krk

Hi-<BR><BR>I have read a lot of posts, but since you are all so helpful, I thought I'd ask about a honeymoon in Italy to get answers in one place. We are planning a two week honeymoon- Mid may to June- the places listed above. I need a lot of advice...Forexample tickets-they are $1k now- will they go down? We are pretty good at planning trips and such- do most of you think we should plan this or go to an agent? please suggest hotels, restarants...anything and everything...<BR>thank you!!!

Robin

Hi, we just got back from our honeymoon in Rome and the Amalfi and maybe I can help some. I do not think the tickets are that crazy in price. Ours were around that for mid-Oct. this year. I might wait a couple of months more though. You are very early in booking although that is a popular time of year to travel. Please let me know where in the Amalfi you are traveling and I'll give you info. from there.<BR>

laura

We went to Italy the past two summers. The first trip we stayed in a villa near Lucca and the second we stayed in hotels and moved around. Both options were great, but if you stay in a villa you must rent a car. I did all of my planning on line, with help from this forum everything was perfect! Consider Sienna, San Gimignano and Cinque Terres.

shar

Bag the Cinque Terra - highly over rated! Rent a villa or an apartment (parkercompany.com or Calbocia.com) in a hill town in either Tuscany or Umbria and fall in love with Italy. Rent a car, explore, eat with the folks, shop where they shop. Planning it yourself or agent?,,,,this will depend on if you really like to do the investigating, reading, etc. To me planning is almost as great as the trip itself. Shar

susan

I am so surprised to hear anyone say the Cinque Terre is overrated, I've been dieing to go. Tell us more, Shar. Where did you stay there and what did you do?

amy

Krk~<BR>I am planning almost the same trip in mid June-We booked the Poseidon in Positano, then to Rome, Cinque Terre, Florence &amp; Venice.<BR>I've been looking at airfare for months and the cheapest I saw it was one day at $850...that didn't last. We got lucky and one of our friends gave us his flyer miles as a wedding gift.<BR>I think it is a lot of fun to plan it yourself and get first hand feedback from people on this site who have been. However, everyone is different...so do what works for you. Best of luck!

Jill

We honeymooned in Italy last5 june 2002, we did all of our planning/booking online and it worked out great. Airfare was the biggest chunk of expense I'd say, we travelled after june15th which is usually whent he summer rate hikes (we left 6/19-7/1) we waited to boojk our fares hoping to catch a break, we never got one we spent $1200USD on each fare from Cleveland to Pisa via Gatwick. I would say start looking casually now,if you see a fare below $800 don't wait book it!<BR><BR>As for our accomodations, I found a delightful agriturismo in Gaiole in Chianti, which fitted our itinerary beautifully. I love staying at one place for a week, settling in a bit and taking day trips. Travel is so much more leisurely this way. If you have the time and scehdule permits I really recommend this route, if your time is shorter stay at a reputable B&amp;B/small hotel or rent an apt. if you are in a city, this is ideal in Venice, Florence, or any other larger city.<BR><BR>Car rental is a breeze and driving couldn't be easier over there. Yes, some are driving very fast, but it is never a problem. Even the country roads are quite manageable, they are very winding and twisty but just anticipate what may be around the corner and you'll be fine.<BR><BR>Suggestions for stays: Venice - hotel Bauer Grunewald or city apt.; Florence -Monna Lisa, I'd opt for a rental in Fiesole on the outskirts of the city (with a pool, it was so hot last June). If considering the Tuscan countryside check out slowtrav.com for agriturismo rec's. Good luck!

Jean

If you have only two weeks, I'd leave Amalfi for another trip. It will take you the better part of a day to get there from Rome and the same on the return (unless you can fly home from Naples).<BR><BR>I don't know your hotel budget, but we just returned from two weeks in Rome and Sorrento. Rome hotel was Fontanella Borghese at 191 euros. Great location about mid-way between the Spanish Steps and the Tiber. Very helpful staff (including the owner) and quiet rooms. In Sorrento, we stayed at the Bellevue Syrene at 205 euros. (If you can afford it, the Bay-view rooms at 255 euros are wonderful.) Syrene's huge buffet breakfast (included in room charge) must be worth $20-30 for two.<BR><BR>A few years ago, we stayed at the Hermitage in Florence. Loved this hotel across the street from the Ponte Vecchio. Don't know the current rates.