Honeymoon in Italy (Florence, Venice, Rome)
Apr 24th, 2011, 08:04 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Honeymoon in Italy (Florence, Venice, Rome)
Hello Forum Experts,
My future wife and I are planning a honeymoon in late September to early October in Italy and were hoping to use your expertise to help us plan our trip. We will be in Italy roughly 13 days and are thinking of spending 6 nights in Florence (with day trips out to Chianti, Cinque Terre, etc) then 2 nights in Venice and 4 nights in Rome. We started down the path of using an American express travel agent, but have been completely stunned by the price of the honeymoon she is quoting us. I feel we have ample money to spend (~$1250 / day including meals and travel), but have been struggling to find good information on how to allocate this money.
If I had to think about our biggest questions they are as follows:
1. What hotel is a good deal but also romantic in Florence? I saw that the Westin and St Regis are around ~$800 / night, which seems egregious.
2. Should we rent a car? And if so, which company should we use? I only drive automatic, but think this may give us more freedom to explore Tuscany and get lost in the hills.
3. Has anybody taken any cooking classes in Tuscany that they recommend? I think we would love to learn to make an authentic beef pasta sauce.
4. Any other excursions that we should make sure we do not miss?
Thank you so much in advance for all your advice! I really appreciate it.
My future wife and I are planning a honeymoon in late September to early October in Italy and were hoping to use your expertise to help us plan our trip. We will be in Italy roughly 13 days and are thinking of spending 6 nights in Florence (with day trips out to Chianti, Cinque Terre, etc) then 2 nights in Venice and 4 nights in Rome. We started down the path of using an American express travel agent, but have been completely stunned by the price of the honeymoon she is quoting us. I feel we have ample money to spend (~$1250 / day including meals and travel), but have been struggling to find good information on how to allocate this money.
If I had to think about our biggest questions they are as follows:
1. What hotel is a good deal but also romantic in Florence? I saw that the Westin and St Regis are around ~$800 / night, which seems egregious.
2. Should we rent a car? And if so, which company should we use? I only drive automatic, but think this may give us more freedom to explore Tuscany and get lost in the hills.
3. Has anybody taken any cooking classes in Tuscany that they recommend? I think we would love to learn to make an authentic beef pasta sauce.
4. Any other excursions that we should make sure we do not miss?
Thank you so much in advance for all your advice! I really appreciate it.
Apr 24th, 2011, 08:32 PM
#2
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,214
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
First of all, this site is big on people who plan their own trips, so many of us will tell you that you don't need the "advice" of an American Express travel agent.
1. I've been married for too long to be looking for a romantic hotel, but I'm sure you can find one for much, much less than $800/night. About 10 years ago, we stayed at the Hotel Hermitage, probably not the stature of the two hotels you named, but we had a pleasant room that overlooked the Arno and the breakfast room was on the roof, with an outdoor terrace; double rooms there are about 175E/night. On our last trip to Florence, we stayed at a B&B that we liked very much, and I felt was gorgeous, called the Casa dei Tintori. It's probably in the same price range as the hotel.
2. If you're only planning on the big cities, with possibly some day trips, then you don't need a car. Personally, I would reduce my time in Florence to 3 nights, and spend the other 3 nights in a smaller city in Tuscany, possibly Siena or nearby.
Also, a day trip from Florence to the Cinque Terre would be more of a hassle than it's worth. If you really want to enjoy the Cinque Terre, then stay overnight. But you don't have a lot of time to do that.
If you stay in rural Tuscany, then you should rent a car. If neither of you can drive a manual, then you'll have to spend extra for an automatic. We use AutoEurope, and like their services very much.
3. I have not done this, so can't help you here. If you're thinking of a sauce Bolognese when you mention an authentic beef pasta sauce, then that's a specialty of Bologna, which is not in Tuscany. I'm sure there's a Tuscan version, too, though.
4. You have more than enough on your list already, focus on the places you've already mentioned, and enjoy those. Then return to Italy!
1. I've been married for too long to be looking for a romantic hotel, but I'm sure you can find one for much, much less than $800/night. About 10 years ago, we stayed at the Hotel Hermitage, probably not the stature of the two hotels you named, but we had a pleasant room that overlooked the Arno and the breakfast room was on the roof, with an outdoor terrace; double rooms there are about 175E/night. On our last trip to Florence, we stayed at a B&B that we liked very much, and I felt was gorgeous, called the Casa dei Tintori. It's probably in the same price range as the hotel.
2. If you're only planning on the big cities, with possibly some day trips, then you don't need a car. Personally, I would reduce my time in Florence to 3 nights, and spend the other 3 nights in a smaller city in Tuscany, possibly Siena or nearby.
Also, a day trip from Florence to the Cinque Terre would be more of a hassle than it's worth. If you really want to enjoy the Cinque Terre, then stay overnight. But you don't have a lot of time to do that.
If you stay in rural Tuscany, then you should rent a car. If neither of you can drive a manual, then you'll have to spend extra for an automatic. We use AutoEurope, and like their services very much.
3. I have not done this, so can't help you here. If you're thinking of a sauce Bolognese when you mention an authentic beef pasta sauce, then that's a specialty of Bologna, which is not in Tuscany. I'm sure there's a Tuscan version, too, though.
4. You have more than enough on your list already, focus on the places you've already mentioned, and enjoy those. Then return to Italy!
Apr 24th, 2011, 10:10 PM
#3
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,683
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Lexma already gave you excellent advice, but I just want to reiterate that you do not need to spend $800/night for a romantic hotel. By far the most romantic places in Italy are the small boutique hotels or B&Bs. My recommendation for Venice would be Locanda Orseolo(www.locandaoreolo.com). My aboslute favorite b&b in Italy is Baur B&B (www.baurbb.com), but that is in Acqui Terme in the Piemonte region - but I wouldn't hesitate to take a look at their website. Check out TripAdvisor for reviews of many great small hotels and b&bs in the regions you are looking at.
Apr 25th, 2011, 04:56 AM
#4
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,672
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
A beautiful and romantic hotel in Florence is the Hotel Lungarno, where you can gat a room for about $450. It is fight on the Arno River and has beautiful views of Florence from many rooms.
If you have 13 days, spend them in Venice, Florence, with a couple of day trips to the Tuscan countryside and Rome. Save Cinque Terre for another trip.
If you have 13 days, spend them in Venice, Florence, with a couple of day trips to the Tuscan countryside and Rome. Save Cinque Terre for another trip.
Apr 25th, 2011, 05:06 AM
#5
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 74,699
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi H,
Congratulations.
Search "Italy Honeymoon" and you will get more info than you can absorb in one day.
If it were me, I would fly into Venice or Milan for 3 nights
Rent a car and drive to San Gimignano for 3 nights and visit Tuscany
Drop car in Chiusi and take the bus to Florence for 3 nights
train to Rome before flying home.
Locanda Orseolo has been well reviewed a number of times.
Enjoy your visit.
Congratulations.
Search "Italy Honeymoon" and you will get more info than you can absorb in one day.
If it were me, I would fly into Venice or Milan for 3 nights
Rent a car and drive to San Gimignano for 3 nights and visit Tuscany
Drop car in Chiusi and take the bus to Florence for 3 nights
train to Rome before flying home.
Locanda Orseolo has been well reviewed a number of times.
Enjoy your visit.
Apr 25th, 2011, 05:34 AM
#6
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,525
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Forget the TA---all thay want are commisions.
Here is a good first trip to Italy---you will return:
Arrive Venice---3 nites---Locanda Orseolo
Train to Florence---3 nites---Tourist House Ghiberti
Bus to Siena---2 nites---Palazzo Ravizza
Train to Rome---Albero Cesari---5 nites
Fly home
Good luck and have fun !
Here is a good first trip to Italy---you will return:
Arrive Venice---3 nites---Locanda Orseolo
Train to Florence---3 nites---Tourist House Ghiberti
Bus to Siena---2 nites---Palazzo Ravizza
Train to Rome---Albero Cesari---5 nites
Fly home
Good luck and have fun !
Apr 26th, 2011, 07:44 AM
#7
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 3,899
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I recommend Antica Torre Tornabuoni in Florence - it is an intimate boutique property perfectly located and my favorite hotel in Florence.
In Rome, I recommend Sofitel Roma, a lovely 4 star in a not so busy street off Via Veneto.
In fall of 2009, we took an evening cooking class offered by Good Tastes of Tuscany and thoroughly enjoyed it. I referred a friend and she took a week long class last August and really enjoyed it.
I would not rent a car if you are staying in the cities. For us, we prefer the cities to the countryside but this is a matter of personal preference.
In Rome, I recommend Sofitel Roma, a lovely 4 star in a not so busy street off Via Veneto.
In fall of 2009, we took an evening cooking class offered by Good Tastes of Tuscany and thoroughly enjoyed it. I referred a friend and she took a week long class last August and really enjoyed it.
I would not rent a car if you are staying in the cities. For us, we prefer the cities to the countryside but this is a matter of personal preference.
Apr 26th, 2011, 09:30 AM
#8
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 57,890
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
As for hotel prices - yes if you go for the most expensive in town they will charge at least that. If you want to spend less you need to look for somethng more modest. there ae perfectly pleasant places for way less. How "honeymoon luxury" do yuo want it to be?
Dining - if you are looking at fine dining more than once or twice then defiitely think about cutting back on the cost of the hotel.
Definitely rent a car to tour Tuscany - it's really the ony practical way IMHO. We always rent from Hertz (super corporate discount) and they have a lot of offics and a lot of cars - so less chance of getting stuck with somethng you don't want.
Can't help with cooking classes. I don't. and would nevr spend vacation time that way.
Dining - if you are looking at fine dining more than once or twice then defiitely think about cutting back on the cost of the hotel.
Definitely rent a car to tour Tuscany - it's really the ony practical way IMHO. We always rent from Hertz (super corporate discount) and they have a lot of offics and a lot of cars - so less chance of getting stuck with somethng you don't want.
Can't help with cooking classes. I don't. and would nevr spend vacation time that way.
Apr 26th, 2011, 10:57 AM
#9
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 95
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Congrats on the pending nuptials. Your budget is more than ample and should afford you an excellent honeymoon even taking airfare costs out of your total.
I think 2 nights in Venice will be too rushed, particularly with travel. Either take a day or two off of Florence and add it there or skip Venice (this time). I prefer to minimize the changing of locations and the inconvenience of traveling when I visit someplace. Slow down and really take a destination in. You'll be back, trust me. If you do decide to go then arrange flights so that you're flying into Venice and out of Rome (or vice versa) to avoid traversing the country needlessly.
I've been to the CT and had a great time. I would go back in a second - but not as a day trip from Florence. Way to long a trip. Save that for another time or rearrange your plans and actually spend a few nights.
I would consider a more compact trip that actually lets you spend some time in the countryside.
- Fly into Rome and immediately take the train to Florence. Spend 4 nights.
- Rent a car and stay in Tuscany for 5 nights.
- Spend your last 3 nights in Rome and fly home from there.
If you're flying from the states you probably can't fly directly into Florence, which is why I have you going in and out of Rome. If you can, then obviously fly into Florence and out of Rome (or vice versa). Alternatively, if you think you'd prefer to skip the train then you can take a connecting flight to Florence from elsewhere in Europe depending on your carrier. I would leave from Rome though as the timing of the flights home will work out better I think.
Play around with the number of nights in each location based on your preferences. I'd spend more time in Florence than Rome because I'm less interested in "seeing the sights" (though you must see some) and more in feeling as if I'm "experiencing" a place. Florence feels more livable to me, so I prefer it over Rome. Your call. I would not short change the time in the country. 7 nights between Rome and Florence is plenty of "city time". The time in the country is really when you can exhale, slow down, and enjoy the scenery around you. Plus it's your honeymoon and what's more romantic than the sun setting over a vineyard or olive grove in the Italian countryside?
I would second the recommendation above regarding the Antica Torre Tornabuoni in Florence. Spent several nights there and would return in a heartbeat. Great location. Good rooms, though not overly luxurious. For us it was all about the roof deck - it made the whole stay at that particular hotel. Each evening began with a bottle of wine and some snacks overlooking Florence. Perfect.
In Tuscany stay at a Villa or Agritorismo. I would suggest Villa Poggiano in Montepulciano. Been there many times and have never been disappointed. Yes you'll need a car. I've used AutoEurope and been very happy. They are an aggregator so you will actually be renting from a company like Hertz. You will appreciate Tuscany so much more doing it this way vs. a day trip from Florence. If you think you'd prefer the Chianti hills over the Val d'Orcia then there are plenty of choices there as well, but the gist of this portion of the trip would be to really slow down and enjoy the natural beauty and little towns of Tuscany.
I don't have a hotel I would recommend in Rome but there are plenty of opinions to be found elsewhere on this site.
Lots of great suggestions on cooking classes in Florency and Tuscany. Search this site as well as Trip Advisor. I've taken them but in Umbria so can't comment for Tuscany.
No matter what you decide I'm sure you'll have a great time. Once you finalize your itinerary post again with the details and you'll get plenty of recommendations for places to stay, eat, things to do, etc.
Enjoy the planning. It's part of the fun.
I think 2 nights in Venice will be too rushed, particularly with travel. Either take a day or two off of Florence and add it there or skip Venice (this time). I prefer to minimize the changing of locations and the inconvenience of traveling when I visit someplace. Slow down and really take a destination in. You'll be back, trust me. If you do decide to go then arrange flights so that you're flying into Venice and out of Rome (or vice versa) to avoid traversing the country needlessly.
I've been to the CT and had a great time. I would go back in a second - but not as a day trip from Florence. Way to long a trip. Save that for another time or rearrange your plans and actually spend a few nights.
I would consider a more compact trip that actually lets you spend some time in the countryside.
- Fly into Rome and immediately take the train to Florence. Spend 4 nights.
- Rent a car and stay in Tuscany for 5 nights.
- Spend your last 3 nights in Rome and fly home from there.
If you're flying from the states you probably can't fly directly into Florence, which is why I have you going in and out of Rome. If you can, then obviously fly into Florence and out of Rome (or vice versa). Alternatively, if you think you'd prefer to skip the train then you can take a connecting flight to Florence from elsewhere in Europe depending on your carrier. I would leave from Rome though as the timing of the flights home will work out better I think.
Play around with the number of nights in each location based on your preferences. I'd spend more time in Florence than Rome because I'm less interested in "seeing the sights" (though you must see some) and more in feeling as if I'm "experiencing" a place. Florence feels more livable to me, so I prefer it over Rome. Your call. I would not short change the time in the country. 7 nights between Rome and Florence is plenty of "city time". The time in the country is really when you can exhale, slow down, and enjoy the scenery around you. Plus it's your honeymoon and what's more romantic than the sun setting over a vineyard or olive grove in the Italian countryside?
I would second the recommendation above regarding the Antica Torre Tornabuoni in Florence. Spent several nights there and would return in a heartbeat. Great location. Good rooms, though not overly luxurious. For us it was all about the roof deck - it made the whole stay at that particular hotel. Each evening began with a bottle of wine and some snacks overlooking Florence. Perfect.
In Tuscany stay at a Villa or Agritorismo. I would suggest Villa Poggiano in Montepulciano. Been there many times and have never been disappointed. Yes you'll need a car. I've used AutoEurope and been very happy. They are an aggregator so you will actually be renting from a company like Hertz. You will appreciate Tuscany so much more doing it this way vs. a day trip from Florence. If you think you'd prefer the Chianti hills over the Val d'Orcia then there are plenty of choices there as well, but the gist of this portion of the trip would be to really slow down and enjoy the natural beauty and little towns of Tuscany.
I don't have a hotel I would recommend in Rome but there are plenty of opinions to be found elsewhere on this site.
Lots of great suggestions on cooking classes in Florency and Tuscany. Search this site as well as Trip Advisor. I've taken them but in Umbria so can't comment for Tuscany.
No matter what you decide I'm sure you'll have a great time. Once you finalize your itinerary post again with the details and you'll get plenty of recommendations for places to stay, eat, things to do, etc.
Enjoy the planning. It's part of the fun.
Apr 26th, 2011, 05:42 PM
#10
Listen to Bob the Navigator! And when in Venice.. if the weather is good.... be sure to go to the piazza in front of the Basilica (help me ,Fodorites.... Duomo??) .. have a drink... listen to the dueling bands.. etc. It will cost a fortune.. but it's one of my best remembrances of Venice.
Apr 27th, 2011, 07:55 AM
#12
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My fiance and I are going to Italy for our honeymoon in October and we have a similar plan. Thanks to these forums I was able to find very affordable hotel options. Here's what we're doing and it may help you.
Arrive in Milan in the AM,
Sight-see for a few hours and take the train to Venice
3 nights in Venice (Hotel Al Ponte Mocenigo - 185 euro/night)
Train to Florence
2 nights in Florence (Hotel Bavaria - 91 euro/night)
Train/bus to Siena
2 nights in Siena (Agriturismo Marciano - 118 euro/night)
Train to Rome
5 nights in Rome (Palazzo Olivia - 108 euro/night)
Depart from Rome
You may choose to spend more on your hotels than we have, but you certainly don't need to spend $800/night. Even though I have no personal experience with any of these places, they were chosen based on reccomendations by friends, tripadvisor, and people on these forums. If you want more information let me know and congratulations!
Arrive in Milan in the AM,
Sight-see for a few hours and take the train to Venice
3 nights in Venice (Hotel Al Ponte Mocenigo - 185 euro/night)
Train to Florence
2 nights in Florence (Hotel Bavaria - 91 euro/night)
Train/bus to Siena
2 nights in Siena (Agriturismo Marciano - 118 euro/night)
Train to Rome
5 nights in Rome (Palazzo Olivia - 108 euro/night)
Depart from Rome
You may choose to spend more on your hotels than we have, but you certainly don't need to spend $800/night. Even though I have no personal experience with any of these places, they were chosen based on reccomendations by friends, tripadvisor, and people on these forums. If you want more information let me know and congratulations!
Thanks everyone for the great info
Jun 13th, 2011, 07:39 PM
#15
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 153
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
we stayed in the hotel lungarno last year on the aron....... beautiful....
we drove to sienna and used that as a base driving day trips thru tuscany.....
we stayed in a suite for a reasoniable amount of money with a great view of the tuscay from inside the walls of sienna
we drove to sienna and used that as a base driving day trips thru tuscany.....
we stayed in a suite for a reasoniable amount of money with a great view of the tuscay from inside the walls of sienna
