Italy Must - Do’s

[SHSU18]

Me and the wife are heading to Rome and Florence for about 10 days in a month. Anyone have any food, tour, sight seeing recommendations? We play on hitting a few of the major attractions. Looking for some off the beaten path ideas and local restaurants / bars.

[Big Lee]

I was going to suggest chicken express. That was before realizing you were headed to the real Italy

[jomw10]

Maybe to late, but you can try get a tour under the Vatican.
You will need to send a fax to make reservations!

http://www.scavi.va/content/scavi/en/prenotazione.html

You can also check the scala sancta. This were the stairs that Jesus walk up the pretorium. Brought to Rome by st. Helen.

https://www.scala-santa.com/en/homepage/

[Duzy]

https://www.dariocecchini.com/

Go here.


I get to…

[Capt.Brown]

Maybe to late, but you can try get a tour under the Vatican.
You will need to send a fax to make reservations!

http://www.scavi.va/content/scavi/en/prenotazione.html

You can also check the scala sancta. This were the stairs that Jesus walk up the pretorium. Brought to Rome by st. Helen.

https://www.scala-santa.com/en/homepage/

A fax??? Is that a real thing anymore?

[easeup]

dont drive anywhere

[jomw10]

A fax??? Is that a real thing anymore?

You better believe it! The Vatican moves very slow! But the tour is worth it.

This basilica is also great

It was build on top of an old church/house build on top of a Roman temple. You can visit the excavations of all 3 levels

https://www.rome.net/basilica-san-clemente

[Burnadell]

I've been to both places twice; first time on a tour and the 2nd time as an excursion from a Mediterranean cruise. I can't remember any specific restaurants or points of interest beyond the usual tourist spots you will find on your trip. That being said we enjoyed our stop between Rome and Florence at Orvieto. I highly recommend it if if can be fitted into your schedule.

Oh...and drink the wine!

[Burnadell]

Suggestion: list what places you already plan to visit; then we can fill in the blanks if there are spots that we think you should visit that is not already on your list. This will save some duplicative responses.

[bobby314]

I was going to suggest chicken express. That was before realizing you were headed to the real Italy

Hahaha, don't forget Hartz chicken.

[.243 WSSM]

Eat as much pasta and pizza and gelato as you can. You will never get close to having anything as good back home. Roman forum, Colosseum, Vatican, Sisteene Chapel. Get out in the country in the little towns as well. In Florence you have to go to the Uffizi. Pick up some leather wallets for family back home and get yourself a leather jacket

[CWendling]

Basilica St Mary Maggiore is beautiful. There is another, that we found by accident and probably wouldve walked on by had i not glanced in the door. It is called St Mary of the Angels and Martyrs. From the outside, looks like ruins, inside it is incredible. Designed by Michaelangelo. The Coloseum, Forum, and Vatican tours are all worth doing. Trevi fountain. Dont forget about the siesta time. Dont try to drive in Rome

Havent been to Florence, but will be going in 3 weeks

[kry226]

In Rome, you must go to the Coliseum and the Vatican (then you can see how much the Roman Catholic Empire, not to be confused with the Roman Catholic Church, stole from antiquity. Be careful... buy tickets online. Lots of scalpers and tricksters waiting to ambush tourists with tickets, trinkets, etc.







Lots of other must-sees...

Fontana di Trevi


Bocca della Verità (Mouth of Truth)


All of ancient Rome, actually...


P.S. Don't expect Italian pizza to be like American pizza. In the coastal areas, the food of choice is seafood. In the interior and Alps, it's much more traditional pastas and pizza. Have a great trip.

[Hunteraudit]

The pantheon and the Vatican were the most impressive things to see in Rome to me. I went back to the Pantheon a few times. Bring good walking shoes. You’ll figure out how tod rap with the hoards of people trying to sell you junk and scam you with three card monte quickly. Just don’t look at them. It feels rude to most Texans, just ignore them though, not even a “no thank you”.

[Mary]

If Florence is your first stop....Set up a sunset boat ride on the Arno. It is a fun way to keep you awake to get on "Italy" time. If not your first stop...it is still a fun time!

It's been 6 years, but we had a really great tour of S. Appiano Winery that included lunch in the wine basement (the most amazing lasagna I have ever eaten!)

Find an Olive Oil Tasting tour. You will find yourself shipping bottles home!

Take the train to Cinque Terre for the day.

All of this is (pre Covid) so not sure what has changed.