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General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: Beowulf on January 19, 2022, 12:13:56 PM
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Visiting Italy for a week in March. Flying in to Rome and going to see Florence and Venice as well. Anyone have good recommendations in this area of local foods or restaurants? Just figure I’d ask. Thanks in advance.
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That’s an impossible request. The food in Italy is fabulous wherever you go. Try everything.
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Just sample the sidewalk fare. Got my best pizza that way. Look for delis and the best sandwiches.
Make sure you get at least a couple of meals of Spaghetti Carbonara. Look for anything that has fresh fish or veggies and go with what the restaurant is known for. Find some seafood, get the specialty, and also look for Cioppino.
Grab an Aperol Spritz in St Mark's Square. Stay around and listen to the jazz and chamber music. Go to an opera. Vatican and Coliseum, David in Florence.
If you get hungry for a burger or steak, or want ice in your drink, go to an American restaurant (Hard Rock, 5 Guys, McDonalds, etc.). The Italian food is great but they can't fix American food (but in a week's time you may not get the craving. Over four weeks we did twice and failed twice).
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Do a tiny bit of homework and find out what the local dishes are. Seek them out. The best pizza is often in the places where you stand up to eat it. If you have time book a private, walking food tour. If a restaurant has a sign 'Menu Turistico' walk briskly in the opposite direction. Try and find restaurants that are part of the Slow Food movement (logo is a red snail). It guarantees regional food and local, seasonal ingredients.
Pay for a guided tour of the Vatican. Don't pay to see Michelangelo's David. There's an exact replica standing in the square on the spot where the original was made for.
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Thanks for the red snail tip. I’m really looking forward to this.
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I agree with not paying to see the David. I was in Florence in October and the line to see him inside the Galleria dell‘Accademia was over four hours long. It’s a waste of precious time IMO. The replica is on outdoor display at the Piazza della Signoria, along with many other interesting and significant works of art.
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I was born and raised in Italy, and, to me, the best food is served at "Trattorias".
Look for Trattoria signs outside. These are small, family operated kitchens with a few tables where local workers, rather than tourists go have lunch. The food is typically homemade, delicious, and quite cheap (Guzzi content!).
Side dishes and veggies are usually displayed in glass enclosed cabinets near the entrance, in small quantities, and the menu' of the day with prices, is usually posted on a board written by hand, while first courses (pasta, soups) and meat/fish dishes are prepared after you order.
In the largest cities, English is usually no problem, in smaller cities you can get by with a word or two, if language is an issue.
Enjoy your trip!
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Visiting Italy for a week in March. Flying in to Rome and going to see Florence and Venice as well. Anyone have good recommendations in this area of local foods or restaurants? Just figure I’d ask. Thanks in advance.
Take me in your luggage??
Have a blast! :thumb:
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At large public areas beware of pick pockets. There are shifty looking ones at the Main Train Station in Rome. Dress down not up but clean and there are telltale signs that you're an American from the way you dress. Do a Youtube check. I've had the best service at neighborhood joints like a trattoria or cafe etc. Learn some Italiano. It'll come handy when needed. :thumb:
If using public transport, you'll have to man up because getting on and off happens at the same time. Imagine playing football again with a spouse in tow & w/baggage. Better yet only have one carry on & no check in baggage. Guess who gets to schlep your baggage around. :grin:
If you're renting a car expect to get a driving lesson from a society that encourages movement. An offense is your best defense. You'll like the traffic lights there. They're like a christmas tree at a drag strip. :grin: :grin:
No cappucino in the afternoon. It's coffee. You'll get an expresso. Americano is what you want.
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Hard to get bad food in Italy. Even at the expressway rest areas. Skip the bacon, sausage, and egg breakfasts though. They haven’t figured those out yet. No worries the other options are fabulous.
I found the Galileo Museum is Florence pretty fascinating though. Full of the history of science and basic research.
Pete
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I’ve never been and it definitely on the list for this Spring Beowulf. Please post your impressions and some pics.
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In Florence......
http://www.bucalapi.com/en/
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If you're renting a car expect to get a driving lesson from a society that encourages movement. An offense is your best defense. You'll like the traffic lights there. They're like a christmas tree at a drag strip. :grin: :grin:
:boozing: At multi lane stoplights the Vespas will fill in between all the cars. As soon as the light turns green they all shoot off and fill in to lanes. I was driving once in Florence trying to get to the hotel. It was extremely difficult with all the one way streets. I finally got close and merged from a single left hand lane onto a merging two or three lane road. The hotel was on the right side just after the merge. I tried twice to get over and failed both times. I was getting short of patience and on the third try I told my work buddy "hang on... I'm just going to go for it". I came around to the merge, put on my right blinker and just cranked the car over to the right. Everyone got out of the way. I parked the car in front of the hotel, got out, and had a beer at the outside cafe in front of the hotel. We were in Florence and flying out two days later to germany then home so we decided after the beer to return the car to the airport as we didn't need it. Going out of town was a piece of cake and we made it to the airport in about 15 minutes. On the way back in to the hotel the taxi only took about 15 minutes..... him driving the wrong way on all the one way streets really cut the driving time short.
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Our trip to Italy three years ago was a guided tour. We had never done one before, always toured on our own. I am glad I didn’t have to drive. Totally different mindset in the big cities and not sure I could have navigated on the two lane roads in the country. Maybe GPS would help?
Even if you decided to rent a car, some places are better to leave it. When we did Sorrento and the Amalfi coast we took a bus south but a boat back to Capri and Sorrento that would have required retrieving the car.
Another tip, you can watch the Rick Steves episodes on youtube. He has done many on Italy especially Rome, Florence, and Venice among other not as well know locales. Lots of tips on places to see, stay and eat. Wish I had saw them before our trip.
Pete
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Are you adventurous; if so, this is must lunch or snack while you are in Florence
The Art of Street Food in Florence
You can’t say you’ve been to Florence if you don't stop by one of its famous "chioschi" or street food stands where you can buy and taste Florence's street food. Commonly referred to as trippai or lampredottai (literally, the makers of trippa and lampredotto), where you can taste the best of the city's street culinary tradition, a sandwich filled with trippa or lampredotto.
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Quote from: Steve Cas on Today at 01:43:34 PM (https://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=113778.msg1799936#msg1799936)Are you adventurous; if so, this is must lunch or snack while you are in Florence
>The Art of Street Food in Florence
You can’t say you’ve been to Florence if you don't stop by one of its famous "chioschi" or street food stands where you can buy and taste Florence's street food. Commonly referred to as trippai or lampredottai (literally, the makers of trippa and lampredotto), where you can taste the best of the city's street culinary tradition, a sandwich filled with trippa or lampredotto.
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Tripe sandwiches are not to everyone's taste.
I lived in Florence for 5 years, my Sister has lived there for over 40 years, I go there regularly and I like all things Italian (well, almost all) but tripe in any form is the Devil's discharge...
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I grew up not ever having been to Italy but with my grandmother and great grandmother speaking Italian and cooking a lot talking about Italy are some of my fondest memories. I simply understood to keep eating and nodded when spoken to. Wish I’d paid more attention to them speaking. I love Italian food of all kinds and an not shy about eating tripe. I prefer any Sangiovese for wine. I will of course post pictures and appreciate all the comments about what to look for and look out for.
My mother Keeps telling me to watch out for the pickpockets so I will take that advice for sure. Had no idea about Florence and street food. That’s pretty neat.
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I was born and raised in Italy, and, to me, the best food is served at "Trattorias".
Look for Trattoria signs outside. These are small, family operated kitchens with a few tables where local workers, rather than tourists go have lunch. The food is typically homemade, delicious, and quite cheap (Guzzi content!).
Side dishes and veggies are usually displayed in glass enclosed cabinets near the entrance, in small quantities, and the menu' of the day with prices, is usually posted on a board written by hand, while first courses (pasta, soups) and meat/fish dishes are prepared after you order.
In the largest cities, English is usually no problem, in smaller cities you can get by with a word or two, if language is an issue.
When I was there, over 20 years ago now, I encountered a place in the Dolomites like that. Had a great time with the locals and great food.
Not real sure where it was though.
(https://i.ibb.co/nCs4g9z/Scan23.jpg) (https://ibb.co/nCs4g9z)
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Keep us informed about the - testing protocols, and when and where you need your CDC vac. cards, etc. I ask because I hope to fly over next September. Trying to convince a friend who (although vaccinated) doesn't want to put up with "all the testing BS" as he puts it.
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Here is a great restaurant, a couple of short blocks from the Termini station, in Rome. Closed on Sunday.
http://www.termedidiocleziano.it/
Have a great time,
Nick
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As recently as this past October, flying into Italy required a negative PCR test taken no earlier than 3 days prior to arrival and the filing of a digital Passenger Locator Form (dPLF) identifying where and when the traveler would be staying during his visit. Once in country, masks were required in all public venues. Upon return to the US, another negative PCR test taken no earlier than 3 days prior to arrival was required by the US.
Let’s hope the situation begins to ease in the coming months.
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If you're traveling by motorcycle without advance reservations, how could you possibly fill out a "advance locator card" or whatever. Sounds like something from China or North Korea. On a related matter, I recently read (on ADV I think) that if you're over 65, motorcycle rental companies in Italy/Europe require a doctors note on your fitness and capacity to ride a motorcycle? Can anyone confirm or deny this?
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My memory from last September says you don’t need to tell your hotel data on the Passenger Locator Form, nor is completing the form needed (on a practical level) if you enter by land. It is required to enter Italy by air and unless something changes (unlikely) you may also need to get a Green Health Pass to enter indoor restaurants and other Italian publicly accessible facilities and businesses. This can be issued by any country in Europe including Italy. Some countries have made provisions for non-EU visitors to get the pass based on their existing non-EU vaccination paperwork, for example I understand France will do this process at the airport. Other countries have not done so, and some of them allow the in-country use of US vaccination cards. Others do not. I’m not sure about Italy. Also be advised that your last vaccination needs to have been within 9 months or the pass expires per a recent EU-wide recommendation that is being adopted by national governments.
https://italygreenpass.com/
I have not experienced any unusual proof of health status requirements by Italian motorcycle rental companies, but I’m under 65 and have been riding my own bike there for 15 years so haven’t rented in that time. A requirement like that would not surprise me in Italy.
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From my research, it's all driven by the insurance companies. No surprise there. Did find rental age limits from car rental companies, usually 70 or 75, but nothing specific for bike rentals. As far as the vaccination requirements withing 9 months...how the hell does anyone that's already been vaccinated comply with that? I was vaccinated as soon as I turned 65. Not like I can go down to my doc and say "give me another one!" Hard to believe, but it's looking like my friend was right. I'm too old at 65 to travel overseas(?? Well, without doing it on a tour bus :sad:) and the BS compliance level would seem to be off the chart! You try to cross all the T's and dot all the I's and it's still not enough. Shame.
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I did find the "Passenger Locator" form (or whatever it's called) on line here: https://app.euplf.eu/#/ According to the IATA site, Italy recognizes the CDC vaccination card in lieu of a Green health pass.
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According to the IATA site, Italy recognizes the CDC vaccination card in lieu of a Green health pass.
The 'problem' is that little restaurants in the middle of nowhere deal only with the local EU-resident population and don't know that. On the other hand, they are less likely to worry about it so much :wink:
I got the EU digital vaccination pass in Germany where it is officially not possible to get one based on the CDC card, but a practical and pleasant German pharmacist decided to do it anyway. The German certificate therefore says I was vaccinated in Germany, which isn't correct but its to my advantage. Answering your question, in order to extend it beyond January (when my 9 month window expires) I will need to go through the same procedure in Germany after my next arrival, for what becomes in effect a mandatory booster shot. Or eat outside. Or just stay home.
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No need to make a fuss about the dPLF entry requirement. It’s just a form. My 73-year old friend accompanied me to Italy in October and it was No Big Deal. She was vaccinated in February, so it had been 8 months. We are returning this coming July and have not been notified of any requirements for revaccination.
When I book motorcycle trips in Italy with Edelweiss, there’s no requirement for a Dr.’s note and no insurance denial or surcharge due to age.
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This might be the best place to start for completing the online Passenger Locator Form submission for Italy:
https://www.salute.gov.it/portale/nuovocoronavirus/dettaglioContenutiNuovoCoronavirus.jsp?lingua=italiano&id=5412&area=nuovoCoronavirus&menu=vuoto&tab=4
The biggest issue in completing the form might be to determine in which Italian regions you will be travelling, out of the 20 regions with which foreigners rarely have much familiarity. However, nobody outside of the airport will actually check - although you're required to carry a hard copy of the form with you when traveling nobody will likely ask you for it.
Here is some info on 9-month vaccination pass validity. As with almost everything in the current EU situation the effect and timing is unclear at the national level, within a given country like Italy.
https://www.dw.com/en/--eu---passports-only-valid-9-months-without-booster/a-60204437
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I don't know. Too many hoops? By the time I'd get there, my booster would be beyond 9 months! I'd hate to spend close to $1000 on airline tickets, travel deposits and such only to be stopped at customs (or wherever they check all this nonsense). It would seem to me a big roll of the dice, but maybe I'm overreacting. There's no way my riding buddy would put up with any of this. I can hear him now, "If they don't want my money, f.. em." Anyplace else a little bit easier? Scotland, Ireland?
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Visiting Italy for a week in March. Flying in to Rome and going to see Florence and Venice as well. Anyone have good recommendations in this area of local foods or restaurants? Just figure I’d ask. Thanks in advance.
Pretty much all of them, but avoid any with photographs of the food out front.
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I'm in Italy now, came in late November. Before that I made trips here in October and June. My experiences are both different and similar to what has been written by others above. --related travel rules are changing all the time. For example, on one trip earlier in 2021, I had to take a - test (at that time a PCR-- but read on about PCR vs antigen tests) within 48 hours of departure (JFK) and then had to take a rapid (antigen) test immediately (before Customs and passport control) in a special portion of the Fumicino (Rome) airport. Lately, I have only been taking the rapid tests on both ends (i.e., before departing the US and before departing from Rome). I think the best advice is to check with both the particular airline you are flying on and with the Italian ministry of health. I have had numerous people at testing sites in the US tell me that I HAD to have a PCR test, not the rapid test but that simply hasn't been true according to Alitalia (now out of business and reformed as ITA) and the Italian government. Early in the - timeline, I did have to have PCR tests and this was problematic because (at that time) they required the test to be within 48 hours of departure and the turn around time for getting PCR results is advertised as being 48 hours--- makes for some stressful travel... However, lately the window has been 72 hours AND the rapid test has been accepted. But, note that I have not traveled since the Omicron variant has exploded-- rules are changing all the time. Rome has very good rapid testing at pharmacies throughout the city-- some require appointments, some take walk-ups (20 euros for those without an Italian health card).
Regarding the personal locator form (PLF), that is an EU requirement (not Italian) and it is a royal PITA-- don't be like me (once) and try ti fill it out at the airport prior to departure-- it is a maddening form with a cumbersome interface. Do it in advance. I have never carried a paper copy-- just had the QR code from my completed form on my cell-phone. You can't board the plane (at least on Alitalia/ITA) without it
Regarding food, someone mentioned the SlowFood seal/symbol of the snail-- good tip. Even better is to get a copy of the Osteria Guide published by Slow Food. We keep a paper copy in our car and make frequent use of it when just wandering on new roads/visiting new towns. Only problem is most years editions seem to be only published in Italian. There is an app for cell phones that MAY offer English (I don't have the app so cant tell for sure):
https://www.slowfoodeditore.it/it/app-iphone/osterie-d-italia-2022-app-818.html
But, even without the guide, there are so many good places to eat (two of our favorites are associated with local gas stations (not the AutoGrilles on the freeways).
Have fun (a week is too short for Rome/Florence/Venice....)
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I'm in Italy now, came in late November. Before that I made trips here in October and June. My experiences are both different and similar to what has been written by others above. --related travel rules are changing all the time.
Do you have an Italian digital Green Pass for entry into public buildings, restaurants etc or is your CDC vaccination card still being accepted? That would be very interesting to know for any Americans inbound to Italy.
In other countries it is now illegal to accept the CDC paper vaccination certificate, Switzerland is an example. In the Swiss case in addition to whatever procedure is required for entry to the country, for a vaccination passport you have to apply online to the particular canton that you plan to visit first. They review your existing vaccination document and if they like it they apparently send you a Swiss vaccination certificate with a QR code that can be read by their phone app and used Europe wide. I say 'apparently' because I haven't done it.
Regarding the personal locator form (PLF), that is an EU requirement (not Italian) and it is a royal PITA
Its certainly a PITA and it is a product of the EU Government, but EU has no overarching authority in this instance and the EU PLF procedure has only been adopted by four countries: Italy, Malta, France and Slovenia.
If you enter the EU from the US via a country other than those four there will be other burdensome submittals and procedures, but not that particular one :grin: Then if you enter Italy by road (i.e. on your motorcycle) you are supposed to have done the Italian PLF, each country has its own independent rules and procedures, but OTOH there are thousands of people driving across the borders daily without enforcement. I personally wouldn't bother with it again if crossing from Austria on the road.
After my last bike trip in September I'm not planning any trips to Europe for the moment. My bike trips tend to be in three to five countries, each with independent and changing procedures and limitations currently, and I'm hoping this stuff calms down at some point. Also that my motorcycle will still be there and intact when I return.
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each with independent and changing procedures and limitations currently, and I'm hoping this stuff calms down at some point. Also that my motorcycle will still be there and intact when I return.
Therein lies the problem for me. Don't feel comfortable going it alone, (and my wife wouldn't want me to go it alone) and my ridding buddy absolutely despises government bureaucracy, no matter what flag it's under. Doubt he's going to be willing to do more than show his passport. I've still got some time, but unless things lighten up considerably by September 2022, I'd guess I'm out. Bureaucratic controls, once intrenched, seldom just disappear.
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Rome, Florence and Venice……nothing much to see in those towns, head to Mandello, nice little motorcycle museum there, one could spend days admiring some fine Italian engineering, if you get bored Ducati and Ferrari aren’t too far away, then you will have seen all of Italy 😉
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Do you have an Italian digital Green Pass for entry into public buildings, restaurants etc or is your CDC vaccination card still being accepted? That would be very interesting to know for any Americans inbound to Italy.
I do not have a Green Pass. So far, I have been able to just show my two CDC cards (one for the initial dose and one for the booster-- I had Johnson so just two doses--- so far....). BUT (1) we live in a very rural, off the beaten path, place and they have only started checking for Green Passes recently. (2) we rarely (almost never) attempt to remain inside (indoors) anywhere longer than just ordering our food/drink and then take it outside. You are allowed (apparently) to enter and order without showing a Green Pass. (3) There are hardly any Americans in the surrounding area, so no one is really familiar with the CDC cards and they just shrug when I show them and then turn to reading my wife's QR code (from her French Green Pass) with their tablets. (4) All this could change and I suspect that if you are trying to go to the more heavily populated (in terms of tourists) places, that it will involve more red tape.
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I do not have a Green Pass. So far, I have been able to just show my two CDC cards (one for the initial dose and one for the booster-- I had Johnson so just two doses--- so far....). BUT (1) we live in a very rural, off the beaten path, place and they have only started checking for Green Passes recently. (2) we rarely (almost never) attempt to remain inside (indoors) anywhere longer than just ordering our food/drink and then take it outside. You are allowed (apparently) to enter and order without showing a Green Pass. (3) There are hardly any Americans in the surrounding area, so no one is really familiar with the CDC cards and they just shrug when I show them and then turn to reading my wife's QR code (from her French Green Pass) with their tablets. (4) All this could change and I suspect that if you are trying to go to the more heavily populated (in terms of tourists) places, that it will involve more red tape.
Are you in Italy for work or leisure?
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Are you in Italy for work or leisure?
Leisure. In the process of retiring, moving here full-time. My wife is French, but has lived and worked in Italy for the last 15 years and she prefers living here. I like it too. :grin:
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Rome, Florence and Venice……nothing much to see in those towns, head to Mandello, nice little motorcycle museum there, one could spend days admiring some fine Italian engineering, if you get bored Ducati and Ferrari aren’t too far away, then you will have seen all of Italy 😉
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If I get a chance I’d love too that. But I think I’m gonna be busy with seeing the above mentioned places. Appreciate all the tips this post has proved more entertaining than expected.
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@Anomaly, thanks much for the detailed info on current Green Pass practice in Italy.
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Italy, the land of no bad food. Drink the local wine with the local food, you can't go wrong.
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My wife and I moved to Italy two years ago. Not in the areas you're visiting though, we split our time between Milano and South Sardinia.
I would recommend taking a high-speed train between Rome and the other locations. Fast and convenient. You can buy tickets online (Italo is one service, but there are several high-speed services, such as Freccia Rossa), so language won't be an issue. I've taken the train from Milano to Rome and back in a day, with meetings in Rome for lunch. The train travels at up to 300 kph, so it's even faster than a Guzzi!
You need a Green Pass for restaurants and trains, so you really need to nail that down before you arrive or you may be stuck in Italian bureaucracy (which is the centre circle of hell).
A week is not a lot, especially with jet lag, so planning is critical to make sure you cover the things you want to see.
Eric
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You need a Green Pass for restaurants and trains, so you really need to nail that down before you arrive or you may be stuck in Italian bureaucracy (which is the centre circle of hell).
This is interesting-- yesterday, I checked the website of the US Consulate in Florence and they were saying the US CDC cards (showing vaccination and boosters) was accepted in lieu of the Green Card. Of course, they also said to check with the Italian ministry of health whose webpage is sometimes very difficult to understand (I couldn't find a reference to whether CDC cards were or were not acceptable). In my area (southern Tuscany-- and rural), the CDC cards have been accepted. But, we don't try to do much indoors...
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This is a a great thread.
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The other thing to remember is that you may have requirements on the way home, beyond a Green Pass. Depending on the country you are transiting through or going to, you may also need to have a very recent test before being able to board a plane or on arrival at customs.
This is not consistent by country, and nearly wrecked our trip to Canada last year, when it turned out the Canadians had a different test requirement that the British (we transited through London).
Fortunately the airline agents didn't know the difference between PCR and RAT tests either, so we were able to get to Canada, and were able to deal with it there by taking another test.
Pain in the ass, but such is the world of travel today. Ever-changing requirements, which are never clear to anyone.
If you need to take a - test before your return flight, you should find a testing center with enough advance notice for they type of test you will need.
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The other thing to remember is that you may have requirements on the way home, beyond a Green Pass. Depending on the country you are transiting through or going to, you may also need to have a very recent test before being able to board a plane or on arrival at customs.
This is not consistent by country, and nearly wrecked our trip to Canada last year, when it turned out the Canadians had a different test requirement that the British (we transited through London).
Fortunately the airline agents didn't know the difference between PCR and RAT tests either, so we were able to get to Canada, and were able to deal with it there by taking another test.
Pain in the ass, but such is the world of travel today. Ever-changing requirements, which are never clear to anyone.
If you need to take a - test before your return flight, you should find a testing center with enough advance notice for they type of test you will need.
My social Secretary ( wife that hasn’t killed me yet) has worked out when you test and everything so I’m glad for that but do agree it’s a pain. I’ve been enjoying this thread.