Input for 2 week Italy honeymoon itinerary
Mar 8th, 2011, 01:57 PM
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Input for 2 week Italy honeymoon itinerary
My honeymoon trip to Italy will be a 14-day trip (May 18-June1). Both my fiance and I will be first time visitors. Here's my tentative itinerary below. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.
1) Arrive in Rome in the morning (giving us a full first day). Spend 5 days/5 nights with side trip to the Vatican.
2) Take train from Rome to Florence. Arrive in Florence by noon.
2) Florence - 3 full days/4 nights with side trip to Siena.
3) Take train from Florence to Cinque Terre with stop in Pisa. Arrive in Cinque Terre in afternoon.
4) Cinque Terre - 2 nights (1 full day) with side trip to Portofino. Stay in Vernazza.
5) Take train from Cinque Terre to Venice. Arrive in Venice by noon.
6) Venice - 2 full days/3 nights.
1) Arrive in Rome in the morning (giving us a full first day). Spend 5 days/5 nights with side trip to the Vatican.
2) Take train from Rome to Florence. Arrive in Florence by noon.
2) Florence - 3 full days/4 nights with side trip to Siena.
3) Take train from Florence to Cinque Terre with stop in Pisa. Arrive in Cinque Terre in afternoon.
4) Cinque Terre - 2 nights (1 full day) with side trip to Portofino. Stay in Vernazza.
5) Take train from Cinque Terre to Venice. Arrive in Venice by noon.
6) Venice - 2 full days/3 nights.
Mar 8th, 2011, 02:15 PM
#2
Congratulations on your marriage!
A few comments:
Depending on where you're coming from, that "full first day" in Rome may not be as productive as you're contemplating. The logistics of getting out of the airport, to your hotel, etc., combined with possible jet lag will impact that day. I wouldn't plan anything too ambitious that day.
You'll want to make reservations for sights/museums in Rome and Florence before you go.
The train journey from Vernazza to Venice will take about 6 hours, so you won't be arriving in Venice by noon unless you leave at 5:00 a.m. If at all possible, try to extend your trip to 15 days and add a day to Venice.
A few comments:
Depending on where you're coming from, that "full first day" in Rome may not be as productive as you're contemplating. The logistics of getting out of the airport, to your hotel, etc., combined with possible jet lag will impact that day. I wouldn't plan anything too ambitious that day.
You'll want to make reservations for sights/museums in Rome and Florence before you go.
The train journey from Vernazza to Venice will take about 6 hours, so you won't be arriving in Venice by noon unless you leave at 5:00 a.m. If at all possible, try to extend your trip to 15 days and add a day to Venice.
Mar 8th, 2011, 03:33 PM
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Congrats on your upcoming wedding! My wife and I went to Italy in 2009 for our honeymoon as well and loved it there. It was my 2nd time there, and her first.
I felt that we only needed 2-3 days in Rome. It was much too 'commercial' and big city like. We like the 'old Europe' feel, and wish we spent more time in Tuscany or planned for Cinque Terre/Amalfi Coast instead. Trastevere was a neat district to visit, and the old Roman sites were amazing, but the city was too modern for our taste.
Florence was an amazing place, as was Siena. In Florence, make sure to visit Piazzale Michaelangelo, which gives a great view of Florence. A nice little hike, but well worth it. I found that Florence had THE best pasta as well. There is a restaurant over the Ponte Vecchio called 'Ristorante Celestino' that had food so delicious that we had to go back twice. My wife and I are pretty big foodies, and absolutely loved this restaurant...put Mario Batali's Babbo's to shame. Pretty reasonable prices too! (for Italy)
You'll smell wonderful waffles covered with Nutella all around town, especially by Ponte Vecchio. A must, since there is nothing really like it in the US. They use bead sugar inside the waffle, and it gives a wonderful sweet flavor to the warm waffle.
Mercato Centrale is a must see. If you like Italian meats or produce, you can have it shipped back or vaccum sealed. I bought awesome smelling Porcini from this market. They also have whole black/white truffles if you're into that.
Florence is the home of leather...even the side shop vendors have great quality jackets. My wife was offered a coat for $150...we said no, but now she regrets it!
Siena has a very castle like feel to it. Wonderful little city to roam. Definitely suggest the climb up the staircase for the Torre del Mangia. It's a workout, but there are great photo opportunities of the Tuscan countryside once you make it up!
Venice is one of my all time favorite towns. You can get lost and just lose time. I remember first stepping off the train, and thinking 'this was where I am going for my honeymoon!' (which I ended up doing!) The city is slow and relaxing...nothing else in the world quite like it.
I recommend Pizza SanSovino (if you can find it; Venetian maps are very hard to follow!), best pizza i've ever had.
Let me know if there are any questions. Happy planning!
I felt that we only needed 2-3 days in Rome. It was much too 'commercial' and big city like. We like the 'old Europe' feel, and wish we spent more time in Tuscany or planned for Cinque Terre/Amalfi Coast instead. Trastevere was a neat district to visit, and the old Roman sites were amazing, but the city was too modern for our taste.
Florence was an amazing place, as was Siena. In Florence, make sure to visit Piazzale Michaelangelo, which gives a great view of Florence. A nice little hike, but well worth it. I found that Florence had THE best pasta as well. There is a restaurant over the Ponte Vecchio called 'Ristorante Celestino' that had food so delicious that we had to go back twice. My wife and I are pretty big foodies, and absolutely loved this restaurant...put Mario Batali's Babbo's to shame. Pretty reasonable prices too! (for Italy)
You'll smell wonderful waffles covered with Nutella all around town, especially by Ponte Vecchio. A must, since there is nothing really like it in the US. They use bead sugar inside the waffle, and it gives a wonderful sweet flavor to the warm waffle.
Mercato Centrale is a must see. If you like Italian meats or produce, you can have it shipped back or vaccum sealed. I bought awesome smelling Porcini from this market. They also have whole black/white truffles if you're into that.
Florence is the home of leather...even the side shop vendors have great quality jackets. My wife was offered a coat for $150...we said no, but now she regrets it!
Siena has a very castle like feel to it. Wonderful little city to roam. Definitely suggest the climb up the staircase for the Torre del Mangia. It's a workout, but there are great photo opportunities of the Tuscan countryside once you make it up!
Venice is one of my all time favorite towns. You can get lost and just lose time. I remember first stepping off the train, and thinking 'this was where I am going for my honeymoon!' (which I ended up doing!) The city is slow and relaxing...nothing else in the world quite like it.
I recommend Pizza SanSovino (if you can find it; Venetian maps are very hard to follow!), best pizza i've ever had.
Let me know if there are any questions. Happy planning!
Mar 8th, 2011, 03:43 PM
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Another thing I just thought of...in Rome, if you are going to see the Vatican, there is a secret tour called the Scavi tour. They bring you underneath the Vatican to view the necropolis that the Vatican was built upon. This tour is not announced, and must be registered for well in advance. I think there is are staggered tours with a maximum of 10 people per group.
Use Google for information on the tour. I think this is well worth it, and the tour guide gives you a lot of historical information on Rome and the Vatican. In the end, you can see bones of St. Peter (so it is believed).
Use Google for information on the tour. I think this is well worth it, and the tour guide gives you a lot of historical information on Rome and the Vatican. In the end, you can see bones of St. Peter (so it is believed).
Mar 8th, 2011, 03:48 PM
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When you are leving Venice you might find yourself saying . . "Alas, so much pizza, so little time . .!" I would also recommend pizzaria ae oche http://www.aeoche.com
and also, be sure to get up early one AM to browse the Rialto Market, which is a very large seafood and fresh produce market worth seeing, as it has been continuously operating for maybe 10 centuries? Ami exaggerating that too much?
Lastly, I liked a lunch on the Giudecca Canal - there are about 4 or so restaurants righ on the canal, which is larger and has more varied watercraft than the grand Canal - and not so heavily trafficked with pedestrians.
and also, be sure to get up early one AM to browse the Rialto Market, which is a very large seafood and fresh produce market worth seeing, as it has been continuously operating for maybe 10 centuries? Ami exaggerating that too much?
Lastly, I liked a lunch on the Giudecca Canal - there are about 4 or so restaurants righ on the canal, which is larger and has more varied watercraft than the grand Canal - and not so heavily trafficked with pedestrians.
Mar 8th, 2011, 05:06 PM
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You can;t do a side trip from Rome to Vatican City - it;s in the middle of rome. You trip seems a reasonable pace (although I would do a slower honeymoon) - but some people like to keep moving rather than relaxing. Assume you first day in rome will be primarily getting acclimated - you may see one sight in the afternoon. If it were me i would drop the CT and spend more time in Venice.
You should get advance tickets to the Vatican City Scavi tour and Borghese Museum.
You should get advance tickets to the Vatican City Scavi tour and Borghese Museum.
Mar 8th, 2011, 10:33 PM
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Thanks for all the amazing feedback, everyone! My airfare is already booked so the total number of days can not be changed. We decided to drop the Cinque Terre.
Here's the revised itinerary:
1) May 18 - arrive in Rome in the morning (9:30 am).
2) Rome - 5 nights.
3) May 23 - Take train from Rome to Florence. Arrive in Florence by noon.
4) Florence - 5 nights. Day trips to Siena and Pisa.
5) May 28 - Take train from Florence to Venice. Arrive in Venice by noon.
6) Venice - 4 nights. Day trips to Murano and Burano.
Is it worthwhile to take the ferry to Positano or Capri via Naples?
Here's the revised itinerary:
1) May 18 - arrive in Rome in the morning (9:30 am).
2) Rome - 5 nights.
3) May 23 - Take train from Rome to Florence. Arrive in Florence by noon.
4) Florence - 5 nights. Day trips to Siena and Pisa.
5) May 28 - Take train from Florence to Venice. Arrive in Venice by noon.
6) Venice - 4 nights. Day trips to Murano and Burano.
Is it worthwhile to take the ferry to Positano or Capri via Naples?
Mar 9th, 2011, 08:29 AM
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"Is it worthwhile to take the ferry to Positano or Capri via Naples?"
I would say no, unless you plan to spend the night. That would be a truly exhausting daytrip from Rome. If you really want to do this, take a night from Florence to go from Rome to Naples, ferry to Capri, spend the rest of the day and night, then ferry back to Naples and train to Florence. Or take a night each from Florence and Venice and spend two nights on Capri. Could be molto romantico!
I would say no, unless you plan to spend the night. That would be a truly exhausting daytrip from Rome. If you really want to do this, take a night from Florence to go from Rome to Naples, ferry to Capri, spend the rest of the day and night, then ferry back to Naples and train to Florence. Or take a night each from Florence and Venice and spend two nights on Capri. Could be molto romantico!
Mar 9th, 2011, 08:38 AM
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I like your revised itinerary. Less moving around, hitting the Big 3 of Italy, doing daytrips.
Skip the trip to Naples/Positano/Capri. It's too complicated and time-consuming. Save the Amalfi Coast and Capri for your next trip when you'll have time to appreciate it all.
So you're flying into Rome, out of Venice? Vice versa is slightly better, but your tickets are bought.
Skip the trip to Naples/Positano/Capri. It's too complicated and time-consuming. Save the Amalfi Coast and Capri for your next trip when you'll have time to appreciate it all.
So you're flying into Rome, out of Venice? Vice versa is slightly better, but your tickets are bought.
Mar 9th, 2011, 09:34 AM
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I visit Italy annually -- twice in 2010, in fact.
Your revised itinerary is exactly what I was going to suggest.
Transit between those 3 cities is really easy and speedy; the Cinque Terre leg would not have been. Ditto the Positano/ Capri stuff.
Your revised itinerary is exactly what I was going to suggest.
Transit between those 3 cities is really easy and speedy; the Cinque Terre leg would not have been. Ditto the Positano/ Capri stuff.
Mar 9th, 2011, 10:02 AM
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Your revised itinerary is much better and I like that you are not cramming as much as you can into your visit.
<Is it worthwhile to take the ferry to Positano or Capri via Naples?> I would not for the same reasons Mimar cites above.
If you feel the desire for a daytrip from Rome, consider Orvieto which would be a nice change of pace from the city and is easy to reach by train in about an hour.
<Is it worthwhile to take the ferry to Positano or Capri via Naples?> I would not for the same reasons Mimar cites above.
If you feel the desire for a daytrip from Rome, consider Orvieto which would be a nice change of pace from the city and is easy to reach by train in about an hour.
