nikidav

My husband and I are planning a trip for next Sept to celebrate our 10 year anniversary. Never had a honeymoon (4 boys later). We NEED a great, romantic getaway. We are in our mid 30s. We love charm, character and scenery and must have 1 coastal area. I want jaw dropping views. We also are laid back kinda folks (no need for clubs and fashion shopping). If you have ever been to Charleston, SC that is our kinda place. We enjoy nice weather, a stroll and a glass of wine on a terrace. I am stuck between flying to Venice and then to Lake Como and Cinque Terre (fly out of Milan) OR fly into Venice, then to Florence to Rome to Postitano (fly out of Naples)? Or skip Venice all together on this route if not enough time. Would enjoy your "must dos/see" and hotels.
Thanks so much!

bobthenavigator

You say next Sept--is that 2012?
If you mean 10 nites to sleep in Italy then 3 destinaitons are feasible. Do not try to mix north and south.

I would see Venice, Florence, and pick either the CT or Como but not both. If the CT, then try to find the Delta connection from Pisa for return. If Como, then fly home from Milan[MXP]. Good luck---you will have fun !

annhig

hi nikidav,

well for romance, Venice can't be beaten, plus it ticks all your other boxes. after that, a lake - any of the three - would be terrific - and then perhaps ending up in Florence, or the CT - your choice.

but nothing wrong with your initial idea at all!

hope you have a great time!

Toucan

If in the south look into Amalfi Coast & Capri (incredible ocean vistas), Naples, Pompeii. Weather should be nice that time of year in So Italy!

Venice is wonderful but we didn't find it especially romantic.

Michael

Venice over Florence or Rome. We really liked Naples but I would not consider the city or the nearby Roman ruins as particularly romantic.

KeppieAngel

I loved Florence. Be sure to go the hill top http://en.firenze-online.com/visit/i...ence.php?id=45 and watch the sunset and then stroll around the piazza's holding hands.

nikidav

thanks for the replies. That has been my dilemma. I REALLY felt like I wanted to go to Postitano/Amalfi and Venice by previous recommendations but how when they are so far apart? I would need to give up one and wasn't sure if I wanted to give up Venice for Rome or Amalfi for Cinque Terre? Wish I could stay for 2 mths and do it ALL! What would you do give up Rome and Amalfi for Venice and Cinque terre?

zeppole

Personally, I never find Venice romantic. I find it rather depressing and I find being among Italians more romantic that being among other tourists, especially so many who think this amazing Italian city is a "Disneyland for adults." (Isn't that an oxymoron?)

I don't find the Amalfi Coast very romantic either (the sound of all those cash registers).

I do find Lago di Como romantic, plus some lovely bits of the Italian Riviera (like Camogli, but not le Cinque Terre).

If you ordinarily enjoy what other people enjoy, you can go with a consensus view of what other people find romantic. (Considered a cruise?) If you generally don't think much of last year's Oscar pick, never have fun in Las Vegas, never watch American Idol, think the Today show is the worst way to start your day, planned your wedding to suit yourself rather than a set formula, etc., you might want to think about places like Elba, Ponza, etc.

Italy is an intensely romantic country, moreso in the places that haven't become homongenized by mass tourism oriented toward a generalized tourist experience of being someplace antique and anodyne with a view.

By the way, fast trains and frequent flights are such now that the advice not to combine north and south is out of date.

bardo1

I suggest the northern trip this time Venice (MOLTO romantico) for 4 nights, 2 nights in Florence, and 4 nights somewhere close by. An open jaw flight is always best.

The alternative is a 10 day trip to Naples and the Amalfi coast.

OR save Rome/Naples/Amalfi/Positano/Sorrento/Capri for a separate 14-16 day trip.

Once you accept that "you'll be back" and the wisdom of not over doing things, the planning stage will suddenly become relaxed (and much more enjoyable).

zeppole

PS, nikidav.

It occurred to me to add that while the Positano is likely to have the biggest guarantee of nice weather, it is more about hill climbing than strolling.

I appreciate that you've done more to describe yourself than many new posters do, and I'm sorry I've never been to Charleston so I can't give you an Italian equivalent, but to me your request is a little like asking someone else "Where should we go that will make us want to kiss?" Wildly different things inspire different people to romance, at least in my experience. I would want someplace with lovely dinners at a comfortable price (which would rule out Venice, the Amalfi and Lago di Como to me, but give Parma and the Italian Riviera and Rome a big boost!) I would want to feel I'd gotten away from it all, to another country, another world, which would make me be looking at parts of Umbria and Le Marche, and maybe Ponza..

Anyway, other people want to dance in the piazza San Marco in Venice to the dueling orchestras, blow the bank on a meal at the Villa d'Este on Lago di Como, rent a room with terrace recommended by Rick Steves in Positano and sip wine while watching the sunset and the tourist boats return from Capri.

I'm sure you and your husband can figure out a mutually satisfying fantasy, and Italy has no end of places to make it real.

zeppole

Oh, one more thing: I find train rides romantic, the longer the better.

Marlena06

The amalfi coast is stunning... and is not to be missed. That said- it is very crowded in summer months and traffic is crazy. I wouldn't suggest trying to drive this yourself! Personally I didn't really love Naples that much. I was shocked by the amount of trash piled up in the streets.. but last time I was there was 3 years ago so it may be different now.

But honestly since this will be your first time to Italy you will love it no matter where you go.

jnjfraz

September is such a perfect month in Italy and most of Italy is very Romatic............but only if you are at ease and do not stress with travel or make it too complicated.

I would also only go to three places and base those places on your personality.

Do you like wandering around large cities or small towns?
Does transportation stress you?
Do you like crowds or quieter places?
If you are big wine and food people then what kind of wine and food?

Florence, Venice and Rome are big beautiful crowded places.... but great people watching places and you can always find a little square with a glass and view.

Como, CT, and small towns in Tuscany are a little less hectic.

Personally, we are wine and food people and love red wine and meats. We love small villages and our destination every day is lunch.

So our preference in Italy is Tuscany, Piedmont and small villages.

A few of our favorite costal towns are Vernazza, Portovenere, Camogi or Positano. Venice is very photogenic, but just too many tourists for us.

Marlena06

I had another thought.. Have you considered taking a cruise?

There are plenty of cruises that would allow you to see most of the places that you are wanting to visit in about a weeks time. I did this on my first trip to Italy for my honeymoon. It allowed me to get a glimpse of each place, and then make notes of places I wanted to see more of on future visits. Yes, I didn't get to see everything each city had to offer, but it gave me a good feel for the place.

I really think this would take a lot of your stress and worry about. All you have to think about is what to do in each city, not where to stay, how to get there, etc.

Judy

After a cruise I always feel like I haven't really BEEN there. That is probably why we stopped cruising after 2 and I realize that many people love cruises. On a cruise you are only in a port for a short time and, in many instances, having meals on the ship. We love going to restaurants in whatever country we're visiting and feel that it gives us more of a feel for the culture of a place.
I'd pick three locations and look for transportation between them.

Aduchamp1

I do not think there is more crowded tourist city than Florence. It is romantic in theory but I find the frenetic energy off-putting. Besides Venice, I would choose, a small town with an elegant hotel, where it is serence and calm. With four boys in 10 years you need more than a bit of that.

DonTopaz

Please, please, do not miss Venice. Yes, it is filled with tourists, and yes, it is the most amazing city on earth. (For one thing, it's the only city on earth that has exactly 0 automobiles.)

Venice has charm beyond belief, but it lacks a nice coastal area with dynamite views. Cinque terre isn't bad, but for my money it's hard to beat the Amalfi coast. A few days chilling out in Ravello -- being in Ravello is like being in a helicopter, but without the noise or seat belts -- is a romantic tonic. Then a few more days either in Positano or Priaino or Sorrento ... what a perfect vacation.

But you say it's a long way from north (Venice) to south (Amalfi peninsula). There are several non-stop flights each day from Venice to Naples, and the flights are inexpensive when you book them in advance. (I just looked at a date in Sep 2011, and VCE-NAP flight is $132.)

Don

Jean

I'm another one who doesn't find Venice terribly romantic (except at night on Piazza San Marco), but I know others seriously disagree. Likewise, many don't find Rome romantic when it's hot and crowded. I love-love-love Rome, but I don't/won't go there in high season.

Everyone reacts differently to a place, and you won't know your own reaction until you go there, which is why others'/strangers' recommendations are only somewhat helpful. The most romantic place (to you) might be a smaller town in Umbria or Tuscany with a car to explore whatever looks interesting. Or 10 days in Venice with a couple of day trips by train. Or the luxury of 10 days on the Amalfi Coast and Capri. Or...

Romance aside, consider the logistics of moving between destinations. If your budget is like mine, you'll want to spend some time studying train timetables and a map before you fall in love with one dream destination or another.

http://www.fsitaliane.it/homepage_en.html

Traveleuropepro

I would have to say Venice and the Amalfi coast.

bobthenavigator

If you do decide on the AC--and why not---then I suggest you spend ample time there and also in Rome---5 days each.
Here are reasons why:

http://www.slowphotos.com/photo/show...y.php?cat=4481