This was definitely on my bucket list, and I got to cross it off in February of this year! All you have to do is show up in Saint Marks Square - the people in costumes do the rest! It is mind blowing…Read More

This was definitely on my bucket list, and I got to cross it off in February of this year! All you have to do is show up in Saint Marks Square - the people in costumes do the rest! It is mind blowing the extend they go to in perfecting their costumes - you have to see it to believe it! The area around St. Marks is beautiful for photography - so many arches, doorways, and the backdrop of the Grand Canal. The people knew where to pose and gladly did so. Your only problem will be the jostling and the rudeness of some of the photographers trying to take pictures. Just be patient and wait your turn, even if the costumed people move along, they are just moving to another perfect location! The fun goes on all day - I found people to take pictures of from 9 am until at least 6 pm each day during the carnival festivities.Close

Scenic drive along the Amalfi coast.The drive along the Amalfi coast is perhaps one of the most stunning drives in the world driving along roads built into the sides of the cliffs that drop steeply into the sea hundreds of feet below you. It is…Read More

Scenic drive along the Amalfi coast.

The drive along the Amalfi coast is perhaps one of the most stunning drives in the world driving along roads built into the sides of the cliffs that drop steeply into the sea hundreds of feet below you. It is certainly not a drive for those who are fainthearted as the drive involves hairpin bends, twisting and turning along the coast road.

Where is the Amalfi coast?

South of Naples stretching from the Sorrentine peninsular the road continues south to reach the plains of Salerno passing towns and villages built into the steep mountains that drop hundreds of feet into the sea below. The Amalfi coast is not renowned for its beaches by any stretch of the imagination however what it does give you are dramatic views of the sea and the amazing towns and villages built in practically vertical formation along the coast and in the coves and inlets.

Our drive.

You are either crazy to drive this route yourself although there are some who do but we went on a bus tour. During the high season the locals who live in the towns are permitted only to drive every other day which will give an indication how popular this route is. It is amazing to see cars parked on parking lots that jut out into the air with drops of up to 1000 feet below the little platform they are parked on.

We started our drive from the town of Sorrento one of the main tourist towns along the coast that juts out on a headland high above the Mediterranean Sea below. Driving up through the mountains heading past small villages some with their own cathedrals some looking no bigger than what we would consider chapels. The hills are covered in lemon groves and olive groves all along the Sorrentine peninsular. Everywhere you look are lemon trees and in the shops lemon decorated plates and bowls, table cloths and tea towels. It is no surprise that the most famous of drinks Limóncello is made here being made from beautiful fat juicy lemons that seem to be in abundance everywhere you look. Often in restaurants they will ply you with this alcohol more so as a digestive than as a long drink served ice cold and in small glasses it is a beautiful little drink!

Along the coast are beautiful villas some owned by the rich and famous because to own a house along this coast you need to be somewhat loaded. Sofia Loren has a massive villa built here. Of course she also has her own helipad in her extensive gardens. Other houses are built quite high and are quite narrow.

The main towns along the coast include Positano, Amalfi and Ravello and it is through these towns you either take the time to visit to eat or do the tourist thing or by pass completely. Most of these towns are geared up for tourists and most shops and restaurants supply over inflated priced goods or meals. What you are really paying for is the stunning views along this stretch of coast. You can also catch a glimpse of Capri off the coast which is easily reached by ferry or hydrofoil from Sorrento or Positano.

We did the coastal drive from Sorrento to Ravello stopping on route to have a coffee in a road side café with a 1000 foot drop down below. This being Italy the coffee was absolutely fantastic the Italians certainly know how to make a good cup of coffee. Alternating sipping water to clear the palate and sipping coffee enhances the flavour so you get the real taste of the coffee while we admired the houses built into the side of the cliffs and the stunning views out to sea.

We passed Positano far below us so that we could get to Ravello. Driving down through Amalfi we started the very steep climb up the hair pin bending roads to reach Ravello. The mini bus parked in the car park and we continued walking up the steps to reach the main square. Of course Ravello has its own Cathedral but we were heading to view the grounds and gardens of the Villa Cimbrone. Following our visit to this beautiful villa and stunning gardens giving unparalleled views of the 1000 or so foot drop across the valleys and out to sea. After a while we headed back to the town square and headed to a lovely restaurant overlooking the bay of Salerno and the resorts of Minori and Maiori far below us along the coast.

Eating lunch in such a stunning setting is fantastic sitting on the terrace overlooking the bay with a nice glass of wine and wonderful Italian food what more could you want. We spent two hours here enjoying the views and general chit chat before we headed back to the minibus that rode its way back down the side of the mountain along the winding twisting road to the town of Amalfi. We were dropped off in the town centre and made our way to the Duomo Piazza where we visited the Cathedral of St. Andrew where parts of his remains are interred in the crypt. The cathedral is reached by mounting 6o odd stairs to reach the cathedral which towers over the Piazza.

We continued our journey along the coast road until we reached the town of Positano where we were dropped off at the top of the hill. We walked all the way down to the cathedral passing expensive boutiques and restaurants on the way. Thankfully we did not have to walk back up the hill as it would have been quite a challenge to say the least. We managed to have a lovely ice-cream down in the town while we waited to be picked up by the minibus to continue along the twisting and winding coastal road. The coast road runs for approximately 40 kilometres from Sorrento and in the summer months it is extremely popular with tourists.
There are hair pin bends and massive drops that will leave you with butterflies in your stomach especially if you are afraid of heights but due to the steepness of the roads and the winding and twisting most of the traffic is unable to drive very fast anyway so it is quite a controlled drive along the coast.

Is it worth it?

Yes I would say it is definitely worth it because of the wonderful views and just the experience of driving along one of the most beautiful and stunning drives in the world. The cliff clinging villages and towns are beautiful to see and are an amazing sight. The downside that really got to me was the over inflated prices in the area and the rudeness of some of the shop owners and waiting staff. Apart from that I thoroughly enjoyed my drive along the Amalfi coast and I actually do not like heights at all but felt really pleased I had done it.
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After Jennifer and I left Hotel Tito, we took a tram and a bus to get to the floating city. Public transportation was very widespread in Venice, and it's rather affordable as the most I remember a ticket costing us was 2.30 euros. When getting…Read More

After Jennifer and I left Hotel Tito, we took a tram and a bus to get to the floating city. Public transportation was very widespread in Venice, and it's rather affordable as the most I remember a ticket costing us was 2.30 euros. When getting onto the public buses or trains, remember that you must validate your tickets at the machine onboard, or you could get into trouble.

The bus dropped us off a short distance from the Calatrava Bridge, which is the newest bridge in the city, right at the entrance. The view of the canals from this bridge was spectacular, especially for first time visitors and we spent at least ten minutes just looking around, watching the speedboats and gondolas approach and pass under to the other side. Cameras were taken out, and we started snapping photos like mad people. It seems that Venice is one of those cities where it will be a great feat to take awful pictures.

We continued down the bridge and started following the crowd. We walked past the train station and came up to the first boat pier, where there were two small boats docked. It was at this point where it hit us that our dream of visiting Venice was really coming true! We walked along the canals in a daze, looking all around us, in an attempt to register every sight and stamp it into our memories to last us for a lifetime. It was rather miraculous that we managed not to walk into other people!

After a while, we realized that we needed to find out exactly how to get to St. Mark's Square, so we approached on the many vendors selling their wares at the sides of the street. The first lady who we approached was very helpful indeed, and actually gave us a map to help us along. She also gave a tip which proved to be invaluable. She told us that if we ever became lost, look at the buildings because many of them at the street corners have signs which point the way to the Square.

The journey took us almost two hours, but this was due to us being mesmerized by everything along the way. From the small cafes with delicious looking sandwiches and ice creams in their windows, to the various small shops selling gorgeous Venetian masks and other interesting knick-knacks. All these things were distractions from our mission, but they definitely added to the journey.

We passed small local markets in the middle of the streets, and countless statues and bridges until we finally arrived at St. Mark's Square. To say it was magical would be an astronomical understatement. Maybe it was the goregeous architecture? Possibly due to the grandeur? How about the different brides and grooms taking their wedding photos in the square? I would say, all these reasons and more made St. Mark's Square the breathtaking attraction that it turned out to be.

The two hour walk had been worth it, and our tired feet became revitalized as we explored the square. We took almost one hundred photos of the buildings, the artwork and the people. Some attractions are overhyped, and you feel disappointed when you see it through your own eyes, but St. Mark's Square deserves all the attention that it gets.

If you have the chance to walk through Venice, you should! It made arriving at St. Mark's Square much more exciting, and the journey through the winding alleys and over ancient bridges was nothing short of being the icing on our Venetian cake!Close

This trip was my sixth cruise, but my first on Royal Caribbean and there were quite a number of differences between my last cruise and this one. My last cruise was a 7 night Southern Caribbean trip on Carnival Cruise Lines, my usual choice. In…Read More

This trip was my sixth cruise, but my first on Royal Caribbean and there were quite a number of differences between my last cruise and this one. My last cruise was a 7 night Southern Caribbean trip on Carnival Cruise Lines, my usual choice. In this review, I will highlight a few points in which the two cruise lines differ, based on my personal experiences.

Price
For some reason, a cruise on Carnival is always cheaper than a cruise on Royal Caribbean, regardless of the fact that they are both sailing the identical route for the same length of time. Carnival tends of promote many deals such as cash back and early booking savings, while the prices on Royal Caribbean only seem to drop when they need to fill rooms. I watched the Royal Caribbean website for weeks and weeks, and the price barely moved!

Booking Process
Both cruise lines offer online and telephone bookings. I usually research the cruise that I am interested in online, then book with an agent over the phone. This way, I can ask questions about the sailing and the ship, before I commit to anything. Carnival cruise line is actually much more efficient in this regard, as they assign you a Personal Vacation Planner (PVP) who is responsible for any issues concerning your cruise. With Royal Caribbean, when you call their hotline, you are at the mercy of the first agent who answers the phone, so one question may get you many different answers from several persons!

Ships
I found the Royal Caribbean Voyager of the Seas to be a fantastic ship. Unlike Carnival with their gaudy décor, the ships within the Royal Caribbean Cruise Line are tastefully designed, with softer tones which makes you feel at home, rather than living on a replica of Las Vegas at sea. Personally, I don't mind the loud furnishings of the Carnival ships, but that's because I'm in my twenties. Older couples may not be impressed. Both cruise lines had great entertainment features, such as the rock climbing wall on RCL and a waterslide on Carnival, as well as spas, pools, hot tubs and state of the art gyms.

Food
I think both ships score even points in the dining category. With the Voyager of the Seas, the main strong point was the Windjammer Cafe, where lunch and informal dinners are served. I found the daily selections to be quite diverse during my sailing, and I enjoyed every meal I had there. On my Carnival sailings however, the dining room experience was the best. The portions were large, the food was divine and every night, the dining room staff would perform songs and dances for the passengers. Fun ships indeed!

Ports of Call
Apart from the Caribbean region in which both cruise lines have extensive itineraries, I found a number of differences within the two cruise lines. Carnival seems to cater for Caribbean seeking cruisers, so their other destinations such as Europe are usually only served by one ship. This creates a lack of choice concerning destinations. Royal Caribbean, on the other hand, usually has three to four ships in Europe, as well as other parts of the world, such as Alaska, Australia and they have several Transatlantic voyages. Royal Caribbean definitely has a larger choice of destinations around the world.

Conclusion
Both cruise lines offer great ships, which will provide a great vacation away from everyday life. If you are looking for a cheaper cruise which equals more young people and a hotter nightlife, then Carnival is the way to go. For a more laid back sailing to various parts of the world, choose Royal Caribbean.Close

The party scene on any cruise depends on the age demographics of the passengers onboard. Luckily for me, there were enough youths and people young at heart, to have a great time in any club or bar every night of the trip. The cruise newspaper,…Read More

The party scene on any cruise depends on the age demographics of the passengers onboard. Luckily for me, there were enough youths and people young at heart, to have a great time in any club or bar every night of the trip. The cruise newspaper, known as the Cruise Compass would advertise the different events which would take place later, and most people would show up for a night of drinking and partying.

Music:
My favourite nightly haunt was called The Vault, and from 10pm it was always packed. The music was a mix of Hip Hop and Pop music, and the DJ kept playing all the latest hits to keep everyone on the dancefloor. People were having such a great time, that many persons were sweating regardless of the fact that the room was air conditioned.

If a laid back evening is more your 'thing', each night there were several bands playing throughout the ship in different bars and lounges. I attended a Jazz carbaret one night, which was rather lovely. The music was catchy, and several couples hit the floor which was great fun to watch. These shows usually last an hour, so be sure to arrive early.

Dress Code:
Most people in the night club and bars were dressed nicely. I would go as far as saying that semi formal attire is preferred, and would definitely allow you to blend in with the other guests. For the guys, a button down shirt and slacks would suffice, and the ladies were usually in dresses with heels or cute flats.

Drinks:
Almost any drink imaginable can be obtained at all the bars onboard the cruise ship. This is, of course, one of the major avenues where they tend to get the most cash out of the passengers. Royal Caribbean doesn't hold back with the alcohol either, so be careful of the potency! Be prepared to spend anything between $3 to $6 for a beer, and slightly more for cocktails and other mixed drinks.
Tips and gratuities are automatically added to your bill, so don't feel obligated to hand out big tips unless the service was stellar.

Casino:
What sort of cruise line would not have a giant casino onboard? The Voyager of the Seas does not disappoint in this area at all. The casino huge, with two floors and is as glitzy and loud as they come. It is also heavily staffed, so there are always willing staff to help you with any difficulties you may encounter while playing the seemingly hundreds of slot machines, or the many table games.

Shows:
There are production shows every night on the Voyager of the Seas. Hard working crew members try their best to impress with their dance moves, costumes and vocal talents to ensure that you are
sufficently entertained. I personally loved the Ice Show production which featured international professional skaters. It was definitely something to remember!

Regardless of your personal preference on how to spend your evenings, the Voyager of the Seas has ample options to choose from. Whether it be dancing under the stars, watching a movie, singing along to bad karaoke or taking a chance in the casino, something will grab your attention!Close

The Voyager of the Seas had a wide array of activities taking place at any given hour of the day. If it wasn't for the daily newspaper named The Compass, guests would be totally at a loss about what activity was taking place at a…Read More

The Voyager of the Seas had a wide array of activities taking place at any given hour of the day. If it wasn't for the daily newspaper named The Compass, guests would be totally at a loss about what activity was taking place at a particular time. The ship catered to all age groups, from toddlers to the elderly in an effort to ensure than no one felt left out.

For the children, there was a kids room which contained all the latest game systems such as the Wii and PS3, complete with countless games to choose from. There were also old fashioned arcade games including air hockey tables and racing bikes. Staff members would hold special outings for the young ones, so that their parents could have some time to themselves as well. For the teens, there was a disco where everyone from 12-17 would spend the evenings dancing to the latest songs.

Young adults such as myself had a wide array of activities to be distracted with. From rock climbing and roller blading on the top deck, to the various shows which were held every evening. It would require lots of hard work to remain bored on the ship. The night club was especially nice with flashing lights, brightly coloured LEDs and awesome bartenders. The DJ knew what he was about, and managed to have everyone on the dancefloor. Even a gentleman who appeared to be around 70 something, was getting his groove on!

The Voyager of the Seas also has a Promenade in the middle of the ship where themed parades take place. My favourite parade was Caribbean themed, complete with carnival costumes and stilt walkers! Although the parades only lasted about 30 minutes, they surely packed a punch!

They had several game shows too, and my favourite was The Quest. It was an adult game show, where the audience was split into six teams and given certain tasks to complete. Some of the tasks were simple enough, such as to bring as many lipsticks as possible from your group to the game host. Others were more insane, requiring the men to shuck their pants and the group who counted the most pants would get more points!

However, during a cruise, there are moments where you simply want to take it easy. For the more low key guests, there were bingo games and a very large casino. It turned out that quite a few people had some luck, as a few people went to the cashier to collect their winnings. A library was also available with a wide range of books and board games to choose from. The elderly were quite in their element in these activities.

I had a great time on the sports deck. I attempted to roller blade, with the help of a kind member of staff. The roller blading area was heavily padded, I'm guessing for newbies such as myself. I had more luck with the rock climbing however, as I managed to reach the top and ring the bell! While I caught my breath from the rock climbing, I saw a group of youths uitlizing the basketball court a few feet away, and the game was quite competitve!

On a whole, The Voyager of the Seas has a very well rounded entertainment scene, and everyone will have something to do which suits their personailty!Close

When you're on a cruise ship, you are dependent on the staff and your fellow guests in order to have a great time. When most people research the service on a ship, some may expect a butler to tend to their every whim and fancy,…Read More

When you're on a cruise ship, you are dependent on the staff and your fellow guests in order to have a great time. When most people research the service on a ship, some may expect a butler to tend to their every whim and fancy, while others are more concerned with reviews about the people who are in charge of running the child care center.

Onboard the Voyager of the Seas, I am pleased to say that I had a great time, and that every staff member that I came into direct contact with were friendly, helpful and courteous. This went a long way, in helping me to enjoy my time onboard and lots of great memories were created.

In the dining rooms, the main staff members which guests interact with would be the waiters and a few entertainment staff members. The waiters which served my table were always attentive, and the meals always arrived hot from the kitchen. Regardless of the fact that they were busy, they would take the time to ask about your visit to the last port, and whether or not you had a good time.

The cruise director was quite an engaging character. I was seriously impressed with the amazing job that he did during our week, seeing that he had to literally race around the ship to introduce the shows, make an appearance at bingo and other events, which basically all take place during the same time period. He made crowds laugh repeatedly at his jokes and antics, and seemed to really love his work.

The room steward was a really nice guy as well. From the very first day when we came oboard, he knocked on our door to introduce himself to us, and to wish us a safe and enjoyable trip. He explained to us how to reach him if we needed help with anything in the room, which we never needed to do since he did such a good job. For the entire time, he only called us by our first names, and the extra effort added a lovely personal touch.

Now, here's the part where most people usually go to war with the cruise staff! The dreaded front desk experience where so many verbal battles are fought on a daily basis on any given cruise. I can safely report that I had only good experiences with dealing with the staff on duty at the front desk. They were always patient, soft spoken and well mannered, and I think that they really did try their best to help in whatever case they were helping me with.

On a whole, I had a perfectly good time onboard the Voyager of the Seas, and a substantial part of that was due to the friendly crew onboard. Of all the six cruises that I have now been on, I enjoyed interacting with the staff on the VOS the most.
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Despite the fact that the words 'inside cabin' may spark fear into a claustrophic person, our interior cabin onboard the Voyager of the Seas was beyond satisfactory. Our main concern was simply to enjoy the ship and all that it had to offer, while spending…Read More

Despite the fact that the words 'inside cabin' may spark fear into a claustrophic person, our interior cabin onboard the Voyager of the Seas was beyond satisfactory. Our main concern was simply to enjoy the ship and all that it had to offer, while spending as little amount of time as possible in the room. Why would you go on a cruise ship, if only to obsess about your sleeping quarters?

Our cabin was a modest 150 square feet, but it was a far cry from being described as a closet. Our cabin became our home over the course of 7 days, a humble abode to stagger back to after eating to our heart's content in the restaurant, or after dancing into the wee hours of the morning in one of the 14 clubs and bars onboard.

The room itself was very appealing to the eye. The walls were painted in a cream shade, and the upholstery was of a green, blue and brown (earthy) colour scheme. Our cabin was fitted with two twin beds, which were the best part of the entire room. Thanks to a comfortable mattress and high thread count bed spreads, I slept fitfully every night.

Separating the twin beds was a small nightstand with two sets of drawers for both occupants. We kept documents and chargers etc. in there, as well as small flashlights for when we needed to check the time during the night. The flashlights were handy as our room doesn't get any natural light from outside.

Other fixtures inside of the cabin included a large dressing table with a massive mirror, a soft green sofa and a glass table set with two chairs. These were strategically placed around the room, to maximize the space available to maneouver inside the cabin, and we were satisfied enough to leave everything where they were.

On the dressing table when we arrived, was a welcome note and a minibar with the usual soft drink options. Beneath the table was a mini fridge which became quite useful during the week, as we tend to keep bottled water with us at all times.

Perched above the vanity area was a small television, which had several different channels to choose from. Seeing that we usually spent our time outside of the room, we mostly kept the television on the ship's channel so that we could always have an idea of what was going on at any given time of the day.

We also had a large closet, where we were able to hang a few of our clothes to prevent them from becoming rumpled in our suitcases. There was enough space for the both of us to comfortably split the closet between us, without us getting confused, trying to separate our stuff.

The bathroom was small but we never had any difficulties with taking a shower. It was kept sparkling clean for the entire cruise, and our used towels were replaced daily. We were always stocked with enough toiletries for the trip, and everything met our expectations.

Our room steward Alberto was amazing. He always seemed to know when we were out, so that whenever we returned, our room would be cleaned and our beds made for us. We had some great conversations and he always had a smile for us. We also received quite a number of towel animals on our beds, and he'd usually give them our sunglasses to wear!

If you are on a budget, or you are simply more interested in spending your funds on getting the most out of the experience, do not hesitate to book an inside cabin. They may be the cheapest rooms onboard, but the beds are just as comfortable as the one in a higher ranking room!Close

I didn't feel I could begin a review of the different components of my trip to Rome and how they rates without first giving an overview of my general experience of Rome itself. In my experience it's a highly underrated city (for all it's…Read More

I didn't feel I could begin a review of the different components of my trip to Rome and how they rates without first giving an overview of my general experience of Rome itself. In my experience it's a highly underrated city (for all it's history and grandeur) and I wanted to share a little of my own feelings about the place that has become one of the golden, shining moments in my treasure trove of travelling memories.

I ended up on my honeymoon in Rome completely by accident. My wedding was originally set to be in Malta and the honeymoon was going to compile of a ferry ride to Sicily and a week spent there in the hills of Taormina.

However - with some of the mishaps common to wedding planning and guest arrangements - I soon found myself having a Scottish highland wedding instead - with a ticket to Malta that seemed somehow irrelevant. On a whim, my husband and I decided to save the journey to Malta for another time and change the flight destination to somewhere else we'd never been. Though Venice and Florence had always been highest on my Italian wish list - for whatever reason - we found ourselves rebooking flights to Rome.

Perhaps this was down to the cheapness of the flights (from London they were, indeed very very cheap). I then went on to plan the rest of my wedding and time in Sicily - thinking of the 4 days in Rome as a mere detour before the trip to see some of the most important sights and meet up with a handful of European friends we hadn't seen in some time.

Looking back - I can now remember quite clearly that I was all but dreading the Roman bit. I was desperate to see the coliseum, and some of mainland Italy which I had never yet walked, as well as the Sistine Chapel. But Rome itself I had heard was dirty, busy extremely Italian (suggesting this was not necessarily a good thing), hostile and vastly overcrowded with tourists. A part of me was looking forward to getting past it to the rural quiet of Sicily.

I may never have been so wrong in my appraisal of a trip. I will be writing the Sicily review later - so there's no reason to go into it in depth here - but I will just say that whilst the people and atmosphere of Sicily left me completely cold - I was warmed to a radiant hue in the delights of Rome. From the moment we landed I felt all but at home, and my experience there was such that at the end of the four days I didn't want to leave. I spent much of my time wandering the beautiful golden streets wondering how difficult it would be to move there - and gave my camera a workout the likes of which it had never seen.

It is true - it's crowded with tourist - but only at the most touristy places. The Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain are a nightmare if you want the real experience of Rome...we visited them extremely briefly and then disappeared once again along a side street and breathed the deep sight of enjoyment and contentment that we found in the Eternal City. By all means - see the sights (I will review them individually) but the very best thing to see in Rome is Rome itself. What an amazing, grand city it remains - and perhaps what I was most surprised by what the welcome we received from it's citizens. Everyone was pleasant and civil - (with the exception of the underground which I will also review) and with very very few exceptions both tickled and impressed when we attempted to speak their language. Our attempts (despite months of preparation) were often a mess - but they almost always brightened and appreciated it nonetheless. Those who spoke English (which were most of them) immediately helped us along or let us know that English was OK. And those who didn't jumped in with happy gesticulations so that we could try to understand one another.

I feel like I must be overstating it - and I'm sure others must have had a very different experience - but looking back I remember time after time of stopping in little cafes, restaurants, shops on side streets and again and again this was the case. The little area north of Vatican city which was mostly residential was where we spent much of our time - and it welcomed us with open arms. Each night we walked back along darkened streets with our fellow Romans to the apartment we all shared, we felt like we were walking home. It was a glorious feeling to feel at home in a city such as Rome.

The expensiveness of Rome is a tricky one as well. Whilst the flights there can be extremely cheap - hotels are outrageously expensive. We almost had to cut the trip short due to the cost of hotels. However once you are there its not an expensive place at all. the big sights and museums are pricey - but restaurants and cafes off the main tourist trail are very reasonable indeed. And you can take your pick of places to have a beautiful cappuccino and pastry breakfast for about 2 euros.

Cabs are pricey - but you walk over most of Rome with no problems at all. We took a bus in from the airport (reasonably priced) and one time took the underground with our bags to the other side of town - but apart from that our feet carried us everywhere we wanted to go comfortably.

Pickpockets are renowned for being bad in Rome (though can you think of a big city where they don't say that??) Though with the exception of the underground we had no problems. (The man standing next to us was almost robbed as he got on the train - he managed to push the pickpocket off the train before it set off...he was a big guy...) However I would highly recommend being very vigilant at all of the main tourist places. There were a few groups at the Vatican museum who seemed like they were much more interested in what the tourists were doing than in seeing the museum. And another friend of ours who was in the city the week after we were were robbed whilst at the Coliseum. So you should be aware - but also don't let it ruin your enjoyment of an otherwise beautiful and welcoming city.
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One of the most daunting things for many Palermo visitors is fairly fundamental to get right. Without the skill of crossing the road, your wandering around the city will become a daunting trial. Just remember by the end of the week you are likely to…Read More

One of the most daunting things for many Palermo visitors is fairly fundamental to get right. Without the skill of crossing the road, your wandering around the city will become a daunting trial. Just remember by the end of the week you are likely to give your home drivers a heart attack if you try to adopt the same method of crossing!

My tips might just help you cross the road like an Italian but do remember that Italian pedestrian accident rates are very high; in terms of liability it's between you and the driver!

Tip 1: Watch out for motorbikes and scooters. Similar to cyclists in the UK, they appear to believe that road signs simply do not apply to them. Also motorbikes have a fast acceleration and Italians tend to use it to full effect.

Tip 2: Walk like an Italian. It strikes me that Italian drivers actually try to anticipate where you will be when they reach you, rather than where you are now. Suddenly stop in terror in the middle of the road and you will be exactly where that car bearing down on you doesn't anticipate you to be.

Tip 3: Take a little time to look for a lull in the traffic. You might be lucky and get a complete gap, but on the busier roads a lull will have to do. Try and cross at the zebra crossings, but remember they don't work as they do in the UK; they appear to simply alert drivers to the fact that someone might be trying to cross. If there is a red or green man signal on the zebra crossing, then it seems common consensus (unless you are a young buck Italian) to wait for the man to go green before crossing. Most traffic (but note Tip 1) will stop when the man is green, unless no one is waiting to cross.

Tip 4: Weave. Don't anticipate a full clear road before crossing – you will be waiting quite a while if you do. Instead look at each lane of traffic in segments. It is common to cross a lane, pause in the road a while if you must. Ideally however you simply carry on going, but with slowing or speeding up to cross the road in the safest way possible, as the traffic weaves its way around you.

Tip 5: Follow an Italian. If all else fails, wait until a local crosses the road and watch them like a hawk and stick with them like glue. Whatever you do, don't lose your nerve halfway across – you will be sunk.

Best of luck – by the end of the week you will be fearlessly crossing the road like a local and glaring at those cheeky motorcyclists who dare cross directly in front of you.
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