Comments on: “Hacking Italy” suffers mission creep, remains big bang for the buck http://www.practicalhacks.com/2010/02/05/hacking-italy-suffers-mission-creep-remains-big-bang-for-the-buck/ Gadgets, gear, and greatness for people on the go Sat, 11 Feb 2012 22:48:43 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= By: Andy Mesa http://www.practicalhacks.com/2010/02/05/hacking-italy-suffers-mission-creep-remains-big-bang-for-the-buck/comment-page-1/#comment-3228 Andy Mesa Sat, 06 Feb 2010 02:28:30 +0000 http://www.practicalhacks.com/?p=9449#comment-3228 By the way, you don't need a razor knife, just bend the book all the way back until you break the spine, then grab the chunk of pages you want and gently but firmly pull on them until the glue separates from the spine. It's much cleaner and easier than tearing or cutting pages. By the way, you don’t need a razor knife, just bend the book all the way back until you break the spine, then grab the chunk of pages you want and gently but firmly pull on them until the glue separates from the spine. It’s much cleaner and easier than tearing or cutting pages.

]]> By: Andy Mesa http://www.practicalhacks.com/2010/02/05/hacking-italy-suffers-mission-creep-remains-big-bang-for-the-buck/comment-page-1/#comment-3227 Andy Mesa Sat, 06 Feb 2010 02:20:25 +0000 http://www.practicalhacks.com/?p=9449#comment-3227 This is entirely personal taste, but I enjoy ramshackle "old world" type cities; Lisbon is another favorite. Many think Naples is filthy, but that bit of grunge I think adds personality. If this is a romantic trip, I would probably stick to the Amalfi coast. My suggestion? Spend a day in Naples, visit the archeological museum and do Rick's Naples walk. Definitely visit Da Michele and try the best pizza in the world for only €4. Then spend the rest of your time in the Amalfi coast. There is no reason to spend the night in Naples, since it's only a 70 min train ride from Sorrento and the nightlife in Sorrento is much more cozy and romantic. I did the bus ride from Sorrento to Amalfi, and took a ferry back. I spent most of that time in Positano. It's probably the most beautiful stretch of land I've ever seen (and I've seen my fair share of pretty landscape). I would definitely recommend the Amalfi coast, most especially Positano. I went to Capri specifically because I've always wanted to see the Blue Grotto. I spent something like €80 total for the five minute privilege. It was one of those bucket list items, but I definitely would not recommend it otherwise. I wish I had spent more time in Sorrento instead. I stayed at a B&B in Sorrento called Mami Camilla (http://www.mamicamilla.com) which also served as a cooking school for Cordon Bleu students. They have private rooms and hostel beds, and I was lucky enough that though I paid for a hostel bed, I got a room all to myself. I only spent €15/night and had gourmet breakfasts every morning for €5 (they also have amazing dinners). As far as Rome, I spent four days there as well and if you follow Rick's itinerary and use his audioguides and walking tours you can't go wrong. Absolutely definitely get a Roma Pass, you'll be skipping lines everywhere while chumps wait for hours. Get it at the Colosseo metro stop since that's closest to your hotel. I would recommend you get Rick Steve's Rome book, the Kindle version is $10 and you can use the Kindle app on your iPod touch. You save weight and the Rome book has more walking tours and information than is in your Italy book. I would also recommend downloading his audioguides for free off iTunes. Have fun! I wish I was back there myself. This is entirely personal taste, but I enjoy ramshackle “old world” type cities; Lisbon is another favorite. Many think Naples is filthy, but that bit of grunge I think adds personality. If this is a romantic trip, I would probably stick to the Amalfi coast. My suggestion? Spend a day in Naples, visit the archeological museum and do Rick’s Naples walk. Definitely visit Da Michele and try the best pizza in the world for only €4. Then spend the rest of your time in the Amalfi coast. There is no reason to spend the night in Naples, since it’s only a 70 min train ride from Sorrento and the nightlife in Sorrento is much more cozy and romantic.

I did the bus ride from Sorrento to Amalfi, and took a ferry back. I spent most of that time in Positano. It’s probably the most beautiful stretch of land I’ve ever seen (and I’ve seen my fair share of pretty landscape). I would definitely recommend the Amalfi coast, most especially Positano.

I went to Capri specifically because I’ve always wanted to see the Blue Grotto. I spent something like €80 total for the five minute privilege. It was one of those bucket list items, but I definitely would not recommend it otherwise. I wish I had spent more time in Sorrento instead.

I stayed at a B&B in Sorrento called Mami Camilla (http://www.mamicamilla.com) which also served as a cooking school for Cordon Bleu students. They have private rooms and hostel beds, and I was lucky enough that though I paid for a hostel bed, I got a room all to myself. I only spent €15/night and had gourmet breakfasts every morning for €5 (they also have amazing dinners).

As far as Rome, I spent four days there as well and if you follow Rick’s itinerary and use his audioguides and walking tours you can’t go wrong. Absolutely definitely get a Roma Pass, you’ll be skipping lines everywhere while chumps wait for hours. Get it at the Colosseo metro stop since that’s closest to your hotel.

I would recommend you get Rick Steve’s Rome book, the Kindle version is $10 and you can use the Kindle app on your iPod touch. You save weight and the Rome book has more walking tours and information than is in your Italy book. I would also recommend downloading his audioguides for free off iTunes.

Have fun! I wish I was back there myself.

]]> By: Kevin http://www.practicalhacks.com/2010/02/05/hacking-italy-suffers-mission-creep-remains-big-bang-for-the-buck/comment-page-1/#comment-3226 Kevin Sat, 06 Feb 2010 01:52:00 +0000 http://www.practicalhacks.com/?p=9449#comment-3226 Andy, Thanks for your comment. What about Naples did you enjoy the most?? We'll really only have one day there. As far as Sorrento is concerned, did you make the trip to Positano? Thx again, Kevin Andy,

Thanks for your comment. What about Naples did you enjoy the most?? We’ll really only have one day there. As far as Sorrento is concerned, did you make the trip to Positano?

Thx again,

Kevin

]]> By: Andy Mesa http://www.practicalhacks.com/2010/02/05/hacking-italy-suffers-mission-creep-remains-big-bang-for-the-buck/comment-page-1/#comment-3225 Andy Mesa Sat, 06 Feb 2010 00:00:49 +0000 http://www.practicalhacks.com/?p=9449#comment-3225 I did a three month backpacking tour of Europe last year and Naples and the Amalfi coast was one of my favorite bits; the first place I could really see myself moving to. Skip Capri, it's totally not worth it. Spend more time in Sorrento. Otherwise you already have the absolute best guide to Italy. Rick Steves was indispensable on my trip. I did a three month backpacking tour of Europe last year and Naples and the Amalfi coast was one of my favorite bits; the first place I could really see myself moving to.

Skip Capri, it’s totally not worth it. Spend more time in Sorrento. Otherwise you already have the absolute best guide to Italy. Rick Steves was indispensable on my trip.

]]> By: Michael W. http://www.practicalhacks.com/2010/02/05/hacking-italy-suffers-mission-creep-remains-big-bang-for-the-buck/comment-page-1/#comment-3222 Michael W. Fri, 05 Feb 2010 14:45:06 +0000 http://www.practicalhacks.com/?p=9449#comment-3222 Sounds like you need a Cray supercomputer to figure out all the permutations and angles. Wow! Sounds like you need a Cray supercomputer to figure out all the permutations and angles. Wow!

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