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Italy Trip Report: Rome and the Amalfi Coast
Italy Trip Report: Rome and the Amalfi Coast
This report is a tad belated. My husband and I went to Italy for nine days in early September for a "babymoon" trip. It was our first trip to continental Europe and we chose Italy primarily because my husband is 100% Italian and had never been to visit. We left the day forum member Vicki H arrived, and oddly enough, we had planned an eerily similar itinerary.
Here is our photo set, since pictures convey more than words ever could:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/12707846@N ... 111450197/
Rome - 4 nights
We spent four nights in Rome, staying at Hotel Cosmopolita. While in Rome, we walked extensively and saw the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Colosseum, Vatican, Jewish Ghetto and many more sights. What I loved about Rome was how accessible all of this ancient architecture is and how it is integrated into daily life. You could hardly turn a corner without something from hundreds of years ago greeting you at every turn. Priceless sculptures, gorgeous buildings, sun-drenched colors... it was everywhere.
Some of our best times were spent sitting at a cafe in a piazza before dinner watching families and friends congregate. Italians really do have a love of family and it shows in their daily life. Oh, and Roman men are really well-dressed and groomed. I could get used to that.
Amalfi Coast - 4 nights
We opted to stay in a small town called Praiano, which was between Positano and Amalfi. We made this choice for two reasons: 1. We booked the trip late and 2. Praiano was much less expensive than Positano and had great bus service to all surrounding areas. Since I planned the trip entirely myself, we decided to go for adventure and took the train from Rome to Salerno. From Salerno, we took a 30 minute ferry ride to Amalfi and then a 20 minute bus ride to Praiano. Boats, trains and automobiles.
While on the Amalfi Coast, we toured Positano, Amalfi, Ravello and our own small town of Praiano. I was not so crazy about Positano or Amalfi. Too touristy and crowded for my taste. By the end of the four nights, I was about to scream at the sound of a motor scooter. They are like gnats - everywhere.
I loved Ravello, a town set high up in the hills overlooking the coast. This town had no scooters in the town streets, because it was pedestrian only in the main parts. It is a very upscale town with gorgeous architecture and cool breezes. Just amazing.
I also loved our little hamlet of Praiano. The people were friendly, the restaurants NOT touristy and the value good for your money. We stayed at a place called Hotel Margherita, a family-run place that gives great value for your money, even with the Euro-Dollar situation. This place was full the entire time we were there. Guests appeared to be from all over, but mostly English speaking - British, Irish, Australian, American, etc.
One thing I learned: Europeans don't mind frigid water, whether in a pool or the ocean. The Med is cold, my friends, especially for this Southern girl accustomed to St. John. Fine, I'm spoiled. I like it that way.
Overall, we loved Italy. The people, the food and the sights were all incredible. We were pretty exhausted at the end of the trip, but it was a good kind of exhausted. It prepared us for the birth of Wyatt (ha!).
If you have any questions or want further details, ask away. For now, I have a one-month old to tend to.
Here is our photo set, since pictures convey more than words ever could:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/12707846@N ... 111450197/
Rome - 4 nights
We spent four nights in Rome, staying at Hotel Cosmopolita. While in Rome, we walked extensively and saw the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Colosseum, Vatican, Jewish Ghetto and many more sights. What I loved about Rome was how accessible all of this ancient architecture is and how it is integrated into daily life. You could hardly turn a corner without something from hundreds of years ago greeting you at every turn. Priceless sculptures, gorgeous buildings, sun-drenched colors... it was everywhere.
Some of our best times were spent sitting at a cafe in a piazza before dinner watching families and friends congregate. Italians really do have a love of family and it shows in their daily life. Oh, and Roman men are really well-dressed and groomed. I could get used to that.
Amalfi Coast - 4 nights
We opted to stay in a small town called Praiano, which was between Positano and Amalfi. We made this choice for two reasons: 1. We booked the trip late and 2. Praiano was much less expensive than Positano and had great bus service to all surrounding areas. Since I planned the trip entirely myself, we decided to go for adventure and took the train from Rome to Salerno. From Salerno, we took a 30 minute ferry ride to Amalfi and then a 20 minute bus ride to Praiano. Boats, trains and automobiles.
While on the Amalfi Coast, we toured Positano, Amalfi, Ravello and our own small town of Praiano. I was not so crazy about Positano or Amalfi. Too touristy and crowded for my taste. By the end of the four nights, I was about to scream at the sound of a motor scooter. They are like gnats - everywhere.
I loved Ravello, a town set high up in the hills overlooking the coast. This town had no scooters in the town streets, because it was pedestrian only in the main parts. It is a very upscale town with gorgeous architecture and cool breezes. Just amazing.
I also loved our little hamlet of Praiano. The people were friendly, the restaurants NOT touristy and the value good for your money. We stayed at a place called Hotel Margherita, a family-run place that gives great value for your money, even with the Euro-Dollar situation. This place was full the entire time we were there. Guests appeared to be from all over, but mostly English speaking - British, Irish, Australian, American, etc.
One thing I learned: Europeans don't mind frigid water, whether in a pool or the ocean. The Med is cold, my friends, especially for this Southern girl accustomed to St. John. Fine, I'm spoiled. I like it that way.
Overall, we loved Italy. The people, the food and the sights were all incredible. We were pretty exhausted at the end of the trip, but it was a good kind of exhausted. It prepared us for the birth of Wyatt (ha!).
If you have any questions or want further details, ask away. For now, I have a one-month old to tend to.
Re: Italy Trip Report: Rome and the Amalfi Coast
My husband said the same of Italian women after his first visit to Rome!alw1977 wrote:Roman men are really well-dressed and groomed.
I have been to the South of France and to Monaco but never to Italy... from reports like this on this site and Anthony's posts from http://florence-on-line.com I am sure that I have missed some wonderful places and experiences... not to mention foods. On the "bucket list" for a while now...
Your photos are terrific; I appreciate your sharing your trip with this forum.
... no longer a stranger to paradise
Seems to be alot of first timers to Europe visiting Italy this past Fall.
Great report and wonderful pictures.
The Italian people are warm and friendly. Watching them taught me many lessons. They seem grounded.
I have to say I enjoyed Rome more than Florence as far as the larger city tours. That could of been because we did Rome first and Florence last. Second to Rome favs was Cinque Terre and then the Tuscany countryside.
Thanks for taking the time to do this great report.
Great report and wonderful pictures.
The Italian people are warm and friendly. Watching them taught me many lessons. They seem grounded.
I have to say I enjoyed Rome more than Florence as far as the larger city tours. That could of been because we did Rome first and Florence last. Second to Rome favs was Cinque Terre and then the Tuscany countryside.
Thanks for taking the time to do this great report.
That was fantastic! I looked at every photo and savored every moment. The best part was that I recognized almost every single one! Thank you so much for sharing and for taking me back to the most memorable trip of my life.
YES! Looks like she found Aisha in Ravello (at least that's what her tag said)....This was the dog my husband made me visit at least 4 times and even made me go buy snacks for. I won't tell him she gets around. He thought he was special.flip-flop wrote:Is that the same doggie Vicki met?
That dog had personality to spare, for sure! Vicki, I need to go back and read your report in detail. I had a lot going on when you posted it and missed the majority of it, to be honest. I am sure we visited many of the same places in Praiano and Ravello.
I missed Capri, and I did see your report on that part of your visit. We just ran out of time.
Another thing for anyone interested. I forgot to mention that we were able to take the Scavi Tour at the Vatican, visiting the tomb excavations under the Basilica. Only about 150 people get to visit each day, and you have to write in advance and get kind of lucky to be selected. If you have any time in Rome, I'd suggest trying to go.
I missed Capri, and I did see your report on that part of your visit. We just ran out of time.
Another thing for anyone interested. I forgot to mention that we were able to take the Scavi Tour at the Vatican, visiting the tomb excavations under the Basilica. Only about 150 people get to visit each day, and you have to write in advance and get kind of lucky to be selected. If you have any time in Rome, I'd suggest trying to go.