Costa Concordia runs aground in Italy
Three people are confirmed dead after a cruise ship carrying more than 4,000 people ran aground off Italy.
There were scenes of panic as the Costa Concordia hit a sandbar on Friday evening near the island of Giglio and listed about 20 degrees.
Most people reached land by lifeboats but some swam to shore.
At least 50 people have not yet been accounted for, Italian officials say, but they caution that the passenger list may not be fully up to date.
Coast guard vessels are combing the waters around the ship, while divers are searching the submerged decks.
Read the entire article on the BBC website here >>>
Photo: BBC
Ralphie822, 
apacquer, 
markdale and one other person are discussing.
markdale 4:45 pm on March 1, 2010 Permalink |
Ralphie822. I’m so jealous that you are going to be in Italy. Last year was the first time in years that I was not able to go. It is by far one of my favorite countries. I have spent very little time in Naples, some time in Rome and a lot of time in Florence. A few years ago I lived in Florence for 6 weeks and took an Italian language course. It was one of my best experiences in life.
Since you could spend a week in everyone of these cities, I’ll make it brief and tell you the ‘must sees’.
1. Naples: This is a city that I could do without. It is full of history but feels chaotic and slightly unsafe. Keep your wallet in your stateroom! Just south of Napes is Pompei. Don’t miss it! We spent an entire day exploring the ruins and didn’t have time to see it all. This is a must!
2. Rome: Where does one begin? It sounds like you only have one day to see Rome so my top 3 suggestions would be: #1: The Pantheon built in 126 B.C. #2 The Colosseum & Forum #3) The Vatican and the Sistine Chapel. There is so much to see and experience in Rome that these are by far my first 3 choices.
3. Florence: This is by far my most favorite city. Florence has really changed over the last several years but it still holds it’s magic. By far the #1 thing to see in Florence is the David by Michelangelo. If you miss this, you miss everything. Florence’s cathedral (The Duomo) is also popular since it has the 4th largest dome in the world. You should see it but the church that you ‘should not miss’ is Santa Croce which is about a 15 minute walk from the Duomo. Inside this church you will see the tombs of Michelangello, Galileo, Rossini, and more. Behind the church is an Italian leather factory which most people don’t know about. Go behind the church and into the court yard and see some of the finest leather products being made. Also, don’t miss the Mercato Centrale (Central Market) which is just north of the main train station. You can pick up some great items here at a fraction of the cost the stores would charge. Don’t be afraid to bargain!
Have a great trip and Ciao!
Ralphie822 8:09 pm on March 1, 2010 Permalink |
Hey Markdale,
Thank you for your message, I appreciate it. I will definitely consider your valuable advise. I love adventure so I will ditch the ridiculously expensive excursions and will go on my own. I already have a file folder full of maps, directions, transportation listings and other travel guides. Looking forward for a really fun trip.
markdale 4:45 pm on March 1, 2010 Permalink |
Ralphie822. I’m so jealous that you are going to be in Italy. Last year was the first time in years that I was not able to go. It is by far one of my favorite countries. I have spent very little time in Naples, some time in Rome and a lot of time in Florence. A few years ago I lived in Florence for 6 weeks and took an Italian language course. It was one of my best experiences in life.
Since you could spend a week in everyone of these cities, I’ll make it brief and tell you the ‘must sees’.
1. Naples: This is a city that I could do without. It is full of history but feels chaotic and slightly unsafe. Keep your wallet in your stateroom! Just south of Napes is Pompei. Don’t miss it! We spent an entire day exploring the ruins and didn’t have time to see it all. This is a must!
2. Rome: Where does one begin? It sounds like you only have one day to see Rome so my top 3 suggestions would be: #1: The Pantheon built in 126 B.C. #2 The Colosseum & Forum #3) The Vatican and the Sistine Chapel. There is so much to see and experience in Rome that these are by far my first 3 choices.
3. Florence: This is by far my most favorite city. Florence has really changed over the last several years but it still holds it’s magic. By far the #1 thing to see in Florence is the David by Michelangelo. If you miss this, you miss everything. Florence’s cathedral (The Duomo) is also popular since it has the 4th largest dome in the world. You should see it but the church that you ‘should not miss’ is Santa Croce which is about a 15 minute walk from the Duomo. Inside this church you will see the tombs of Michelangello, Galileo, Rossini, and more. Behind the church is an Italian leather factory which most people don’t know about. Go behind the church and into the court yard and see some of the finest leather products being made. Also, don’t miss the Mercato Centrale (Central Market) which is just north of the main train station. You can pick up some great items here at a fraction of the cost the stores would charge. Don’t be afraid to bargain!
Have a great trip and Ciao!
Ralphie822 8:09 pm on March 1, 2010 Permalink |
Hey Markdale,
Thank you for your message, I appreciate it. I will definitely consider your valuable advise. I love adventure so I will ditch the ridiculously expensive excursions and will go on my own. I already have a file folder full of maps, directions, transportation listings and other travel guides. Looking forward for a really fun trip.
David 8:35 pm on March 1, 2010 Permalink |
Ralphie, Italy sounds great, my most favorite place in Europe. Rome is pretty overwhelming unless you have lots of time, but Pompeii is great. A lot of the artifacts are in a Museum in Naples which I missed seeing. Florence is a unique place, and actually I prefer Florence to Venice. I enjoyed reading as much Florentine History as i could before i went, it made the place really come alive for me. I hope you find a cabin-mate, wish I could go.
Ralphie822 11:09 pm on March 1, 2010 Permalink |
Hi David,
Thank you, Europe really fascinates me because of its history and architecture. Oh the Romans!!! Will definitely indulge on everything Roman
Pompei is interesting and will also be looking forward to walk thru the ruins and admire the artifacts. Again, thank you and yeah hope to find a great cabin mate. Take care
David 8:35 pm on March 1, 2010 Permalink |
Ralphie, Italy sounds great, my most favorite place in Europe. Rome is pretty overwhelming unless you have lots of time, but Pompeii is great. A lot of the artifacts are in a Museum in Naples which I missed seeing. Florence is a unique place, and actually I prefer Florence to Venice. I enjoyed reading as much Florentine History as i could before i went, it made the place really come alive for me. I hope you find a cabin-mate, wish I could go.
Ralphie822 11:09 pm on March 1, 2010 Permalink |
Hi David,
Thank you, Europe really fascinates me because of its history and architecture. Oh the Romans!!! Will definitely indulge on everything Roman
Pompei is interesting and will also be looking forward to walk thru the ruins and admire the artifacts. Again, thank you and yeah hope to find a great cabin mate. Take care
markdale 8:58 am on March 2, 2010 Permalink |
Ralphie: I can’t stress enough to purchase your tickets to any museum that you might be interested in going to in advance. If you don’t have tickets, you will be waiting in line for hours and your entire day will be wasted and there’s also a chance you’ll never get in. Here’s an example of a web site where you can pre-purchase your tickets. http://www.florence-museum.com/
markdale 8:58 am on March 2, 2010 Permalink |
Ralphie: I can’t stress enough to purchase your tickets to any museum that you might be interested in going to in advance. If you don’t have tickets, you will be waiting in line for hours and your entire day will be wasted and there’s also a chance you’ll never get in. Here’s an example of a web site where you can pre-purchase your tickets. http://www.florence-museum.com/
apacquer 3:25 pm on March 2, 2010 Permalink |
I’d love to join you on your cruise to Italy but I can’t. I am looking foward to you letting us know what you thought about Rome and Florence. Florence is one of my favorite cities having visited there several times. People from all over the world go there specificaly to see the David at the Accadamia so make sure you call in advance for your time slot. Rick Steves lists the number to call in his guide books (I don’t have my book with me today to share the number). You just call and make your time slot choice, no money required till you show up and you’ve just saved hours in line. Just enjoy walking the streets knowing that his town hasn’t changed much since the 1400′s (except for clothes and mode of transportation). If you are in to shopping I suggest the market near the church of San Lorenzo, it’s actually near the Accademia. Florence is easily walkable and I do not suggest a tour. You can do that on your own. Just get your own tranport to the city and enjoy. Look up and use the Duomo as your guide to the city center. Don’t buy anything on the Ponte Vecchio, too expensive but well worth a walk across to view the Arno river.
Too much to see in Rome for a day trip so as the other member states, just stick to the basics. I would pass up the Sistine Chapel due to the wait to get in the museum. My thought is to experience the streets of Rome and not the inside of a museaum. (Unless of course your dream is to see Sistine then my all means do it!) Rome is also easily walkable but hope in the metro if going from one end of town to the other. Bus 67 goes up and down Via Nacional and easy to hope on and off. A nice visit to Piazza Narvona and the some of the smaller squares are nice to visit (all near Narvona) such as Piazza Farnese and Piazza Fiore. Also don’t miss the Coliseum. Again, you don’t have to see the inside (unless you really want to) but make sure you see it. There is a metro station right outside the Coliseum so there’s no excuse. There is also a metro just north of the Vatican. I strongly suggest bringing a compass on any trip to Europe. The streets are hard to novigate and when you get out of a metro station, all you have to do is look at your map, then your compass and start walking using the main streets as your guiede. It seems so easy just looking at the map but very easy to get lost so make sure you bring your compass so you don’t waste time.
I suggest being very careful in Napoli, it’s been said to be high in crime. My suggestion is to go see Pompeii and part of the Amalfi coast if you have time.
Now I REALY want to GO! Enjoy your cruise and be safe. Ciao!!
Ralphie822 6:32 pm on March 2, 2010 Permalink |
Thanks Apacquer. I will definitely consider your advise. This whole cruise thing is just so overwhelming. If not for this site and for kind members like you I would be stressed out. Again, thank you.
apacquer 3:25 pm on March 2, 2010 Permalink |
I’d love to join you on your cruise to Italy but I can’t. I am looking foward to you letting us know what you thought about Rome and Florence. Florence is one of my favorite cities having visited there several times. People from all over the world go there specificaly to see the David at the Accadamia so make sure you call in advance for your time slot. Rick Steves lists the number to call in his guide books (I don’t have my book with me today to share the number). You just call and make your time slot choice, no money required till you show up and you’ve just saved hours in line. Just enjoy walking the streets knowing that his town hasn’t changed much since the 1400′s (except for clothes and mode of transportation). If you are in to shopping I suggest the market near the church of San Lorenzo, it’s actually near the Accademia. Florence is easily walkable and I do not suggest a tour. You can do that on your own. Just get your own tranport to the city and enjoy. Look up and use the Duomo as your guide to the city center. Don’t buy anything on the Ponte Vecchio, too expensive but well worth a walk across to view the Arno river.
Too much to see in Rome for a day trip so as the other member states, just stick to the basics. I would pass up the Sistine Chapel due to the wait to get in the museum. My thought is to experience the streets of Rome and not the inside of a museaum. (Unless of course your dream is to see Sistine then my all means do it!) Rome is also easily walkable but hope in the metro if going from one end of town to the other. Bus 67 goes up and down Via Nacional and easy to hope on and off. A nice visit to Piazza Narvona and the some of the smaller squares are nice to visit (all near Narvona) such as Piazza Farnese and Piazza Fiore. Also don’t miss the Coliseum. Again, you don’t have to see the inside (unless you really want to) but make sure you see it. There is a metro station right outside the Coliseum so there’s no excuse. There is also a metro just north of the Vatican. I strongly suggest bringing a compass on any trip to Europe. The streets are hard to novigate and when you get out of a metro station, all you have to do is look at your map, then your compass and start walking using the main streets as your guiede. It seems so easy just looking at the map but very easy to get lost so make sure you bring your compass so you don’t waste time.
I suggest being very careful in Napoli, it’s been said to be high in crime. My suggestion is to go see Pompeii and part of the Amalfi coast if you have time.
Now I REALY want to GO! Enjoy your cruise and be safe. Ciao!!
Ralphie822 6:32 pm on March 2, 2010 Permalink |
Thanks Apacquer. I will definitely consider your advise. This whole cruise thing is just so overwhelming. If not for this site and for kind members like you I would be stressed out. Again, thank you.