Travel
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Tell me about Italy!
I posted this over at The Knot honeymoon board but thought I post here also....
My husband and are are looking to possibly travel to Italy in late April/early May for 2 weeks. Tell me about your trip itinerary, places you loved, places to see, etc! Thanks in advance!
Re: Tell me about Italy!
That's very exciting!
The question you asked is a little vague. Where in Italy are you thinking of going? Is there a budget you are trying to stay in? What kind of things do you and DH like to do?
You came to the right place with a little more info we can help you a bit more!
Most likely flying in & out of Rome.
Don't want to spend more than 2 full days in Rome. Debating on whether to head north to the lakes and cinque terre or south to amalfi coast. We want some R&R time in Tuscany/Umbria for sure.
Would like to have a good mix of city sight seeing with country down time.
Haven't really set a budget yet. Usually look for places to stay that are less than $250/night.
Have you both been to Rome before? What are you wanting to see in Rome in those 2 days? I think you need a full 3 days for Rome, we were there 4 full days and it was perfect, running around for 3 days and then a last day to wander and just enjoy the city.
We did two weeks in Italy this past September and had a ball.
We spent 3 nights in Venice, 2 nights in Cinque Terre, 2 nights in Lucca (Tuscany), 2 nights in Florence, and 5 nights in Rome.
We stayed in all B&Bs, with the average being about 130euro. Definitely recommend the B&Bs in Italy.
Where you go depends on what you like I think. Our favorite places were Venice, CT and Rome, We also loved the cooking class we did in an olive grove in Tuscany, and our day trip to Pompeii from Rome.
Here is our itinerary for Italy this summer- also two weeks with a nice mix of city and country. We found it about the same price to fly into Venice and out of Rome (or vice versa) so we did not do so much back-tracking. I also have a list of apartments and B & B's we are staying in as well if you are interested.
Saturday 6/30- Fly to Venice from Chicago
Sunday 7/1- arrive in Venice
Monday 7/2- Venice
Tuesday 7/3- Take train from Venice to Monterosso
Wednesday 7/4- Monterosso
Thursday 7/5- Monterosso to Florence
Friday 7/6 Florence
Saturday 7/7- Florence to Chianti (by car rental)
Sunday 7/8 Chianti
Monday 7/9 Chianti
Tuesday 7/10 Drive back to Florence, drop off car, and train to Rome
Wednesday 7/11 Rome
Thursday 7/12 Rome/Vatican
Friday 7/13 Rome
Saturday 7/14 Fly from Rome to Chicago
I love everything about Italy -- the food, wine, gelato, history, architecture, culture, people.
Of course this is a personal preference, but my favorite cities are Florence and Rome. I adored Florence and hope to go back someday. It's beautiful and romantic, has great museums and places to shop, good food, the side streets are fun to explore; perfect for a honeymoon. I know you said you'd rather not spend much time in Rome, but there is so much to see and do. I spent 4 days there and it was a good amount of time, but I loved it and easily could have stayed longer. I also really enjoyed some of the smaller towns I visited such as Assisi (beautiful!), Padua, and Brescia. It was nice to visit less touristy areas, relax, and take in the charm and beauty of everyday living.
You didn't mention these, but my least favorite cities were Milan and Venice. Milan just paled in comparison to other cities, IMO. People have mixed feelings on Venice -- some love it, others hate it. I didn't necessarily hate it, but I thought it was very touristy, expensive, and wasn't my cup of tea. Pisa was fun as a day trip to climb the tower and tour the baptistry and cathedral, but I wouldn't go out of my way to visit.
I haven't been to Cinque Terre or the Amalfi Coast, so I can't comment on those.
I posted in a thread below about Italy hotels. We are going in June and this is our itinerary:
fly into Venice, stay 2 nights
3 nights in Florence
4 nights in Montepulicano (we are renting a car for this portion)
4 nights in Positano
3 nights in Rome, fly out of Rome
Here are our hotels -
Venice - Hotel Canal Grande (http://www.hotelcanalgrande.it/)
Florence - Bernini Palace (http://hotelbernini.duetorrihotels.com/en/luxury-hotel-4-stars-florence/luxury-hotel-florence)
Tuscany (Montepulciano) - Villa Cicolina (http://villacicolina.it/)
Positano - Marincanto Hotel (http://www.marincanto.it/)
Rome - Rome Cavalieri (http://www.romecavalieri.com/)
We traveled to Italy for 14 days in September and visited Rome (4 days), Florence (3 days w/a day-trip to Pisa/Siena/San Gimignano), Cinque Terre (2 days), Milan (1 day) and Venice (4 days). It was my second trip to Italy and his first (I had previously visited Rome, Florence, Cinque Terre, and Sorrento). I would have liked to have spent at least another day in the Cinque Terre, and also would have loved to have visited Lake Como, but unfortunately there just wasn't enough time available. I don't think two days in Rome would be enough but if you just want to hit a few highlights it could work.
I have entries from our trip in my travel blog here:
http://wanderlusttraveler.blogspot.com/search/label/Italy
In April/May, I would suggest heading south rather than north. Typically, that's the end of the rainy season up north, so you can still get crappy weather. It'll likely be warmer here on the AC (not August hot, but mild). Also, on average the south is less expensive (in terms of food and lodging) than the north.
Citywise-- in addition to Rome, I'd recommend Florence as your second urban experience. From Florence, I'd suggest Radda-in-Chianti or Montepulciano. If you have time to stay in Umbria, Assisi is lovely.
On the Amalfi Coast, the best value in terms of lodging is probably Sorrento. That said, you're still early enough in the season that the rates in Positano/Ravello shouldn't be too bad. Both Positano and Ravello are small towns-- you can see "everything" (ie the duomo and the shops) in half-a-day easy. However, IMO, the primary point to staying in one of those towns is to just relax and watch the world go by... very relaxing for a couple nights, but again, not a ton "to do" that early in the season. Sorrento is significantly larger than P or R, so will offer more options. Also, that early in the season, it will offer more consistent ferries to Capri/Ischia than Positano and it's easier to reach (has a train station) than P or R.
Have fun!
Here are the places we will be staying. Some are more affordable and some are a bit more pricey, but check them out:
Venice: http://www.casarezzonico.it/rooms.html
Cinque Terre: http://www.laspiaggiahotel.com/
Florence: http://www.hermitagehotel.com/
Tuscany (Greve in Chianti): http://www.greve-in-chianti.com/casanova.htm
Rome: http://www.vrbo.com/98883
We have been a few times and love Italy!
We got married on the Amalfi Coast and it is beautiful! Our favorite places to stay there in Positano were Villa La Tartana and Villa Rosa. Both are charming B&B type places with balconies with amazing views! Great locations too.
In Florence - we LOVE the Hermitage Hotel and have stayed there more than once. Last time we had a room with a view of the Arno River. We love the little gelato place right around the corner....so yummy!
On our last trip we stayed here in Tuscany: www.cornacchi.com It was SO wonderful! Definately check it out...you need a car. The dinners there were fabulous! We also loved the cooking class. I may have photos in my Supermom blog...I think posted some. It was a great location for day trips to so many Tuscan towns. If you want a great winery to visit with an amazing lunch, try Avigonensi (google...they have a website). It was wonderful!
The last time in Rome we stayed at the Novona Gallery Suites. It was the BEST location. Tons of cafe's right outside the door and so close to Piazza Navona.
We have visited quite a few places in Italy since we have been there a few times. Venice was also amazing. We also LOVED Umbria (Hotel San Luca in Spoleto was charming!). I loved all the many Tuscan towns we have visted...Siena, Montepulciano, San Gimignano, Lucca, all the little towns along the Chianti Road.....too many to mention! We also loved the towns along the Ligurian Sea further north. Camogli near Portofino was incredible! So was Cinque Terre....
We have been to Italy a few times now are are returning in September/October this year. We generally look for places that are under 200 euros per night.
In Rome we have liked the Albergo Del Sol al Bisciogne: http://www.solealbiscione.it/eng/default.html
or the Casa Banzo B N B http://www.casabanzo.it/
Both of these are in or near the Campo Dei Fiori, which is a thriving fruit/vegetable/flower market by day and has great restaurants for dining at night. It's also walking distance to most of the sights you want to get to.
We've been to Florence twice but I can't remember the name of the place we stayed at. In May, Florence was manic.
Tuscany is amazing. Lucca, Greve, Siena, Montalcino, Radda, Montepulciano, San Gimingnano(sp?) are all these little medieval towns that are amazing to explore. Go into the Entoeca's and cellar doors and taste all the glorious wine of the region. Go to little restaurants that are out of the main tourist squares there and you will be rewarded with amazing authentic food that will be less expensive than the ones in "tourist central."
Sorrento and Positano are both magnificent. We stayed at La Tonarella in Sorrento last time and loved it. http://www.latonnarella.com/site/website&whatlang=english.do.
I recommend this restaurant: http://www.parrucchiano.com/en/home.php. The tables are under a lemon grove, it is truly an enchanting place. The food is pretty good too.
We stay in different places every time we go to Venice. We stayed once at the Hotel Iris and whilst we loved the food at the restaurant there, it was in residential Venice and really too far to get to the main areas we wanted to visit.
Have a great time!
We went last year and did:
Milan, 2 nights, Westin Milan
Venice, 2 nights, Westin Europa & Regina
Florence, 2 nights, Westin Florence
Rome, 3 nights, Rome Cavalleri (Waldorf Astoria).
This summer we are returning and doing:
Naples, 2 nights
Sorrento & Amalfi coast, 3 nights.
Last year, Florence was our favorite. We did a day trip to Pisa as well. Venice creeped me out. We did, however, stay in a canal view room with a terrace in Venice which was way expensive but pretty cool. The little cichetti bars in Venice were fun as were the happy hours in Milan. A few things that amazed me were how ancient everything is in Venice, the Last Supper painting in Milan and The Vatican. However, our Vatican tour was mostly about art which bored me because I was more interested in its history. You must book the Last Supper tickets in advance. Vatican tours are plentiful so no need to book in advance if you don't want to. My biggest gripe about Rome was actually the hotel. Our friends recommended and raved about the Cavalleri so we stayed there. The hotel is still technically in Rome, but waaaaay out there compared to the main areas in Rome where all the touristy action is. We like staying in the middle of things and given our hotel pattern, we should've just stayed at the Westin Rome and we would've been fine.
We took trains between each city which was easy to navigate. Riding the vaporetto in Venice was neat.
We are the type who explore neighborhoods and cities on foot and don't linger in museums. Our itinerary was enough time for us to see everything we wanted. Shoot me, but by the end I just wanted to come home and have some chicken parmigiana with overcooked linguini noodles floating in red sauce with some crushed red pepper from Maggiano's. I'm not Italian and I don't eat a lot of their meats so the food mostly just felt so bland to me.
I've been to Italy twice. The first time, I only had a week and did 3 days in Rome, 4 in Florence. It was perfect! I agree with PP that 2 days in Rome will be tight. There's so much to see there! Florence was amazing and a must see in my opinion.
The second trip, we had 2 weeks. We did Naples (to see Pompeii and Herculaneum), the Amalfi Coast and Capri, then Venice. I fell in love with the Amalfi Coast!!! We spent about a week there and it was my favorite part of the trip. Venice is interesting and worth seeing, but it wasn't my favorite city.