Need assistance planning a visit to Italy

[Passepartout]

I so would love to go to Italy. My husband never wanted to go abroad
my son is trying to get Italian citizenship. two sisters and two nieces already have it.
it takes years to get it, and I don’t think I have years left, but he was trying to convince me.
I turn on the news and start thinking really hard about it. Apparently you can live anywhere in the European Union.
my son found a Facebook group that does ancestry on my mothers side of the family, just her mothers maiden name.
I joined yesterday, my son posted a question, and a woman who runs the group found my great grandparents in the Chicago census, papers with their names, death certificates, etc, OVERNIGHT.
my sisters did visit the hometowns of great grandparents on both sides, very common names on both sides. They actually met descendants of great grandfathers sister, and we are related to half the people in the small town in Italy. The other side of family, no one remembers.

You don't need Italian Citizenship to visit Italy. Just have your US Passport in hand and GO!

All well and good for your kids to follow, if they want to live in the EU for longer than 6 months, but for 90 days at a time, it's unnecessary.

Jim

 

[Ken555]

You don't need Italian Citizenship to visit Italy. Just have your US Passport in hand and GO!

All well and good for your kids to follow, if they want to live in the EU for longer than 6 months, but for half a year at a time, it's unnecessary.

Jim

Actually, it’s a limit of 90 days out of every six months.

Travelling in the EU, your rights | European Union

Travelling to or within the EU? Find out your rights, travel rules and what documents to take. Information on common visa policy.

european-union.europa.eu

The common visa policy enables non-EU visitors to make transit or short stays to the Schengen area. A short-stay visa issued by one of the Schengen countries generally entitles them to travel through all Schengen countries for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.

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[amycurl]

We researched whether my spouse would qualify for Irish citizenship, just so we could live in Italy full-time. Alas, his mother is still eligible, but she would have needed to apply for it before he was born for him to be eligible. It's still heartbreaking for us, LOL. My forbearers came over in the first wave of European colonization, so I'm no help there.

 

[MULTIZ321]

12 Things Tourists Should Never Do When
Visiting Italy

12 Things Tourists Should Never Do When Visiting Italy - Explore

In a place like Italy, one of the prominent tourism hubs in Europe, there are many social faux pas you'll want to be mindful of when planning your trip there.

www.explore.com

Richard

 

[DaveNV]

12 Things Tourists Should Never Do When
Visiting Italy

12 Things Tourists Should Never Do When Visiting Italy - Explore

In a place like Italy, one of the prominent tourism hubs in Europe, there are many social faux pas you'll want to be mindful of when planning your trip there.

www.explore.com

Richard

I think my Italy tourist education is progressing. I already knew each of those.

Dave

 

[DaveNV]

Our bucket list Italy and Greek Islands trip starts in about a month. Anyone have last minute tips for me? We still have time to make a few adjustments, as needed.

We have our itinerary laid out, tours booked, transfers in place, train tickets between cities, and reasonable schedules pretty well laid out. Only doing one touristy thing a day, (and not every day), so as not to overdo, and leaving a lot of open time for exploring things and relaxing. It's going to be a great 10 days in Italy. Venice, Florence (with a half-day side trip to Pisa), and then Rome.

Then we get on a cruise ship for a week, enjoying a stop in Naples (to see Pompeii), then cruising around and through the Greek Islands. Stops in Mykonos, Santorini, and Ephesus, Turkey, (in one order or another), before ending in Athens. Two days later we fly home.

All in, we'll be gone three weeks. We aren't trying to see everything, just some of the high points, and feel if we think we missed something that bad, we'll just have to book another trip.

Looking forward to a fun trip!

Dave

 

[Passepartout]

You'll be tired when you get home, but will have great memories.

 

[ABCTravels]

I'm very happy for you and I believe it'll be an amazing trip! I wish I could tag along

 

[Ken555]

I was in Athens in April and had a great walking tour (there are many of these available). Of course, a visit to the archeological museum is always nice, too (and in the same area as the walking tour).


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[MULTIZ321]

This Bucket List Bar Stanley Tucci Visited In Rome Is A Must-Add To Your Itinerary

This Bucket List Bar Stanley Tucci Visited In Rome Is A Must-Add To Your Itinerary - Explore

Take it from national treasure, actor, and foodie Stanley Tucci: this bar in Rome is perfect for budget-friendly cocktails and good local vibes.

www.explore.com

Richard

 

[slip]

You got it covered. Can't wait to hear about it when you return.

 

[WinniWoman]

Our bucket list Italy and Greek Islands trip starts in about a month. Anyone have last minute tips for me? We still have time to make a few adjustments, as needed.

We have our itinerary laid out, tours booked, transfers in place, train tickets between cities, and reasonable schedules pretty well laid out. Only doing one touristy thing a day, (and not every day), so as not to overdo, and leaving a lot of open time for exploring things and relaxing. It's going to be a great 10 days in Italy. Venice, Florence (with a half-day side trip to Pisa), and then Rome.

Then we get on a cruise ship for a week, enjoying a stop in Naples (to see Pompeii), then cruising around and through the Greek Islands. Stops in Mykonos, Santorini, and Ephesus, Turkey, (in one order or another), before ending in Athens. Two days later we fly home.

All in, we'll be gone three weeks. We aren't trying to see everything, just some of the high points, and feel if we think we missed something that bad, we'll just have to book another trip.

Looking forward to a fun trip!

Dave

I’ve been thinking about you and wondering if you had left for the trip yet. Looking forward to your report back!

Have a wonderful time! It sounds great!

 

[amycurl]

That sounds like a great plan! In Venice, find places to eat in the neighborhoods beyond St. Mark’s square. Also, we found that taking the vaparetto at sunset out to Lido and back was a great, cheap way to see the city at night, and see the fireworks. One of the city passes worked really well for us the last time we were in Venice, which is one of my favorite cities in the world. Enjoy!


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[DaveNV]

That sounds like a great plan! In Venice, find places to eat in the neighborhoods beyond St. Mark’s square. Also, we found that taking the vaparetto at sunset out to Lido and back was a great, cheap way to see the city at night, and see the fireworks. One of the city passes worked really well for us the last time we were in Venice, which is one of my favorite cities in the world. Enjoy!


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Thanks! The sunset ride sounds perfect! We're staying in a nice hotel in the Ferrovia area, not far from the train station. Lots of good walking from there. We should be able to find some great places to eat. Only going to St. Marks long enough to tour it and the Doge's Palace. Will visit the Peggy Guggenheim gallery one day. We have vaparetto tickets for three days, and plan to use it plenty, including a visit to Murano. Who doesn't love glassworks?

Dave

 

[amycurl]

Murano is *amazing*. We also loved the Peggy Guggenheim museum. Sounds like it's a great itinerary. I can't wait for trip reports and pictures!

 

[PcflEZFlng]

Thanks! The sunset ride sounds perfect! We're staying in a nice hotel in the Ferrovia area, not far from the train station. Lots of good walking from there. We should be able to find some great places to eat. Only going to St. Marks long enough to tour it and the Doge's Palace. Will visit the Peggy Guggenheim gallery one day. We have vaparetto tickets for three days, and plan to use it plenty, including a visit to Murano. Who doesn't love glassworks?

Dave

You'll love Venice and Murano. We were there ten years ago almost to the day, and bought beautiful crystal stemware for ourselves and my in-laws.

 

[Conan]

Our bucket list Italy and Greek Islands trip starts in about a month. Anyone have last minute tips for me? We still have time to make a few adjustments, as needed.

We have our itinerary laid out, tours booked, transfers in place, train tickets between cities, and reasonable schedules pretty well laid out. Only doing one touristy thing a day, (and not every day), so as not to overdo, and leaving a lot of open time for exploring things and relaxing. It's going to be a great 10 days in Italy. Venice, Florence (with a half-day side trip to Pisa), and then Rome.

Then we get on a cruise ship for a week, enjoying a stop in Naples (to see Pompeii), then cruising around and through the Greek Islands. Stops in Mykonos, Santorini, and Ephesus, Turkey, (in one order or another), before ending in Athens. Two days later we fly home.

All in, we'll be gone three weeks. We aren't trying to see everything, just some of the high points, and feel if we think we missed something that bad, we'll just have to book another trip.

Looking forward to a fun trip!

Dave

Re: Stops in Mykonos and Santorini

Mykonos is one of those Greek islands that’s been destroyed by tourism. Save your energy for better stops. Maybe get a photo of a windmill and find a place to relax.

Santorini is a different story. You’ll surely want to visit a number of crater rim towns, walkable (uphill) from the square with the iconic church. If time and summer crowds allow there is also a string of lovely beaches (named for their colors of sand) linked by a cheap hop on-off ferry.

Re: Ephesus

Unforgettable, and the cruise ship tour will get you 80% of what’s there to see. If time allows, the other 20% is in the little museum right there that the tours usually skip.

Edited to add: Do not accept any offer of hospitality from friendly strangers on the street in Turkey. It will lead to a bargaining session where you'll be offered ever-changing prices to purchase a rug. No different from a buy-or-cry timeshare pitch in Mexico, except your free prize will likely be a cup of tea and maybe a pomegranate.

 

[DaveNV]

Re: Stops in Mykonos and Santorini

Mykonos is one of those Greek islands that’s been destroyed by tourism. Save your energy for better stops. Maybe get a photo of a windmill and find a place to relax.

Santorini is a different story. You’ll surely want to visit a number of crater rim towns, walkable (uphill) from the square with the iconic church. If time and summer crowds allow there is also a string of lovely beaches (named for their colors of sand) linked by a cheap hop on-off ferry.

Re: Ephesus

Unforgettable, and the cruise ship tour will get you 80% of what’s there to see. If time allows, the other 20% is in the little museum right there that the tours usually skip.

Edited to add: Do not accept any offer of hospitality from friendly strangers on the street in Turkey. It will lead to a bargaining session where you'll be offered ever-changing prices to purchase a rug. No different from a buy-or-cry timeshare pitch in Mexico, except your free prize will likely be a cup of tea and maybe a pomegranate.

We're doing excursions from the tendered-out ship in both Mykonos and Santorini. (Oia, not Fira, is the main stop on the Santorini tour.) Not expecting over-the-top things, precisely because of the crowds. It's mainly to get some pictures, and to touch land, so we can say we've been there. I'm not a beach guy.

Ships docks in Ephesus, and we have a rather interesting excursion booked, that provides an iPad to see how things used to look. I think the museum you mention is right there.

Dave

 

[DaveNV]

Ok, y'all. Today is the big day! We're heading to the airport shortly. Wish us luck! I'll be back online in a few weeks.

Don't buy any developer timeshares while I'm gone!

Dave

 

[Passepartout]

Safe Travels! Have Fun, and a gelato for me

 

[PamMo]

Buon viaggio, Dave! I'm so jealous! I've been sorting and packing up for our move to Nevada next month, and I would SO rather be ANYwhere in Italy! I can't wait to hear all about your trip. Have an awesome vacation!

 

[DaveNV]

Buon viaggio, Dave! I'm so jealous! I've been sorting and packing up for our move to Nevada next month, and I would SO rather be ANYwhere in Italy! I can't wait to hear all about your trip. Have an awesome vacation!

Thanks! Are you coming to Southern Nevada? We may need to meet for coffee or something!

Dave

 

[PamMo]

No, we thought about St George, but it's too hot for us in the summer! We're moving to Northern Nevada, but still plan to spend a lot of time in the winter in UT and AZ. I'll let you know next time we're in your neighborhood. Enjoy Italy!

 

[Jodyv]

Ok, y'all. Today is the big day! We're heading to the airport shortly. Wish us luck! I'll be back online in a few weeks.

Don't buy any developer timeshares while I'm gone!

Dave

OMG! Have such a good time!! Can't wait to hear about your travels!!!!

 

[slip]

Have fun you two!!!