The Italy Thread

[The Ace of Aces 5175]

13 hours ago, Mo Horn said:

Watched the 2nd episode of the latest Stanley Tucci series on CNN. They make me so schizophrenic. I drool over everything he eats, and yet it's pure torture because I want to go to every place he goes. Damn, why am I not independently wealthy. 

That golden spaghetti - I need it in my life. 

[Biff Tannen 45661]

Am I reading correctly that you only need to show your vax card to get into Italy?  No testing?

[PenelopeWitherspoon 19100]

3 hours ago, Biff Tannen said:

Am I reading correctly that you only need to show your vax card to get into Italy?  No testing?

That is correct.  Same in France.  However, double check the definition of fully vaxxed.

[bonnieblue 542]

3 hours ago, Biff Tannen said:

Am I reading correctly that you only need to show your vax card to get into Italy?  No testing?

Over here right now and we didn’t even need to show the vax card. I wouldn’t necessarily count on that, but there wasn’t even someone to interact with on a covid-related basis.

Definitely bring a KN-95 mask for ferries and whatnot. They were really enforcing that.

 

[Biff Tannen 45661]

10 hours ago, PenelopeWitherspoon said:

That is correct.  Same in France.  However, double check the definition of fully vaxxed.

I've got 4 shots and had covid.  I should be ok.

[Mrs Whiggins 13050]

We watched 'Searching For Italy' with Stanley Tucci last season and for people who are watching this season (as we are); wasn't the London episode a feast for the eyes? I really really wanted to taste the scallop dish. That looked mmmmm. And the ragu.

[Mo Horn 8817]

1 hour ago, Mrs Whiggins said:

We watched 'Searching For Italy' with Stanley Tucci last season and for people who are watching this season (as we are); wasn't the London episode a feast for the eyes? I really really wanted to taste the scallop dish. That looked mmmmm. And the ragu.

Watched it last night. It was great. I want to eat everything he has, every show. The dish they made at his house perfectly exemplifies the food we had on our trip to Italy. Very few ingredients, and very simple dishes, but taste awesome. The cacio e pepe I had in Rome, which is just pasta, water, cheese, and pepper, is the best pasta dish I've ever had. 

[Mrs Whiggins 13050]

4 hours ago, Mo Horn said:

 cacio e pepe

We love making this. Had never made it until we saw his show.

[elfenix 34221]

On 5/20/2022 at 9:39 PM, Biff Tannen said:

Am I reading correctly that you only need to show your vax card to get into Italy?  No testing?

no one looked at my vax card or passenger locator form when coming in.  maybe it's because i flew into bologna rather than rome or milan.  i uploaded my vax card to united so maybe that was sufficient for entry. 

[GopherRock 1765]

When we went in December, no one checked out vaccination cards at any of the airports we went through. Granted, that was only Amsterdam and Rome, but I was expecting a full check prior to leaving the airport. Getting back into Rome airport to leave was a different story.

[Biff Tannen 45661]

18 minutes ago, GopherRock said:

Getting back into Rome airport to leave was a different story.

Expand on this please.

[GopherRock 1765]

2 hours ago, Biff Tannen said:

Expand on this please.

Aeroporti di Roma staff was checking at the terminal doors and skyway entrance for proof of vaccination and negative COVID test within 2 calendar days. They were doing this before allowing anyone to even get near check in, bag drop, or security. That said, they were the only ones checking. Airline staff, security checkpoint, and neither Italian or US customs asked. This was in January, so YMMV.

[texasdago 7562]

20 hours ago, elfenix said:

no one looked at my vax card or passenger locator form when coming in.  maybe it's because i flew into bologna rather than rome or milan.  i uploaded my vax card to united so maybe that was sufficient for entry. 

I thought they were getting rid of the passenger locator form

 

[elfenix 34221]

27 minutes ago, texasdago said:

I thought they were getting rid of the passenger locator form

 

they might have. a bunch of stuff changed right after i left.

[texasdago 7562]

Just now, elfenix said:

they might have. a bunch of stuff changed right after i left.

Looks like they dropped it May 1st. 

[Biff Tannen 45661]

Heading out on Thursday for 17 days.  Verona, Ortisei, Bellagio, Tuscany, then down to Sicily.  Looking forward to driving in Italy again.  I have a BMW 3 series reserved, but hopefully can grab a convertible when we get there, but rental car prices are nutzo compared to when I first did this in 2018.  

Good food and amazing people and scenery, here I come!

[VABuckeye 2472]

5 hours ago, Biff Tannen said:

but rental car prices are nutzo compared to when I first did this in 2018.

Yes they are.  So much so that it was cheaper for us to hire private drivers in Spain this month.  I did like sitting in the back of a Mercedes 500 checking out the Spanish countryside.

[Biff Tannen 45661]

14 minutes ago, VABuckeye said:

Yes they are.  So much so that it was cheaper for us to hire private drivers in Spain this month.  I did like sitting in the back of a Mercedes 500 checking out the Spanish countryside.

I looked it up.  16 days in a BMW convertible in 2018 cost $1200.  Over 5 grand now.

[bobcat1995 71]

• Starting from June 1, 2022, travelers to Italy will no longer be required to show the Green pass (i.e. Anti-COVID 19 vaccination certificate or recovery certificate, or a negative swab test) to enter Italy and are not subject to quarantine upon arrival to Italy if they do not possess the Green pass.

 

The timing of this is awesome.  Tomorrow, we leave for the Amalfi coast.    

Edited June 3, 2022 by bobcat1995

[Biff Tannen 45661]

7 hours ago, bobcat1995 said:

• Starting from June 1, 2022, travelers to Italy will no longer be required to show the Green pass (i.e. Anti-COVID 19 vaccination certificate or recovery certificate, or a negative swab test) to enter Italy and are not subject to quarantine upon arrival to Italy if they do not possess the Green pass.

 

The timing of this is awesome.  Tomorrow, we leave for the Amalfi coast.    

Yep. I just got into Venice this morning and didn’t have to show anything. Now in Verona. 

[bonnieblue 542]

On 6/3/2022 at 6:09 AM, Biff Tannen said:

Yep. I just got into Venice this morning and didn’t have to show anything. Now in Verona. 

Loved Verona! Had a fabulous meal at Alcova del Frate.

[texasdago 7562]

On 6/3/2022 at 6:09 AM, Biff Tannen said:

Yep. I just got into Venice this morning and didn’t have to show anything. Now in Verona. 

Went to the United app to upload and documents and, aside from passports, there were no requirements to scan vaccine cards like last year.

[Biff Tannen 45661]

2 hours ago, texasdago said:

Went to the United app to upload and documents and, aside from passports, there were no requirements to scan vaccine cards like last year.

We got an alert two days ago that Italy has lifted all Covid related restrictions. Double check that because the internet, but it seems to be accurate so far. 

[Biff Tannen 45661]

Ok. Am I the only one that thinks the ferry schedule on lake como is IMPOSSIBLE to understand?  Now, I’m not a smart man, but dammit, there has to be a simpler way. I saw 90% of the other people in line with the same issues too. Figure it out!  Everything else in Italy is easy and awesome. Why does this part suck?

Here’s some pics

[BHMCruiser 1813]

Has anybody on here ever actually eaten at Antica Macelleria Cecchini in Panzano? Does it live up to the hype?

[Biff Tannen 45661]

3 hours ago, BHMCruiser said:

Has anybody on here ever actually eaten at Antica Macelleria Cecchini in Panzano? Does it live up to the hype?

Going there tomorrow. Panzano I mean. But no, not going to eat there, nor have I before. So this post is useless. Sorry. 

[sidis 9822]

On 6/8/2022 at 1:52 PM, Biff Tannen said:

Ok. Am I the only one that thinks the ferry schedule on lake como is IMPOSSIBLE to understand?  Now, I’m not a smart man, but dammit, there has to be a simpler way. I saw 90% of the other people in line with the same issues too. Figure it out!  Everything else in Italy is easy and awesome. Why does this part suck?

Here’s some pics

i'm dying reading this.

[VABuckeye 2472]

We had no problem with the ferry schedule at Lake Como. 

[Biff Tannen 45661]

7 hours ago, VABuckeye said:

We had no problem with the ferry schedule at Lake Como. 

Well I guess I’m just a moron then. 

[VABuckeye 2472]

Or we just got lucky.

[bobcat1995 71]

Only had to wear a mask once, in Capri.  Only had to show my vax card once, at the Naples Airport returning to the states and no Covid test to come home.  No masks on the plane going or returning home!!

 

The Amalfi coast was beautiful.  We stayed in Positano and Ravello, took day trips to Amalfi and Capri!

[Gil Bang 25907]

28 minutes ago, bobcat1995 said:

Only had to wear a mask once, in Capri.  Only had to show my vax card once, at the Naples Airport returning to the states and no Covid test to come home.  No masks on the plane going or returning home!!

 

The Amalfi coast was beautiful.  We stayed in Positano and Ravello, took day trips to Amalfi and Capri!

The Alalfi Coast is indeed beautiful, but the bus ride that I took there was nothing short of terrifying. 

[South Austin 52434]

15 hours ago, bobcat1995 said:

The Amalfi coast was beautiful.  We stayed in Positano and Ravello, took day trips to Amalfi and Capri!

Indeed it is.  I was married there in April of 2004, in a tiny town called Furore, located between Positano and Amalfi.  According to the Mayor who performed the civil ceremony (we were married the following day by two Italian Anglican priests), we were the first American couple married in that town.  We stayed for about 5 days in Positano after the wedding and took day trips to Capri, Ravello, and Pompeii. 

[texasdago 7562]

This year, we're going to take a day trip down to Numana and explore the beaches below Monte Conero... really looking forward to exploring the area and enjoying a day out on a boat to do some swimming.  Will post pics afterwards.  Le Marche is an area that is traditionally overlooked by American tourists.  I think the countryside if wonderful and the beaches range from typical "beach with a lido" that is so popular in Italy to wild, untamed stretches of cliffs and coastline.  While we've been to Vallugola and Senigallia before, we really look forward to checking out places like this near Portonovo and Sirolo...

 

 

[Biff Tannen 45661]

Sicily for the first time. Near Castellammare del Golfo in a little town called Scopello. 
 

 

[VABuckeye 2472]

It looks like we are targeting September 2023 to go back.  It will be a 12 day trip with friends who haven't been to Italy.  We'll probably do Venice, Florence and then Tuscany.  I'd like to squeeze Lake Como in as well but with our other destinations I will have to work to sort out travel that makes sense.  As long as I get to visit the enoteca in Greve and Montalcino I will be happy along with my favorite little vineyard in Gaiole in Chianti.

[texasdago 7562]

1 hour ago, Biff Tannen said:

Sicily for the first time. Near Castellammare del Golfo in a little town called Scopello. 
 

 

We had a trip booked to Scopello years ago but had to cancel because, well, baby on the way.  BUT... a few years later we went to San Vito Lo Capo on the other side of the Riserva dello Zingaro (where you took that picture).  Good for you for going.  I think you picked the "right" side of Sicily to visit... fewer package tours, great food... its amazing.  If you have time, Trapani and Erice are great.  We went swimming off the very tip of Trapani which was very cool.  The salt flats between Trapani and Marsala are also worth visiting.  Enjoy!!!! 

 

Favignana kicks so much ass if you have a day to take the ferry.

Edited June 14, 2022 by texasdago

[Biff Tannen 45661]

1 hour ago, texasdago said:

We had a trip booked to Scopello years ago but had to cancel because, well, baby on the way.  BUT... a few years later we went to San Vito Lo Capo on the other side of the Riserva dello Zingaro (where you took that picture).  Good for you for going.  I think you picked the "right" side of Sicily to visit... fewer package tours, great food... its amazing.  If you have time, Trapani and Erice are great.  We went swimming off the very tip of Trapani which was very cool.  The salt flats between Trapani and Marsala are also worth visiting.  Enjoy!!!! 

 

Favignana kicks so much ass if you have a day to take the ferry.

Sweet. We are heading to Taormina for three more days tomorrow and then home. A lot of people on this trip, so I’m just kinda doing what everyone else wants to do. 

[sidis 9822]

just booked dinner at da vittorio for when my wife and i are there in late july.  went there in 2011 and it was phenomenal.  looking forward to my highly anticipated return.  the drive from tremezzo to brusaporto and back can be...interesting but should be worth it.

[BHMCruiser 1813]

On 6/14/2022 at 7:48 AM, South Austin said:

Indeed it is.  I was married there in April of 2004, in a tiny town called Furore, located between Positano and Amalfi.  According to the Mayor who performed the civil ceremony (we were married the following day by two Italian Anglican priests), we were the first American couple married in that town.  We stayed for about 5 days in Positano after the wedding and took day trips to Capri, Ravello, and Pompeii. 

My wife and I took our honeymoon in Sorrento

[htown85 159]

I’ll be in Bellagio (Lake Como) and Tuscany in September with my wife and our two small children (I realize a lot of people think that is insane).

I’m looking for any suggestions, but specifically day trips in Tuscany…

[Mo Horn 8817]

24 minutes ago, htown85 said:

I’ll be in Bellagio (Lake Como) and Tuscany in September with my wife and our two small children (I realize a lot of people think that is insane).

I’m looking for any suggestions, but specifically day trips in Tuscany…

We were in Tuscany last September. Did a day trip to San Gimignano. Great city to wander through. Any of the hill towns in the Chianti region are always a good choice. Sienna is also a given. 

[htown85 159]

Just now, Mo Horn said:

We were in Tuscany last September. Did a day trip to San Gimignano. Great city to wander through. Any of the hill towns in the Chianti region are always a good choice. Sienna is also a given. 

Thanks. It would likely just be some wandering, an easy lunch with wine, more wandering, gelato, and then heading out. How easy are strollers in these towns?

[Mo Horn 8817]

6 minutes ago, htown85 said:

Thanks. It would likely just be some wandering, an easy lunch with wine, more wandering, gelato, and then heading out. How easy are strollers in these towns?

They're all hilly, and streets and sidewalks aren't always even and smooth, so pushing a stroller will take some work. But all your other things are all everywhere. 

[Biff Tannen 45661]

1 hour ago, htown85 said:

I’ll be in Bellagio (Lake Como) and Tuscany in September with my wife and our two small children (I realize a lot of people think that is insane).

I’m looking for any suggestions, but specifically day trips in Tuscany…

September is a great time to go.  Way better than the summer.  Day trips in Tuscany for me are just drive.  Hit San Gimignano if you want (crowded when I went), but definitely Greve and Panzano.  Shit, just drive through the hills in that area and stop at places that look good.   I don't have kids, so not qualified to answer that stuff.

 

[Biff Tannen 45661]

1 hour ago, htown85 said:

I’ll be in Bellagio (Lake Como) and Tuscany in September with my wife and our two small children (I realize a lot of people think that is insane).

I’m looking for any suggestions, but specifically day trips in Tuscany…

Also, I should have asked, where in Tuscany?  Montepulciano and Montalcino are awesome if you are more south.

[Gil Bang 25907]

1 hour ago, Mo Horn said:

We were in Tuscany last September. Did a day trip to San Gimignano. Great city to wander through. Any of the hill towns in the Chianti region are always a good choice. Sienna is also a given. 

When you go to Sienna, drop a pin when you park your car.  It's easy to get lost.  But yeah, it's a must-see.  I hear that the Opera company is quite good.  We didn't go because I was wearing casual-summer clothes, but later I was told that it's very informal. 

[Mo Horn 8817]

9 minutes ago, Gil Bang said:

When you go to Sienna, drop a pin when you park your car.  It's easy to get lost.  But yeah, it's a must-see.  I hear that the Opera company is quite good.  We didn't go because I was wearing casual-summer clothes, but later I was told that it's very informal. 

We parked at the football stadium, so we had a landmark to return to, but great advice if you park somewhere else. 

[htown85 159]

9 hours ago, Biff Tannen said:

Also, I should have asked, where in Tuscany?  Montepulciano and Montalcino are awesome if you are more south.

In between Florence and San Giovanni

[Biff Tannen 45661]

Castellina is another good one in that same area.