start driving north and stop in some of the hill towns. They are all wonderful but outstanding are Orvieto, Civita de Bagnoregio, Pienza, Montepulciano, and the more you see of the hill towns, the more you will love them. If you like ceramics, visit Deruta. Modena is where balsamic vinegar comes from. Siena should not be missed and Florence (I do not like cities and only visit Florence for the art, but that is me. I love the countryside). Anywhere you drive it will be beautiful and if you stop at the "tourist information" offices they will book a place for you to stay in their town or in your next stop. They are found usually in the center of towns and will know inexpensive places to stay/eat/visit. Agritourismo is a room or apartment on a farm and can be luxurious of simple. Don't miss Venice. If you cannot find a place in your budget to stay, stay outside of Venice and take a bus into town and then just spend the day walking. If you go to a cafe/bar (especially in big cities) for a snack and notice that the Italians are standing and not sitting at the tables it is because it costs more if you sit at the table. There will be a menu posted with two different prices and the higher one is for sitting. So choose wisely. You will love it too."