Europe help... specifically Italy

alw1977 · Post by **alw1977** » Mon May 04, 2009 9:43 pm

Hi there guys. We are trying to plan our first trip to Europe. We have 8 nights in September over Labor Day - no exceptions, no extensions. I am looking to hit two different places, and I think I'd prefer Italy. My husband is 100% Italian and the country looks beautiful.

However, Europe stresses me out. There are so many options it is mind-boggling. I prefer a place not overrun with tourists, but I am not sure I can find that in September. Some ideas I've been given: Rome/Amalfi Coast, Lake Como (and somewhere else), ???? Any other ideas? I am out of them.

sailorgirl · Post by **sailorgirl** » Mon May 04, 2009 10:51 pm

8 days is not alot of time. My advice do only Rome and Florence with a day trip or two, maybe from Florence to one of the hill towns like San Gimiango or Siena.
Take it slow, see some sights, have a long relaxing lunch with lots of wine, do a little shopping, have some expresso with pastry. Think of it as your first trip to Italy... not your only one

Ive been to Italy in September about 6 times. Although the last trip was over 10 years ago. Its a fabulous time of year to go.

waterguy · Post by **waterguy** » Tue May 05, 2009 7:23 am

Hi I did a trip report on here back in Jan. from our 10 day trip to Italy. If you have any ? just ask we did rome and Florence with a day trip outside at each.

jmq · Post by **jmq** » Tue May 05, 2009 8:23 am

See if flying into one city and out from another is an option without extra cost i.e. into Rome and out from Milan for example. That will enable you to build a “one way” itinerary that doesn’t waste any time back tracking. Worked great for our 9 night trip to Switzerland – into Geneva and out from Zurich.

ihochman · Post by **ihochman** » Tue May 05, 2009 9:13 am

Actually, Sept is the perfect time to go to Italy. You're going a bit early but most Americans are back in the states (school starts around then) and the Italians are back from their month long vacations. As far as where to go, since your husband is from Italy (or at least his family is) you might want to visit the area where his family comes from. Otherwise, I'd suggest the Rome-Florence trip. From Rome you can do an easy day trip to Pompeii and from Florence there are great day trips to Siena or local Tuscan towns like Chianti, Montalcino, Radda,etc. I've been to Italy 5 or 6 times and will actually be going back in Sept as well. It is the greatest country to visit. Beautiful, friendly and absolutely amazing. Wherever you go you will have an experience to remember forever.

Gromit · Post by **Gromit** » Tue May 05, 2009 10:42 am

I'm all about SLOW travel. I pick a place and get to know it. We spent a week in Florence and were COMPLETELY happy. Everyone we ran into told us they wished they'd spent more time in Florence. And we were glad about our choice.

We stayed in a fantastic and modest hotel called the Hotel Torre Guelfa (they have some fantastic deals on right now) -- they have their own private tower and serve wine up there in the afternoons overlooking Florence. I did a review on Trip Advisor. They are a block form the Ponte Vecchio and on one of the nicest shopping streets in Florence.

One day we hired a private tour guide for a day who took us out to the countryside and she was awesome.
We did olive oil and wine tasting.

I am a totally anal rententive planner and do TONS of research before any trip to find out the BEST value restaurants accomodations and events.

FYI Anthony who runs this forum lives in Florence and also has another forum about Florence.

I have a whole itinerary with restaurants museums etc. that I will be glad to send it to you if you PM me with your e-mail address.

Honestly, I was glad we skipped Rome and Venice and opted for Florence. There was SO much to see, so many fantastic restaurants and festivals going on and we really were able to relax and enjoy the trip.

It was nice to just sit in the Piazza de la Signoria on the steps of the Uffizi eating gelato and listening to the street musicians in the afternoons and evenings afetr all the tourists had left the city. You feel like you have Florence all to yourself.

It was safe, clean and entirely romantic.

Seriously, I can't wait to go back!!

toes in the sand · Post by **toes in the sand** » Tue May 05, 2009 11:26 am

We stayed in a little town on the coast, Alassio Italy. Loved it, relaxing and laid back. Wish we could've spent more than the week we spent there.

AnyTing · Post by **AnyTing** » Tue May 05, 2009 11:27 am

We'll be doing the Amalfi Coast in September. That seems to be a great month to visit that area. I've done (more) research (than any sane person should), so if you'd like any info on that area, just PM me.

Dan · Post by **Dan** » Tue May 05, 2009 11:04 pm

Rome and Venice are must sees...

Rome, Venice, Sienna... You won't be disappointed!

Before I took my first trip to Italy a friend told me If you go to Italy you must see Venice! This is sooo true....

http://www.sunshinelobster.blogspot.com/

dan

alw1977 · Post by **alw1977** » Wed May 06, 2009 7:14 am

Thanks everyone. After much deliberation, we are doing Rome for 4 night and the Amalfi Coast for 5 nights (I WAS in fact able to squeeze out an extra day from work). I want to hit only 2 destinations and take it slowly.

Vicki, small world. I will PM you sometime about the Amalfi Coast. I think we might rent a house and base ourselves in Praiano, which is right between Positano and Amalfi. From there, we will do Capri/Anacapri, etc...

AnyTing · Post by **AnyTing** » Wed May 06, 2009 7:36 am

alw1977 wrote:Vicki, small world. I will PM you sometime about the Amalfi Coast. I think we might rent a house and base ourselves in Praiano, which is right between Positano and Amalfi. From there, we will do Capri/Anacapri, etc...

The world keeps getting smaller...we are also in a villa in Praiano! Neighbors?

sailorgirl · Post by **sailorgirl** » Wed May 06, 2009 8:02 am

alw1977 wrote:Thanks everyone. After much deliberation, we are doing Rome for 4 night and the Amalfi Coast for 5 nights (I WAS in fact able to squeeze out an extra day from work). I want to hit only 2 destinations and take it slowly.

Vicki, small world. I will PM you sometime about the Amalfi Coast. I think we might rent a house and base ourselves in Praiano, which is right between Positano and Amalfi. From there, we will do Capri/Anacapri, etc...

I had the most amazing meal at a little resturant in Praiano overlooking the sea. My cousin knew the owner and we just sat all afternoon while they brought course after course. It was 20 years ago, but I remember it so well. Can't recall the name though

Post by **Anthony** » Wed May 06, 2009 8:18 am

Gromit wrote:I'm all about SLOW travel. I pick a place and get to know it. We spent a week in Florence and were COMPLETELY happy.

I can't agree with that more - the trend in Italian travel seems to be hit as much as possible - which to me just seems to mean spending a lot of time traveling. We are hearing that the agents here who rent villas and apartments for full weeks only are in real trouble, with more people preferring only a couple of nights. I don't know what you really can do in Florence in a day other than walk around and oh and ah at everything - there is so much to really get into...

Anyway - Rome and Amalfi, two great choices. I will post some pics and recommendations.

Post by **Anthony** » Wed May 06, 2009 8:26 am

VickiH wrote:
alw1977 wrote:Vicki, small world. I will PM you sometime about the Amalfi Coast. I think we might rent a house and base ourselves in Praiano, which is right between Positano and Amalfi. From there, we will do Capri/Anacapri, etc...
The world keeps getting smaller...we are also in a villa in Praiano! Neighbors?

No secret info - I want to know what you guys are planning! You have to go up to Ravello - Wagner spent time there and supposedly composed some of his best work at the time. Great views and an unbelievably quaint town with a couple of amazing villas and gardens - there is a spot with a tiny bar and a balcony for just a couple - you have to see it to believe it. I would love to stay at the hotel - I have to search for the name for you.

Post by **Anthony** » Wed May 06, 2009 8:55 am

Here are some photos, mostly from Ravello -

<img src="/images/ravello/view.jpg">

This is shot from the side of the road on the drive down there - I think this is before Amalfi. These two tiny islands are privately owned if I remember correctly.

<img src="/images/ravello/piazza.jpg">

Part of the piazza in Ravello -

<img src="/images/ravello/garden.jpg">

The garden at the hotel at the end of town - you basically walk through the whole town from the piazza to this villa/hotel - http://www.villacimbrone.com/en/ - which actually isn't that ancient in the Italian sense - it is from the late 19th century I think -
These next shots are all from the garden/grounds of the hotel:

<img src="/images/ravello/door.jpg">
<img src="/images/ravello/flowers.jpg">
<img src="/images/ravello/busts.jpg">
<img src="/images/ravello/bust.jpg">
<img src="/images/ravello/bust2.jpg">
<img src="/images/ravello/bar.jpg">

And that last one is the bar which is basically underneath where the sculptures are - they have seating outside but there is one small table on this tiny balcony... terrific spot.

Finally:

<img src="/images/ravello/church-door.jpg">

These doors from the church back in the piazza are something like 800 years old (or something - not remembering it all!).

<img src="/images/ravello/fruit.jpg">

And a roadside vendor - this is where Limoncello comes from Tom!

So I am sure Vicky will show me up with her superior photos but this should give you an idea

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