sandra

The one thing I wish I had bought in Venice that I couldn't find later were carnival masks.

Ulysses

I am planning a trip to the Lake Maggiore area in early August. I am unfamiliar with the area. Please proivde any information about your experience in Stresa (hotel,restaurants, must see things, ect.) I believe my friend intends to stay in or near Belgirate. Any knowledge on Belgirate? Any information on the drive north to Switzerland through the Simplon Pass?

Thanks in advance.

Lori Whitmore

Stresa was the highlight of our trip to Italy. It is an absolute paradise. Arriving in April, you have the Alps in the background of Lake Maggiore with snow capped peaks. Around the town of Stresa, every tree, bush and flower was in bloom in colors we had never seen before. It is a sub-tropical climate, so everything grows well there. We stayed at the Hotel Bristol which was right on the water. It had just been renovated a couple years ago, and everything is fabulously done. This is a 4 star hotel and is really an enjoyable retreat. A side trip to Isola Bella (island right off shore) is still owned by the Borromeo family of Italy and they use it as a summer home in August and September. So depending on when you are arriving and when they are, it may not be available for touring then. The town is small and lovely for walking around and there were few tourists although I would think that would change in August, with many Italian tourists going to the seaside.

Karen

Lori,
I need information on the Ferry from either/both Naples and Sorrento to the Isle of Capri. Cost, need reservations?..where obtain?....is there a partking lot available? anything else you know would be greatly appreciated as soon as possible.
Thanks.

Lori Whitmore

We took a tour that included the jetfoil to Capri. So I don't know what the cost was and how often they run. There was a small parking lot near the dock, but that may have been just for tour buses to park. I don't remember individual cars there. Sorry, I can't be more helpful. Maybe someone else has more info about this.

Frank

I think your best bet is to get the ferry from Sorrento. You can park your car in a parking lot near the ferry and leave it overnight if you want;i.e. if you are staying in Capri overnight- which I suggest you do.

I did this twice and it was very efficient way to get to Capri.The hydrofoil is quick even if a little noisey

If you do stay overnight in Capri, stay at La Rezidenzia hotel ( about $120) and there is a great restaurant called Il Campanille. You must also go to the picolo Marina on the isle and rent a zodiac so that you can tour that side of Capri and get up close to the tiny coves and inlets and do some swimming. You can first try the Zodiac with a tour guide if you don't feel up to piloting it yourselves. THIS IS A MUST. You will never forget it. The color of the water and tiny coves like the Green Grotto- that's right there's the green grotto too- are unbelieveable. You can also drive your zodiac right through the Fragilones.Capri is like a dream after the day trippers from the mainland have gone. ENJOY!!

Jenni Minyard

Hi - and thanks for the opportunity to ask questions relating to the "perfect stay" in Italy.

I am planning a trip in October. First - how's the weather?? I have been to Italy before (Rome, Venice, and Florence) but it was in July---VERY warm.
I live in California and enjoy warm weather - but love the month of October's here even more.

Secondly - which of the places you visited was your favorite, and for what reason? I tend to like the history - but really enjoyed my short visit in Portofino; you know, the small towns no one ever talks about, but that contain great ethnic value - almost displaying the real sense of the country.

Third - do hotels in all the cities you visited have a "quality" scale? In other words, would the best hotel in Venice be one of the worst in Florence? I'm trying to save money - and not go totally luxury (I can do that in the South of France), but refuse to stay at a Motel 6 environment!

If you could get back to me whenever convenient for you - I would sincerely appreciate it.
Thanks!!

P.S. - I'm going with the most wonderful man in the world - and would love tips on the romantic, sunset stops, and memorable places of good feelings.

ulysses

Lori:
Thanks for the kind tips on Lake Maggiore and the surrounding areas. I hope to experience the joy and the feel that you acquired for the area. April truly must have been beautiful. I am sure that July/August holds an equally fine potential for enjoyment.
Ulysses

adele

My husband and I are planning a 2 week trip to Italy in mid September. I have not booked anything yet, but know the availability is good. Our "tentative"itinerary is to fly into Milan stay overnight near the train station (does anyone know a good, clean, inexpensive hotel) and take the train the next a.m. to Venice (3 days), on to Florence by rail (3 days), rent a car drive into Tuscany (3 days), rail to Rome (2 days), rail to Amalfi (3 days), back to Rome to fly home. Are we cramming in too much?? Any suggestions on places to stay? Thanks.

Dayle

Adele: your trip sounds great. I wish I had had 2 weeks, instead of the "drive by" trip I did in just one week. I would assume that since you are only planning 2 days in Rome, that you have been there before? If not, I would suggest taking a day away from Venice and adding it to Rome. Also, bus and train trip from Amalfi to Rome is pretty much a full day. Perhaps you could return flight Naples/Rome and save a little travel time there? Check into it. You'll definetly have to go through Rome, all flights do, but it might help. We stayed at Albergo Paganelli, Venice; Hotel della Tella, Florence; Hotel San Lorenzo Santa Maria, Rome (way outside the city center and very quiet); and Hotel dei Fiorie (sp?) in Praiano on Amalfi Coast. I have never been able to find the town on any internet or travel book quides, because it's so small. We were happy with all these hotels, private baths in all, clean and comfortable, very nice. All were under $100 US for 2 at March rates. Only problem was traffic and siren noise in Florence. I would ask for a room NOT facing the street. Have a great time! Caio...

Tama

Can you recommend a hotel to stay the night on Capri? Any must sees and can you recommend some good restaurants while we are there? I heard Sorrento is dirty, is this true? Have you heard of Castellabate? We will be staying in this town for a week. It is further South than Sorrento. And lastly, can you recommend a place to stay in Rome and in Vernazza? Thanks for any info. you may have.

Tom

Lake Como area is our destination in August, but no reservations yet. Your messages make it sound like I'd better get some quick! Any recommendations for lakeside hotels or B&B's or such?

Kay

When in Florence last June we stayed at Hotel Bellettini and it was quiet, friendly, clean, just not air conditioned. It was short enough walk from train with our wheeled bags. To avoid the crowds we spend a late afternoon/evening at museum, got up early and went sightseeing until it started getting crowded, then we took a bus to Siena for midday-afternoon and returned to Florence for evening walking and enjoying the atmosphere. We ate a great inexpensive dinner at a restaurant across the Arno that had a small entrance on the Piazza de S. Spirito and the main door on a side street--don't remember name. We met locals and we had a broken conversation going in three languages.

Nancy Ranftl

We will be driving from Stressa to Vienna. We'd like to spend one night in Venice on the way, if the distance isn't too much. Do you know of a safe place for us to park the car overnight? Thanks!

Sharon

Lori-SOrry you didn't enjoy Venice. The Tuscany area was the gest, but we also loved Venice. We didn't find it smelly etc. We stayed in a really nice Hotel between San Marco and Giglio stop-very convenient for about $150 a nite. We ate numerous places and really didn't find a great increase in the prices from Florence. Sure, you can eat expensively, but we found numerous places where we could eat reasonably, orat least almost comparably to Florence. Shopping there was most expensive than in Florence, but then I didn't buy alot there-just window shopped. I was amazed at how people get around via boat, or on foot! I especially liked the Guggenheim Museum and the Ghetto area! For others reading this, we also felt very safe throughout Italy, though you still need to be careful just out of principle! We did the tacky boat ride over to Murano and we pleasantly surprised at how interesting the glass blowing was, not to mention the free boat ride provided by the glass place. (The boat leaves from San Marco area). Enough-Venice was enchanting and I recommend it at least for a few days visit! Ciao SHaron

Nancy

Sharon, What is the name of the hotel you enjoyed in Venice? Thanks, Nancy

Nikki

Has anybody reading this stayed at any of these hotels??? 1)Hotel Bel Soggiorno -Rome 2)Hotel Belvedere -Naples 3)Hotel La Tonnarella -Sorrento 4)Hotel Nuova Italia -Florence 5)Hotel Bernardi-Semenzato -Venice 6)Hotel Kennedy -Milan. If you have stayed at any one of these, or even heard anything about them, I would really apprieciate it if you could share your experiences with me. I have read only a little about these hotels, but would love to hear what you have to say. Thanks to all who respond.

Michelle

My husband and I are planning a trip to Paris(3 days), Nice/coast (3 days), and then the majority of time will be spent in Italy. We plan to visit Rome, Venice, and the Amalfi Coast. The trip is planned for July 25-Aug. 13 aprx. 16 days. We would like suggestions as to where to stay. We would like to spend 4-5 days on the Amalfi coast and Isle of Capri. Help!!

Monica

I would just like to add my comments about restaurants in Italy. My husband and I were there in May and we averaged about $40 for the two of us for a 3or 4 course meal with a bottle of wine. This included all the restaurants in Venice. I think that one needs to get away from the touristy areas (such as the Rialto brigde - though we had a great meal there one night). Stick to the restaurants where there are lots of locals and few tourists. For anyone with interest in Italy, I wrote a LONG letter on this sight including restaurant and hotel information. We had a WONDERFUL time in Italy and look forward to returning there some day soon.

Dave

Monica ([email protected]), I was interested in hearing more about your trip to Italy. Could you tell where it is posted? We are planning a trip to Italy and would like to hear how you enjoyed your vacation. Thanks.