MikeM
Junior Travel Member
Posts: 3
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Post by MikeM on Jan 1, 2003 16:22:23 GMT -5
Hello everyone,
I registered today and I guess I'm the newest member (#341!). I've been checking this webiste out for about the past week and I thought it was time for me to register.
I'm a soph. in college and I'm going to be studying abroad in Rome for this upcoming semester. ( I leave Jan. 9). So far I've learned a lot from reading many of the postings, but I was wondering if anyone had any advice on possible weekend trips in Italy outside of Rome, or awesome things to do in Rome that don't fall under the typical tourist's schedule. I've heard a lot about Cinque Terre, and just from what you guys say about it, I think I'm going to pay it a visit sometime.
I'd appreciate any help you could give a first-time traveler to Europe.
Thanks!
Mike
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Post by nitsansh on Jan 1, 2003 18:37:47 GMT -5
Well... there's no shortage of destinations for weekend trips from Rome... just as many regions as in Italy...
Firenze
Rest of Toscana (Siena, San-Gimignano, Pisa, Lucca etc.)
Campania (Napoli, Pompei, Vesuvio, Capri, Amalfi Coast...) - 2 days are too short for all these IMO.
Venezia
Milano and the nearby Lakes (Magiore, Orta, Lugano, Como)
Verona and Lake Garda
The Dolmiti mountains (skiing in winter, hiking in summer)
Val d'Aosta, Gran Paradiso park (another mountain gem in north-west corner of Italy)
Gran Sasso or Abruzzo parks (best of the Appenine mountains) - these are very close to Rome, each one can be done in a day, but I think you better have a car... at least trains don't get there...
The Riviera di Levanto (Cinque Terre, Portofino)
Emilia Romagna (Bologna, Ravenna, San Marino)
Umbria (Assisi, Perugia etc)
Puglia & Basilicata (Alberobello, Lecce, Matera)
Sicilia - you need more than a weekend
Sardinia (by ferry from Civitavecchia) - worth a visit too
Do you have enough weekends for these?
Using night trains, ferries or cheap flights, you can also go to other countries... wherever the trains, ships and planes go... Switzerland, France, Austria, Slovenia, south Germany... all connected to Rome by overnight trains... you go out Friday night and back Sunday night, which leaves you 2 days and a night for a short visit.
For Croatia, use the ferries from Bari, Ancona or Pescara.
Corfu (Greek island) is also an overnight ferry away... The Pink Palace has a reputation as one of the best party hostels.
You can also take a ferry to Corsica.
If you travel frequently (say every 2 weeks, which is 8 travel days in 2 months), especially on overnight trains to neighboring countries (or to Greece by ferry), you might like to consider a rail pass (Selectpass for 3 to 5 countries, or Italy+France). The trouble is that those passes are not sold to non-Europeans in Europe, so you should buy it in advance before you go, or else arrange that someone buy it for you back home and send it to you.
Another option for international journeys is the BIJ ticket, a discount point-to-point ticket for under-26 that allows stopovers and valid up to 2 months.
Unfortunately for you, the Kilometric ticket was discontinued in 2003, so your best deal for domestic rail travel is the Green Card (discount card for under-26).
Also look out for buses for domestic or international journeys. Buses are usually cheaper than trains, but beside that are inferior in every aspect.
Really... places to go are not a problem if you have the time and money to afford it...
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Post by Kim on Jan 1, 2003 22:08:52 GMT -5
Nitsansh,
I'm drooling over the day trips you listed..wouldn't I love to be going to one (or several) of those right now! ;D
Think the Canadian winter is getting to me!
MikeM-welcome to the boards! I think it's fair to say that we are all jealous of you going to Rome to study. What a place to study in!
The Cinque Terre region is very unique and going in the off season, you will see a less touristy version. The trails between the villages may be closed though so you would have to take the local train to each one, it's about a 5 minute ride.
Kim
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MikeM
Junior Travel Member
Posts: 3
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Post by MikeM on Jan 1, 2003 23:23:28 GMT -5
Nitsansh- Wow! If I make it to half of those places it sounds like an amazing time. The center that I will be studying at does not have class on fridays, so I guess that will give me some more time for weekend travel. The only problem is whether or not a poor college student such as myself can afford to go to all of them  . I've heard of the green card (carte verde?), where in Rome do you get them? Kim- I'm happy to be here, I think you have a great site and it has helped me A LOT in getting ready to go abroad. If I go to Cinque Terre it will probably be between Feb. and April, so I guess that it's a positive that I will miss the summer tourists, but like you said with the trails, there may be a drawback as well. What would be some fun activities to do there? Also, I am thinking of going to Paris for Spring Break (March 7-16). Any thoughts on this??? Would that be a good time, etc? Thanks again for all your help. You guys are awesome! |
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Post by nitsansh on Jan 2, 2003 0:35:35 GMT -5
Nitsansh- Wow! If I make it to half of those places it sounds like an amazing time. The center that I will be studying at does not have class on fridays, so I guess that will give me some more time for weekend travel. So you have 3-days weekend? Excellent! Not only you have more time, you'll avoid the Friday afternoon/night busy trains and will need less to care about reservations. Make sure, though, to have a reservation for the return trip on Sunday afternoon/night. These are allways busy! The only problem is whether or not a poor college student such as myself can afford to go to all of them . I can't offer money, I'm afraid... I've heard of the green card (carte verde?), where in Rome do you get them? At any train station, I believe. If you can't get it at Stazione Termini, you can't get it anywhere. Kim- I'm happy to be here, I think you have a great site and it has helped me A LOT in getting ready to go abroad. If I go to Cinque Terre it will probably be between Feb. and April, so I guess that it's a positive that I will miss the summer tourists, but like you said with the trails, there may be a drawback as well. What would be some fun activities to do there? How about May? A better weather, but still not too crowded. I find May to be the best month to travel - days are long, every attraction is available, the weather is good - not too cold and not too hot, and crowds are not a problem. Only in the high mountains this is dead season - the buffer between winter and summer seasons. They often close for mainteinance or a breather. Also, I am thinking of going to Paris for Spring Break (March 7-16). Any thoughts on this??? Would that be a good time, etc? Thanks again for all your help. You guys are awesome! If there's a break on these dates in other countries as well (not in France, because I know they have a break in February and everyone go to ski) it might be busy... but Paris can absorb the tourists... I suggest that you spend the winter and early spring weekend breaks in Italy - its weather is mild and not really cold, except in the mountains, and there are no crowds (except the "big 3", Rome, Firenze and Venezia - these are allways crowded). It's also good time for the French Riviera, in case you want to go there. The Alps, whether in Italy, France, Switzerland, Austria, Germany or Slovenia, are only good for winter activities until Easter. If you want to visit for sight-seeing or summer activities, such as hiking, rafting etc, you better wait till June. Also, for the Mediterreanian beach resorts in Croatia or Greece wait until May or June, but NOT in mid-summer, when it's overcrowded. The Alps are never too crowded even in mid-summer. I suggest that you make a trip to Slovenia - great outdoors, and still unspoiled by masses of tourists. Haven't been there but got raving reports. Among the highlights are the caves of Postojna or Skocjan, the Triglav park - Bled, Bohinj etc. Soca (read: Socha) river is a good place for rafting. Enjoy your study and trips. I envy you too... It's been 20 years since I visited Italy, can you believe it? (shows how old I am...) |
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Post by Eagle on Jan 2, 2003 0:58:30 GMT -5
MIKE - What a great opportunity, studying in Rome! I'm hope to get there one day soon also, and have been studying Italian in night school. Not fluent yet, but I'm working on it. The sightseeing suggestions on the other postings sounded perfect. You might find a good Guidebook helfpul (Rick Steves, Lonely Planet, etc.) as the attractions in each area will be described. I've heard a lot of good things about the Cinque Terre. Some of the Hotels, etc. are closed for a month or two in the winter, so your timing should be perfect.
KIM - I think the Canadian winter is getting to me also. Looking forward to spring and/or a trip to a sunny climate!
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pam
Full Travel Member
Posts: 35
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Post by pam on Jan 4, 2003 12:37:33 GMT -5
hello! i was just studying in france for one semester and travelled alot - had 4 day weekends. if you need any advise on student things (not that i know what that is haha) feel free to ask. i met a TON of exchange kids in rome!
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MikeM
Junior Travel Member
Posts: 3
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Post by MikeM on Jan 6, 2003 14:37:59 GMT -5
any advice you could give on student traveling in Europe would be greatly appreciated. Especially extended weekend traveling, the backpacking student scene, how to travel cheap, what students do abroad, and places that they tend to hang out at.
if you found any out of the ordinary place in europe that you would recommend, please include that too.
Thanks!
Mike
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. I've heard of the green card (carte verde?), where in Rome do you get them?