January Rome Opportunity - Need Your Input Fast
Nov 14th, 2011, 08:27 AM
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January Rome Opportunity - Need Your Input Fast
Hi Fodorites!
I've got the chance to do a home exchange for 2 weeks in Rome in mid-January. A great opportunity that I'm jumping on right now!
I love Rome and am excited to have a week or more there, but not sure if I want to spend the entire 2 weeks in the city. I like to mix my trips with cities/countryside, but in January? I would love to visit Piedmonte, but what is it like in the winter besides being cold and possibly snowy? Are wineries and restuarants closed down for the season? Snow doesn't bother me as I live in the Utah mountains.
I would also like to return to Florence for a day or two to see the things I didn't see the first time. I didn't care for Florence (too dark, crowded and noisy) so I'd like to stay either in Friesole or the Oltrarno area. Or, could easily go there are a day trip from Rome and take advantage of the no cost lodging I have in Rome.
Thoughts? Other suggestions? Would it be best to make this an all city trip due to the time of year?
Already visited Venice, Cinque Terre, north and south Tuscany, Orvieto and other parts of Umbria and the Amalfi Coast area. I could go for an overnight in Milan to finally see the Last Supper on my way in/out.
Thanks so much everyone!
I've got the chance to do a home exchange for 2 weeks in Rome in mid-January. A great opportunity that I'm jumping on right now!
I love Rome and am excited to have a week or more there, but not sure if I want to spend the entire 2 weeks in the city. I like to mix my trips with cities/countryside, but in January? I would love to visit Piedmonte, but what is it like in the winter besides being cold and possibly snowy? Are wineries and restuarants closed down for the season? Snow doesn't bother me as I live in the Utah mountains.
I would also like to return to Florence for a day or two to see the things I didn't see the first time. I didn't care for Florence (too dark, crowded and noisy) so I'd like to stay either in Friesole or the Oltrarno area. Or, could easily go there are a day trip from Rome and take advantage of the no cost lodging I have in Rome.
Thoughts? Other suggestions? Would it be best to make this an all city trip due to the time of year?
Already visited Venice, Cinque Terre, north and south Tuscany, Orvieto and other parts of Umbria and the Amalfi Coast area. I could go for an overnight in Milan to finally see the Last Supper on my way in/out.
Thanks so much everyone!
Nov 14th, 2011, 08:50 AM
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Been to Perugia? Assisi? Arezzo? Cortona?
Florence won't be that crowded in January. I'd go for sure. We were in Florence for 4 consecutive winter visits and enjoyed it very much at that time of year.
I just can't see countryside, though.
Oh, how about Verona? A nice little city, sort of rich and very civilized.
Naples?
Me, I would do cities in January.
Florence won't be that crowded in January. I'd go for sure. We were in Florence for 4 consecutive winter visits and enjoyed it very much at that time of year.
I just can't see countryside, though.
Oh, how about Verona? A nice little city, sort of rich and very civilized.
Naples?
Me, I would do cities in January.
Nov 14th, 2011, 09:10 AM
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Hi tuscanlifeedit,
Yes, I have visited Assisi and Cortona, but not Perugia or Arezzo. Good thoughts. I've passed thru Naples several times and did 1 overnight to see the Arch museo, but have been wanting to return to see more. I liked Naples!
Verona was a thought too...
Maybe Milan, Verona, Bologna, Florence, Rome?
Or Milan, Verona, Perugia, Arezzo, Rome.....
Thanks for the input!
Yes, I have visited Assisi and Cortona, but not Perugia or Arezzo. Good thoughts. I've passed thru Naples several times and did 1 overnight to see the Arch museo, but have been wanting to return to see more. I liked Naples!
Verona was a thought too...
Maybe Milan, Verona, Bologna, Florence, Rome?
Or Milan, Verona, Perugia, Arezzo, Rome.....
Thanks for the input!
Nov 14th, 2011, 11:39 AM
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If you liked Napoli, why not re-visit? The weather can be rather pleasant in January -- but no guarantees. (Milan and Verona will most likely be freezing.)
I like to stay in Vomero when I visit Napoli in winter, rather than in the heart of the old city, simply because you get some views up there and catch what sunlight there is during the short days. Between the funiculare that are there, and the metro, you can zip right into the heart of Napoli and to the train station or the docks in an astonishingly short amount of time.
If you are interested in staying in Vomero, look for place near the piazza Vanvitelli. There are some nice b&bs around there, and several good restaurants.
But if you prefer to stay in the centro, or in the upscale-ish Chiaia neighborhood, there are lovely places there too.
If you are at all interested in painting, the Capodimante museum is one of Europe's greatest. The tiled cloisters of the convent of Santa Chiaia and the church of Sant'Anna dei Lombardia are two astonishing places that somehow persistently escape the notice of tourists.
Remember, too, that it is only recently that pizza became the end-all-be-all for tourists in Napoli. The pasta of Napoli, and its seafood dishes and many of over-the-top pastries and cakes are among Italy's most lovable eats.
I like to stay in Vomero when I visit Napoli in winter, rather than in the heart of the old city, simply because you get some views up there and catch what sunlight there is during the short days. Between the funiculare that are there, and the metro, you can zip right into the heart of Napoli and to the train station or the docks in an astonishingly short amount of time.
If you are interested in staying in Vomero, look for place near the piazza Vanvitelli. There are some nice b&bs around there, and several good restaurants.
But if you prefer to stay in the centro, or in the upscale-ish Chiaia neighborhood, there are lovely places there too.
If you are at all interested in painting, the Capodimante museum is one of Europe's greatest. The tiled cloisters of the convent of Santa Chiaia and the church of Sant'Anna dei Lombardia are two astonishing places that somehow persistently escape the notice of tourists.
Remember, too, that it is only recently that pizza became the end-all-be-all for tourists in Napoli. The pasta of Napoli, and its seafood dishes and many of over-the-top pastries and cakes are among Italy's most lovable eats.
Nov 14th, 2011, 11:53 AM
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zeppole,
Thank you for the off recommendation of Vomero. Sounds interesting and I'll look into that area. My one visit, I did stay in the Chiaia neighborhood and just loved it. I would have enjoyed more time there and I am very interested in seeing the Capodimante museum. Now you've got me thinking - I could also finally get to Herculaneum!
Grazie
Thank you for the off recommendation of Vomero. Sounds interesting and I'll look into that area. My one visit, I did stay in the Chiaia neighborhood and just loved it. I would have enjoyed more time there and I am very interested in seeing the Capodimante museum. Now you've got me thinking - I could also finally get to Herculaneum!
Grazie
Nov 14th, 2011, 11:56 AM
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Two places worth checking out in Vomero are Casa A Giulia and B.B. Vomero House. These are simple b&bs but very well located. Check reviews, of course, on Tripadvisor.
It can be a real pleasure to tromp around Herculaneum in the winter. Pleasant cool temps. From Napoli, it is not unthinkable to also see Paestum, just a bit south by bus from Salerno.
It can be a real pleasure to tromp around Herculaneum in the winter. Pleasant cool temps. From Napoli, it is not unthinkable to also see Paestum, just a bit south by bus from Salerno.
Nov 14th, 2011, 12:18 PM
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Also, Hotel Cimarosa in Vomero has apparently renovated, and you might check out reviews on Tripadvisor. I usually stay in B&Bs, but Cimarosa has a few rooms with really pretty views of Capri (rm 202 gets mentioned in reviews). Just know ahead of time it is hard to find, without a sign on the door.
http://www.venere.com/hotels/naples/hotel-cimarosa/
http://www.venere.com/hotels/naples/hotel-cimarosa/
Nov 14th, 2011, 12:38 PM
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Zeppole,
Hotel Cimarosa is one I just added to my favorites list to check out further. Also La Pedemintina (I know it's hard to get to) and Casa Miranopoli. Do you have any personal experience with either of these? I'll check the two you noted above.
Also, I your experience with B&Bs in Italy - are there non-smoking properties? I must have non-smoking and I think the new laws seem to require non-smoking rooms, but as we know, in Italy laws are only a suggestion!
Grazie
Hotel Cimarosa is one I just added to my favorites list to check out further. Also La Pedemintina (I know it's hard to get to) and Casa Miranopoli. Do you have any personal experience with either of these? I'll check the two you noted above.
Also, I your experience with B&Bs in Italy - are there non-smoking properties? I must have non-smoking and I think the new laws seem to require non-smoking rooms, but as we know, in Italy laws are only a suggestion!
Grazie
Nov 15th, 2011, 02:13 AM
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Dayle,
I've no personal experience of the other places you mentioned in Naples.
As for non-smoking issues, I suggest you ask and be emphatically clear with any place your book. I tell them it's a health issue for you, and make it plain that you cannot tolerate cigarette smoke. If it's a b-b, ask if the entire establishment is smoke-free.
But if you do a google search for "no smoking bed breakfast napoli" you will get hits for places that claim to be entirely smoke free.
Although this place in not in Vomero, it has an excellent location and looks quite nice. Check reviews:
http://www.venere.com/bandb/naples/bandb-donna-regina/
There are others if you search.
I've no personal experience of the other places you mentioned in Naples.
As for non-smoking issues, I suggest you ask and be emphatically clear with any place your book. I tell them it's a health issue for you, and make it plain that you cannot tolerate cigarette smoke. If it's a b-b, ask if the entire establishment is smoke-free.
But if you do a google search for "no smoking bed breakfast napoli" you will get hits for places that claim to be entirely smoke free.
Although this place in not in Vomero, it has an excellent location and looks quite nice. Check reviews:
http://www.venere.com/bandb/naples/bandb-donna-regina/
There are others if you search.
Nov 15th, 2011, 02:25 AM
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On second thought, I'm not so sure I like the location of the above.
Here are some other no-smoking choices:
http://www.booking.com/hotel/it/part...akfast.en.html
http://www.venere.com/bandb/naples/b...rmidame-museo/
http://www.bed-breakfast-world.com/3...breakfast.html
and here is one in Vomero
http://www.bbplanet.com/bed-and-brea...les_s18872/en/
Like I said, there a lots of choices. It appears that Miranapoli is no-smoking.
Here are some other no-smoking choices:
http://www.booking.com/hotel/it/part...akfast.en.html
http://www.venere.com/bandb/naples/b...rmidame-museo/
http://www.bed-breakfast-world.com/3...breakfast.html
and here is one in Vomero
http://www.bbplanet.com/bed-and-brea...les_s18872/en/
Like I said, there a lots of choices. It appears that Miranapoli is no-smoking.
