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How do I get over the fear of travelling to Italy?

Ok, so its not so much a fear, we have happily travelled all over the US, the UK (where I am originally from) plus we spent a very happy week in Paris. Now the first two were easy as obviously I speak the language, Paris was pretty good because we stayed in an apartment my brother owned and we were close to everything. But my wife would love to go to Italy and not necessarily via a cruise ship. She already knows where she wants to stay for the first week (a small converted monastary outside Florence) and drive around the Tuscany area. Then visit Rome for a week or so and do all the sights there. I have this worry about driving in Italy, not understanding the language (I do try to learn a few phrases to get by wherever I go) and generally panic sets in at the thought of just the two us being set loose in Italy. I had the idea of doing a Med cruise that was Italian port intensive but we just don't think this is the best way to get a feel for it. So how do I get over this irrational fear. We are in our 40's/50's, love to travel but its mostly been English speaking countries. I spent a fair amount of time when I was in the military in parts of Europe but never had to do any of the real organising etc etc. Any ideas, suggestions or thoughts?
Pete

Posted by
719 posts

Pete,
Sharon makes an excellent point. I take a RS phrase book for whatever country I'm visiting. Those things are invaluable, especially when trying to decipher a menu (not really all that difficult in Italy, though. Since we use the same name for most dishes.) Pepperoni, on the other hand, isn't sausage, so it's good to know this...

Posted by
791 posts

It can be intimidating yes but I wouldn't worry too much. Bigger places such as Rome you'll find most Italians speak at least some English. We spent a week there and tried practicing out Italian and every one answered in English. Think we had one waiter that spoke none. Out in smaller places you'll find it a little different but don't worry about it. Most places that deal with tourists will have someone that speaks a little English. The few times I've run into someone that speaks no English....have always managed to work it out. Learn some simple phrases and words and it'll help and most Italians appreciate it when you try...even if you magle it like I do.:O)

Posted by
2349 posts

It seems to me that you feel out of control, and that leads to panic. Try identifying what makes you feel that way. You don't feel panicky about travel in general. Maybe make a list of what can go wrong. Well, you could die; that would be bad. So look into travelers insurance that will bring your body back home. Looks like driving and language are bothering you. Maybe you could compromise with your wife. Decide that for your first trip to Italy, you'll just take public transportation. But what's the worst that can happen? You could have a terrible wreck. Can you have one of those in Ontario? Take steps ahead of time to deal with that possibility, and you may feel better about it. And language-what's the worst that could happen? You might get lost and be unable to find your way back. Do you really think you'll be wondering the streets of Rome forever? Maybe you'll order the wrong thing in a restaurant. So what? It's just a meal. Some people can look at sites like this and see all the potential problems and get freaked out. Others figure out a way to avoid problems and move on. Overall, I feel more research will make you more prepared. If you're a parent, you may remember that feeling of panic that you suddenly had this baby and didn't know what to do with him. But it gets better and suddenly you're an expert. Good luck.

Posted by
4535 posts

Language is really not a barrier. I've been in almost every country in Europe and never had any serious language issues. Most people you will encounter in the tourist business (hotels, restaurants, museums, shopping) will speak some limited English. Everyone appreciates a little effort and politeness in their own language, which it sounds like you do. And you'd be amazed at what gestures, pointing and context can do for communication. As for driving, if that worries you, do as the other poster suggested and limit your trip to public transit options. The worst that can happen is you miss a train or bus and have to catch the next one. People will be very helpful in directing you to the right train or bus. Italians are generally very friendly and outgoing. I'd bet that once you get back from that trip, you'll spend all your thinking moments dreaming of going back and maybe then you'll feel comfy enough to drive.

Posted by
83 posts

We have traveled in many European countries and to Italy three times. Language has never been a problem. We make our reservations for accomodations before we leave home online. We leased a car in France for 32 days and drove all over the country with no problems. In Italy (there a shorter time) we rode the trains everywhere we went. It was so easy to do. We used the kiosk at the station and bought point to point tickets (cheaper). At the kiosk you can change the language to English and it's a cinch. We're in our 60's and having the time of our life. Try it; it's an adventure!

Posted by
101 posts

Its not so much the driving I guess. Just the worry of reading signs and directions. I am so used to North American driving where its mostly north south east and west. I have driven a lot in the UK so its not totally unfamilar with me. Maybe Im creating a storm in a teacup here. Would prefer to drive than take public transport as we do love to just take day long drives and find new roads and places.
I had heard that Italians were far more approachable and friendly than the Parisien French Pretty sure we will be visiting Italy, my wife has always wanted to see David and The Vatican but those are her only two "must see's". The rest we would probably just wing it. Having a car will give us lots of time and freedom to "Rome" the countryside. I dont mind cities but am a country boy at heart so I think we have picked a good place to stay. A chap I work with has stayed at the same place twice and swears by it for a nice quiet and relaxing location. I guess that it seems such a big vacation to plan compared to other trips we have undertaken in the past. Cost wise its neither here nor there, I think its just the unfamiliarity of everything. Pete

Posted by
20 posts

Just got back from 3 weeks in Italy. Drove the entire time except for some short trips into towns. Speak absolutely no Italian, and never had a problem.
Last trip (2009) drove in Rome, as well as into Umbria, Assisi, and various small towns. I am 75, and can only assume the Italian drivers were more afraid of me than I was of them. Not speaking the language has never been a problem, except some times in England.

Posted by
791 posts

Pete,
I was pretty intimidated with driving when I first got here. It's not that big a deal once your used to it. I can send you a link on the road signs if you're interested. LMK. Yeah, you don't really navigate by the compass signs here but by what citie your going to.....so say you wanted to go to Rimini from Bologna you would have to know that Ancona is the next big city from Bologna and head that way until you start seeing Rimini signs. But really I would suggest bringing a GPS and once you;re using that you don't really need to worry about it.

Posted by
53 posts

Been there twice myself and I dont speak Italian. People there speak English well enough for you to communicate with them. Its actually quite easy and fun. dont be nervous, everyone around you will be just as new at italy as you are. Just smile, take your time, and breathe it all in. Have fun.

Posted by
719 posts

Hi Pete, Yep, I'd say that you're creating a "storm in a teacup". Love that phrase, by the way. If the driving scares you, take along a GPS. These things are lifesavers when travelling in Europe. They're not infallible in Italy (the roads don't always match the map), but they will always get you to where your going, even if it takes a few wrong turns. Honestly, it's not that bad (just remember your International Driver's Permit for ALL drivers). Now, for the language. It's not that bad either, especially up north near Florence, where TONS of people speak English. If you pick up the pleasantries (hello, goodbye, thank you, please, I'm sorry, etc.), you'll do just fine. Italians WANT to understand you, and they are very patient. Sign language goes a long way, and you will invariably be able to communicate just about anything via pointing to pictures in your guidebook, or the menu, using your newly learned Italian phrases, and smiling. Italians are great that way. In the cities, you will amost always find english speakers, and even in most of the touristed countryside, as well. When you can't, order spaghetti and chianti, and enjoy the view!
Have a great trip!

Posted by
175 posts

Two ideas from someone with a totally non-Italian speaking husband who has driven from Sicily to the Alps and inbetween w/o any problem. 1. Go to Slowtrav website and click on their info on driving in Italy - they have links that show all the road signs plus any other info you should know about driving Italian roads. In fact, the site has some great resources in every area of travel to Italy. 2. Consider a tour for the first part - you'll get an overview, be taken care of, get some confidence and feel quite Italian by the time the tour has finished. IIRC, RS has semi-guided tours all
around your chosen area. Relax, go, enjoy......

Posted by
359 posts

Not speaking Italian is not really a problem though picking up a few basic phrases is always a good idea. If driving in Italy causes you anxiety than you have to decide if you really want to do it or not yes a car in the coutryside is nice but it is not completely necessary. If you would be more comfortable using buses, private drivers...that is certainly a reasonable option. I live in LA where we drive too much so I try not to drive much when on vacation.
It's important to enjoy yourself and not feel panic or anxiety, choose whatever you think will make you the most comfortable.

Posted by
283 posts

Pete - I do not speak Italian either. On a trip 2 years ago, we took the RS Italian phrasebook. Even though we did not need it very often - I felt better having it. We also used Rick's books to plan the trip. It helped us find wonderful places to stay and wonderful restaurants. It's like having your own personal tour guide! Also, I drove in Ireland (not Italy - but challenging) this summer. No co-pilot, or a sense of direction! I used my own GPS with a lot of success. Just load the Italy maps before you leave. I hope you have a great trip!

Posted by
55 posts

No worries if you do the following: Get a GPS with European maos. If you already have one, you can probably get the maps for it. If you get one from your rental car company you'll pay a premium and the instructions probably won't be in English. I can't tell you how much stress this removes from driving, even though the GPS is occasionally wrong (otherwise how did I wind up on that mountaintop in Verbania?). You can get printouts of European road signs on the internet. The signs are pretty much the same for all of Europe and are pretty easy to follow. Learn a couple of words of Italian and bring a dictionary for the rest. I've found that people will bend over backwards to communicate with you if you can just say hello and please and thank-you in their language.

Posted by
32171 posts

Pete, Is the "irrational fear" mostly because of the language issue or other factors? Travel in Italy can be challenging at times, but also incredibly wonderful, and IMHO the minor problems are far outweighed by the benefits. That's one reason I make a point of getting to Italy every year, regardless of where else in Europe I'm travelling. My trip this year will likely focus mostly on Italy, which will include one of the RS tours there. There are a few concerns with driving in Italy, and these are my "usual" comments: For driving in Italy, each driver must have the compulsory International Driver's Permit, which is used in conjunction with your home D.L. These are valid for one year, and easily obtained at any CAA/AAA office (two Passport-sized photos required, which in some cases is offered at the issuing office). Failure to produce an IDP if requested can result in fines on the spot! Have a look at This Website for more detailed information on driving in Italy. You may also want to have a look at some of the other posts here concerning the dreaded Zona Traffico Limitato areas that are becoming increasingly prevalent in many Italian towns & cities ( especially Florence!). EACH PASS through one of the automated Cameras will result in a €100+ ticket! A GPS along with a good Map would also be a good idea. Be sure to also give some thought to the question of CDW. If you accept the CDW offered by the rental firm, it will be expensive but will provide "peace of mind". Some "premium" credit cards provide rental vehicle insurance, however I've found this to be somewhat complicated so I just accept that offered by the rental firm. Check the Car Rental section in Europe Through The Back Door for further information. continued...

Posted by
32171 posts

Pete - Part 2.... To expand on the language question, as with travel in any countries in Europe it's always a good idea to learn a few of the common words and phrases - Please, Thankyou, etc. If you pack along the Italian Phrasebook you should have no problems. It's also important to remember that most of the staff in tourist areas can function well in English. When you obtain your I.D.P., you should be provided with a chart with information on the road signs. They're mostly self-explanatory and as you're used to driving in the U.K., you should have no problems. The biggest concern will the the ZTL areas (DON'T drive in Florence) and parking. You might find it helpful to have a look at This Website for information on renting cars in Europe. I tend to use rental cars "strategically" to reach areas that aren't well served by public transit, or where the timing doesn't work well with public transit. Using well planned train or Bus transportation is a much easier and more relaxing option most of the time. Trains are usually a faster and more efficient travel method than cars, especially the premium trains such as the TGV in France (300 kmH!). Buon Viaggio!

Posted by
8 posts

My husband and I are both in our 60's and went on our first trip to Italy last fall for 3 weeks. We did not go on a cruise and did not go with a tour group. We planned our own itinerary and had a wonderful time. We flew into Rome, took a bus to Siena, a train to Florence, a train to Monterosso, a train to Venice, a train to Bellagio (on Lake Como) and then a train to Milan (we flew home from Milan). Language was not a barrier. People were friendly and we loved getting to know the people in the cities/villages that we visited. Some of our best times were the times we just went into the local markets and bought wine, cheese, bread and then went back to where we were staying and sat on the terrace and "people watched." Yes, I was nervous before we went. My husband had been in the Air Force and has traveled abroad many times. This trip, however, was my first trip abroad. It was definitely the trip of a lifetime. I wish you the best. Relax and enjoy!!

Posted by
23 posts

Pete, My wife and I are 60+ and have been to Italy 6 times and will return to Venice and Lago Como in May. We have had brief encounters with a pickpocket at an English bookstore in Florence (stymied by a quick pushback and loud "No!") and children gypsies near the Colisuem in Rome (again, arms up and a loud "No!"). We have never felt in danger. A positive attitude, a smile, a real attempt at basic Italian (pronounce every syllable) and a credit card will usually win the day. Driving (except for towns) is easy b/o international road signs and a car is necessary to see the countryside (we recently spent a week in a villa near Siena). None of us are getting younger, so, go for it!
Tom

Posted by
96 posts

Hi Pete I would say that sometimes I experience anxiety at the beginning or maybe for the first few minutes while we are trying to get out of the airport but I think it is really just fear of the unknown and it goes away once you get going...it all works out and Italians are just lovely, friendly people. Your trip is just going to be great. Another thought...if you do decide to drive...I highly recommend the GPS. It was great!...not without some errs but I couldn't have done so well without it...BUT...Definitely get a good map (Not a RS map) to supplement it! So when you think the GPS is taking you the wrong way, you can check the map because sometimes it took off the highway and onto some obscure roads...but don't let that add to your fear...we got there just fine we just saw areas we wouldn't have seen otherwise. Have a great trip...you will be planning your return trip before you even leave Italy!

Posted by
32515 posts

Pete Before I went to Italy I had trepidations about going. I spoke German - to a degree, and French - rusty, but didn't speak Italian. I had done 3 years of Latin at school but didn't think that would get me far. I had been all over Germany and France, the Netherlands and Belgium, and Austria and Switzerland. But I worried about Italy. I'd heard about the pickpockets, the driving, the grittiness, many things. Why it should have been so different 100km from Switzerland I couldn't work out but I knew it would be. Anyway, my wife and I kept thinking how much we wanted to go to Italy, but we kept going to the other countries. Then, just before he died, about 7 years ago, at age 82, my Dad returned to Italy. The British government honoured WWII servicemen and gave them grants to return to where they had served in the War. My Dad had been a Commando and had been in Sicily before and at the invasion, had been at Montecassino, and pushed up Italy to the Po. He was given a plane ticket (they would have given him two but my Mother was too ill) to Napoli and he landed there, hired a car and drove all over to those places. A week later he flew home - satisfied. After he had died my wife and I said that if he could do that at 82 there was no reason we couldn't. And we did, and have been back every year since. No more anxiety for me. Yes - the further south you get the more difficult I find the driving, but over all I am used to it. I drive in London for goodness sake. I'm just sad we didn't go until he was dead.

Posted by
14801 posts

It sounds like: 1) You like to be in total control 2) You're worried about making a mistake 3) You're worried about what people will think Well.... 1) get over it. 2) It happens
3) You're never going to see any of these people ever again. Every year over 43 million people visit Italy. While it will be true that you will be the ONLY one to not speak Italian and the ONLY one to probably get lost or make a mistake. (Wow, real pressure.) So, what do you do? Learn a few key words in Italian: Hello, Goodbye, Please, Thank you, Where are the toilets? Right. Left. and so on. No need to be able to have in depth conversations about government corruption, just know a few basic words. Expect to get lost. Some of the best finds and experiences are unplanned. While it's true that the areas you mentioned visiting such as Rome, Florence and the rest of Tuscany do not get many visitors each year, I've read Rome only gets about 7-9 million, you will probably find some locals who speak English. Right now I'm planning a trip where I will encounter five different languages. If you think I'm going to try to become conversational in all five languages, well, you're crazy. I am going to learn the basic words and phrases and with a phrasebook, a little patience and a smile, I'm sure I'll do just fine. Will I make some mistakes? Probably. Am I worried? No. What I'm trying to say between the layers of sarcasm is to go and have a good time. Don't expect perfection because there is no such thing. Stop worrying and have fun. You're not the first non-Italian speaking tourist most of the people you will encounter have seen and you won't be the last.

Posted by
441 posts

Pete, Frank's advice is good. Also I spent a week in Milan last May and English was spoken just about everywhere. I made one trip to a Pharmacy where I had to make hand gestures, write out what I wanted and decipher what the guy at the counter said. It can be done. You'll be fine so go for it!

Posted by
2111 posts

Pete, Each of the previous responders has given solid advice, so I won't repeat it. But, I once saw a bumper sticker that really hit me (at a time I probably really needed the message): DON'T POSTPONE JOY Think about that. What will you (and your wife) regret more: making a wrong turn in route to the next village in Italy (which can often result in one of those stereotypical Rick Steves' moments of discovery in and of itself) OR not seeing Italy? Life is short...... step forward and tick off those bucket-list things. When we have used our RS phrase book, pointing at a word or two when necessary (no matter the country), the person with whom we were communicating would ALWAYS smile, then flip through the (ex.) Italian to English section and point out words to communicate back with us. We would all laugh, smile, and have wonderful human interchange. Some of our biggest travel goof-ups abroad (boarding a local train instead of the high-speed we paid for), or our biggest travel oddities (my husband getting yelled at by an immigrant attendant in a huge co-ed bathroom in Paris.....still cannot figure out why).....those stories are our shared moments of memories and the stories we love to tell others. Our WORST, most tense travel moments are those that occurred in the US (where language was not a problem).....most often involving rental cars as we were leaving airport areas. Go, have fun, expect a few goofs, but laugh it off when they happen, look around, take in the beauty, and realize how many people would love to be in your shoes........visiting Italy :) Also, if driving appears more challenging than you thought, you can always opt for hiring a guide for various day tour trips or signing up for 1/2 day or full-day bus tours for overviews, etc. Hotels (or Helpline responders) can advise which are best.

Posted by
55 posts

Pete, One more comment about the Zona Traffico Limitato. If you stay in the historic area of any city, you may wind up driving in, and parking in one of these areas. Your hotel will give you a pass (they may charge for it) that will allow you to be in the area. Make sure you fill the form out properly. I transposed two digits on my rental car's license plate and had to pay a 45 Euro fine six months later after many phone calls to the police and my hotel in Pisa. They're very serious about this. I don't think anyone else has mentioned insurance. If you rent in Italy you're required to load up on it. American Express has a program that pays for insurance if you use their card to rent but the program doesn't apply in Italy. You may want to do what we did, which was to fly into Zurich and get the car there. That way you get a nice drive through Switzerland (check out Rick's Berner-Oberland stuff) as well as Italy. We've rented cars several times through Gemut.com. They always seems to be able to get a better price than other services and they're very easy to work with. Have fun. Relax!

Posted by
101 posts

Well lots of great replies as I expected from this forum! Even though the trip is not for at least 18 months it has eased my fears. I am the planner in the family and my wife just goes with the flow. We don't over plan though which is always good. I had totally forgotten about taking a GPS along so that will be a must do. My initial idea is to fly into Florence, stay in the city for a few nights and just walk the streets rather than worry about driving within the city. Then rent a car to leave the city and discover the Tuscan countryside and hill towns. We already know where we will be staying due to someone I work with. After that we will probably return the car and get to Rome for a few nights before flying home. Not going to worry to much about the planning till after our Alaska trip but a lot of you are right, "just go for it and enjoy, whats the worst that can happen etc" and its completely true. I would hate to deny my wife the chance to see one of the great historic countries of the world because I worry about the language barrier and of course, we really aren't getting any younger. Many thanks for all the responses. Over the next year or so I will be back on these boards checking and searching and maybe even asking a question or two. Cheers
Pete

Posted by
198 posts

Hi Pete, I can understand and appreciate your concerns. I see you have many wonderful responses. I thought I would contribute my two cents. This will be the very first time that my son and I will traveling to Europe, namely Italy. Although tremendously exciting, it is also scary. I decided that it would be nice to take an RS tour because of this being our first time traveling to Europe. All the transportation and hotels are included in the price, as well as many guided tours. Part of the time we will be on our own (as part of the tour). To deal with my concerns, I have been asking a lot of questions on this board, which has many lovely people on it who are very helpful. I am also reading information. If you want to do things more independently, the RS My Way tours are a nice option, because you make your own arrangements to see the sights, but your hotels and transportation to the hotels are provided, just as in the other type of tour. In either case, the tour guides will be there to answer questions. Whatever you decide, I hope you have a wonderful trip! Happy travels! Ruth

Posted by
542 posts

Pete, I think you've been given lots of feedback that should assure you that your fears are not unique, and that others who worried about communicating managed just fine. I don't think the language barrier is a big problem when driving. With a map and/or GPS, you"ll find your way. If driving still seems too daunting a task, perhaps your wife would agree to stay in Florence (or another town) so you could explore the area by train.
Although you'll certainly run into gas station attendants, store cashiers, etc., who don't know English, they've probably had experience with enough travellers who don't speak Italian that they'll be able to assist you with pointing and gesturing. Practice the Italian for "hello" "please" "thank you" "Where is..." and "How much..." and you'll be ok.

Posted by
396 posts

Take the train or bus. I have driven in Italy but don't like it because parking is scarce and expensive. Most towns, especially larger ones, have people who are very fluent in English in the places tourists go...restaurant, shops, etc.
Letting someone else do the driving relieves the stress factor almost completely!

Posted by
125 posts

Pete - if it's largely fear of the unknown that bothers you about travelling to Italy perhaps spending some time at Ron in Rome (http://www.roninrome.com/) will help to make you feel better. Ron has an amazing amount of information at his site which is directed at Rome but much of which applies to the rest of Italy as well. It's worth checking out.

Posted by
3065 posts

Hi Pete: You have got over the first hurdle, and that is: you really want to go to Italy! Tons of great advice here; the only thing I will reiterate is to look at www.slowtrav.com&#59; go to their Italy section; and it is all there about how to plan your trip. There is also a great forum there for your questions. I'm going to Italy for the 6th time in April, and usually have about a week on my own before meeting up with friends.
Have a great trip!!!

Posted by
1501 posts

Great advice from the other posters. My only advice re language is: It's great to know how to say "dove" (where is) but unless you can understand the reply, it's useless! Get a Pimsleur program, I got mine at Barnes & Noble, but you can also get it online...you will hear the language, and responses, i.e., go straight for two blocks, then turn right, etc,.. and I found it particularly helpful. Have fun! You will LOVE Italy!~

Posted by
154 posts

I'm a single woman in my sixties with limited travel experience in europe. I went to Italy for 3 weeks by myself -rome, florence, sienna, cinque terre - never once felt anything but joy over the whole experience. I learned the most basic italian - everyone was nice and I never felt unsafe. Going again in Sept - Venice and tuscany. GO and don't worry. sue

Posted by
1 posts

Hi Pete,
Since your trip isn't for a while yet I am going to recommend taking a beginner Italian class offered in your community through the Town of Whitby. Not only will it aquaint you with the very basic of Italian but some geography and culture is also covered. The best part though is meeting others who do not speak Italian but have travelled to and/or are planning a trip just like you! The information that is shared and learned might be useful. The atmosphere is casual and friendly and all those who attend share one thing in common - a love of all things Italian.

Posted by
411 posts

Just my opinion but Florence and Rome are two places where having a car is actually more trouble than it's worth.
Not sure of your flyin/flyout, but you might want to compromise and take the train into Florence from the airport and spend a few days exploring Florence. Florence is very walkable, and they have several bus lines and taxies as well. There are many limited driving zones in Florence with HEFTY fines for transgressing. Next pick up your rental car and go to the monastery, spend a few days exploring the area, then go back to Florence, drop off the car and take the train back to Rome. Rome has great public transportation and the hassle of parking a car there is not worth it (in my opinion). We'll be making our sixth trip to Italy in May and this will be the first time we've ever considered renting a car---thinking about staying a few days in the country side outside of Siena.

Posted by
101 posts

Well still more great responses as always from this board. I have also got a few private messages which were also very helpful. Going to leave the idea hanging for now but I do know that we will only be renting a car to leave Florence and tour the countryside. Certainly won't be using it in and around the city and will hopefully be using the train to go between Rome and Florence and wherever else we may decide to go. Many thanks again
Pete

Posted by
9 posts

I totally understand. Fear of language, fear of foreign country, fear of not understanding the laws. Fear, Fear, Fear. Been there, done that. We finally started with a cruise. Flew in to Rome, spent two days, then got on an Azamara ship in port of Civitavecchia. We had quite a few stops in Italy, such as Livorno (Pisa and Florence nearby), and Portofino. This worked out great, because we could go on tours at each port, which were guided, and transporation provided. The guide really enhances the tours with information that would otherwise be lost, and you jump the wait lines, such as 15 minutes versus 3 hours to see Michealangelo's David in Florence. Also, you can't pay me enough to drive outside the US. I brushed up on Italian phrases and numbers, which helped, but since we were always in cities, the English spoken by Italians was MUCH better than the Italian spoken by me. We are in our 50's, and having a lot of the planning/organizing done for us took a lot of the hassle out of the trip. The cruise also saved the hassle of constantly packing and unpacking. It was a great way for novices to see Italy for the first time. Now, we are much braver to do other things. Have since gone to Aregentina, Chile, Uruguay, and am planning a trip to England and Ireland. All of the natives in Italy were super nice. And I think it helped that I "tried" to speak the language with a smile. Go for it, whatever you do, you will not be sorry!