Critical advice for one of the must-sees:

Posted by tinear (A) on October 21, 2012 at 13:58:24

In Reply to: First trip to Europe booked! posted by padreken on October 21, 2012 at 12:22:05:

the Sistine Chapel.
Go VERY early. If you arrive even an hour after opening, you'll be in line forever. If you have opera glasses or binoculars, take them for the Chapel: the paintings are far up and when you're at one end of the Chapel, it's cool to be able to see the stuff further away--- the crowds obviate easy walking around.
Be prepared to spend some time in the other Vatican rooms: study up. Raphael painted more than a few great works in the rooms, himself, competing w/his old rival Mike Angel.
Most folks kind of rush through the Vatican, don't. It's so huge you have to spend some time.
Venice: if you like Venetian painting, don't omit the art museums. Not as famous as in many other Italian cities, but Venetian painters are as great as any: the museums are far less visited than other major European ones. Again, a MUST for painting lovers.
Unless you're swimming in dough, avoid the gondolas. Take the water taxi, called vaporetti, instead: same views.
Avoid the cafe's on the main square and beware: sitting down for a coffee or anything DOUBLES or TRIPLES the cost of drinking at the counter (in Venice in general; in the square, it's lethal: it's probably $20 bucks for a cappuccino, now....).

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Follow Ups Full Thread

Topic - First trip to Europe booked! - padreken 12:22:05 10/21/12 (23)

Add a day trip to Pompeii to your Rome visit - rlindsa 05:51:16 10/22/12 (0)

no matter what country you're in..... - Hi-Fi Nut 05:04:03 10/22/12 (0)

Bring Lots Of Money.... - Draz 19:18:35 10/21/12 (0)

Italy... - mkuller 19:10:16 10/21/12 (0)

If you are traveling by train from Florence to Vienna, you will pass Hallstatt, Austria - Norm 18:40:17 10/21/12 (1)

Just googled Halstatt, and the images look spectacular - padreken 19:31:05 10/21/12 (0)

Advice: Enjoy it! - Mike K 17:37:48 10/21/12 (0)

Great choices... - Ivan303 15:17:32 10/21/12 (0)

We'll be there next week. - Mr. Dick Hertz 14:31:44 10/21/12 (2)

Have a great trip! - padreken 14:39:37 10/21/12 (1)

Scotland and Ireland will be our next trip. - Mr. Dick Hertz 14:50:34 10/21/12 (0)

Place Canadian flag on your luggage - gme109 14:31:19 10/21/12 (0)

Critical advice for one of the must-sees: - tinear 10/21/1213:58:24 10/21/12 (2)

All good and practical advice, thanks! - padreken 14:12:54 10/21/12 (1)

In Venice: have good walking shoes. It's famously a place for getting lost. - tinear 14:48:09 10/21/12 (0)

As I mentioned to tinear below... - Audiophilander 13:30:54 10/21/12 (2)

Thanks, AuPh - padreken 13:56:58 10/21/12 (1)

RE: Thanks, AuPh/ the man's been around - waiting for his travel book [no text] - Hi-Fi Nut 06:00:31 10/22/12 (0)

RE: Food - Zheeeem 12:50:35 10/21/12 (0)

buon viaggio!!! - Jazz Inmate 12:36:44 10/21/12 (1)

Grazie, JI! - padreken 12:43:02 10/21/12 (0)

You're going to be amazed. Dumb politics aside, you should communicate with audio philander: - tinear 12:24:39 10/21/12 (1)

Our european tour involved France, Spain, Germany & Belgium, plus a month in the UK & Ireland. - Audiophilander 13:12:36 10/21/12 (0)

Follow Ups

Critical advice for one of the must-sees: - tinear 10/21/1213:58:24 10/21/12 (2)

All good and practical advice, thanks! - padreken 14:12:54 10/21/12 (1)

In Venice: have good walking shoes. It's famously a place for getting lost. - tinear 14:48:09 10/21/12 (0)

Critical advice for one of the must-sees:

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