Nothing like the Prodigal Sons: The Odd Couple actually play as themselves.

[darrelljs]

See the real David, not the fake one.

Darrell

[Boldly Going Nowhere]

I've never been to Italy either (apart from the border area towards France), but generally speaking having a plan is good, especially near tourist traps, IMO.

NobleNit: It's "shoot *from* the hip".

Nice.



I can't believe you're siding with my wife. She hates civ! (I grudgingly agree with the need to have a plan to avoid the crowds though).

As for my misuse of the King's English, to my defense (one of my grad students, a native speaker would always say that rather than "In my defense.." and it's funny to me), I typed that message running out the door to a meeting and didn't proofread. You guys are going to cause me to turn into a Grammar Nazi...

..oh shit... [Don't click the spoiler if you are easily offended. You've been warned and I don't want to hear it...]

My meeting was long and painful, I'm a little punchy.

[Boldly Going Nowhere]

See the real David, not the fake one.

Darrell

Didn't see this comment, shot first FROM the hip immediately at novice's reply rather than multi-quoting like a normal person. You don't mind a Rego-doubletake, do you? Is the fake David commonly confused as the real one? I've been told to get up early to see David because the line wraps around the building pretty quickly and I'm not eager to spend half of a day to wait to see a statue if I can avoid it.

I'm interested in off the beaten path kind of stuff. If it is within a block of a McDonald's, Taco Bell/Pizza Hut/KFC, then it probably isn't for me. That said, I do want to see what a Colosseum looks like while I'm in Rome because no one ever builds them. So the World Heritage Sites kind of stuff I'll definitely try to see, but I'm looking for some fun stuff on the side that maybe you wouldn't know about before going.

[Ichabod]

If I ever go to Italy, I'd like to see this place: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Craco

Yeah, it's in the south of Italy, so probably out of the usual tourist route. But, as far as I know, my family comes from the south of Italy, so I'd like to go there and meet them as well (maybe I'm related to some Capo ).

[Old Harry]

Huh? Me?

I meant Goreripper - I'm afraid you're nowhere near.

I guess this is as good of a place as any other to solicit input. I'm going to Italy and I haven't been there before. My wife has tasked me with coming up with some places I'd like to see. I just want to go and figure it out as we go, but I know having a plan makes some sense. So, if you've been to Rome, Venice, or Florence and know any can't-miss stuff, please help spam up this thread and let me (and Gaspar and Noble) know. Thanks!

I read Robert Harris's Cicero novels after I went to Rome and wished I'd read them before...

[darrelljs]

The initial spot has a replica. If memory serves there was no line when I went to see the original, but that could have changed since its been about 10 years.

For me Florence >>> Rome > Venice, but everyone's tastes are different. I definitely recommend going into the Tuscan countryside and seeing some Vineyards. The Chianti Classico region is on the way to Siena from Florence...we hit vineyards on the way, stayed in Siena overnight and the next day, then hit the vineyards on the way back . Not sure how much time you will be in Italy but it was probably our favorite part of the trip. You'll get laid every night, I guarantee . The highlight of Venice was seeing a concert in the guild hall (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scuola_Grande_di_San_Rocco). During intermission they allow you to go the second floor which is covered with works by Tintoretto...one of the few ways you can gain access. Typically the musicians that play there are world class. In fact, by and large the music scene in Venice was the best part. The food was mediocre (compared to the rest of Italy, especially Tuscany). Rome is...Rome. The forum ruins was my favorite part, way better than the Colosseum (which is also pretty damn cool). I also liked the Pantheon quite a bit but then I am a fan of big domes. Really there are amazing ruins all over the place. The Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica are every bit as amazing as you might imagine. If you can make it to the south Positano might be worth checking out. Its a bit overrun with tourists, but still a cool place to visit.

Best thing about Italy is how friendly the locals are, be sure to engage them as much as possible and you will be well rewarded.

Darrell

[NobleHelium]

Masters of spam, indeed we are.

[Boldly Going Nowhere]

Masters of spam, indeed we are.

We should determine the winner of these games based on nothing but thread views and watch as Realms Beyond descends into the chaos of 4chan.

What is wonderful is that most some of this spam is accomplished without personally reviling our wonderful mapmaker, who clearly hates us and has a thing for Gavagai BECAUSE HE GOT ALL OF THE FOOD.

For Serdoa only:

On behalf of Team Bitchalot,

[spacetyrantxenu]

You lout, you'll spend time to microplan for a game of Civ you aren't even playing in but you don't want to plan for a vacation?

Darrell, if your guarantee is rock solid maybe I'll book a trip to Italy for a few weeks too.

[zakalwe]

I've been to Florence and Rome, and I can agree that Florence is nicer. Also, having a microplan instead of just shooting for the hip would have been smart, in hindsight. To my defense, though, I was pretty busy working while I was there.

Oh, and to all linguistic nickpitters: