Navigate Italy

Sometimes it's hard to figure them out

2011-05-13T15:51:00.000-07:00

For most of, Italy is on our bucket list somewhere. A friend of mine left the states - Tuesday , to spend the next 6 months living in Firenze – to fulfill his dream of living in country for a season of his life. Italy is bittersweet. If you have been there before, you know what I’m talking about. Italians have their own way of thinking; often different from our own perspective. The train schedules are inconsistent. Shops close at will. Public transit is unpredictable. Directions can be impossible. It’s hard to explain to a first Italian traveler how the Italians think. Another example, just how different, was in the wall street journal this morning.

Please see the link below.

http://professional.wsj.com/video/milan-gets-the-finger/F17194EB-866F-488E-A612-1A2604681980.html?mg=reno-secaucus-wsj

A well known Italian artist, who splits his time between New York and Milano, has a sculpture is displayed in the financial square in Milano. The sculpture is a giant middle finger sanding vertically tall within the square. It has many Italian laughing, all the while communicating the strife of past Italian politics. The sculpture is well liked and a motion has been made it a permanent part of the city. This is just another example of how different this country can be

Florence

2011-04-07T15:23:00.000-07:00

As we start heading out of March and into April, it’s officially the start of “pre-vacation” season. Most people are planning vacations, or have already planned them, and are buying ticket, reserving hotels, tours, etc. Florence is often times on peoples travel bucket lists. Since my first time to this city, this past January, the visit compelled me to write about recommendations. So often, when traveling, we feel rushed as to not “miss anything” within these once in a life time cities. Time is often limited as we feel the need to get the best bang for our travel buck. Case in point, yesterday morning’s online edition of The Wall Street Journal covered sights to see when traveling to Firenze. It seems everyone wants to be dreaming of Italia.

Food
Firenze has great country food, but it can be expensive. If you want to eat well without spending too much, don’t eat ever meal out! It’s easy to simply, sit at a restaurant, when you are hot, tired, dehydrated, and hungry. Buy food in the local markets, or grocery stores, will tide you over until your big restaurant meal of the day.

Markets/Grocery Stores
Despar Supermercato
Piazza di San Lorenzo, 20-red,
Firenze 50123

Supermercato Sma
Via Alessandro Allori, 9,
Firenze, 50127

Mercato Centrale
Via dell'Ariento
50123 Firenze

Sites
Most people I speak with have 2 to 3 day in Firenze, I recommend you must see the following …
Il Duomo – Costs 7 EURO walk to the top of the copola. It is well worth it if you can physically handle the walk.
Ponte Vecchio – World famous bridge that crosses the Arno river. Absorb the culture of the city as you walk to and from the bridge.

Lodging
I stayed at the great bed & breakfast within walking distance of the train station and the Duomo called Soggiorno Magliani. An excellent place to stay, inexpensive, and has an extremely knowledgeable and friendly staff.

Soggiorno Magliani
Via Santa Reparata, 1
Florence, Italy, 50129

Firenze seems to be the city that most English speaking people like to visit. So, If you are looking for an off the beaten path kind of tour, this is not it, however, it’s a great place to see some classic Italian country. I will return in due time.

Question
Do you have a favorite restaurant in Firenze?

Florence in Less Than 350 Words

2011-03-11T15:21:00.000-08:00

When I was looking at places to visit for my last trip I automatically omitted Florence, or Firenze, from the list. The mental image that came to mind - as I reflected on the people I talk with about this city - was overweight, loud mouth Americans, who loved the fact no Italian was needed to enjoy the city. As I got over the hordes of tour groups - wearing Hawaiian shirts, lead by a small flag down the streets of Florence - in my mind, I decided, now is as good of time as any to go for a visit. Maybe I should clear this issue up.

Let’s get one thing clear; I am proud to be an American. I am blessed to live in a place like the United States; however, our people don’t represent our country well abroad. For are readers who have witnessed an ugly American, I sincerely apologize. There will be more to come on this topic - I am mulling over a blog post on cultural do and don’ts.

But after I spent a week around the city, my opinion of the city was quite the opposite. I found Firenze to be great and I cannot wait to return. In my opinion the best parts of the city are;

Size: Smaller than Roma, with a similar feel, you can absorb the city much easier.

Cleanliness: Not to say other cities are dirty, but it would appear Florentine people scrub the streets every night.

Gastronomy: The food is great. It’s true country Italian-famous for their stake. As for the wine, there is no better city for quality and price, than Firenze. The only down side is the bread. It’s terrible. Too dry, and turns to crumbs in your mouth.

Culture: The people in Firenze dress like the fashion elite. It is the capital of European country living. It’s as if a magazine comes to life.

I give Firenze 83 pts out of 100. It is a solid place; I will be back.

Earth Quake & Tsunami in Japan

2011-03-11T12:13:00.000-08:00

This morning I woke and was shocked to hear the news about the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. I want to join the world in lending my thoughts and prayers to the people of Japan. My the Lord keep you safe in during this time of chaos. I will be praying for you all.

Viva Italia! 2011 is Here!

2011-03-10T15:37:00.000-08:00

First off I apologize for the lack of posts over the past year. I was completing my last year of university and some things fell through the cracks. The past year has been full of learning and travel. Starting this week I will be sharing with you four city reviews: Firenze, Siena, Roma by Vespa, and Isola d’Ischia (Island of Ischia). The best way to dive into these places is to share experiences, mistakes, and reviews of each city. I am stoked to report on each place and more as the 2011 travel season gets underway! I have a feeling this year is going to be huge to Navigate Italy, and I am excited you all get to be a part of it!

Please do not hesitate to comment or contact me in regards to other questions you may have or experiences you want to share.

Ciao for now,

Roma Pass

2009-10-17T21:35:00.000-07:00

Unfortunately on my blog post last night, I did not disclose where to purchase the Roma Pass. I am not sure that you can pre-order than online. Although I am sure that you can purchase then in county at certain Tabaccherie in Italy. Make sure to ask around, they should be more available at places close to major metro stops. There is also a Roma Pass information center in the bottom level of the airport(Fiumicino). Hope you guys check it out!

NAV ITA BACK!

2009-10-16T21:01:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone!! I just returned back from the Home land and so excited about what new things ahead for Navigate Italy! So lets get to it, First thing twitter fan and user the post about the tweet about the Roma Pass, here is the scoop! The Roma Pass it a book-let which gives you a 3 day transpiration pass*, a card good for 2 free entries into a long list of museums, monuments and other things (after you use the 2 free, the rest are discounted heavily). You also receive a map of the city and a small city guide. All in all it is an excellent buy if you are staying in Roma for afew days and want to get into the Colosseum, and a few other expensive place for free. Also a good souvenir to back!! All for the cost of 23 Euro!

Check it out

http://www.romapass.it/

The break down, comparing to buying these things separately

3 day metro pass* 11 euro

1 good Map of Roma 7 euro

1 Museum entrance 9 euro

Bottom line you it pays for its self!!

* A metro pass/ transportation pass is good for the Metro(subway), buses, and trolly/streetcar!

Booking.com

2009-06-12T17:41:00.000-07:00

Ok, I just came across www.booking.com. Normally I stick with hostelworld.com to book my accommodations. Although I came across this site. They only book hostel to my knowlege, and have a extravigant range of hotel and prices. Which is a really good thing when you want to have option in where you stay and how much you spend. The reason I decided to give this site its own post was because when you select a hotel it tells you a wide variety of information in conjunction to your specific hotel you choose. For example it tells you what sights are close by, what train stations, metro, and airports are closests (and gives you aproximate distance), what resturants, near by hotels, nearest landmarks which might be helpful for getting back to your hotel when your get lost. Also abunch of other information you might need when choosing that perfect place to crash.

Booking.com check it out!!!

Napoli Football fans!

2009-05-28T12:09:00.000-07:00

Hey a good friend of mine in Napoli send me this article from a news paper in the United States. Some how he got it in Italy and emailed it to me! Check it out, good stuff!

Where to go when you know: Toscana or Tuscany

2009-05-26T13:08:00.000-07:00

If you are looking to check out Tuscany this summer, you only got to look one place for all of your info!!! Tuscany has always been the where the rich of Italy, like to kick back and relax. They invented La Dolce Vita, and if you are want your Europe with a side of R&R, and up scale class. YOU want Toscana!!

http://www.turismo.intoscana.it/

Blog for Transportation

2009-05-17T15:47:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone if you are looking for information on Using train in Italy, this blog is for you!!

Check it out.

http://www.visitingeu.com/western-europe/italy/

Has got some great ideas!! Also if transportation is something you are researching, make sure you look at BUS travel in Italy. Not only can you get it for a lot cheaper, it gives you more options in more remote places!!

NavIta_VideoSession 3: May Madness and Vatican Pt. 2

2009-05-17T12:22:00.000-07:00

The Vatican......

questions | concerns | comments | statements

navigateitaly@gmail.com

NavIta_VideoSession 3: May Madness and Vatican Pt. 1

2009-05-13T18:59:00.000-07:00

1: Get there early
2: Go up the Basilica
3: walk the promenade
4: People watch, with lunch on the steps
5: buy some stamps or send a letter! Its a small country one of a kind stuff!

Leave a comment on things you might want In summer sessions 09!!!

question | comments | concerns | statements

navigateitaly@gmail.com

Summer 09

2009-04-30T22:53:00.000-07:00

Hey good new, we just confirmed the Italy trip for the summer! Looking forward to bring new video sessions and new locations
!

Preview

2009-04-29T22:57:00.000-07:00

Hey every one, NavIta_VideoSession 3 is being worked on currently, and it will be on the Vatican City! A country un to its self.....literally. If you guys have any question post a comment or send an email!

NavIta_VideoSession 2: Top 5 Roma

2009-04-20T21:39:00.000-07:00

Sights:
Coliseum
Pantheon
Piazza Navona

Cultural:
Go to Volpetti cheese shop!! One of the Best in Roma!

Via Marmorata 47 - Roma,

www.volpetti.com

Break outta the Box: Try Something New

Meet a someone new!

Hope everyone liked NavIta_VideoSession 2!!! Don't forget to leave a comment!

- Buona Notte!

Questions | Comments | Concerns | Statements

navigateitaly@gmail.com

Rome: Best Hostel/Hotel - Hotel Lodi

2009-04-19T21:05:00.000-07:00

If you in Rome one of the best Hostel/Hotel to stay in is Hotel Lodi! It offers not only Hostel accommodations but also Hotel accommodation. It is in a quiet part of the city so you can retreat after a busy day in the city. A garden in the backyard in which Fabrizio (the owner) and his staff serves you breakfast in the morning! Fabrizio and his staff are the BEST staff which run a Hotel in Rome, if not Italy! they all speak english and have all the inside information and are not afraid to share it with you! I would never heasitate JUST GO AND STAY THERE!

Book them on hostelworld.com

http://www.hostelworld.com/availability.php/Hotel-Lodi/Rome/18041

Question | Comments | Concerns | Statements

navigateitaly@gmail.com

The fallen in L'Aquila

2009-04-19T20:16:00.000-07:00

Our Hearts go out to those who lost their lives and their families in the earthquake in L'Aquila. You will be in our prayers and our thoughts.

- Navigate Italy Staff

Questions | Comments | Concerns | Comments

navigateitaly@gmail.com

NavIta_VideoSession 1: Test, Italy to come

2009-04-02T12:43:00.000-07:00

New Navigate Italy Video Session! check it out!! Stay with us and send Us an email let us know what you think!!

Questions|Comments|Concerns|Statements

navigateitaly@gmail.com

Up and Coming Italy: Emilia Romagna!!!

2009-03-24T20:27:00.000-07:00

I have been saying it for probably 4 years now amungst family, friends, and fellow travelers. Now I am starting it see it in magazines and people are beginning to discover it. The new up and coming Tuscany and Umbria is the Emilia Romagna region! The three towns of Forlì, Cesena, and Bologna are everything people fell in love with in Tuscany and Umbria, with a dash of everything in between! Not to mention ryanair fly's right in and out of Forlì for quick access! Plus it houses the hill town country of San Marino! It is the undiscovered corner of the country which seldomly seen toursits. Although has plenty of B&B's, cheapers hotels, excellent wine, amazing food, and the best people. To seal the deal are the costal cities of Rimini and Cervia are untouched by large groups of tourists, but are just as beautiful as the amalfi coast and cinque terra. You will start to see this region start to explode soon due to the amount of jobs becoming available throughtout the region. Droves of people from all over italy, especially the southern regions are moving to north east of italy to hit the rest button on their trade market. Emilia Romagna is it! The real deal!

Flights in Europe!!

2009-03-20T20:39:00.000-07:00

Hey you know I've been saying that I will keep you updated with cheap fare online in Europe! Here is another one for you to add to the archives....

easyjet.com

Buona Notte

Napoli: part I

2009-03-14T14:50:00.000-07:00

We are starting to cover Napoli in several parts, short and to the point. In Part I we are going to cover:

Seat Belts
Pizza
Best Hostel

Seat Belts:
In Napoli no one wears seat belts!! Although it is becoming more common now most for saftey for children. But it is considered disrespectful to the driver if you put on your seat belt! Almost as if you don't trust the way he drives...So next time your in Napoli don't reach for the seat belt until you see what the driver dose...if He/She puts one on, then you are golden, if not welcome to Napoli!!!

Pizza:
Pizza was invented in Napoli! It's an art and a science. Sadly most places in italy really dont make a good pizza. The original pizza was marinara sause with chunks of mozzorella cheese and a dash of extra virgin olive oil! Then with the uniting of italy the Neapolitans added basil to display all the colors of the Italian flag! This pizza is called "Pizza Margharita", and you can order it all over Napoli, make sure to ask locals which pizzaria is the best in the area! They will have no problem telling you...

Napoli Hostels:
For the best Hostel in Napoli I would recomend "Hostel of the Sun" it will run you about $25 USD a night, but its one of the best in Napoli! Excellent location, Fun staff, and Safe. Also rated top 10 hostel's in the world in 2006 and 2007. It is positioned in a great place for trips to the amalfi coast, down town Napoli, Island of Capri, Island of Ischa, and much more. As always you can look on hostelworld.com to see other great places to stayin Napoli!

La Dolce Vita: Vino

2009-02-07T12:14:00.000-08:00

"La Dolce Vita"or as Kanye West's says- the Good life - is one of Italy's specialty's!! Italy produces some of the world best wine. If you are in Italy good wine isn't hard to find. Most people know Chianti and that's about it.
These are some Grape varieties which will blow you away, and you can also find them in the states!!

In Europe the region is used in describing the type of wine, as most of you know....which makes it harder to understand if you don't know what your looking for.

Northern Italian grapes - found all over Italy
These are vines you can find in the states, and all over the world!!

Dolcetto - Dolcetto D'alba
Nero - Nero d'Avola
Sangiovese - Sangiovese Di Romagna

If you are a huge wine guy check out
www.winelibrarytv.com
and the wine store at www.winelibrary.com

Getting Across the Pond!!

2009-02-02T10:46:00.000-08:00

Alright, to get things kicked off we are talking about getting to Italia. Good news is once you get over there it is a lot easier and cheaper to get around. The problem is getting cheap air fare from the here to there. The closer you are the cheaper it will be, which is a usually and easy answer..... the key is getting the tickets early, online is your best bet. I try to by 3 to 5 months before I leave. To get the best purchase price.

Good airline sites:
www.expedia.com
www.sidestep.com
www.orbitz.com - if you are a student you can get extra cheap tickets!! It depends per flight, but everyone could use an extra hundred bucks! through student universe at orbitz!
www.travelocity.com

I usually use expedia, I find its extremely competitive in price

Our First Blog

2009-02-01T23:13:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone...welcome to the first NAVIGATE ITALY BLOG!!! We're all about Everything Italian ALL THE TIME!!! This blog also collaborates with a video blog which will be coming soon...We're all about asking questions and finding answers to make your travel experience to Italy one of the best vacations you've had. Feel free to comment with some questions you may have. criteria: ANYTHING ITALIAN, or any travel questions related to Italy...