Posted on 02/14/2007 8:48:33 AM PST by Big Guy and Rusty 99
Leaving for Rome and Florence tomorrow...any advice or suggestions on "must do" activities or great places to shop?
Oh, and remember, if you take the bus or train, only sit on the "inner seats" away from the windows as most terrorist attacks come from outside. (Tell that to the train riders in Britain)
My parents were in the U.K. during the terror plot of bringing liquids on the plane. Their return was delayed and they had extensive searches done to them. Even their gum and lifesavers were confiscated.
Upon arriving to Newark Airport, they all had to go against the wall and be sniffed out by dogs.
My sister and I were worried.
The first thing they did upon returning home was book their next trip.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1781878/posts
CDC greets cruise ship
That was their next trip. The cruise.
Disease broke out. My mom got sick. They didn't get to all their islands.
My sister and I were worried.
Upon arriving home, the first thing they did was book their next trip. In October, they will be going to China.
My sister and I are worried.
My parents are having a blast.
I envy my parents. They are go getters living life to the fullest.
:)
Agreed. Petty theft, pickpockets, agressive panhandling and scammers are of greater concern, but as long as you are alert this should be no problem either. (Watch for people with groups of children begging for food/money where the children swarm around you.) Presumably if you are on the tourist route you will visit mostly large cities. If you come from a rural area this may be a bigger difference than being in Europe.
What cities will you visit?
If you visit any countries where the driving is on the left, remember to look for traffic in that direction while crossing the street. To be safe, get in the habit of looking both ways (and in some countries it's inconclusive which side of the road they drive on from observation). This may sound silly, but getting hit by a car because you were looking the 'other' way is a real danger. Also, lots of little vespas and motorcycles which drive down between lanes of traffic, watch for them also while walking through stopped traffic.
Learn a few words of the language. A few please and thankyou words in each language go a long way.
Don't let the cautious travel books and hyped media of doom deter you.
In the military they tell you to avoid any clothing that would make you look "American". No cowboy hats, American flags/symbols, "I love W" t-shirts, etc.
Since she's going with a group, I'm sure she'll be fine. On those afternoons or days when they allow one to have a few hours on your own for shopping, I usually do one thing.
I will do my hair like the local women do..So, it may be pulled back in a ponytail, or in the Place de Republique, I will wear a scarf-yes, there are places in Paris which are Muslim central, and I don't want to stick out.
Also, I have one of those flat document pouches, on an elastic belt in which I keep my passport, ticket, and cash.
I practically have to undress to make a purchase, but I really don't care as I'll never see those shopkeepers again, anyway.
Also, it is considered polite, and good form to at least learn some basic phrases, and also to be able to understand them in your host country. You can buy different language programs at Barnes & Noble.
Not sure of her itinerary, but the Czech Republic, and Poland, especially, Krakow are my favorite places..
We were in Europe last year and no problem. Going to Ireland this summer.
An attack could occur ANYWHERE. The only places to avoid would be Tehran, Baghdad and perhaps Israel if you're really afraid of terrorist attacks!
Tell your wife to enjoy her trip! GG
I think the States win on the psycho shootings
Good point. Focus should be on what to do, not what to avoid. The food can be fantastic and should be sampled at every opportunity. One noticable difference is the relaxed attitude to public drinking and smoking. Their nanny state politicians are far more advanced than ours and hence are on to bigger things than smoking and drinking bans. It's no big deal in most places to buy a single beer or two if so inclined and sit in the town square having a few drinks and watching humanity flow by. You can even see people smoking tobacco products exposed to the full light of day in some places!:)
Yep. When our family went to Europe, we were dressed slightly more formally than average; so some people thought we were Germans.
There are "must sees" and "must do's" everywhere you turn in both Florence and Rome.
I am Catholic so the Vatican is tops on my list, so if you go, be sure to have covered shoulders and no short shorts or skirts. They WILL turn you away!
Eat, drink and be merry! Italy is a wonderful place (Rome is my favorite large city of all).
Have a safe trip! GG
Venice!
Would personally stay away from AThens airport.
But then, that's just because terrorists machine gunned, grenaded etc. where my tour group had been standing 5 minutes earlier.
There's been plenty of evidence that the Athens airport is very lax on security and has not greatly improved as far as I understand it. . . . least not sufficiently for my comfort.
Carry lots of wetwipes.
The bread in Italy was wonderful.
The Vatican museum etc. was worth a lot of time.
The service at the new _____ hotel in London was horrible and surley.
Avoid frenetic anything. Go at your own pace even if it means skipping some things. Less enjoyed is likely worth more than more exhausted and stressed out over.
Soak up the people--especially the people who are just real, themselves vs the performers out for every ounce of tip they can get out of you.
Enquire about their lives, perspectives. Seed some conservative thoughts and facts.
Be alert but not paranoid. Watchful with 2-3 escape routes pegged immediately in ANY NEW SITUATION OR ROOM. Insure you've noted suitable furniture to hide behind if needed.
AVOID VIRTUALLY ALL JEWELRY and other flashy stuff. A variety of colorful scarves and a minimum of clothes changes--all seersucker or similar wash/wear saves time, hassle, stress. Wash the basics out in the sink at night; hang to dry in the shower overnight; ready to go. soap for such. Stain removers. Tide bleach pen.
A small, NONAPPLE MP3 player that's inobtrusive but with plenty of memory would be useful as would a high megapixel digital camera.
Carry extra charged batteries for all the above as well as a means to charge on a variety of plugs.
Some of the wines, cheeses and breads can carry one for quite a number of hours and deliciously.
Wash the fruit with a few drops of chlorine bleach or other such effective cleanser. Rince with boiled water.
On your MP3 player, record impressions of each day and maybe some interviews with authentic locals.
Take 100's of pics and delete from memory the obvious wastes each night.
Carry 2-5 extra memory chips for the camera and for the MP3 player.
WARNING: STRONG PERSONAL BIAS. Avoid a lot of souvenir collecting unless they are small, memorable, compact treasures. Carry things in your memory, journal and photo memory which can't be stolen as easliy as expensive trinkets.
Gold may likely be hollow tubes sold as solid.
Local postage stamps and post cards can be worth some bother depending. Mail some post cards every day back home to closer people in your life. Tell them what you specifically miss about their personality; their relationship with you.
If you're a potter, get a good mug or plate. If a fabric crafter, a small tapestry or handweaving or crochet or knitted something. But not packages upon packages. THINGS are not the answer. Heart communication is.
Get destination directions in local language in writing BEFORE approaching a taxi. Agree on the price at least close BEFOREHAND--if meters--get an estimate. Ask a reasonable local about average taxi tips etc.
Take pics of the conventional, average, mundane . . . LIFE. Grains in bags; wild flowers; flower boxes beside shacks . . .
Watch the relationships. Watch the styles of affection and conversation.
Enjoy. It will be gone before we realize it.
Be safe. Cover each day in prayer. Ask loved ones to pray for safety as well as God arranged appointments throughout your day. Be ready for them. Walk into them prepared.
I think the opposite; the small towns stand a less chance of terrorist attacks.
Heck, don't miss the castles of Bavaria!
If you don't count the riots by young Muslims in France.
Ditto, watch out for pickpockets in Barcelona (well, all large cities in Spain) and also in Italy, particularly Rome. I nearly lost my wallet to a Gypsy pickpocket in Barcelona (she had it in her hand and I saw it and snatched it back from her), even though I had the wallet safely (I thought!) stowed in a kangaroo pouch that I was wearing around my waist, in front. However, this sort of thing has been the norm in Europe for who knows how many years; it is not an indication of terrorist activity.
If you wish to avoid anti-American comments and so forth, don't dress or act like a *sterotypical* American. Avoid white sneakers like the plague; wear only black sneakers or some sort of nice walking shoe. Do not wear sweats of any kind, short shorts, or too-casual clothing anywhere -- it just screams "American." No "gimme caps" or ball caps; wear a nice hat. Keep your voice modulated; assume the people around you can understand English. Basically, make sure you are wearing decent clothing at all times, at or maybe a little under the level of office-casual. We observed these rules, and people routinely assumed we were English and were quite surprised to find out we were American.
All this said, it's no reason to stay away from Europe if you have the chance to go! There are many great sights in Europe and it would be a shame to miss them.
If she goes to Paris avoid St. Dennis like the plague. I've never had any incidents in Europe except for when my car was broken into outside of Paris at a train station.
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