MikeAndMichelle

Hi everyone! My husband and I are starting to get serious about booking a vacation to Italy for this summer.

We only have 14 days (13 nights) and we'd like to see as much as possible. We visited southern Italy (Rome, Sorrento, Capri, Naples) last summer and want to see the northern part of the country. We want to fit in as much as possible because we really don't know when and if we'll get the chance to go back to Italy.

If you've stayed in any of the following cities, please share your recommendations for hotels and restaurants. We are looking for about 3 star/ mid-priced hotels. We won't be more than 2 nights in any city. Also, please advise if you think this itinerary is too ambitious. We will likely not have a car and will have to travel between cities by train.

Thanks in advance!

- Varenna
- Venice
- Florence
- La Spezia (or Cinque Terre?)
- Milan

Also, would you recommend staying in La Spezia or Cinque Terre?

Thanks in advance!

TexasAggie

La Spezia is an industrial working town. Stay in the Cinque Terre. My favorite hotel (4 trips) is Hotel Villa Steno in the old part of Monterosso.

Melissa5

We loved the Pensione Accademia hotel in the dorsoduro area of Venice. Their best rooms have a garden view, in my opinion. I also recommend 3 nights for Venice.

This hotel is well-rated with many repeat visitors and good prices. If you want it, book soon or else it will be full.

In florence we found the Hotel Silla comfortable, with a great staff, and it is a good price. It is on the south side of the Arno river, but it is well-located, just over the Ponte alle grazie bridge, so you can walk to the Uffizi gallery, the Santa Croce area, and to the Ponte Vecchio. The staff of Hotel Silla will make your advance reservations for the Accademia and the Uffizzi museums...they offered to do this for us and it was a great convenience.

dekoder

Cinque Terre was amazing (pics: http://share.shutterfly.com/action/w...8AYuXLNyzcN3Tg - you'll have to surf through france, spain to see the cinque terre). Not sure your age/adventure level, but short 'hikes' (not strenuous 20 min to 1 hour) between towns were great, stopping for pints in the sun by the water/cafe at each.

In Venice I stayed at the starhotel splendid suisse (got a last minute rate) and it was phenomenal by my standards. Right between the rialto and piazza st. marco, with awesome little balconies and a nice rooftop patio to hang out on (http://www.venere.com/hotel/index.ph...=photo_gallery). I got it for 100 E and that was well worth it for a last minute stop.

Enjoy venice, but don't miss cinque terre.

RSTravelers

In Florence last Sept., we were very pleased with Hotel Pendini www.florenceitaly.net - A/C, nice rooms, good beds, and good breakfast. It overlooks Piazza della Repubblica, so easy walking distance to the Duomo, Accademia, Uffizi, and San Lorenzo. Be sure not to miss Piazza della Signoria, it is wonderful!

hamburger

Just to second someone else's comment - Hotel Villa Steno in the old part of Monterosso is the best! It is pretty, private, quiet and inexpensive and the view from the breakfast terrace is wonderful. It also is back from town towards the hills so a great place to hike from. I've been to Cinque Terre 3 times and it is WONDERFUL! But, so is Capri (stay at Tirrenia Roberts b & b, the owner Costanza is great and, again, this place is private, quiet and inexpensive and far from the maddening crowds but a few minutes walk from Marina Picola and the shi shi part of town). I would stay in Positano over Sorrento and you CAN find inexpensive places to stay in Positano. The Amalfi coast is spectacular for hiking, just like Cinque Terra. We are actually going back to Positano and Ischia this summer. If you make it to Florence and time permits, try to go to Fiesole, the little town above Florence.

MikeAndMichelle

I'm also wondering a bit about Milan...I keep hearing mixed reviews. Is there much to see besides "The Last Supper"?