We havent visited Rome yet so have decided that's where our next visit will take us!

From other people's experience I would like opinions on planning our trip eg. what we must not miss!, how long we need in Rome itself (I know how long the string is!).  Really just a general list of do's and don'ts.

A must is Sunday service at St Peters - husband being a not-so-good catholic boy!

Does anyone know if it is possible to buy a stone staircase?  We stayed in a rented house recently near Bagni di Lucca that had a lovely stone staircase which on close inspection could have actually been new (although it looked authentic) Having now bought a place of our own I would love to change our fairly grotty open wooden tread, modern stairs up to the first floor.  It could have been brick with limestone treads, I can't quite remember....

Any ideas anyone?

Jan 

This looks like another new tax that has just been introduced here. On each prescription item, you have to pay 21 cents, even if the medication previously was free.

One of our neighbors has asked us if he could buy one of our large false Acacia trees that we have on our land - since it makes very good fire wood. By us it is ok, but I do not know how much money we should ask for it. Most villagers use firewood and we are one of the few that own a bit of bosco, so we think that the best would be to ask a fair price in case other neighbors will approach us for fire wood in the future. Does anyone have an idea what it is worth?

Does anybody have any recipes for cooking black truffles. We had one today, cooked in an omelette in the French style, but would like to know if anyone has used them with pork, as still have another 2 to use up before they go off.

I have been trying to set up direct debit payments for my gas and electricity bills with Enel for 18 months. And i hit a brick wall every time I try, or rather I don't get a reply, I am told at the local Enel shop that the DDs are registered on the system, my Banco di Sicilia account is ready for the collections and yet nothing happens. Curiously I did get a refund from the gas paid directly into my account.

I am sure I am not the only one to experience these problems - any tips for a solution?

Thanks