Big Thanks

Would you care to share your opinion on what you ate and where?

I've seen so many stories/reports on Gypsies and pickpockets, so I'd like to know if you had any problems or saw any activity with these.

How was the weather, and did you pack light? Any regrets about what you packed or didn't pack?

Glad your trip was a success overall.

Eli

Oops! Don't let the Webmaster see that you posted without asking a question! You'll have the wrath of ETBD upon you... ;)

Seriously, it's great that this site was helpful to you. It was for me. Hope you'll get as much enjoyment from responding to questions here as I do.

But I did have questions for Bill so technically this could be a question answer post.

The weather was ok. It rained HARD on us the first evening in Rome when we were walking back to our hotel from Spanish Steps. And we got rained on most of the day in CT. But we hiked anyway. Rest of time it was broken clouds and mostly upper 60s. Good for seeing the sites. There were lots of school kids from all over Europe in big groups. I can't imagine what it is like during high times. In Rome we ate at several different places, one we liked was Madallana. We stumbled onto it and I can't remember where it was. In Venice we ate at the hotel restaurant. One night I had the best Carbonara I have ever eaten. In CT we took Rick's advice and ate at Via Vente. My wife had her favorite meal of the trip pear and cheese stuffed ravioli. I had an ok crabe sauce pasta. Then we shared grilled prawns. They were the best I have ever eaten in my life. We never had a bad meal. Another one that was particularly memorable was Steak Florintine. It was great.

I too was concerned about the pick pockets. I never had an issue or saw any. I only wore my money belt once and that was in Florence. That was the only time I even felt a little concerned. Most of our meals we had wine pasta and desert. A few times we split a secondi, like the prawns mentioned earlier and the steak florintine. Which by the way is cooked over open fire, seasoned, then sprinkled with olive oil and a squirt of lemon. Couldn't believe how good it was. Will try at home. Dinner ran us about 40 euro. Lunch we usualy grabed a slice of pizza or sandwhich, followed with gilati. All of our lodging provided very nice breakfast options. Two even cooked us eggs for no additional charge. I enjoy good food, especially Italian. I was not dissapointed. We enjoyed Italy but it is not France.

Eli sorry forgot to answer your packing question. I packed more then I wore. I took four pair of nylon type cargo pants, leg zips off to make short. Didn't do that. didn't wear one pair. I pair levi. Wished I had taken two and left on cargo home. Cargos that have front pockets with zipper and velco flap gave me a more secure feeling. Probably dumb but they did. I carried my cash and passport there. So didn't use money belt. Also took several T shirts, couple long sleeve T. A light pullover rain proof golf shirt thing. Couple polo. Wore one pair of shoes and packed two other. din't use one. I took a pair of slip in Merrills and a pair of crocks. Wore the crocs hiking in the rain in CT and all over Rome. Don't use socks and my feet were not wet. Used the Merrills most everywhere else. I over packed some. Like I said earlier temps were mostly upper 60s low 70 so being cold was not a concern.

Thank you so much Bill for answering my questions.

The food really sounds fabulous.

About the packing...glad I came and read what you wrote because I was beginning to think we "might" need more.

Did you use the ROMAPASS?

It sounds like you did some great eating. Any tips for how to feed 2 hungry teenagers on a budget? I'm thinking dinners for 4 in Italy will run 100 euros or more. Any suggestions? I'm looking for afternoon snack ideas. 2 years ago in France, I bought a 1 euro bagette and that held them until dinner. They are adventurous eaters (they love olives and chesses).