It’s been a week since the OP’s last post. I hope he/she hasn’t been crushed by a falling Statue of David.
I’m going to Florence next month and my wife is a big fan of Rick Steves. I also would like to know why people think he’s unreliable.
I’ve found most of his recommendations helpful. However, none of the restaurants he recommended near our hotel in Rome existed anymore.
Just Florence, Ascenray? Anyways, as long as you get off the beaten path, you should be fine finding great food in Italy. Florence, being a tourist town, is going to make you walk further from the city center/Duomo to get off the beaten path. Here’s a hint: Italians eat late. Their restaurants open about 7pm for dinner/supper. Ones that open at 5pm or earlier for dinner are often aimed at tourists. Second and final hint: Should the restaurant offer a “tourist menu,” go somewhere else.
I was just in Naples, had a great time. Don’t be such a hater.
Pompeii was much, much larger than I expected.
Sorrento smelled marvelous, light citrus and floral, all day, every day.
Rome was fantastic, can’t say enough good things. I think we paid for the first bus, that was it. Glad I didn’t know about the fines.
There are local trains, and express. A local from Naples to Rome is about 12 euros, stops maybe five stations, two hours? Express is an hour, no stops, 85 euros. (All this is from memory, so approximate) Local is on website, but have to dig around a little to find info.
Saw the Pope, he sends his love.
Forgot you were Italy, Bear, otherwise would have tried for a mini dopefest.
fisha, it would have been a long trip for Bear for a mini dopefest in Italy. He’s moved to the other side of the world, coincidentally near a place I’d worked not too many years ago.
Pretty sure it’s somewhere colder than mn. Forgot about that, but I don’t know where I am half the time myself, let alone anyone else. The years fly by.
Yup, quite a bit colder than Minneapolis. I only remember where he went because he solicited suggestions on the drive to his new location and remembered I’d worked nearby. Small world.