On the American breasts in Italy, Pete said the males get much worse as you go South. Northern Italians, having more native blonds, tended to be less obnoxios. We reaquainted ourselves with an older cycling couple who'd just gotten back from a two week tour of Italy on their new collapsable tandem.
They had a blast but then again they always seem to be having a blast. I guess attitude is a big deal when traveling. I bet you're right about not compressing your sight-seeing time.