Destination for 2 or 3 nights after Rome & before Venice?
Jul 23rd, 2006, 01:01 PM
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Destination for 2 or 3 nights after Rome & before Venice?
Hi all,
I once again talked DH into going to Europe! We (DH, DD-aged 18, and I) arrive in Rome on Sat. May 26 and plan to stay for 3 nights - departing Tue May 29. We then need to be in Venice on Friday, June 1 to meet up with other DD-aged 20 who will be finishing up a class in Venice. We plan on staying in Venice for three nights before traveling to Germany to see family for a few days.
My question is this... Where should we go for the three nights between Rome and Venice. I am seriously considering either the Amalfi Coast (probably Sorrento for ease of transportation) or Cinque Terre. But I find myself wondering if I'm not considering lesser known options.
First let me say that I'm not considering Florence (ducking!) DH will literally not set foot in a museum, and although I'd love to see the Uffizi and David, I don't think this is the trip for it.
We are truly water people and seem drawn to it wherever we travel. Also, another reason I'm considering the coast is that I was leafing through a book of pictures of Italy. DH, who generally takes no interest in travel planning, saw a pic, I believe of Positano, and said, "I'd go there". While this may not sound like a resounding endorsement, it's as close to input as I will receive from DH!
I know that many of you would just extend Rome by 2 nights and Venice by 1 or vice versa. But I truly feel that we would do good getting out of the city for a bit in between.
We are traveling via train, or at least that's the plan right now. The AC, even though it's in the wrong direction, is actually the same number of train travel hours (Rome to coast to Venice) as going to CT, due to the fast train between Rome and Venice.
I've thought about two or three nights in Tuscany, but where? That option is appealing as DH is not crazy about crowds. How crowded are the AC and CT in late May, early June? Is one more crowded than the other during this time frame?
If it helps, our favorite things to do are literally to wander and explore quaint and old towns, take boat, gondola, and funicular rides, sit in cafes and drink beer or wine, and shop for local goods. We enjoy wandering and walking around, but are not necessarily into hiking.
As far as budget, since Rome and Venice are a bit more expensive, I'd like to keep this part of the trip under 200 Euros per night.
I apologize for the length of this, but I wanted to give you as much info as possible.
Thanks in advance for any suggestions!
H
I once again talked DH into going to Europe! We (DH, DD-aged 18, and I) arrive in Rome on Sat. May 26 and plan to stay for 3 nights - departing Tue May 29. We then need to be in Venice on Friday, June 1 to meet up with other DD-aged 20 who will be finishing up a class in Venice. We plan on staying in Venice for three nights before traveling to Germany to see family for a few days.
My question is this... Where should we go for the three nights between Rome and Venice. I am seriously considering either the Amalfi Coast (probably Sorrento for ease of transportation) or Cinque Terre. But I find myself wondering if I'm not considering lesser known options.
First let me say that I'm not considering Florence (ducking!) DH will literally not set foot in a museum, and although I'd love to see the Uffizi and David, I don't think this is the trip for it.
We are truly water people and seem drawn to it wherever we travel. Also, another reason I'm considering the coast is that I was leafing through a book of pictures of Italy. DH, who generally takes no interest in travel planning, saw a pic, I believe of Positano, and said, "I'd go there". While this may not sound like a resounding endorsement, it's as close to input as I will receive from DH!
I know that many of you would just extend Rome by 2 nights and Venice by 1 or vice versa. But I truly feel that we would do good getting out of the city for a bit in between.
We are traveling via train, or at least that's the plan right now. The AC, even though it's in the wrong direction, is actually the same number of train travel hours (Rome to coast to Venice) as going to CT, due to the fast train between Rome and Venice.
I've thought about two or three nights in Tuscany, but where? That option is appealing as DH is not crazy about crowds. How crowded are the AC and CT in late May, early June? Is one more crowded than the other during this time frame?
If it helps, our favorite things to do are literally to wander and explore quaint and old towns, take boat, gondola, and funicular rides, sit in cafes and drink beer or wine, and shop for local goods. We enjoy wandering and walking around, but are not necessarily into hiking.
As far as budget, since Rome and Venice are a bit more expensive, I'd like to keep this part of the trip under 200 Euros per night.
I apologize for the length of this, but I wanted to give you as much info as possible.
Thanks in advance for any suggestions!
H
Jul 23rd, 2006, 01:09 PM
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Hello phieaglefan, it sounds to me like the AC might be just the place for you to go to, especially since your husband expressed an interest. And it would be a nice change after Rome and before Venice. My daughter around that age certainly enjoyed being on the Amalfi Coast.
Tuscany would be nice but of course you wouldn't have the water that you all love (I do too). My stepson who is not big on museums either just spent three weeks in Tuscany (a rental house). He loved Lucca so much he visited there several times..just another thought. Best wishes with your decision.
Oh, you could visit the lake area in N Italy also, not the sea and costline but certainly beautiful lakes, just another thought.
Tuscany would be nice but of course you wouldn't have the water that you all love (I do too). My stepson who is not big on museums either just spent three weeks in Tuscany (a rental house). He loved Lucca so much he visited there several times..just another thought. Best wishes with your decision.
Oh, you could visit the lake area in N Italy also, not the sea and costline but certainly beautiful lakes, just another thought.
Jul 23rd, 2006, 01:19 PM
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Hi nessundorma, I wish you could have heard my stepson go on and on about Lucca, I so enjoyed his enthusiam. Well his enthusiam for Italy and the Italian people plus the food, wine, scenery etc knows no limits actually. But he so loved Lucca. He certainly enjoyed walking on the wall several times also. And he celebrated his birthday while in Tuscany. His wife's second cousin held a birthday banquet for him at their home in Lucca from
8:30 in the evening until after 1:30 in the morning. A feast for sure!!
8:30 in the evening until after 1:30 in the morning. A feast for sure!!
Jul 23rd, 2006, 01:20 PM
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It does help to know your favorite things to do are literally to wander and explore quaint and old towns, take boat, gondola, and funicular rides, sit in cafes and drink beer or wine, and shop for local goods.
If, on top of that, you don't like crowds, I would say take the train to Orvieto, see the town (even spend the night) and then rent a car and drive to Spello in Umbria. From Spello you can do a bit of day tripping around Umbria, and then drive the car to Venice.
If you really don't like to drive, consider taking a train to Bologna or Ferrara. From there, on your way to Venice, I would consider a night in Verona.
You'll be fine with the Amalfi but even if it is not crowded, you are going to find it quite touristy. But ferry rides and funiculars are part of the Amalfi, and that late in May should give you lovely weather.
If, on top of that, you don't like crowds, I would say take the train to Orvieto, see the town (even spend the night) and then rent a car and drive to Spello in Umbria. From Spello you can do a bit of day tripping around Umbria, and then drive the car to Venice.
If you really don't like to drive, consider taking a train to Bologna or Ferrara. From there, on your way to Venice, I would consider a night in Verona.
You'll be fine with the Amalfi but even if it is not crowded, you are going to find it quite touristy. But ferry rides and funiculars are part of the Amalfi, and that late in May should give you lovely weather.
Jul 23rd, 2006, 01:53 PM
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How are you travelling?
We are planning a three day car "wander" from Sorrento to Venice and don't think we'll book just see what we find.
WE have never been to Italy but we would like a few flexible days during our trip. WE hope it will work!
Have a great trip.
Rosie
We are planning a three day car "wander" from Sorrento to Venice and don't think we'll book just see what we find.
WE have never been to Italy but we would like a few flexible days during our trip. WE hope it will work!
Have a great trip.
Rosie
Jul 24th, 2006, 05:36 AM
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>...I would say take the train to Orvieto, see the town (even spend the night) and then rent a car and drive to Spello in Umbria. From Spello you can do a bit of day tripping around Umbria, and then drive the car to Venice.
If you really don't like to drive, consider taking a train to Bologna or Ferrara. From there, on your way to Venice, I would consider a night in Verona.<
I agree.
If you really don't like to drive, consider taking a train to Bologna or Ferrara. From there, on your way to Venice, I would consider a night in Verona.<
I agree.
Jul 24th, 2006, 08:23 AM
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Thanks everyone for your responses.
annhig - I thought about the lakes. I guess I don't know enough about them. I might do some additional research in that regard. One advantage is that it may provide a break from warmer weather in Rome and Venice.
LoveItaly - yes, my 18 year old is another part of the equation. Seems like the AC might seem a bit more exciting to her than Tuscany. What did your son like most about
annhig - I thought about the lakes. I guess I don't know enough about them. I might do some additional research in that regard. One advantage is that it may provide a break from warmer weather in Rome and Venice.
LoveItaly - yes, my 18 year old is another part of the equation. Seems like the AC might seem a bit more exciting to her than Tuscany. What did your son like most about
Jul 24th, 2006, 08:32 AM
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Ooops. Posted too quickly by accident.
What did your son like most about Lucca?
Nessundorma, Yes I've read Orvieto is wonderful. We're not totally opposed to driving, and that may be an option.
RosieinOz - your plan sounds wonderful but we are traveling in early summer and I would be too afraid to go without reservations. I'm just a chicken I suppose, but there are three of us which generally makes it more difficult to find accomodations.
Ira, I had considered Bologna, but not Ferrara. I will have to do some more research.
Thanks for all of the suggestions!
H
What did your son like most about Lucca?
Nessundorma, Yes I've read Orvieto is wonderful. We're not totally opposed to driving, and that may be an option.
RosieinOz - your plan sounds wonderful but we are traveling in early summer and I would be too afraid to go without reservations. I'm just a chicken I suppose, but there are three of us which generally makes it more difficult to find accomodations.
Ira, I had considered Bologna, but not Ferrara. I will have to do some more research.
Thanks for all of the suggestions!
H
Jul 24th, 2006, 11:09 AM
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We loved the Amalfi Coast (stayed in Positano @ Villa Rosa for under 200 euro a night) and based on your love of exploring small towns, this is a great area. You can do day trips to the other small cities along the coast. However, we also loved Tuscany. We stayed in Montalcino (for 100 euro a night). You could rent a car in Rome and drive out exploring the country side and seeing the small towns, then drive on to Venice at the end of the week and not even have to worry about taking the train. We were in Italy in early May and the crowds were not bad at that time.
Jul 27th, 2006, 01:32 PM
#13
Difficult to know what to tell you about the lakes except they are beautiful and have lots to do [or as little as you like]. we went to Maggiore about 19 years ago [child I was then expecting is now 18] and to Garda about 2 years ago, along with said child and younger brother.
We all enjoyed it, staying in Garda town itself. There are loads of hotels with the usual facilities, and boats all over the lake. Plenty to see in Garda itself, with walks along the lake and shops open til late at night.
Maggiore has the edge on sheer prettiness, and has the islands with their gardens to visit.
Como gets lots of praise on this forum, but I've not been, yet!
We all enjoyed it, staying in Garda town itself. There are loads of hotels with the usual facilities, and boats all over the lake. Plenty to see in Garda itself, with walks along the lake and shops open til late at night.
Maggiore has the edge on sheer prettiness, and has the islands with their gardens to visit.
Como gets lots of praise on this forum, but I've not been, yet!
