remphish1 Posted March 10, 2009 Share Posted March 10, 2009 Hey all, As you may or may not know I got the itch to constantly travel. I found a deal to goods to pass up. So in November for $239 R/T (That's after taxes) I booked a ticket to Barcelona from NYC. I decided since airfar is cheap in Europe too to follow that up with a trip to Rome, Venice, and Milan. I haven't been to any of these cities before and Iw as hoping you would share your recommendations of where to stay, eat, what to see or anything else you would like to share! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
NightOfJoy Posted March 10, 2009 Share Posted March 10, 2009 In Barcelona, go see ALL the Gaudi buildings and his park. Check out the Ramblas, which is the main 'promenade' of the city....off the Ramblas is a big square that has a bar called the Glacier. This square is a very easy place to purchase chocolate from the Moroccans if your looking for that sort of thing. Near the waterfront are a few bars that sell cava, which is very new champaigne. I recall buying glasses of it there for a nickel. Tapa's can be purchased everywhere. Dont forget to try the "bombas" and potatas bravas. If you get a chance, go for a ride on a motor scooter around the city for a hair raising thrill. And feast your eyes on the Catalan women, which are some of the most fetching women on earth. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PopTodd Posted March 10, 2009 Share Posted March 10, 2009 ROME:Eat here: http://www.ambasciatadiabruzzo.com/inglese...ex.php?cmd=homeHave your caf Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mfwahl Posted March 10, 2009 Share Posted March 10, 2009 In Barcelona, go see ALL the Gaudi buildings and his park. Check out the Ramblas, which is the main 'promenade' of the city....off the Ramblas is a big square that has a bar called the Glacier. This square is a very easy place to purchase chocolate from the Moroccans if your looking for that sort of thing. Near the waterfront are a few bars that sell cava, which is very new champaigne. I recall buying glasses of it there for a nickel. Tapa's can be purchased everywhere. Dont forget to try the "bombas" and potatas bravas. If you get a chance, go for a ride on a motor scooter around the city for a hair raising thrill. And feast your eyes on the Catalan women, which are some of the most fetching women on earth.Good stuff. I'll add to that Dali's museum/gravesite is a short/cheap train ride away from Barcelona. Definitely worth it if you have the time. This city (Barcelona) is magic. Just explore. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
remphish1 Posted March 10, 2009 Author Share Posted March 10, 2009 In Barcelona, go see ALL the Gaudi buildings and his park. Check out the Ramblas, which is the main 'promenade' of the city....off the Ramblas is a big square that has a bar called the Glacier. This square is a very easy place to purchase chocolate from the Moroccans if your looking for that sort of thing. Near the waterfront are a few bars that sell cava, which is very new champaigne. I recall buying glasses of it there for a nickel. Tapa's can be purchased everywhere. Dont forget to try the "bombas" and potatas bravas. If you get a chance, go for a ride on a motor scooter around the city for a hair raising thrill. And feast your eyes on the Catalan women, which are some of the most fetching women on earth. Thanks for the pointers I will have to be careful looking at the women I am married! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Stan Posted March 10, 2009 Share Posted March 10, 2009 BarcelonaNever been. Would check out that bar where Manu Chau hangs out. RomeClimb to the very top of St Peters. See the Sistine Chapel - if only for the fun of observing the whispers rise to a buzz rise to chatter before the periodic "Please be quiet" messages come over the PA.A trip down into the catacombs is interesting. Ice cream at the Trevi Fountain at night - throwing your coin in over your shoulder. VeniceMust stay overnight - entirely nicer atmosphere once the crowds have dispersed. MilanComparatively not too much apart from the Cathedral - get up on the roof amongst the gargoyles. The Last Supper needs booking well in advance. I hate shopping. I'd go to Florence instead of Milan if you haven't been there, then you can go by train from Rome to Florence and on to Venice too. Italian trains are reliable. Arriving at Venice by train is fantastic - right on the Grand Canal. About the only good thing Mussolini did was ensure that Italian railway stations are right in the centre of town. Also from Florence day trips to Sienna and Pisa are in reach (also by train). Pisa only has the Campo so can't justify more than a day. You can get to the top of the tower again now. It's another one of those places where at first the crowds might get frustrating, but they themselves get interesting in a way when you stop to observe. All doing the holding the tower up photo opportunity etc. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
remphish1 Posted March 10, 2009 Author Share Posted March 10, 2009 BarcelonaNever been. Would check out that bar where Manu Chau hangs out. RomeClimb to the very top of St Peters. See the Sistine Chapel - if only for the fun of observing the whispers rise to a buzz rise to chatter before the periodic "Please be quiet" messages come over the PA.A trip down into the catacombs is interesting. Ice cream at the Trevi Fountain at night - throwing your coin in over your shoulder. VeniceMust stay overnight - entirely nicer atmosphere once the crowds have dispersed. MilanComparatively not too much apart from the Cathedral - get up on the roof amongst the gargoyles. The Last Supper needs booking well in advance. I hate shopping. I'd go to Florence instead of Milan if you haven't been there, then you can go by train from Rome to Florence and on to Venice too. Italian trains are reliable. Arriving at Venice by train is fantastic - right on the Grand Canal. About the only good thing Mussolini did was ensure that Italian railway stations are right in the centre of town. Also from Florence day trips to Sienna and Pisa are in reach (also by train). Pisa only has the Campo so can't justify more than a day. You can get to the top of the tower again now. It's another one of those places where at first the crowds might get frustrating, but they themselves get interesting in a way when you stop to observe. All doing the holding the tower up photo opportunity etc. Would like to go to Florence. Only really going to Milan to get the cheap flight out of Italy back to Barcelona. I don't really like shopping but the wife does so I figured she would love Milan. Thanks for the pointers on the side trips would like to hit up some of those places! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
explodo Posted March 10, 2009 Share Posted March 10, 2009 ROME:Have your caf Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Winston Legthigh Posted March 10, 2009 Share Posted March 10, 2009 I'm going to Venice for 3 nights in early June. I'll report back... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PopTodd Posted March 10, 2009 Share Posted March 10, 2009 I second this emphatically. Also go to Pizzeria Buffeta (and be prepared to wait). If you've never bee, the Colosseum and Palatine Hill are worth the trip, despite all the tourists. And wandering through the Jewish Quarter is fun. Actually, wandering almost anywhere in Rome is fun. I am Jewish. And one day, while wandering, we wandered right into the Jewish quarter! I was pretty surprised to see all the Hebrew "Kosher" signs, all of a sudden. But, since it was the High Holidays, there were armed soldiers guarding the temple and we could not get in. It was fun. Also, in Rome, make sure that you get to see "La Bocca Dela Verita". Just a fun little thing -- that was also featured in the Audrey Hepburn movie Roman Holiday. It's right near the architectural walk and the Spanish steps, but it's easy to miss when being overwhelmed by all of that. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GtrPlyr Posted March 10, 2009 Share Posted March 10, 2009 Barcelona - I loved this city: beautiful and vibrant. I agree with the Gaudi suggestions--all the Gaudi buildings (Sagrada Familia, Casa Batllo...) and Park Guell are worth visiting. Also the Picasso Museum, better collection than what they have in Paris. A trip to the top of the city where the big fountain is a must: beautiful view of the city, and a great place to relax for a bit. The Olympic grounds are pretty cool too. Make sure to have some Paella while you're there if you can. Rome - Like others have mentioned: St Peters, Spanish Steps, walk around Piazza Navona (watch out for panhandlers and scammers here), Colosseum, Pantheon... Venice - is small, so I would recommend walking around and taking in the sites while getting lost in the maze of narrow snaking streets. A gondola ride is cliched I know, but still fun and worthwhile. St. Marks Square is of course a must (watch out for the rising water later in the evening.) Never went to Milan, opted for Florence instead. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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