Italy Visit - Recommendations

It was a while back and I was young, but we (family) were there for a few days and hit the major cities in northern and central Italy. Rome was my favorite city, very noisy in a harmonious way, nice upbeat atmosphere.

Edited by js - 19 Oct 2011 at 6:45am

A fear of heights combined with claustrophobia would have made that tough, nice pictures though, Italy is probably one of the most scenic countries I ever visited.

Thank you for sharing a wonderful photograph,Ash. I am fear of heights, but I watch it in peace because it is a photograph.

snobb wrote: dreadpirateroberts wrote: Got back a couple days ago, thanks again for the recommendations - I found only 1 Urbani album (live at the blue lab) but brought Perigeo and a few others, a lot of Italian prog actually. Had a blast, will post a couple pics later on! Slave, I would love to visit the north next time I visit Italy - took about 6 years to save for this trip, so it might take me a while :) OK than - if you saw Rome and Vatican than you know what the classic Italy is. If you visited Napoli by chance, you know what the South is (I expect you didn't visit Salermo, it's very separate world ). If one day you will come to North,you will be surprised how different it is from what you saw before. North from Rome (better let say 100 km north) you will find European Italy - with Milano, Turino, ok - Venice (absolutely overloaded by tourists but fantastic site to visit, better at spring or autumn), Como-lake,Verona,Italian Alps. I love northern Italy, southern is ... let say exotic place. Anyway, as you possibly noticed every even smallest place is full of antiques ruins there. You can be sure northern ruins will be the same even if you will come after six more years

Yep, had about a week in Rome, and we split the rest of our time between Amalfi, Florence and Venice.  In Rome we did see the Vatican, but it was packed, dreadful crowds. Much preferred Trevi or Pantheon in the end, easier to breathe ;)   Napoli we only stopped for a train transfer etc but the burning garbage caught our eyes as we passed on to Amalfi - which was pretty stunning.

 Florence was probably my favourite city, I loved all the street art (as well as the galleries of course) and the Duomo is an impressive feat, and the climb to the cupola was long and narrow, but worthwhile for the view. Venezia I liked as well, the narrow right-angle streets and the water, but the food was less impressive than the other cities - HOWEVER, this was only one tiny part of the region, Santa Marco, the most tourist choked part I imagine.

Yeah, that part of the country sounds great too, Slava, (Como-lake,Verona,Italian Alps) and when I'm done saving again (sigh) I'd definitely like to head north. Especially to the mountains for some quieter moments :)

Welcome Back Ashley. I had a chance to visit Italy once, beautiful country.

js wrote: I don't know if Massimo Urbani is still gigging, but he is one of the best alto players I have ever heard. http://www.myspace.com/massimourbani

js wrote: I don't know if Massimo Urbani is still gigging, but he is one of the best alto players I have ever heard. http://www.myspace.com/massimourbani

Excellent, John - thank you, will definitely try find his CDs when there - though when researching him, I learn that he passed away. Going to try and get either The Blessing (his last) or something early, Invitation perhaps.

snobb wrote: When in Milano, visit Blue Note - old fashioned legendary club. Don't expect experimental or too modern sound there, but often you can hear there some world class artists live. The program usually is placed on their site for months ahead.

Slava, that would be amazing - but we didn't end up adding Milan to the list of cities, now I regret it, as it sounds ace! Will try and stumble in to a gig when we're in Rome and other cities!

I don't know if Massimo Urbani is still gigging, but he is one of the best alto players I have ever heard.

Edited by js - 17 Sep 2011 at 11:51am