[Apple Pan Dowdy]

I am sorry to hear that your economy is in such trouble. But happy to tell you that I am taking a trip to Italy in August and will be spending some of those American dollars (they are still "solid"... well for the time being, and if we can just keep conservatives in the white house and congress they might stay solid).

I am looking forward to seeing Italy. We are flying into Rome and doing a 14 day tour of Northern part of the country, ending up in Milan. I know this is off topic for the thread... but is there any wonderful place you want to tell me to be sure and not miss seeing? Advice appreciated!!

[ScaniaBoy]

Hi guys,

You still don't understand Eurospeak. This was the operative sentence:

Paradoxically, this eases Italy’s problems with the European Union, because recession is considered an eminently valid mitigating factor to justify backsliding on public accounts.

This just may give Berlusconi the possibility to further increase the budget deficit, pour out some more subsidy to relevant sectors of the population, and win the election.

Machiavelli was Italian, you know...

[a freedom-loving italian]

is there any wonderful place you want to tell me to be sure and not miss seeing?

Here I am being very patriotic but I must say that Italy is simply the most beautiful country in the world. There is so many things to see that it is very difficult to reply.
But sure you cannot miss Rome, the eternal city, Florence, the capitol of Renaissance arts, and Venice, the unique city without cars. In Tuscany you should also visit Pisa and Siena. Also pay a visit to Naples and Pompei, which is a wonderfully-preserved ancient roman city.

Use the railway to move as trains are cheap, fast and safe. See www.trenitalia.it for further info.
Pay much attention to prices: as I have already said, adoption of the Euro has caused a dramatic rise in the price of everything!

BTW, I m gonna plan a trip to the US to take advantage of the strong Euro: as I've never been there, can you tell me the absolutely "must-see" cities/locations??

[wtc911]

Amalfi Coast.