Anniversary Trip
Jul 16th, 2005 | 04:49 AM
#1
Original Poster
Joined: Jul 2005
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Anniversary Trip
I am planning a trip for our anniversary and can not decide between the Amalfi coast, Cinque Terra, Italian Riviera or the Cote d'Azur. I am planning on renting a villa for one or two weeks. Any opinions on which is better, and possible day trips would be helpful. Travel would be end of June beginning of July 2006
Jul 16th, 2005 | 05:35 AM
#3
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 13,194
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Om another morning, I might post advice to you that it is important to mention (in your case, the spectrum of possible) <u>destination</u>(s) in the message header of your request...
...but what the heck, I'll take on the actual substnce of your question, straight on...
A crucial issue for your plan is probably less about the "macro"-geography (or at least it would be for me)... and more about what property can you find, at what price, with the criteria that are important to you.
I am absolutely sold on how wonderful it is to rent a villa in Europe. But I have never attempted a villa stay <u>as a couple</u>, and thus, I am quite unfamiliar with what exists.
Still, I suspect that you may have to comb through a lot of listings or be prepared to make a choice that might not match your fantasy vision.
Villas are priced by how many people they can sleep. Thus, any place that doesn't seem too "cracker-box" for you will b priced to fit the budget of 4, 6 or 8 people staying there.
You're looking at a time of year when "lead-time" should be quite adequate. You shold begin with the website www.slowtrav.com and browse a lot of the "biggies":
cuendet.com
francevillas.com
rentvillas.com
(in alphabetic order, to avoid the suggestion of priority). I have used both of the last two, and rented a villa indirectly from Cuendet (many smaller agencies co-list "their" properties). They both have telephone agents (sales staff) which I found to be helpful.
The Cote d'azur has the advantage that you are likely to find places within 20-60 minutes from a major and hgh-quality highway syste - - thus your day trip options are inherently more numerous, and it cold be argued... more diverse. But of course, maybe this trip is more about lazy time than go, go, go.
Best wishes,
Rex
...but what the heck, I'll take on the actual substnce of your question, straight on...
A crucial issue for your plan is probably less about the "macro"-geography (or at least it would be for me)... and more about what property can you find, at what price, with the criteria that are important to you.
I am absolutely sold on how wonderful it is to rent a villa in Europe. But I have never attempted a villa stay <u>as a couple</u>, and thus, I am quite unfamiliar with what exists.
Still, I suspect that you may have to comb through a lot of listings or be prepared to make a choice that might not match your fantasy vision.
Villas are priced by how many people they can sleep. Thus, any place that doesn't seem too "cracker-box" for you will b priced to fit the budget of 4, 6 or 8 people staying there.
You're looking at a time of year when "lead-time" should be quite adequate. You shold begin with the website www.slowtrav.com and browse a lot of the "biggies":
cuendet.com
francevillas.com
rentvillas.com
(in alphabetic order, to avoid the suggestion of priority). I have used both of the last two, and rented a villa indirectly from Cuendet (many smaller agencies co-list "their" properties). They both have telephone agents (sales staff) which I found to be helpful.
The Cote d'azur has the advantage that you are likely to find places within 20-60 minutes from a major and hgh-quality highway syste - - thus your day trip options are inherently more numerous, and it cold be argued... more diverse. But of course, maybe this trip is more about lazy time than go, go, go.
Best wishes,
Rex
Jul 16th, 2005 | 11:29 AM
#4
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 445
Likes: 0
Hi there -- I've been to the Cinque Terre and Amalfi Coast, so I can only speak to those two options. I personally found that there was a lot more to do in the Amalfi Coast, particularly in terms of day trips. We stayed in Positano and visited Capri, Amalfi, and Ravello. We didn't have enough time, but you could also easily visit Sorrento, Naples, and Pompeii. There were several beaches, as well, so there's always plenty of relaxing to do. It was beautiful and romantic, too. The CT is also beautiful and seemed quite a bit cheaper, so that may play into your decision as well. Good luck! - Heather.
Jul 17th, 2005 | 03:54 PM
#6
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 185
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Hi: We've been to the 4 areas that you're asking about. Truly, we've enjoyed them all but, the Amalfi coast really touched by heart last year. The colors, mountains and water were spectacular. Pompeii is fabulous. I still think about Positano and Capri and know that this is one place I want to return to and spend more time. The views during the day are breathtaking and at night it's magical.
All that being said, it's impossible to make a bad choice. I really want to spend more time on the cote d' azure too. It's all just beautiful and there are so many fascinating historical sites and great architecture as well.
All that being said, it's impossible to make a bad choice. I really want to spend more time on the cote d' azure too. It's all just beautiful and there are so many fascinating historical sites and great architecture as well.
Jul 17th, 2005 | 05:22 PM
#7
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 14,748
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I've also been to all four places and would rank my favorites in order as:
Italian Riviera (Golfo di Tigullio area)
Amalfi Coast tied with Cote d'Azur
Cinque Terre (ok, but can't compare with the others for options, IMO)
That said, it seems to me, after only cursory research, that the Amalfi Coast and Cote d'Azur have many more villa rentals than does Liguria (Riviera and CT). I've done some research in both areas, but never rented, and stayed in hotels instead.
The Parker Co. also has some great looking places on the Amalfi Coast.
Italian Riviera (Golfo di Tigullio area)
Amalfi Coast tied with Cote d'Azur
Cinque Terre (ok, but can't compare with the others for options, IMO)
That said, it seems to me, after only cursory research, that the Amalfi Coast and Cote d'Azur have many more villa rentals than does Liguria (Riviera and CT). I've done some research in both areas, but never rented, and stayed in hotels instead.
The Parker Co. also has some great looking places on the Amalfi Coast.
