Some experience in Italy to share...

[Darkangel]

Agree...but maybe our darkangel will beg to differ

Hmmm...maybe I should join tour groups instead

One of my next destinations...Italy definitely.

[pegasi]

Wow pegasi , great insight !!

Btw do you need to validate the trenitalia e-tickets ? I thought i saw somewhere they will auto validated at the time of departure.

I think you are right that trenitalia e-tickets need no validation. It was our first time using the e-ticket in Rome and there were validation machines at the train station so we weren't very sure. The "assistant" took our printed e-ticket and had the barcode scanned at the machine. If I remember correctly, subsequently for other routes we asked the station staff and were told no need.

But still need to bring the printed e-ticket as there will be conductor inspecting the tickets on the train.

[relic.sinner]

Thanks for the info, very helpful...

Hope i can avoid those scams you mention on my trip nx week

[pegasi]

Thanks for the info, very helpful...

Hope i can avoid those scams you mention on my trip nx week

Hope you have changed enough euros to buy some watches in addition to all the wife's shopping...

[relic.sinner]

Euro are pretty high now ... guess it might be safer to just use the card. But currently am not eyeing on any piece and would be back at the end of the year again. Having said that, would always be on the look out for a good deal.

[pegasi]

Another info which I think might be useful to know if you intend to shop big in Italy/EU...

When we wanted to do the VAT refund at the Milan airport, we were told by the customs officer/airline staff that we have to check in the items after the customs verify the items, since we were taking a flight that transit in another EU country. Alternatively we could choose to do the refund at the transit airport if time permits.

If one is taking a direct flight straight to a non-EU country, then he/she can do the tax refund inside the departure area after passing through the security check, and then hand carry the items to the plane.

We didn't know this rule and had to go back out to the check-in area again for the tax refund after queueing and passing through the security check.

The same applies when you fly out from other EU country under the same circumstance (i.e. transit/transfer another EU country), according to the airline staff.

[blueysmurfy]

a tip from my tour guide last time: when queuing for the tax refund, always carry a small hand carry luggage with you to avoid suspicion. Don't queue empty handed with only the forms. Some officers will ask you to see the goods if they don't see you carrying anything.

[Aloyeo]

Thats quite true. Depending on theirmood and situation, they will "sample" the queue to open luggages

I think they almost definitely will ask to see a few items. We had around 12 items, the officer randomly picked 4 invoice and asked to see them. So do bring your items with you.

[Tycorama]

Another info which I think might be useful to know if you intend to shop big in Italy/EU...

When we wanted to do the VAT refund at the Milan airport, we were told by the customs officer/airline staff that we have to check in the items after the customs verify the items, since we were taking a flight that transit in another EU country. Alternatively we could choose to do the refund at the transit airport if time permits.

If one is taking a direct flight straight to a non-EU country, then he/she can do the tax refund inside the departure area after passing through the security check, and then hand carry the items to the plane.

We didn't know this rule and had to go back out to the check-in area again for the tax refund after queueing and passing through the security check.

The same applies when you fly out from other EU country under the same circumstance (i.e. transit/transfer another EU country), according to the airline staff.

Also, rather than get a partial VAT refund from the airport counter you can actually mail back the stamped VAT claim form to the shop within 3 months for greater refunds. Ask from the shop(example Prada) that you bought the items for a return envelope, they will then charge you the price less VAT and after getting the customs stamp in the airport theres actually a mailbox specially for these envelopes (just ask the customs where it is). But if you do not mail back the form you get charged the full VAT on the credit card you used.

[pegasi]

Also, rather than get a partial VAT refund from the airport counter you can actually mail back the stamped VAT claim form to the shop within 3 months for greater refunds. Ask from the shop(example Prada) that you bought the items for a return envelope, they will then charge you the price less VAT and after getting the customs stamp in the airport theres actually a mailbox specially for these envelopes (just ask the customs where it is). But if you do not mail back the form you get charged the full VAT on the credit card you used.

1. The tax refund agents at the airport don't give you partial refund. It's just that they deduct certain amount from the refund as administration fee for processing the refund for you.
2. Only certain shops have the said direct refund service.
3. If you failed to send back the form, you will not only get charged the full VAT but also a penalty fee.

[spawninc]

really bring back lot of memories while seeing ur pics. my wife and i were traveled on our own at milano, bolognse, firenze and vanice. initially was thinking of self-drive on the trip but ended up travelled by train as the car rental + parking + petrol costs higher than train. anyway, the train is confortable and punctual, it always arrived the destination as schedule. the only thing to take note is to punch the train tickets at the ticket punching machine at the train station, otherwise you may get a fine from ticket conductor

didnt get any watches there but ended up get some branded bag and clothes. i wasnt relaly into this but the price was attractive, and that was before the tax refund.

[turboducky]

Just return from a 2 weeks’ holiday in Europe.

Spent 8 days in Italy where we stayed at Rome, Florence and Milan. Took a day trip to Pisa and Venice while we were in Florence and Milan.

I wish I could post some pictures of the watches I bought to share with you but I did not buy any. What I am going to share instead, are things that you should be careful about when you are in Italy, so that your holiday would not be spoiled.

Pickpockets
Italy is renowned of pickpockets, next to pasta and pizza. More so in Rome which is the most crowded city in Italy. This pickpockets problem already exist for long when I first visited Italy 15 years ago. This time a gypsy woman with an accomplice tried to pick my wallet on a metro train. They dashed out of the train just before the door closed, after I discovered the act, pressed onto my wallet (I put it in the front pocket) and shouted at them.

The “train station assistant”
In Italy and most European countries, train stations refer to stations for regional/long distance/high-speed train. Their MRT station is usually referred to as metro station. When we were trying to figure out how to validate our tickets using the machine prior to boarding a train to get from Rome to Florence, a guy dressed neatly in track suit showed up. He helped us validate the ticket and showed us to the assigned carriage. Before we knew it, he had followed us up to the carriage and was helping to put our heavy luggage onto the shelf above the seat. And then he asked for tips. We were not very happy about it but anyway gave him some coins which amount to about 3 euros. He wanted 5 euros but I told him off.

The “metro ticket machine assistant”
When we went into the metro stations in Milan, we observed that there was a man standing suspiciously next to each ticket machine. With the earlier experience at the train station, we kind of expected what would be coming. A man tried to “assist” us by pressing the button for us when we were at the ticket machine, but we signaled to him (in a disgusting manner) that we didn’t need his help.

The “wrist band sellers”
They are usually blacks and can be found in some places of interest where there are many tourists. We had learnt earlier from our friend that some of them would put the band on your wrist by force and ask for money, so we stayed away from these guys.

The "roses men"
Mainly Blangadesh men, hanging around the Spainish Steps and Trevi Fountain with a bunch of roses trying to sell to every couple old or young. Nothing harmful but disturbing in an already very crowded places.

The “pigeon men”
You see them at places where there are pigeons, such as the Duomo of Milan and St. Mark’s Square of Venice. They keep trying to pass you something to feed/attract the pigeon so that you can take a nice picture with the bird, and then ask you for money. Annoying but we had learned our "nothing is free" lesson.

I suspect there are some other cheats and tricks that we didn’t run into. Beggars are everywhere, even on the metro.

So for those of you who are heading to Italy - while you enjoy the nice historical scene and are busy hunting for your watches and bags and shoes in Italy, stay alert and take care of your money

I spent 3 weeks in Italy & 2 in Paris for my honeymoon in 2002; I would say both are very beautiful, but will I go back to Italy for another holiday? Guess it will be a big NO cos both my wife & I hate shopping. Furthermore, I am not some watch/bag dealer that will fly there to buy 20 watches & bring back to make a profit. The other thing is, I am very fortunate that I get to travel to Europe for work a few times every year & I am quite jaded with cheese & bread; I would like some fried egg luncheon meat bee hoon in the morning you know. Besides, the place to be is in Asia now & I haven't explored enough of some exotic places like Cambodia, Laos, China, Mongolia, Vietnam & even Japan or any place that doesn't have many MacDonald's or Starbuck's!

However, I wont mind doing a drive around France, it's still very beautiful & those folks in the countryside, especially the South, are extremely hospitable & warm.

[turboducky]

Girls will be girls. My wife also brought so much clothes, everyday different ensemble.
And i hv to handle the luggage. But its often not about how much clothes one brings, its the type of clothes.
I usually hv a casual suit , a rugged sweater, a sports jacket, a leather jacket and depending on weather ,a light quilted trench.

Bo chap is one thing, chap bo is another....

I was really luck cos my wife also likes to travel light, so for 5 weeks in Italy & France, we only had one luggage & that was in Oct to Nov!! We didnt buy many things & most stuff were for folks in Singapore.

[pegasi]

I spent 3 weeks in Italy & 2 in Paris for my honeymoon in 2002; I would say both are very beautiful, but will I go back to Italy for another holiday? Guess it will be a big NO cos both my wife & I hate shopping. Furthermore, I am not some watch/bag dealer that will fly there to buy 20 watches & bring back to make a profit. The other thing is, I am very fortunate that I get to travel to Europe for work a few times every year & I am quite jaded with cheese & bread; I would like some fried egg luncheon meat bee hoon in the morning you know. Besides, the place to be is in Asia now & I haven't explored enough of some exotic places like Cambodia, Laos, China, Mongolia, Vietnam & even Japan or any place that doesn't have many MacDonald's or Starbuck's!

However, I wont mind doing a drive around France, it's still very beautiful & those folks in the countryside, especially the South, are extremely hospitable & warm.

I recommend go Siem Reap see Angkor Wat. Take photos there with your watches. Fly Silk Air very cheap.

[turboducky]

I recommend go Siem Reap see Angkor Wat. Take photos there with your watches. Fly Silk Air very cheap.

Oh yes, that's one place I really wanna go. Last year I went to DaNang & Hoi Ang in Vietnam, it was really amazing & the Vietnamese still preserve their way of life. Sigh... so many places I wanna go & yet so little money, perhaps I should be an MP or something.