Honeymoon in Italy!
Feb 3rd, 2006, 04:54 PM
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Honeymoon in Italy!
Hi all,
My fiance and I are in the planning stages of our honeymoon to Italy and need some help. Neither of us have ever been to Italy, but both of our families are from there. We will be traveling in the end of July and have 11 days to spend (including travel). We both enjoy art and history but are looking to relax too. The problem is that we don't know where to go!
We definitely want to do Rome and then were thinking of adding two places after that or maybe just one with daytrips. My father keeps telling us to go to Sorrento, but from what I have read here and heard from others, that might not be such a good idea at the end of July. Others have been telling us to go to Florence, but we aren't sure how relaxing that would be.
Please help us!
Thanks,
Jess and Brian
My fiance and I are in the planning stages of our honeymoon to Italy and need some help. Neither of us have ever been to Italy, but both of our families are from there. We will be traveling in the end of July and have 11 days to spend (including travel). We both enjoy art and history but are looking to relax too. The problem is that we don't know where to go!
We definitely want to do Rome and then were thinking of adding two places after that or maybe just one with daytrips. My father keeps telling us to go to Sorrento, but from what I have read here and heard from others, that might not be such a good idea at the end of July. Others have been telling us to go to Florence, but we aren't sure how relaxing that would be.
Please help us!
Thanks,
Jess and Brian
Feb 3rd, 2006, 05:13 PM
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Hi J,
If you have 9 days in bella Italia and Rome is your definite, I would recommend either the Ligurian coast or Tuscany/Umbria. I'm one of those people who firmly believe in mixing Italian cities with the beautiful countryside.
Ligurian Coast options would be Rapallo, Santa Margherita Liguria, Cinque Terre, Portofino area.
Tuscany, maybe around the Montepulciano area or further north around Siena, or Chianti.
Umbria, would be less touristed than the other two. I highly recommend Spello and Palazzo Bocci. A very nice place for a honeymoon. Near Assisi, Montefalco, Bevegna.
If it were me, I would fly into Rome, or better yet Pisa, and head to Montalcino or Spello - my two favorite villages of my last trip. Spend 4 days relaxing from the wedding, sightseeing as desired.
Then on to fabulous Roma for 5 days. Overdose on history, art, architecture, gellato, ruins, churches, etc!
If it helps, do a search for my trip report called "Dayle's Solo Trip to Italy". I spent 5 days in Rome and 8 in Tuscany & Umbria.
Congratulations and buon viaggio!
If you have 9 days in bella Italia and Rome is your definite, I would recommend either the Ligurian coast or Tuscany/Umbria. I'm one of those people who firmly believe in mixing Italian cities with the beautiful countryside.
Ligurian Coast options would be Rapallo, Santa Margherita Liguria, Cinque Terre, Portofino area.
Tuscany, maybe around the Montepulciano area or further north around Siena, or Chianti.
Umbria, would be less touristed than the other two. I highly recommend Spello and Palazzo Bocci. A very nice place for a honeymoon. Near Assisi, Montefalco, Bevegna.
If it were me, I would fly into Rome, or better yet Pisa, and head to Montalcino or Spello - my two favorite villages of my last trip. Spend 4 days relaxing from the wedding, sightseeing as desired.
Then on to fabulous Roma for 5 days. Overdose on history, art, architecture, gellato, ruins, churches, etc!
If it helps, do a search for my trip report called "Dayle's Solo Trip to Italy". I spent 5 days in Rome and 8 in Tuscany & Umbria.
Congratulations and buon viaggio!
Feb 3rd, 2006, 05:35 PM
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It will be "hottissimo" (the most hot) as no Italians say, so the Amalfi coast, crowded as it will be, might be a good bet. How about four or five days in Rome, then off to the beach for a few days? Positano or Capri are nice for anyone, but especially honeymooners.
Feb 3rd, 2006, 05:38 PM
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I think all of Dayle's advice is excellent. Of course, I suggest Tuscany 
and I would stick with the area around Pienza, San Quirico d'Orcia, Montalcino, etc. For one thing, it is "quintessential" Tuscany, and for another, it wonderfully mixes natural beauty, a little art and history, and a relaxing atmosphere. But I would insist on a place with a pool in July.
Even better, for me, would be Santa Margharita Ligure and Portofino before Rome. That is the perfect trip, IMO.
and I would stick with the area around Pienza, San Quirico d'Orcia, Montalcino, etc. For one thing, it is "quintessential" Tuscany, and for another, it wonderfully mixes natural beauty, a little art and history, and a relaxing atmosphere. But I would insist on a place with a pool in July. Even better, for me, would be Santa Margharita Ligure and Portofino before Rome. That is the perfect trip, IMO.
Feb 4th, 2006, 06:18 AM
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Hi again J and others,
I reason I don't recommend the Amalfi Coast in July is the crowds. I have visited in March and Sept and I would not go again in Sept - never during the summer - unless I was not going to sightsee and just park myself by a pool with an incredible view the entire time.
I reason I don't recommend the Amalfi Coast in July is the crowds. I have visited in March and Sept and I would not go again in Sept - never during the summer - unless I was not going to sightsee and just park myself by a pool with an incredible view the entire time.
Feb 4th, 2006, 06:41 AM
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I highly, highly, recommend the following place.
http://www.albergoilmonastero.it/en/default.asp
Let me give you the history, i went to italy for 6 weeks while in college to study italian. we had 1 week of free time, so i asked my teacher where i should go, since we were heading to naples and capri. he said to skip capri and go to ischiia instead. i didnt skip capri, but only spent one day there. saw the blue grotto (cute, but very touristy) then went to ischiia. the hotel i recommend is in a castle on it's own little island off the main island. it had amazing views, but was also very simple and quiet. it's been remodeled since, but still looks amazing on the website.
if you want a nicer hotel, there's a gorgeous one in the center of town, can't remember the name.
the food here is amazing (lots of fresh seafood and great white wine and limencello!)
but you cannot skip the gardens of poseidon, which is a natural thermal spa. google it.
i plan on this for my honeymoon.
if you don't go to ischiia/amalfi, i'd go to florence. Rome is gonna be a swamp in July just FYI. it was really toasty in June (100 degrees, not much humidity most days). but you'll still love it!
http://www.albergoilmonastero.it/en/default.asp
Let me give you the history, i went to italy for 6 weeks while in college to study italian. we had 1 week of free time, so i asked my teacher where i should go, since we were heading to naples and capri. he said to skip capri and go to ischiia instead. i didnt skip capri, but only spent one day there. saw the blue grotto (cute, but very touristy) then went to ischiia. the hotel i recommend is in a castle on it's own little island off the main island. it had amazing views, but was also very simple and quiet. it's been remodeled since, but still looks amazing on the website.
if you want a nicer hotel, there's a gorgeous one in the center of town, can't remember the name.
the food here is amazing (lots of fresh seafood and great white wine and limencello!)
but you cannot skip the gardens of poseidon, which is a natural thermal spa. google it.
i plan on this for my honeymoon.
if you don't go to ischiia/amalfi, i'd go to florence. Rome is gonna be a swamp in July just FYI. it was really toasty in June (100 degrees, not much humidity most days). but you'll still love it!
Feb 4th, 2006, 03:53 PM
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Hi everyone! Thanks for all of your input. It has been really helpful. We are really looking for a place a little less "Americanized" so Santa Margherita Liguria sounds great. Is there a place on the Amalfi coast that is at all like this? Also, can anyone recommend a good book to buy to do some research on our trip? Thanks everyone! Jess
Feb 4th, 2006, 04:09 PM
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The lake region is beautiful perhaps Bellagio very romantic,next choice but more crowded is Positano.Taromino in Sicily may be o.k. but you will lose travel time.My advice is not to go to two other places ,by the time you pack and unpack etc. the trip will be over believe me it flew by.Rome will be a hectic place in July, stay in one other place.thats plenty and if you can fly open jaw in one city out the other it will save you a day .My opinion is I will pay more for an extra day,that is the most valuable asset on the trip the time can't be replaced.Enjoy the beauty of Italy and good luck.
