Honeymoon in Italy - Itinerary
Nov 24th, 2013, 07:49 PM
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Honeymoon in Italy - Itinerary
Hello everyone!
I recently posted a topic requesting help planning an itinerary for my honeymoon of 19 days between Greece, Italy and Paris. Naturally, our Fodors advisors (yourselves!) recommended to decrease the traveling, so my fiance and I have decided to concentrate solely on Italy. We are trying to plan our itinerary and need help from experts like yourselves.
We live in NYC and will be leaving Monday, September 1st, 2014, in the afternoon to Rome. We will be arriving to Rome around 6ish am on Tuesday, September 2nd.
From there, our next leg is the BIG question. After slaving for over a year to plan our large wedding, we want to go to a beach. I have done some serious research and, based off of what we want (hotel on the beach or at least a few steps from it), the beaches that match our criteria are Capri, Puglia, Taormina in Sicily, Ischia Island and Santa Teresa di Gallura. We want to be here until September 8th where we would like to take a flight or train to Venice.
We arrive in Venice same day in the early after noon and then depart on September 10th in the afternoon for Florence by train and arrive to Florence in the early evening.
We would leave Florence September 14th in the afternoon for Rome, arriving to Rome he same day in the early evening, and then leaving Rome back for NYC on September 19th in the early afternoon.
My main questions are:
1) Are there any cons to the beaches we have selected? I think we are favoring Taormina as it is in Sicily and can do some traveling around and visit Syracuse, although we like the Ischia Island idea and Capri because it is close to Napoli and we can visit Pompeii at some point.
2) For those who have travelled to those locations, any recommendations on hotels to stay at to, more specifically, NOT to stay at? Looking for beautiful hotels, nothing crazy expensive (probably between USD $250-400 a night for a very nice room with a sea view).
3) How are the amount of days in each place? Are we dedicating the right amount of time to Venice, Florence and Rome? We want to be there long enough where we don't feel we are rushing around seeing all the sights and museums. We want to be able to go calmly, but naturally not with all the time in the world.
4) I had read an article on here stating to not go through a travel agent, and opt for this website since many of you have travelled to these locations versus a travel agent who might not have and is pushing an agenda he/she knows nothing about. If you guys know a restaurant we must ABSOLUTELY try or a sight that must not be missed at one of these locations, please let me know!
Thank you so much for taking the time in helping me plan such an important event in my and my fiance's life.
I recently posted a topic requesting help planning an itinerary for my honeymoon of 19 days between Greece, Italy and Paris. Naturally, our Fodors advisors (yourselves!) recommended to decrease the traveling, so my fiance and I have decided to concentrate solely on Italy. We are trying to plan our itinerary and need help from experts like yourselves.
We live in NYC and will be leaving Monday, September 1st, 2014, in the afternoon to Rome. We will be arriving to Rome around 6ish am on Tuesday, September 2nd.
From there, our next leg is the BIG question. After slaving for over a year to plan our large wedding, we want to go to a beach. I have done some serious research and, based off of what we want (hotel on the beach or at least a few steps from it), the beaches that match our criteria are Capri, Puglia, Taormina in Sicily, Ischia Island and Santa Teresa di Gallura. We want to be here until September 8th where we would like to take a flight or train to Venice.
We arrive in Venice same day in the early after noon and then depart on September 10th in the afternoon for Florence by train and arrive to Florence in the early evening.
We would leave Florence September 14th in the afternoon for Rome, arriving to Rome he same day in the early evening, and then leaving Rome back for NYC on September 19th in the early afternoon.
My main questions are:
1) Are there any cons to the beaches we have selected? I think we are favoring Taormina as it is in Sicily and can do some traveling around and visit Syracuse, although we like the Ischia Island idea and Capri because it is close to Napoli and we can visit Pompeii at some point.
2) For those who have travelled to those locations, any recommendations on hotels to stay at to, more specifically, NOT to stay at? Looking for beautiful hotels, nothing crazy expensive (probably between USD $250-400 a night for a very nice room with a sea view).
3) How are the amount of days in each place? Are we dedicating the right amount of time to Venice, Florence and Rome? We want to be there long enough where we don't feel we are rushing around seeing all the sights and museums. We want to be able to go calmly, but naturally not with all the time in the world.
4) I had read an article on here stating to not go through a travel agent, and opt for this website since many of you have travelled to these locations versus a travel agent who might not have and is pushing an agenda he/she knows nothing about. If you guys know a restaurant we must ABSOLUTELY try or a sight that must not be missed at one of these locations, please let me know!
Thank you so much for taking the time in helping me plan such an important event in my and my fiance's life.
Nov 25th, 2013, 01:31 AM
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We were just on the coast north of Rome in Sept 2013, same time you are planning to go. FYI, the school year had not yet started so coastal areas were very popular with families that week.We did totally enjoy the beaches, seafood and vibe there and I would go back if I could. The Italians will ask you if you want a "rocky, pebble or sand beach" .Are you driving?
Nov 25th, 2013, 01:39 AM
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In terms of beaches, 8th Sept is out of the Italian holiday season so what might be busy on Aug 31 can be an empty beach (and no bars) a week later, so wherever you chose check the local tourist information for opening times, you will be amazed how quickly stuff loses down.
Despite wanting beaches I would also chose a heated pool just in case
I'd start with tripadvisor for hotels
You are not clear how long you are in Rome.
Venice for two nights is a little short changed I'd stretch it to three nights.
Florence for 4 nights is great and you could just get by with 3 (actually you need about 20 but looking at the tourist spots 3)
Restaurants, again I'd start with TA and then come back here for comments on each.
Despite wanting beaches I would also chose a heated pool just in case
I'd start with tripadvisor for hotels
You are not clear how long you are in Rome.
Venice for two nights is a little short changed I'd stretch it to three nights.
Florence for 4 nights is great and you could just get by with 3 (actually you need about 20 but looking at the tourist spots 3)
Restaurants, again I'd start with TA and then come back here for comments on each.
Nov 25th, 2013, 03:59 AM
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Snowgirls: At the moment, we haven't decided if we will have a car or not. We will not be driving from one destination to the other, but we know at some islands or beaches you have to have a car, so we know it's an option. We do't particularly mind whether the beach is rocky, pebble or sandy, as long as the water is crystal blue and you can go swimming in it.Naturally, a sandy beach would be preferred, but we aren't pushy.
bilboburgler: Thank you for your advice on the tourism dying out. I will check on that before making a decision. We are in Rome from September 14th until September 19th, but we would leave probably around noon September 19th so can't consider it a full day there. Yes, tripadvisor has been amazing so far.
bilboburgler: Thank you for your advice on the tourism dying out. I will check on that before making a decision. We are in Rome from September 14th until September 19th, but we would leave probably around noon September 19th so can't consider it a full day there. Yes, tripadvisor has been amazing so far.
Nov 25th, 2013, 06:39 AM
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You don't really need a car for most of your trip. Depending on where you choose to go for your beach location, you may want one there.
I can only speak to the beaches at Taormina and Capri. Both require funiculars to reach the beach from most hotels so are not especially convenient. The beaches near Taormina are pebbly as are the beaches on Capri (although there may b3 some sandy beaches here). Positano, which you didn't mention, has hotels with beaches. Some are sandy.
I can only speak to the beaches at Taormina and Capri. Both require funiculars to reach the beach from most hotels so are not especially convenient. The beaches near Taormina are pebbly as are the beaches on Capri (although there may b3 some sandy beaches here). Positano, which you didn't mention, has hotels with beaches. Some are sandy.
Nov 25th, 2013, 08:45 AM
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Florence dining:
Buca Mario [very popular. Try the lasagna verde];
Il Latina [7:30 or 9: 30 reservation, be on time]
Family style, tables for four. As a couple you will
sit with someone else.
Rome:
Antica Boheme [try the antipasto plate; closed Sunday]
Al Boschetto [equal quality, roomier and quieter; Open Sunday]
Buca Mario [very popular. Try the lasagna verde];
Il Latina [7:30 or 9: 30 reservation, be on time]
Family style, tables for four. As a couple you will
sit with someone else.
Rome:
Antica Boheme [try the antipasto plate; closed Sunday]
Al Boschetto [equal quality, roomier and quieter; Open Sunday]
Nov 25th, 2013, 11:43 AM
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This is a destination wedding, right? Because if you're from the US or Canada and going to Italy primarily for the beaches, switch to the Caribbean.
That said, the Positano beaches will be closer to your needs than Capri's. I've not been to Sicily. But at least at Positano the beachfront meets hotel-front in various places and the photos you take looking back up into town could be retouched and resold to pay your trip just because: POSITANO PANORAMIC.
That said, the Positano beaches will be closer to your needs than Capri's. I've not been to Sicily. But at least at Positano the beachfront meets hotel-front in various places and the photos you take looking back up into town could be retouched and resold to pay your trip just because: POSITANO PANORAMIC.
Nov 27th, 2013, 01:30 AM
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I travelled to Italy in September 13 and found that 2 nights in Venice is far too short. It becomes a bit rushed and there isn't enough time to see everything as well as relax and take it all in. If possible, I would add more nights to Venice, 1 or 2 extra would be much better.
