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4X4 · 05-02-2007, 11:49 AM

Pisa can be accomplished in about an hour if you don't go into the Duomo or up the tower. You walk out the front of the station and look at the big map, walk straight down the main drag to the tower, snap a pic and walk back to the station.

In Roma, you'll probably enter the city via Termini train station. IF so, go to platform (binario) 24 and walk about halfway down (about 100 meters) to the tourist info center. Get a free map here. This free map is better than the crap they sell at the news stand (and free!).

Don't fear the station guys trying to sell you a hostel or hotel. They will probably get you an equal or better price than you'll pay online (unless you happen to roll in on a holiday or some kind of festiva). If you do need the services of a station guy, (and trust me, they'll be swarming you like flies on crap), try to find Lorenzo, if you do, tell him Mike sent you and he'll really take care of you. There's a couple guys there that I definitely don't vouch for, but most of them are pretty good guys just trying to fill their hostels and B&B's.
In fact, I might as well plug Lorenzo's place. He's my ex business partner (I sold my half to him when I moved back to Canada). You can find it on Hostelsclub under the name Travel Point. May or may not be in your price range. Not really a party hostel (rockstar, it's not the same place you stayed at, we sold Kiara after teh season was done) it's a B&B.

Don't take the tour bus. Rome is very foot friendly. Get a good pair of flip flops and you'll be fine strolling around the city with your free map. The tour bus is a total waste of money unless you're trying to condense Rome into a day or two.

Learn how to jaywalk. You'll never get anywhere unless you walk right out into the street and stare down the oncoming traffic. They'll merely dodge you. Don't take it personally.

There are so many things to do in Rome, but you can get all that info from a Frommers or Lonely Planet book.

My best advice is to stare at the map for a good 10 minutes and orient yourself. You'll see just how close everything really is. Note a few of the main roads like Via Natzionale, Via del Corso, Via Vittorio Emmanuele Secondo, Via Foro Imperiale, Via Cavour. Note the location of Piazza Venezia and these roads and you'll have no problem taking the back streets (avoiding road noise and discovering things not mentioned in your travel book).

Please please please take an afternoon to wander the streets of Trastevere. It is probably the oldest "suburb" in the world. You'll find buildings over 1,000 years old here, and you'll probably eat one of the best meals of your life here. Find an out of the way mom & pop place. It'll be cheap and soooo forking good. Some vino rosso and stracotto di manzo. Oh god I miss rome.

Don't forget to greet them in Italian. "Buon giorno (before 2:00) buono sera (after 2:00), non parlo italiano, parli inglese?"

05-02-2007, 11:49 AM	#40
4X4 One of the Nine Join Date: Dec 2004 Exp:	Pisa can be accomplished in about an hour if you don't go into the Duomo or up the tower. You walk out the front of the station and look at the big map, walk straight down the main drag to the tower, snap a pic and walk back to the station. In Roma, you'll probably enter the city via Termini train station. IF so, go to platform (binario) 24 and walk about halfway down (about 100 meters) to the tourist info center. Get a free map here. This free map is better than the crap they sell at the news stand (and free!). Don't fear the station guys trying to sell you a hostel or hotel. They will probably get you an equal or better price than you'll pay online (unless you happen to roll in on a holiday or some kind of festiva). If you do need the services of a station guy, (and trust me, they'll be swarming you like flies on crap), try to find Lorenzo, if you do, tell him Mike sent you and he'll really take care of you. There's a couple guys there that I definitely don't vouch for, but most of them are pretty good guys just trying to fill their hostels and B&B's. In fact, I might as well plug Lorenzo's place. He's my ex business partner (I sold my half to him when I moved back to Canada). You can find it on Hostelsclub under the name Travel Point. May or may not be in your price range. Not really a party hostel (rockstar, it's not the same place you stayed at, we sold Kiara after teh season was done) it's a B&B. Don't take the tour bus. Rome is very foot friendly. Get a good pair of flip flops and you'll be fine strolling around the city with your free map. The tour bus is a total waste of money unless you're trying to condense Rome into a day or two. Learn how to jaywalk. You'll never get anywhere unless you walk right out into the street and stare down the oncoming traffic. They'll merely dodge you. Don't take it personally. There are so many things to do in Rome, but you can get all that info from a Frommers or Lonely Planet book. My best advice is to stare at the map for a good 10 minutes and orient yourself. You'll see just how close everything really is. Note a few of the main roads like Via Natzionale, Via del Corso, Via Vittorio Emmanuele Secondo, Via Foro Imperiale, Via Cavour. Note the location of Piazza Venezia and these roads and you'll have no problem taking the back streets (avoiding road noise and discovering things not mentioned in your travel book). Please please please take an afternoon to wander the streets of Trastevere. It is probably the oldest "suburb" in the world. You'll find buildings over 1,000 years old here, and you'll probably eat one of the best meals of your life here. Find an out of the way mom & pop place. It'll be cheap and soooo forking good. Some vino rosso and stracotto di manzo. Oh god I miss rome. Don't forget to greet them in Italian. "Buon giorno (before 2:00) buono sera (after 2:00), non parlo italiano, parli inglese?" Last edited by 4X4; 05-02-2007 at 11:53 AM.