Italy travel recommendations
Jun 7, 2023 20:19:19 #
I second the warning, especially in the Naples area. The trains there are infested by skilled pickpockets.
Jun 7, 2023 21:56:49 #
Jun 7, 2023 22:27:15 #
Jun 7, 2023 22:29:28 #
Bruce T
Loc: Michigan
Friends of ours went to France. They were coming off of a train, his passport and wallet were stolen.
Jun 8, 2023 05:32:03 #
stogieboy wrote:
My family and I are going to Italy at the end of A... (show quote)
Probably, it will not meet your schedule but there is a "Papal Audience" the first Wednesday of the month at the Vatican. The event starts at ~ 9.00 am and great opportunities to photograph close up the man himself, depending how early you get there. It is possible to get free entry tickets versus the Viator ~ $50 charge
Jun 8, 2023 06:05:09 #
joehel2 wrote:
The I Phone 14 Pro was my backup camera on a recent trip to Scandinavia. The IPhone performance was so good that at many stops on our trip, I left the D850 in my backpack. It won’t disappoint you. It was also a fabulous nighttime performer, capturing wonderful handheld Aurora photos.
Jun 8, 2023 06:11:46 #
I live in Rome. A couple of things to be aware of:
First it will be hot and humid. August can be brutal in terms of temps..... most days will be in the high 90's and the real feel temp will be at or over 100.
Second it will be packed with visitors. This year has topped most expectations for tourists so far. It is wall to wall people and this before the busy season of July and August.
Third Rome is tight on space. Outside of the Forum think a wide lens. I use a 28-105 as my walk around lens. Churches can be dark inside but workable handheld.
August is also the month everyone here goes on holiday. Many of the local mom and pop places will be closed for part of or for the entire month. In the historic centre it will not be a big problem but remember if the menu board has pictures of the food... skip it. Find a place you see locals eating at.
Fourth watch your stuff. Rome is loaded with pick pockets that are very good. They work in pairs or groups of 3. Cell phones, wallets are the biggest target. Keep your stuff close and not in a backpack. If using public transportation at any point avoid in Rome bus #64 that runs to the Vatican from the Termini station. The subway will be packed every day up to 10am and from 5pm to 7pm with folks going to and from work. By packed I mean like sardines.
The best advise is to pay attention when in areas filled with folks and you will be fine. If you decide to sit and take a break do not put a purse hanging on your chair and never just put your camera on the table. You would be surprised how fast it can be lifted and gone off into the sunset.
Other than that Rome is a great place to shoot. If you are into churches there are only about 950 to visit.
First it will be hot and humid. August can be brutal in terms of temps..... most days will be in the high 90's and the real feel temp will be at or over 100.
Second it will be packed with visitors. This year has topped most expectations for tourists so far. It is wall to wall people and this before the busy season of July and August.
Third Rome is tight on space. Outside of the Forum think a wide lens. I use a 28-105 as my walk around lens. Churches can be dark inside but workable handheld.
August is also the month everyone here goes on holiday. Many of the local mom and pop places will be closed for part of or for the entire month. In the historic centre it will not be a big problem but remember if the menu board has pictures of the food... skip it. Find a place you see locals eating at.
Fourth watch your stuff. Rome is loaded with pick pockets that are very good. They work in pairs or groups of 3. Cell phones, wallets are the biggest target. Keep your stuff close and not in a backpack. If using public transportation at any point avoid in Rome bus #64 that runs to the Vatican from the Termini station. The subway will be packed every day up to 10am and from 5pm to 7pm with folks going to and from work. By packed I mean like sardines.
The best advise is to pay attention when in areas filled with folks and you will be fine. If you decide to sit and take a break do not put a purse hanging on your chair and never just put your camera on the table. You would be surprised how fast it can be lifted and gone off into the sunset.
Other than that Rome is a great place to shoot. If you are into churches there are only about 950 to visit.
Jun 8, 2023 10:12:01 #
Get a Canon G5X ii or a Sony RX100 vi or vii. Put whatever you get on a tactical belt around your waist in a small pouch. Be free and happy, and take good pictures. Cell phone - back up only.
Jun 8, 2023 11:26:27 #
Jsykes wrote:
Probably, it will not meet your schedule but there is a "Papal Audience" the first Wednesday of the month at the Vatican. The event starts at ~ 9.00 am and great opportunities to photograph close up the man himself, depending how early you get there. It is possible to get free entry tickets versus the Viator ~ $50 charge
Beautiful shot 🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍
Jun 8, 2023 11:34:18 #
Mike1017 wrote:
Bring a real camera you will be sorry if you don't Too many good things to see. Mike
The iPhone 14 Pro Is A Real Camera!
Jun 8, 2023 14:37:22 #
Jun 8, 2023 15:55:53 #
stogieboy wrote:
My family and I are going to Italy at the end of A... (show quote)
A couple of years ago I was in Venice - Florence and Rome with my daughter - great trip -took my Canon 7D with a 18-200mm lens and my IPhone -probably used equally - IPhone very good for the discrete shots of the Cistine chapel ceiling without being scolded by the guards
Jun 8, 2023 16:45:06 #
^^^^^ I suppose you do the same thing at the Basilica of Sacre-Coeur in Paris, too?
Jun 8, 2023 18:48:09 #
If you follow up you’ll note that the restrictions are for flash photography so as not to deteriorate the frescos - no flash was used by me for any photography within the Vatican -only iPhone used without any supplementary light source -nor would there be for any fragile antiquities including Sacre-Coeur- I hope this puts you at rest
Jun 8, 2023 21:19:49 #
Apparently there have been some relaxing of the rules--when I was there NO PHOTOGRAPHY was allowed, period. The same at Sacré-Couer.
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