Favourite Places in Italy?
Aug 24th, 2004, 10:03 AM
#41
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We loved Bellagio on Lake Como, Santa Marguarita Ligure (near Portofino) and Sienna. Lake Como is a real jewel, the beautiful vacation homes and Bellagio is everyone's image of a quaint lakeside town. Santa Marguarita is a sleepy toned-down version of Portofino. For a great dinner and view, try "La Stalla" restaruant for dinner. It's quite a drive up into the hills but worth the trip! Sienna is a great place to do day trips, the old walled part of town is really great and the countryside around it is full of treasures!
Oct 19th, 2004, 02:31 PM
#43
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Castellini in Chianti and Lucca. Just adorable little towns!
Best restaurant by far is La Mangetoria (sp??) in San Gimignano - there are reviews on this site. I will be longing for the meals I had there until I can get back.
Best restaurant by far is La Mangetoria (sp??) in San Gimignano - there are reviews on this site. I will be longing for the meals I had there until I can get back.
Oct 20th, 2004, 01:19 AM
#44
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 80
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Drinking Vino Cotto (cooked wine) in Abruzzo....
Casale-Rental Villa with No Bidet
http://www.angelfire.com/film/casale
Casale-Rental Villa with No Bidet
http://www.angelfire.com/film/casale
Oct 20th, 2004, 03:37 AM
#45
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 4,037
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Patrick, would like to hear more about the southeast corner of Italy. we've always shyed away from it. What are we missing?
As for my picks: Camogli on the Ligurian coast, Lake Como and its lovely villages, Lake Orta, Positano on the Amalfi coast, and now the Crete area of Tuscany southeast of Siena.
As for my picks: Camogli on the Ligurian coast, Lake Como and its lovely villages, Lake Orta, Positano on the Amalfi coast, and now the Crete area of Tuscany southeast of Siena.
Oct 20th, 2004, 07:56 AM
#46
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 922
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Ah Italy!!!!!
Veneto....Murano...Burano....San Francesco del Deserto......floating on the aqua lagoon.
Val de Gardena...little villa of Bulla. (Urerhof Duer...wonderful little pensione with incredible views)
San'Antimo...just outside of Montalcino.
Veneto....Murano...Burano....San Francesco del Deserto......floating on the aqua lagoon.
Val de Gardena...little villa of Bulla. (Urerhof Duer...wonderful little pensione with incredible views)
San'Antimo...just outside of Montalcino.
Oct 20th, 2004, 01:33 PM
#48
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,977
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Maybe I am perverse, but I am one of those people who just doesn't adore Venice. In fact, I plain don't like it.
Give me Lucca, especially after sundown when the crowds of daytrippers have departed, all vehicles must leave the streets, and the cats come out to stroll. It's quiet, it's real, and it's all yours.
Give me Lucca, especially after sundown when the crowds of daytrippers have departed, all vehicles must leave the streets, and the cats come out to stroll. It's quiet, it's real, and it's all yours.
Oct 28th, 2004, 12:56 PM
#49
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 423
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Palazzo Sasso, Ravello. This place is out of this world, with a breathtaking position over the coast, exotic decor and a very quiet, exclusive feel to it. Very romantic. One can spend a whole day sitting by the pool and looking at the view. The rooms are smallish (at least the ones in our price range), but the public areas are to die for.
BobtheNavigator: I love your "Bella Italia" itinerary idea! How would you split up the time, and what would be your ideal places to stay for a honeymoon or anniversary type trip?
Just curious- for future reference!
BobtheNavigator: I love your "Bella Italia" itinerary idea! How would you split up the time, and what would be your ideal places to stay for a honeymoon or anniversary type trip?
Just curious- for future reference!
Oct 28th, 2004, 01:30 PM
#51
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 932
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have too many favorites, I'll break them into two categories,
better known spots: Cinque Terre, Lake Maggiore, Amalfi
Lesser known: The Sabine hills (NE Lazio), Marches (Urbino, Macerata, Fabriano and Gubbio (ok thats Umbria) and Southern Tuscany (Pitigliano, Sovana, Sorano)
better known spots: Cinque Terre, Lake Maggiore, Amalfi
Lesser known: The Sabine hills (NE Lazio), Marches (Urbino, Macerata, Fabriano and Gubbio (ok thats Umbria) and Southern Tuscany (Pitigliano, Sovana, Sorano)
Oct 28th, 2004, 06:56 PM
#52
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,525
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Europhile, It really depends on you, but the basic idea is 3 nites per location. However, I prefer to see Florence as a day trip from a Tuscany location and avoid 5 hotels. I would suggest 3-3-4-3 with 13 nites. That route can be done both directions as easily.
Oct 28th, 2004, 09:50 PM
#53
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 45,322
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Favorite places in Italy. Oh sigh, more than one.
My "home away from home" a small but beautiful small town in Veneto, about 40 miles north of Venice. A very easy, gentle and liveable town. Congeliano.
And filled with friends that are like family.
Agordo, in the Dolomites. To be there, to look at the mountains, especially Marmalode (sp?). Too beautiful.
Rome, vibrant, hustling, antique and modern Rome. The heartbeat of Italy.
Reggello (Tuscany). A special precious small village. Last time sat on the boarder of a vineyard, under an olive tree with the full moon overhead and a village cat curled around my feet while I drank the local wine.
Massa Lubrenze, floating in the pool looking out at the sea, with olive groves to my right. And later a tremendous electrical storm. Sitting on the terrace of my room, enjoying the local wine and watching the lights go off on Capri due to the storm, the battering waves beating against the dramatic shoreline down below us.
Purgia, being in the centuries old basilica with a thundering electrical storm outside, and bats flying everywhere including in the basilica. Middle of the afternoon but as dark as night. Thought to myself "believe this is why the fairy tales of old came to be". Spooky but dramatic.
Venice, ahh Venice. Sitting on the ledge of the window of the hotel room, across the Grand Canal from the Ca' de Oro watching every type of marine boat go by, the boats bringing in supplies, the garbage boats taking out garbage, the private taxis, the gondolas, the police boats and on and on. And than watching the sun set and the color of Venice, the buildings and the water turning to the most brillant shade of rosy gold.
And Bari, the "be careful" slogan, due to crime. But having the hotel order a taxi and than insisting that I leave my purse with them for "safe keeping" and going via taxi north up the coast to a seaside restaurant. No tourist but us.
The Italians that sent over wine, the waves of the Adriatic pounding the beach right outside the window of the restaurant with a full golden moon hanging in the sky.
How can one really pick a favorite place.
I just choose Italy.
And will be back there in May and June.
I can hardly wait!
My "home away from home" a small but beautiful small town in Veneto, about 40 miles north of Venice. A very easy, gentle and liveable town. Congeliano.
And filled with friends that are like family.
Agordo, in the Dolomites. To be there, to look at the mountains, especially Marmalode (sp?). Too beautiful.
Rome, vibrant, hustling, antique and modern Rome. The heartbeat of Italy.
Reggello (Tuscany). A special precious small village. Last time sat on the boarder of a vineyard, under an olive tree with the full moon overhead and a village cat curled around my feet while I drank the local wine.
Massa Lubrenze, floating in the pool looking out at the sea, with olive groves to my right. And later a tremendous electrical storm. Sitting on the terrace of my room, enjoying the local wine and watching the lights go off on Capri due to the storm, the battering waves beating against the dramatic shoreline down below us.
Purgia, being in the centuries old basilica with a thundering electrical storm outside, and bats flying everywhere including in the basilica. Middle of the afternoon but as dark as night. Thought to myself "believe this is why the fairy tales of old came to be". Spooky but dramatic.
Venice, ahh Venice. Sitting on the ledge of the window of the hotel room, across the Grand Canal from the Ca' de Oro watching every type of marine boat go by, the boats bringing in supplies, the garbage boats taking out garbage, the private taxis, the gondolas, the police boats and on and on. And than watching the sun set and the color of Venice, the buildings and the water turning to the most brillant shade of rosy gold.
And Bari, the "be careful" slogan, due to crime. But having the hotel order a taxi and than insisting that I leave my purse with them for "safe keeping" and going via taxi north up the coast to a seaside restaurant. No tourist but us.
The Italians that sent over wine, the waves of the Adriatic pounding the beach right outside the window of the restaurant with a full golden moon hanging in the sky.
How can one really pick a favorite place.
I just choose Italy.
And will be back there in May and June.
I can hardly wait!
Oct 29th, 2004, 03:17 PM
#55
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
USNR thanks for mentioning Lucca. A year ago this month I was blissfully walking the walls of Lucca, stopping occasionally to enjoy the passing scene of bicyclers, grandparents with strollers, old men enjoying each other's company.
Oct 30th, 2004, 03:55 AM
#56
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,793
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'll tell you three favorite regions instead of three favorite specific places, because if I were to name three favorite towns or specific sites, they might all be in Sicily. I love Umbria, Basilicata, and SICILY.
Oct 30th, 2004, 06:25 AM
#58
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The entire bay of Naples has so much to offer. We stayed near the ruins of Pompeii a little out of the path of the tour buses, and made it our base.
Capri is very pricy and very touristy, almost not worth the effort.
Naples is fun to explore, but the transportation starts to get unreliable when you get to the western coast. It is beautiful there, though.
Capri is very pricy and very touristy, almost not worth the effort.
Naples is fun to explore, but the transportation starts to get unreliable when you get to the western coast. It is beautiful there, though.
Oct 30th, 2004, 06:39 AM
#59
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 127
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
A very basic yet interesting question. After 14 trips, it's so difficult to decide - so I'll name a few...
Since the "big 3" are out, I have to mention Naples. I love the energy and "basic Italian-ness" of that city.
Also, Alberobello and Martina Franca in Puglia; Matera in Basilicata; Gubbio, the Maremma region, Bassano del Grappa in the North, as well as the "Brenta Riviera", - and I haven't found a place in Tuscany that I don't love.
I just returned home 2 days ago - so it's all so fresh and wonderful in my memory!
Dona
Since the "big 3" are out, I have to mention Naples. I love the energy and "basic Italian-ness" of that city.
Also, Alberobello and Martina Franca in Puglia; Matera in Basilicata; Gubbio, the Maremma region, Bassano del Grappa in the North, as well as the "Brenta Riviera", - and I haven't found a place in Tuscany that I don't love.
I just returned home 2 days ago - so it's all so fresh and wonderful in my memory!
Dona
