Tell me cool things to do in a few select Italian cities

Inexpensive is good. Free is better. And I don't speak Italian.

there is an un-free, fairly expensive bar in an old tram shed in milan, that is very nice, quite intimidating. it doesnt fit with yr criteria, but its really cool. I think it might be called Atiemme, or ATM. it may well be at Bastioni de Porta Volta, 15.

also, again, although you said "beside the usual churches", i think you should dfeinately go to the Basilica di Sant'Ambrogio. Cos he gave me my name! and also his skeleton is lying ina glass box with all this bishops finery in the church. So check it out.

In Rome, you should have the antipasto misto della casa at L'Orso '80 (33 Via dell'Orso, right by Piazza Navona). It's an amazing spread of delicious melanzane, carciofi, mozzarella di buffalo, funghi, etc.--one time when I was there they had to bring out an extra table to accomodate all of the food.

I remember it being really affordable when I lived there four years ago. They also had lots of other traditional Roman dishes, but I was always too full after the antipasto to try anything else.

nora what currency if any will you be changing into euros?

cause man the weak dollar sucked last january and it's gonna suck more now. :( Here is my rome thread: I am going to Rome hurrah hurrah

Really everything in rome is just lovely, you're going to miss a ton of things regardless. I'd just say stay away from the resturants that cater to tourists, they tend to be worse food/more money. Ivo's in Trastevere is where we had dinner before mr teeny proposed, it's nice, good food but casual, and there's also a great place on via della scala near santa maria della scala, wish I could remember the name. If you want a bit of adventure go nightclubbing in the monte testaccio district, it's fun stuff.

if trastavere is the left bank of the tiber, then theres a wicked crepe bar that has stools that are enourmous nutella jars made of foam, or something

someone told me that there's FREE BUFFET-STYLE FOOD at a lot of bars in milan? that sounds nice

teeny, it will be american dollars. sorry i've neglected the thread, i've been doing the family thing in chicago for the last few days.

The aperitivo snacks (free food in the evening) are not nearly as good in Milan as they are in Torino or other northern Italian cities.

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