Looking for tips on travel abroad

[mustang84]

I'm going to Italy next semester from January through April for our 4th year architecture study abroad trip. I'm getting excited about it, but I still have a lot of preparing to do before I leave. I have the passport all taken care of, and our class is getting Visas in mid-October.

We'll be primarily in Rome, but we'll also take trips around Italy and we get some free time off to travel to other countries if we choose.

Anyway, I'm just wondering in general from people who have been to Italy or Europe what it's like? Any tips or things I should know/avoid? I've heard you have to buy a power adapter since their outlets run on a 220V wattage. Also, do ATM cards here in the US work over at ATM machines there, or is there some other good way to get money?

I guess I'll just make a list of some questions I have and see if anyone has the answers:

What's the food like? Can you eat cheap? I hear the wine is cheap and good.

Is it difficult to travel between countries? I've heard you can fly or take the train, but is it costly?

I know they drive on the left...do people walk on the left side of the sidewalk too?

Is there lots of anti-American sentiment? I'll probably blend in well though since I have Italian ancestry.

Are there peddlers/people who try to take advantage of you? Pick pocketing?

Are the people friendly in general?

Is the beef ok to eat with the whole Mad Cow scare?

What are some of the customs / cultural traits of people over there? I've heard people stand a lot closer to one another.

Anything else you want to add, feel free.

That's all I can think of for now!

Edited September 13, 2006 by mustang84

[trinacriabob]

I'm going to Italy next semester from January through April for our 4th year architecture study abroad trip.  I'm getting excited about it, but I still have a lot of preparing to do before I leave.  I have the passport all taken care of, and our class is getting Visas in mid-October.

We'll be primarily in Rome, but we'll also take trips around Italy and we get some free time off to travel to other countries if we choose.

Anyway, I'm just wondering in general from people who have been to Italy or Europe what it's like?  Any tips or things I should know/avoid?  I've heard you have to buy a power adapter since their outlets run on a 220V wattage.  Also, do ATM cards here in the US work over at ATM machines there, or is there some other good way to get money?

I guess I'll just make a list of some questions I have and see if anyone has the answers:

What's the food like?  Can you eat cheap?  I hear the wine is cheap and good.

Is it difficult to travel between countries?  I've heard you can fly or take the train, but is it costly?

I know they drive on the left...do people walk on the left side of the sidewalk too?

Is there lots of anti-American sentiment?  I'll probably blend in well though since I have Italian ancestry.

Are there peddlers/people who try to take advantage of you?  Pick pocketing?

Are the people friendly in general?

Is the beef ok to eat with the whole Mad Cow scare?

What are some of the customs / cultural traits of people over there?  I've heard people stand a lot closer to one another.

Anything else you want to add, feel free.

That's all I can think of for now!

192663[/snapback]

I will get back to you with lots of detail but I will make one comment (they do not drive on the left, they drive on the right side). Another thing, one can have Italian heritage, but if you are assimilated to the states (and you more so being in the Midwest) you will be treated like an American. With me, I speak the language but I look "American" to them and any slight hint that the Italian is tarnished with the slightest Anglo inflection will cause them to treat you like an American. No, they have no problem with Americans.

I know you will have fun...it will be a blast and make for memories of a lifetime. I know that U of Ill. exchanged with Versailles (Paris) and nobody regretted going. All reports were great (I didn't go because I wanted to finish early). Let me get back to you on all this stuff.

[sciguy_0504]

I hear everyone hits on everyone in Italy. True?

Have an awesome time, Mustang. Italy's definately on my list of places to visit. Go to Venice if you have the time.

[thegriffon]

They only drive on the left in the British Isles. There are several good sites with info on Italian wines. Try http://www.agriline.it/. DOCG wines are controlled regional varieties made to certain standards, most in addition have Consorzia of winemakers with further standards and numbered bottles. IGT wines are more liberal and allow winemakers to get creative. You should also look out for Consorzio fra Produttori di Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale di Reggio Emilia and Consorzio tra produttori dell'aceto Balsamico Tradizionale di Modena balsamic vinegars, difficult to find and very expensive even inside Italy. More common and less expensive are those produced by Consorzio Aceto Balsamico di Modena members. This is the type you'll find in supermarkets worldwide, but some are almost as good as the thicker, sweeter Tradizionale.

Edited September 14, 2006 by thegriffon

[trinacriabob]

I hear everyone hits on everyone in Italy.  True?

193043[/snapback]

OK, Sci, is that another way of asking whether bisexuality is rampant? Get real. The answer is no. I'm sure it's probably more relaxed than the US in this regard, but probably not much more so. The whole Mediterranean region is a lot more laid-back and "Oh well" about many things -- which is healthy. Now, in terms of an "any port in the storm" mentality, I've heard that's the way Turkey is...and even then, that's just people who've been there talking...and it could be that they are stereotyping or projecting.