Milano and Parma in late october

[tanel]

Hei!

Turns out I'll be staying in Milan for 3 or 4 days in the end of this month.
I plan to spend 2 days in Milan and would like to take a day-trip to Parma.
Now, being the first time in Italy and not knowing anything about the language, it would be nice to recive some advice on what's the best way to get there and back.

Any interesting places to visit? (camera)shops, restuarants, markets. Would also like to get a glimpse of the traditional culture - food, music.
I've heard that english isn't that usable language there, so.. being unable to speak italian, any other suggestions?


Thank you in advance!

 

[scorpius73]

I will be in Bologna in late October with a day trip to Parma/Modena as well. I would like to hear suggestions too.
Enjoy your trip.

 

[daninjc]

Hi Tanel. Best way to go to Parma from Milan is by train. Go to the Central Station and get a round ticket to Parma. Super easy. Trains are frequent and (quite) reliable on that line. Remember to stamp the ticket before getting on the train. Check out the timetables at:

http://www.trenitalia.com/cms/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=ad1ce14114bc9110VgnVCM10000080a3e90aRCRD

Most italian people speak some english (except perhaps older people) so you won't have any problem with the language.

Parma has great food. Just pick one of the little restaurants with big hams hanging from the ceiling and you won't be disappointed. I loved this one:
"Ristorante Trattoria Salumeria Sorelle Picchi". Amazing affordable food, and a joy to see all the delicacies behind the counter. If it's warm they might still have outdoor tables. Sweet.

 

[tanel]

Thank you for the link! It's most helpful!
And I'll remember the ham thing.

Any tips on antique camera shops? Would be nice to bring a "suvenire" back. (-:

Also, anyone have experience, how strong are the scanners in Milano airport?
I'll be bringing Tri-X with me and would like to make sure they don't get fried during the scanning.

 

[ludoo]

You can easily buy film here if you want to save one pass under the x-ray machines. A well stocked place is this one http://www.unionfotomarket.it/ prices are ok and they also have have 120 rolls and Fuji instant 100 film.

The best camera store in Milan is http://www.newoldcamera.com/index.aspx it's right in the center of town between the Duomo and the Castle, but it can be quite a shock especially if you are on a tight budget. It's difficult to go there and leave without having bought anything. There's also a repairman who sometimes can be convinced to part with some of his stuff, much less assortment but prices are better and sometimes great, drop me a PM I can take you there if you want.

I can also suggest you a few places to eat, a few nice things to see, and maybe take you out for a beer while you are here. Again, drop me a PM.

As for Parma, why? You can get to Venice in less than 3 hours by train, or Florence in a couple of hours. Unless you have to meet people there, I'd choose a different destination.

 

[russelljtdyer]

Regarding the language, I don't find that Italians are very forthcoming in their English language skills. Very few seem willing to admit they speak English or risk embarrassing themselves in trying to do so. But, if you know some basics, you'll do alright. Here's a quick list of words to learn in Italian, or at least keep handy;

si = yes
no = no
per favore = please
grazie = thanks
scusa = excuse
permesso = let me pass
aiuto (I-oo-toe) = help
quanto costo = how much
questo = this
dove (doe-veh) = where

The most important two words when you know nothing else are the last two: 'questo' and 'dove'. If you go into a bakery or a place that has food in a glass case, you can point to what you want and say, 'questo'. With that word and euros, you can eat and live long enough to learn more words. You can point to what you want on a menu and say, 'questo, per favore'. If you're lost, you can point to the place that you want to find and ask someone, 'dove questo?' and then point around in a questioning manner.

Take the list of words above with you and you'll do fine. You might also take a list of the numbers from zero to twenty, and then counting from ten to one hundred by tens. This way you won't have to resort to using your fingers to much.

 

[pagpow]

Russel -- you also introduced us to a something something Foto Ottica (was it Cavour) as an add on to New Old Camera.

BTW I have shopped at New Old and they are very good about making good on anything that they miss -- ie trustworthy. Sigr Watenabe is who I have dealt with.

Bologna has a store called Leica -- with what I would call classic, not antique cameras.

Back if I get time later.

Giorgio

 

[russelljtdyer]

Yes, Giorgio, the FotoOttica is near Cavour. They have a very nice store with excellent equipment. I did have a problem a while back with a lens I bought and they were easy about taking it back. I decided on exchanging it instead of taking the money. NewOld Camera store is closer to the castle, seems to have a bigger inventory and might be have better prices. But it's not as nice looking of a store, if you're just browsing. It's harder to find. If you go there, it's located in the court yard of the building.

 

[russelljtdyer]

Oh, tanel, don't bother taking bird seeds, pieces of string, or other items from people in the plaza in front of the Duomo. They'll offer you something that cost them a few cents and you'll instinctively take it from them. Then they'll want a euro or more in exchange. If you take what they give you, you'll have a difficult time getting them to take it back. Be careful also of pick-pockets and other thieves who might take your equipment. There's not much of that here, but it does happen sometimes, especially in crowded places--like a plaza or metro station.