Two weeks in Italy - Venice, Ostuni and Naples
Feb 14th, 2014, 04:14 PM
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Two weeks in Italy - Venice, Ostuni and Naples
We are just 30 days away from take off! This will be my fourth trip to Italy and my husband's third. This time we are going to celebrate our 20th anniversary. I told Greg, on our first visit in 2009, that coming back for our 20th, was my goal. And YES!!! It looks like it's going to happen.
The plane tickets and half our rooms are covered by airline miles and hotel points, plus one week in an apartment. Our two longest train rides have been reserved and paid for, with an approximate savings of $95.
I have us reserved for two winery tours. One in Soave and one in Locorotondo.
We have some airline miles left for a day or two of rental car but mostly we will use trains and buses, even out of Ostuni. I had to make my own rail map, so that I could feel good about routes, etc. And while I'm there I will add the bus lines to the map as well. And, yes, I will probably share my final product.
We plan to try local markets in Venice and Ostuni, since we have kitchenette's in both locations. Also, I took a cooking class in Venice in 2012, and want to share some authentic recipes with my husband while we are there.
Unfortunately, for us this will be a bit of a budget trip, but HEY, going to Italy, so who cares?!?!! What this means, regarding this forum post, is that I hope to share some budget friendly restaurants, bars, etc. Provided I don't get too lazy to post.
Still looking for somewhere to taste and purchase Olive Oil. Has anyone been to L'Acropoli di Puglia in Martina Franca? Would love to hear feedback, if you have!
Grazie!!
The plane tickets and half our rooms are covered by airline miles and hotel points, plus one week in an apartment. Our two longest train rides have been reserved and paid for, with an approximate savings of $95.
I have us reserved for two winery tours. One in Soave and one in Locorotondo.
We have some airline miles left for a day or two of rental car but mostly we will use trains and buses, even out of Ostuni. I had to make my own rail map, so that I could feel good about routes, etc. And while I'm there I will add the bus lines to the map as well. And, yes, I will probably share my final product.
We plan to try local markets in Venice and Ostuni, since we have kitchenette's in both locations. Also, I took a cooking class in Venice in 2012, and want to share some authentic recipes with my husband while we are there.
Unfortunately, for us this will be a bit of a budget trip, but HEY, going to Italy, so who cares?!?!! What this means, regarding this forum post, is that I hope to share some budget friendly restaurants, bars, etc. Provided I don't get too lazy to post.
Still looking for somewhere to taste and purchase Olive Oil. Has anyone been to L'Acropoli di Puglia in Martina Franca? Would love to hear feedback, if you have!
Grazie!!
Feb 15th, 2014, 05:14 AM
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There are shops in Ostuni, on the main road leading uphill, that are connected to oil estates. You can taste there, and probably in other towns as well.
Market day in Locorotondo is Friday. Ostuni's is held on Saturday, I believe. Of course you can buy food in shops on other days, except Sundays.
Market day in Locorotondo is Friday. Ostuni's is held on Saturday, I believe. Of course you can buy food in shops on other days, except Sundays.
Feb 15th, 2014, 05:22 AM
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Also: I would plan to carry home the olive oil, and not ship it. Shipping will cost more than the oil. As you know, the oil has an expiration date, so you can't really ship home a case of it and expect to use it before it turns bad. So just bring bubble wrap and carry home a few bottles in checked luggage. Puglia is not really known for fabulous oil, although there are some good ones. If you are traveling to Matera, I would also look there.
One thing I would not buy much of is dried pasta. I used to carry home many packages of the "artisanal" shapes. But I later realized that the price difference between Puglia and the US (at least in Italian shops in my city) is only a few dollars, so best leave room for other things. All those shapes with the colors embedded in them are only for the tourist trade, although they do look pretty, they taste much like any other "normal" pasta.
I have brought a lot of food items over the years, and am happy to share info if you are interested. Much depends on the availability of products in home town.
One thing I would not buy much of is dried pasta. I used to carry home many packages of the "artisanal" shapes. But I later realized that the price difference between Puglia and the US (at least in Italian shops in my city) is only a few dollars, so best leave room for other things. All those shapes with the colors embedded in them are only for the tourist trade, although they do look pretty, they taste much like any other "normal" pasta.
I have brought a lot of food items over the years, and am happy to share info if you are interested. Much depends on the availability of products in home town.
Feb 15th, 2014, 07:33 PM
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annhig - sorry, I guess I don't know what I did. It kind of will be a trip report won't it or what does that mean? And I'm lost "via the yellow button"? Sorry I'm a newbie and there are lots of yellow buttons on my screen!! Argh...
Ekscrunchy - well I'm going to use up all the room in my luggage with wine! So I may not get much olive oil but I thought the oil in Puglia was supposed to be quite good? I will look for those shops. Market day is already on my calendar.
And the only dried pasta I've ever brought back was the seppia ink pasta. Cannot find that in US with the high percentage as Italy and I LOVE it!! Thanks for your info.
tdk320n - very little info to be found online for sure. It's taken me lots of research. Outside a small loss of being able to be impulsive, I think it will be fine. We shall see! And I will try to be good with the info.
Ekscrunchy - well I'm going to use up all the room in my luggage with wine! So I may not get much olive oil but I thought the oil in Puglia was supposed to be quite good? I will look for those shops. Market day is already on my calendar.
And the only dried pasta I've ever brought back was the seppia ink pasta. Cannot find that in US with the high percentage as Italy and I LOVE it!! Thanks for your info.tdk320n - very little info to be found online for sure. It's taken me lots of research. Outside a small loss of being able to be impulsive, I think it will be fine. We shall see! And I will try to be good with the info.
Feb 16th, 2014, 07:07 AM
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The yellow button is the yellow triangle in the upper right corner of each message. Just click on it to ask the moderators to remove the trip report icon from your original message. A trip report is what you write to report on your trip after you return. No harm done.
Feb 16th, 2014, 09:09 PM
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I have clicked the "report abuse" button to fix. I hope this is satisfactory.
sssteve: We will fly into and spend 3 nights in Venice. We've been there 3 times, so we will not be sight seeing much, just visiting some acquaintances and having our Anniversary dinner there. I still haven't narrowed down which place to return to for that.
We will take the train to Ostuni, and spend a quick night in Bologna, on the way, to break up the ride a bit. The hotel is free, so it is still cheaper than a night train.
We will stay week in Ostuni in an apartment that we managed to get for about $59 a night. We have a couple side trips planned, but also just hope to walk and relax a bit.
Out of Ostuni, we take a train to Naples and spend 3 nights before flying out from there. Just a couple items on my list for Naples that I didn't cover on a previous trip.
I hope this is satisfactory.sssteve: We will fly into and spend 3 nights in Venice. We've been there 3 times, so we will not be sight seeing much, just visiting some acquaintances and having our Anniversary dinner there. I still haven't narrowed down which place to return to for that.
We will take the train to Ostuni, and spend a quick night in Bologna, on the way, to break up the ride a bit. The hotel is free, so it is still cheaper than a night train.
We will stay week in Ostuni in an apartment that we managed to get for about $59 a night. We have a couple side trips planned, but also just hope to walk and relax a bit.
Out of Ostuni, we take a train to Naples and spend 3 nights before flying out from there. Just a couple items on my list for Naples that I didn't cover on a previous trip.
Feb 17th, 2014, 06:09 AM
#13
Me, dramatic?
The Sarah Bernhardt of Fodorville?
Why pate wouldn't even melt in my mouth.
If you slobs can't even tell when I am mocking you then I am taking my case of Champagne and going home.
Thin
The Sarah Bernhardt of Fodorville?
Why pate wouldn't even melt in my mouth.
If you slobs can't even tell when I am mocking you then I am taking my case of Champagne and going home.
Thin
Mar 12th, 2014, 01:39 AM
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Just back from italy.. IT WAS AMAZING. i got a lot of foods.
I was in Martina Franca and asked someone to visit some wine company. It was bit out but i found. Then i asked there about some olive oil company and i got answer.
L'acropoli di Puglia. i checked on internet and i found trip advisor link http://www.tripadvisor.it/Attraction...to_Puglia.html here u can get the answer. It was Amazing. Vincenzo (owner) is nice man with good english. Then Marekt in Martina Franca... WOW its on Wednesday. Its HUGE but fantastic
I was in Martina Franca and asked someone to visit some wine company. It was bit out but i found. Then i asked there about some olive oil company and i got answer.
L'acropoli di Puglia. i checked on internet and i found trip advisor link http://www.tripadvisor.it/Attraction...to_Puglia.html here u can get the answer. It was Amazing. Vincenzo (owner) is nice man with good english. Then Marekt in Martina Franca... WOW its on Wednesday. Its HUGE but fantastic
Apr 4th, 2014, 10:41 AM
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I don't know if I should open a new forum. If so, I apologize. I sort of need direction since I'm relatively new here.
Does anyone have the name(s) of a good hotel in Ostuni?
Bsmithstucky, you mention an apartment in Ostuni. Is it centrally located? Did/do you like it and why? More details, please. Thank you!
Martu518
Does anyone have the name(s) of a good hotel in Ostuni?
Bsmithstucky, you mention an apartment in Ostuni. Is it centrally located? Did/do you like it and why? More details, please. Thank you!
Martu518
