26 NIGHTS IN ITALY, AM I INSANE?
Mar 6th, 2006, 07:30 PM
#21
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If I had 26 days in Italy:
one week in Forte di Marmi
three days in Portofino
three days in Venice
five days in Rome
five days in Positano
three days completely unplanned and figure it out when I get there
one week in Forte di Marmi
three days in Portofino
three days in Venice
five days in Rome
five days in Positano
three days completely unplanned and figure it out when I get there
Mar 6th, 2006, 07:47 PM
#22
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Can't help but get on the same train as most of the replies. I have been to Italy 5 times, as well as other European Countries. By far, my favorite destination anywhere in the world!
While in Florence, consider doing a Chianti day trip. Unforgettable, stunning, and close. If you are interested, let me know and I'll pass along the website I used last year. Very reasonable price and pick up from wherever you are staying.
Venice, even though it may be pricey, have a drink in the evening at San Marco Square and people watch. Get lost and enjoy, enjoy....
While in Florence, consider doing a Chianti day trip. Unforgettable, stunning, and close. If you are interested, let me know and I'll pass along the website I used last year. Very reasonable price and pick up from wherever you are staying.
Venice, even though it may be pricey, have a drink in the evening at San Marco Square and people watch. Get lost and enjoy, enjoy....
Mar 6th, 2006, 07:49 PM
#23
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Wish I was fortunate enough to be as insane as you. You'll find that 26 days won't be enough, then again, I'm never satisfied about the amount of time I spend abroad.
I agree with the comments on Firenze and Napoli. I've friends who lived in Firenze for over a year and still they feel it wasn't enough time to spend. My mother, who has now stayed in Firenze for over 3 weeks with me, still wants to go back and sit in a cafe at Piazza della Signoria - quite a statement coming from someone who, like me, wants to visit as much as she can and refuses to backtrack or stay in one place for too long. She's had me take her back to Firenze twice since our first visit in 2003. I'm looking for ways to get work to send me there for a few days.
Napoli (because my Italian friends say Naples is in Florida) is as dirty and dangerous as any city in the world. You just need to be vigilant about safety no matter where you go. Easily said for me as I live in a "dangerous" city.
Enjoy yourself. We're all jealous for you.
I agree with the comments on Firenze and Napoli. I've friends who lived in Firenze for over a year and still they feel it wasn't enough time to spend. My mother, who has now stayed in Firenze for over 3 weeks with me, still wants to go back and sit in a cafe at Piazza della Signoria - quite a statement coming from someone who, like me, wants to visit as much as she can and refuses to backtrack or stay in one place for too long. She's had me take her back to Firenze twice since our first visit in 2003. I'm looking for ways to get work to send me there for a few days.
Napoli (because my Italian friends say Naples is in Florida) is as dirty and dangerous as any city in the world. You just need to be vigilant about safety no matter where you go. Easily said for me as I live in a "dangerous" city.
Enjoy yourself. We're all jealous for you.
Mar 7th, 2006, 06:04 AM
#24
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Hi L,
>Many people say that Naples is not that great and that I shouldn't bother going there because it's dangerous, dirty and chaotic, but I really would like to visit it, ...<
Many people don't believe in evolution.
Naples is dirty, gritty, chaotic, has beautiful architecture, a lovely waterfront, some great museums and the world's best pizza.
See my trip report for details:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34451044
>Many people say that Naples is not that great and that I shouldn't bother going there because it's dangerous, dirty and chaotic, but I really would like to visit it, ...<
Many people don't believe in evolution.
Naples is dirty, gritty, chaotic, has beautiful architecture, a lovely waterfront, some great museums and the world's best pizza.
See my trip report for details:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34451044
Mar 7th, 2006, 10:22 AM
#25
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Why Ischia AND Capri AND Positano? I like the idea of taking a Southern vacation from your vacation (with more in the way of art and culture at the beginning and end of your trip) but do you really expect wildly different experiences from those three places? Pick just two and linger a little longer - that's what Italy (especially southern Italy) is all about.
Mar 10th, 2006, 09:24 AM
#26
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NessunDorma, I can't spend more than 110 Euros per night on a double room. I'm travelling mid June/July. According to the Procida website, "Il Postino" was filmed on Procida. I've also read that some scenes were filmed in Sicily, though.
I thought about it, and I decided to take one day from Campania and add it to Tuscany.
That would give me 7 nights in Tuscany, 4 of which I want to dedicate in Florence. Should I spent the other 3 nights doing daytrips to Siena, San Gimignano and (any other town)? Should I split the time? I can only travel by bus/train because I can't drive. Which other town would you visit?
Brayden, is it recommendable to do a Chianti tour? Do you know of a good one?
Since I also have a day for Assisi, should I use that day to visit any other beautiful destination in Umbria? Many of you have recommended Orvieto, but is the only atraction there the Duomo or is the town in general worth a visit?
I thought about it, and I decided to take one day from Campania and add it to Tuscany.
That would give me 7 nights in Tuscany, 4 of which I want to dedicate in Florence. Should I spent the other 3 nights doing daytrips to Siena, San Gimignano and (any other town)? Should I split the time? I can only travel by bus/train because I can't drive. Which other town would you visit?
Brayden, is it recommendable to do a Chianti tour? Do you know of a good one?
Since I also have a day for Assisi, should I use that day to visit any other beautiful destination in Umbria? Many of you have recommended Orvieto, but is the only atraction there the Duomo or is the town in general worth a visit?
Mar 10th, 2006, 09:45 AM
#27
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Lonelyplanet,
You'll need the whole day for Assisi. It's extremely rich in art treasures. I only had time to see the Duomo in Orvieto and I'm glad I committed the "sin" of just running in and out to do so. Otherwise, I'm going to leave it to the Tuscan small town mavens to answer about which small towns offer the most. As for Firenze, you'd do well to look across the Arno for budget accommodations, or maybe in Fiesole.
For the Amalfi, your budget is going to require that you do some digging for accommodations in that range. One suggestion I can make is Da Salvatore in Ravello. They are a restaurant with terrific doubles (with a view!) for 90 euro. You can google to get their phone number (call Saturdays, and keep trying if you get no answer until the 1st of April).
You might also Google for hotels and B&Bs in towns like Atrani, Minori and Furore, which are not the prize tourist destinations but are quite nice. However, what you need to consider on the Amalfi Coast is that in June and July, traffic on the main coastal road is going to be jammed. Really jammed. And you may find yourself faced with long lines for buses and boats.
So you might consider staying in Sorrento for two nights in order to see Pompeii and Naples (in that order) via train.
Then movie to Ischia, where you could take a boat to Procida and Capri as day trips. I have a feeling the lines for the boats will be shorter there than they would in Sorrento or elsewhere on the Amalfi.
When you get onto the Amalfi coast, consider picking a town where you think you might be happy to just stay put. If you want to hike, book yourself up in the hills. If you want to swim, Atrani might work for you as the most affordable option, although there may be accommodations in your price range in Praiano. Ravello has no easy access to any beach.
Buon viaggi!
You'll need the whole day for Assisi. It's extremely rich in art treasures. I only had time to see the Duomo in Orvieto and I'm glad I committed the "sin" of just running in and out to do so. Otherwise, I'm going to leave it to the Tuscan small town mavens to answer about which small towns offer the most. As for Firenze, you'd do well to look across the Arno for budget accommodations, or maybe in Fiesole.
For the Amalfi, your budget is going to require that you do some digging for accommodations in that range. One suggestion I can make is Da Salvatore in Ravello. They are a restaurant with terrific doubles (with a view!) for 90 euro. You can google to get their phone number (call Saturdays, and keep trying if you get no answer until the 1st of April).
You might also Google for hotels and B&Bs in towns like Atrani, Minori and Furore, which are not the prize tourist destinations but are quite nice. However, what you need to consider on the Amalfi Coast is that in June and July, traffic on the main coastal road is going to be jammed. Really jammed. And you may find yourself faced with long lines for buses and boats.
So you might consider staying in Sorrento for two nights in order to see Pompeii and Naples (in that order) via train.
Then movie to Ischia, where you could take a boat to Procida and Capri as day trips. I have a feeling the lines for the boats will be shorter there than they would in Sorrento or elsewhere on the Amalfi.
When you get onto the Amalfi coast, consider picking a town where you think you might be happy to just stay put. If you want to hike, book yourself up in the hills. If you want to swim, Atrani might work for you as the most affordable option, although there may be accommodations in your price range in Praiano. Ravello has no easy access to any beach.
Buon viaggi!
Mar 10th, 2006, 09:59 AM
#28
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Ira - love your evolution comment.
Lonely - please spend more time in Naples. As others have said, yes, it is a dirty, gritty, crazy, crime-ridden city, but that's what makes it so great! It's definitely a place to see and explore and of all the major cities I visited in Italy, seemed to me to be the most "Italian" of all, if that makes any sense. There's just something about it.
I think people who do not enjoy it are maybe those who arrive there unaware. But if you're prepared with this knowledge, you'll most likely be pleasantly surprised, as I was.
Lonely - please spend more time in Naples. As others have said, yes, it is a dirty, gritty, crazy, crime-ridden city, but that's what makes it so great! It's definitely a place to see and explore and of all the major cities I visited in Italy, seemed to me to be the most "Italian" of all, if that makes any sense. There's just something about it.
I think people who do not enjoy it are maybe those who arrive there unaware. But if you're prepared with this knowledge, you'll most likely be pleasantly surprised, as I was.
Mar 10th, 2006, 10:48 AM
#29
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lonelyplanet, yes, Orvieto is mostly the duomo, which is certainly exceptional. The rest of the town no less but also no more than nice.
However, it doesn't seem too reasonable to me to combine Assisi with Orvieto - quite a distance between the two! By far more rewarding, of course, would be a visit to Perugia, if your time allows for it; that's not only a big but also a great medieval city. Or else, if your time schedule on that day is tighter, you might hop off the train (I hope it stops there, you know: I always travel by car only) in Spello, close to Assisi, with completely preserved walls and gates from the Roman antiquity. Other top choices near Assisi include Bevagna, Montefalco, Foligno and Trevi, but I don't know how easily they're accessible without a car. Nor do I know which route your train takes, but if it happens to stop in Città della Pieve, that might be a nice place where to spend two hours completely off the beaten tourist track.
However, it doesn't seem too reasonable to me to combine Assisi with Orvieto - quite a distance between the two! By far more rewarding, of course, would be a visit to Perugia, if your time allows for it; that's not only a big but also a great medieval city. Or else, if your time schedule on that day is tighter, you might hop off the train (I hope it stops there, you know: I always travel by car only) in Spello, close to Assisi, with completely preserved walls and gates from the Roman antiquity. Other top choices near Assisi include Bevagna, Montefalco, Foligno and Trevi, but I don't know how easily they're accessible without a car. Nor do I know which route your train takes, but if it happens to stop in Città della Pieve, that might be a nice place where to spend two hours completely off the beaten tourist track.
Mar 11th, 2006, 02:45 AM
#31
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I've already looked up hotels on the internet and booked a couple of them.
I won't visit Orvieto then. As lovely as it may be, I don't feel like taking a train just to see a church.
Thanks for the Napoli information: sometimes I think I'd like to spend 2 nights in Naples, but then again I remember all of the posts I've read recommending not to even go there. Would you say Napoli is like New York? Why would I compare it to New York? Because NYC isn't really a clean city, it's chaotic, it can be dangerous, and People drive as if they were insane. However, NYC is my favorite city in the world. From 1997 to 2005 I went there for vacations every year for 10 days and everytime I had to come back, I felt like I still wanted to stay a little longer. so, if Napoli is the NYC of Italy, I think I'll like it.
I won't visit Orvieto then. As lovely as it may be, I don't feel like taking a train just to see a church.
Thanks for the Napoli information: sometimes I think I'd like to spend 2 nights in Naples, but then again I remember all of the posts I've read recommending not to even go there. Would you say Napoli is like New York? Why would I compare it to New York? Because NYC isn't really a clean city, it's chaotic, it can be dangerous, and People drive as if they were insane. However, NYC is my favorite city in the world. From 1997 to 2005 I went there for vacations every year for 10 days and everytime I had to come back, I felt like I still wanted to stay a little longer. so, if Napoli is the NYC of Italy, I think I'll like it.
Mar 11th, 2006, 08:43 PM
#32
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lonely, I think some of "The Talented Mr R" was filmed on Ischia as well. That (and the fact that my hairdresser's family is from there and she encouraged me to visit Ischia) contributed to my going there. Missed the crowded tourist season (we were there last June) and found Ischia to be a great place to wrap up our Italy trip. The hot springs are wonderful.
I haven't stayed in Naples, just went through it on the way to Ischia and then to Pompeii, but the traffic was a little wild. Fun (albeit dangerous!) sight: Young male passenger leaning out of a moving car window kissing young female passenger on an also moving Vespa. Now, that's Italian!
Have FUN!
I haven't stayed in Naples, just went through it on the way to Ischia and then to Pompeii, but the traffic was a little wild. Fun (albeit dangerous!) sight: Young male passenger leaning out of a moving car window kissing young female passenger on an also moving Vespa. Now, that's Italian!
Have FUN!
Mar 18th, 2006, 02:51 AM
#34
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I was thinking of doing this trip in the middle of June/July.
Would you do it in the middle of September? I've read and heard that there are fewer tourists and the temperature is nicer.
My final itinerary is:
5 nights in Venice, 7 nights in Tuscany (Florence, Siena and San Gimignano), 9 nights in Campania (Capri, Ischia, and The Amalfi Coast with daytrips to Naples and Pompei), and 5 nights in Rome.
I decided to take a night from Campania (Before, I was going to spend 10 nights there) and add it to Tuscany.
I would still have to phone my travel agent to get me an inexpensive airplane ticket for September.
So, is it better to travel in the middle of September/October or in the middle of June/July?
Thanks again!
Would you do it in the middle of September? I've read and heard that there are fewer tourists and the temperature is nicer.
My final itinerary is:
5 nights in Venice, 7 nights in Tuscany (Florence, Siena and San Gimignano), 9 nights in Campania (Capri, Ischia, and The Amalfi Coast with daytrips to Naples and Pompei), and 5 nights in Rome.
I decided to take a night from Campania (Before, I was going to spend 10 nights there) and add it to Tuscany.
I would still have to phone my travel agent to get me an inexpensive airplane ticket for September.
So, is it better to travel in the middle of September/October or in the middle of June/July?
Thanks again!
Mar 18th, 2006, 03:07 AM
#36
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Another vote for the fall. I don't know where you're from, but if you happen to live in a chilly region, you'll LOVE it to spend part of autumn in Italy, it prolongs your summer - what we're calling Indian Summer is called ottobrata in Italy as octobre is the time for it there.
Mar 18th, 2006, 10:05 AM
#37
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Thanks Franco and LaArtista!
My main concern is not really being in Rome, Tuscany and Venice in Autumn, but being in Campania in Autumn.
If I did my trip in the middle of September/October, I'd be spending the first week of October in Campania (Capri, Positano, and Ischia). Will it be chilly? Will I be able to wear shorts, t-shirts and sandals in those 3 places during the first week of October? My Campania part of the itinerary isn't really about exploring museums and churches, but being outdoors, walking the towns, spending some time on the beach, and doing the usual stuff you do on islands and coastal villages.
Thanks again for your comments!
My main concern is not really being in Rome, Tuscany and Venice in Autumn, but being in Campania in Autumn.
If I did my trip in the middle of September/October, I'd be spending the first week of October in Campania (Capri, Positano, and Ischia). Will it be chilly? Will I be able to wear shorts, t-shirts and sandals in those 3 places during the first week of October? My Campania part of the itinerary isn't really about exploring museums and churches, but being outdoors, walking the towns, spending some time on the beach, and doing the usual stuff you do on islands and coastal villages.
Thanks again for your comments!
Mar 18th, 2006, 10:16 AM
#38
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Well, I don't give a warranty for shorts in October - in Campania, it's certainly not improbable, but you never know. Maybe you could go to Campania first, then Rome and so on? For mid-September, I dare giving that warranty!
Mar 19th, 2006, 10:14 AM
#39
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Sorry it took me so long to respond about the tour company based out of Sienna. The company is Hills and Roads. I believe the website is: hillsandroads.com
Let me know if you have any trouble. They are the most reasonably priced I saw and were incredibly knowledgeable and nice. Pick you up and drop off.
Let me know if you have any trouble. They are the most reasonably priced I saw and were incredibly knowledgeable and nice. Pick you up and drop off.
Mar 24th, 2006, 12:56 AM
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Thanks Brayden! I'm already checking the website.
I've decided to spend 7 nights in Tuscany and I don't know how to distribute those 7 nights. I was thinking:
5 nights in Florence with a daytrip to Cortona and 2 nights in San Gimignano with a daytrip to Siena.
I thought of arriving in San Gimignano in the morning, checking in at the hotel, and start exploring the town around noon (first night), and do a daytrip to Siena on the second day (second night). Will that half a day in San Gimignano be OK? I've read that it's so small, but it seems like there's plenty to see to keep you busy for a day.
I also thought of spending 4 nights in Florence with a daytrip to Cortona and 3 nights in San Gimignano with a daytrip to Siena. Spending that last full day in Florence and arriving in San Gimignano in the evening (first night) so that I can start exploring it in the morning and have a full day there (second night) and a full day in Siena (third night).
I know there's a lot more to do in Siena, but I don't want to sleep there.
so, what do you think? Thanks again for your advice and opinions.
I've decided to spend 7 nights in Tuscany and I don't know how to distribute those 7 nights. I was thinking:
5 nights in Florence with a daytrip to Cortona and 2 nights in San Gimignano with a daytrip to Siena.
I thought of arriving in San Gimignano in the morning, checking in at the hotel, and start exploring the town around noon (first night), and do a daytrip to Siena on the second day (second night). Will that half a day in San Gimignano be OK? I've read that it's so small, but it seems like there's plenty to see to keep you busy for a day.
I also thought of spending 4 nights in Florence with a daytrip to Cortona and 3 nights in San Gimignano with a daytrip to Siena. Spending that last full day in Florence and arriving in San Gimignano in the evening (first night) so that I can start exploring it in the morning and have a full day there (second night) and a full day in Siena (third night).
I know there's a lot more to do in Siena, but I don't want to sleep there.
so, what do you think? Thanks again for your advice and opinions.
