oneillchris

OH MY GOD,
Thnaks for all the advice Guys my trip to Italy was superb.

To whoever recomended the San Clemente Palace as the ultimate luxury hotel. you were so right it made my trip to Venice so much better. Also who ever recomended the water taxi transport to the hotel as a glorious introduction to venice through the grand canal again completely correct, what a culture shock introduction after a 10 hr flight, it was great.Restaurant recomendation la conchiglia near the ponte grieco

From Venice we went to Florence and stayed at the Montebello splendide and again an excellent hotel, I left my heart in fiesole, is that a postcard or what? Great restaurant just off of Via Jacoba was the Sorrentina superb. Florence will leave a lifetime mark on me.

Sorrento was great but the hilton sorrento is just OK, next time I'll stay in Capri, we rented a private boat for the day and toured the caves, my wife got seasick but my boy and I enjoyed a great day of swimming, the boat had motor problems so we were left off at a beach on the opposite side of the island. The beach was a locals beach, the culture was so thick you could cut it, I Loved it, but honestly beaches are better left to spain, I'm not fond of nicoise beaches.Coruso's in Sorrento is my restaurant pick.

Rome was great, we were driving and someone on foddors had said it wouldnt be that bad, they were right ok it not North America but as the italians say piano piano you'll get there.
The Hotel the Hilton Cavalieri on the exec floor was out of sight, next to the San Clemente it was the best hotel of my life. As far as people saying its a bit out of there, there was a shuttle and taxis in Rome are dirt cheap from the colloseum to the hotel 8E, it would have been cheaper than driving.

Anyway if I sound excited its because although I have travelled the universe I had always thought italy was more hype than substance, Spain was for me, I was totally wrong. Italy is A OK.

Thanks guys for the great advice
Chris

LoveItaly

Hi oneillchris, I love your enthusiam and sure understand!! And although Rick Steves insist the only way to enjoy Europe is by going on the cheap I don't agree. Certainly many do and have a wonderful time too but indulging if one is able to certainly does not take away from the experience in Italy does it? And oh yes, the private taxi for arrival to your hotel in Venice is so special. Did you get some photos?

So when are your returning to Italy?? And yes, next time stay a few nights at least on Capri. BTW, if you want a luxery hotel on the island check out the CapriPalace which is in Anacapri. Their website is www.capripalace.com.

Thanks for sharing your special time in Italy. Take care.

oneillchris

There is a time for budget travel and a time for luxury travel, the important thing is to travel, My Spanish friends always say the cure for right wing nationalism is an airplane ticket

LoveItaly

Hi Chris, good comments!!! BTW, one time in Italy we stayed at a one star place in Orvieto and the next stop was Florence where we stayed at a five star hotel. Both have beautiful memories.

i_am_kane

Sounds like we have a new Italy convert!

You are bubbling over with enthusiasm about your trip, and I smiled while reading your report.

I hope you threw a coin in the Trevi Fountain (to ensure your return to Italia!).

LoveItaly

Hi I_am_kane; it is spooky but the fact is that everyone I have known that did NOT throw a coin into the Trevi Fountain when in Rome never returned to Italy. Of course I am sure there are many people that didn't do the coin toss and have returned to Italy. I am just talking about people I knew.

I won't go into details but sometimes I think "sayings" perhaps have some truth behind them.

oneillchris

Just in case the coin doesnt work, I bought a corno, a gobbo and cornite to ward off any possibility of the bad luck chance I never return, anyway I've already booked my return trip. I shot several in but my son shot only one his logic was that he'll shoot one each time.

PS I forgot to mention this in my trip report but my son got to meet and photo with Shaq Oneal at the rome hardrock cafe. Isnt that wild he was just sitting there with his wife, noone had noticed him. I saw him later at the trevi and he was being swarmed

radiofanatic

I am one who did not throw a coin in the Trevi Fountain (I'm sorry I didn't know - I swear) when I went for the first time in 1993. I returned in 2002 - almost 10 years later. Maybe I would have returned sooner if I had. Although, as a VERY poor student the first time around, I probably wouldn't have thrown a coin in even if I did know as I probably would have needed it!