Honeymoon-- Trip Report Part 1 Amalfi Coast
Oct 25th, 2006, 08:17 AM
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Hey robyn,
Glad to hear you liked the wild boar at Grappolo Blu, so perfect with the Brunello, si? And the hot chocolate cake, killer too! You are making me drool remembering....
Really enjoying your report. Sounds like you had a wonderful trip.
Glad to hear you liked the wild boar at Grappolo Blu, so perfect with the Brunello, si? And the hot chocolate cake, killer too! You are making me drool remembering....
Really enjoying your report. Sounds like you had a wonderful trip.
Oct 25th, 2006, 09:02 AM
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Montebenichi-
www.castelletto.it
The hamlet is full of kitties- they are everywhere I look
The service and accomodations are top notch- We come home from dinner and have mats by our feet and the bed has been turned down w/ candies on the pillows. The grounds are relaxing and we do take advantage of this.....however we learned a little about ourselves on this trip and for future trips. We were happier paying less in Montalcino. Everyone should know that when staying at the Castelletto you must have a car and there is NO town to walk around, we knew this but truly enjoy the atmosphere of a town to explore especially before and after dinner. You can get to other towns very easily such as San Gusme also charming ( 15 mins by car) There is 1 restaurant in this tiny town which happen to be closed our first night but we did get to eat there our last night, more on that later.....all good stuff.
The owner is wonderful and if you are looking for a hidden getaway...a place to soak in the landscape and relax then you will enjoy. We just felt that when traveling Italy- you are barely at your B&B or hotel I would rather save this level of service for the islands...IMO.
So our second day we head to Siena....we are well rested and need the action again. Siena.....Our Favorite......It did take us quite some time to get parking...we finally did ...both DH and I were a bit annoyed..when I say a little time..we left at 9:30 and didn't get into to walled city till about noon. We had been warned to remember where we park our car.....a couple staying at the Castelletto said they lost their car and it took them awhile to find. We finally make it inside and just love it....We climbed the 87 meters to the top of the tower and the inside of the Duomo- we got to see the floors uncovered- which many of you may know is covered most of the year. After about 4 or 5 hours we decide to head back to the castle but first must find a Mail Box Etc to mail home our wine- This was another adventure that I will not get into....we finally found it on a side street and were very happy to have our wine on its way home. Oh but first- I almost forgot...we lost our car too!!! We truly thought we followed our steps but we too got disoriented and walked the entire fortress walls before getting to our car.....We decide on the way home to have dinner in the hamlet- later find out they are booked....no biggie the next night....For dinner this night we choose a restaurant that my parents had been to in San Gusme - more on that later. Our final day in Montebenichi we decide we'll visit Castello Di Brolio in the am-just the winey not the castle and then come back and relax and enjoy the grounds on our way back we see an outdoor market so I jump out of the car and buy some cheese, bread and tomatos to take back for a little picnic- we are heading to Venice next and know the next two days are going to be full and busy. The first half of the day we enjoy but truthfully after lunch I am bored- I know we both shouldn't admit this but again remember no town to walk around so if staying here you have to be in a certain mode. Our last night we have dinner in the town where other couples we have met are also dining and have a excellent evening.
Next up
Dinners in Montebenichi-
www.castelletto.it
The hamlet is full of kitties- they are everywhere I look
The service and accomodations are top notch- We come home from dinner and have mats by our feet and the bed has been turned down w/ candies on the pillows. The grounds are relaxing and we do take advantage of this.....however we learned a little about ourselves on this trip and for future trips. We were happier paying less in Montalcino. Everyone should know that when staying at the Castelletto you must have a car and there is NO town to walk around, we knew this but truly enjoy the atmosphere of a town to explore especially before and after dinner. You can get to other towns very easily such as San Gusme also charming ( 15 mins by car) There is 1 restaurant in this tiny town which happen to be closed our first night but we did get to eat there our last night, more on that later.....all good stuff.
The owner is wonderful and if you are looking for a hidden getaway...a place to soak in the landscape and relax then you will enjoy. We just felt that when traveling Italy- you are barely at your B&B or hotel I would rather save this level of service for the islands...IMO.
So our second day we head to Siena....we are well rested and need the action again. Siena.....Our Favorite......It did take us quite some time to get parking...we finally did ...both DH and I were a bit annoyed..when I say a little time..we left at 9:30 and didn't get into to walled city till about noon. We had been warned to remember where we park our car.....a couple staying at the Castelletto said they lost their car and it took them awhile to find. We finally make it inside and just love it....We climbed the 87 meters to the top of the tower and the inside of the Duomo- we got to see the floors uncovered- which many of you may know is covered most of the year. After about 4 or 5 hours we decide to head back to the castle but first must find a Mail Box Etc to mail home our wine- This was another adventure that I will not get into....we finally found it on a side street and were very happy to have our wine on its way home. Oh but first- I almost forgot...we lost our car too!!! We truly thought we followed our steps but we too got disoriented and walked the entire fortress walls before getting to our car.....We decide on the way home to have dinner in the hamlet- later find out they are booked....no biggie the next night....For dinner this night we choose a restaurant that my parents had been to in San Gusme - more on that later. Our final day in Montebenichi we decide we'll visit Castello Di Brolio in the am-just the winey not the castle and then come back and relax and enjoy the grounds on our way back we see an outdoor market so I jump out of the car and buy some cheese, bread and tomatos to take back for a little picnic- we are heading to Venice next and know the next two days are going to be full and busy. The first half of the day we enjoy but truthfully after lunch I am bored- I know we both shouldn't admit this but again remember no town to walk around so if staying here you have to be in a certain mode. Our last night we have dinner in the town where other couples we have met are also dining and have a excellent evening.
Next up
Dinners in Montebenichi-
Oct 25th, 2006, 09:47 AM
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HoneymooninItaly - You are a cat lover, were in Rome, and didn't go to the Cat Sanctuary? Or did you and I missed it?
www.romancats.com
www.romancats.com
Oct 28th, 2006, 07:14 AM
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A warning to those that are interested in buying wine and shipping it back to the states. I purchased, via Master Card fortunately, a dozen bottles from Antonio Mansi in Ravello - 38, Via Roma, 84010 Ravello (Sa) - Costiera Amalfitana - Italy. I would recommend NOT buying from Enoteca Mansi for the following reasons: 1) he promised to ship the following Monday, and only after repeate d emails, phone calls and disputing the charge from the credit card company did I receive the wines three weeks later and 2) he had promised $130 Euro for shipping 12 bottles and I was charged $168 Euro. Do not trust this dealer - I am not sure of the outcome had I paid with cash instead of credit.
Oct 28th, 2006, 02:24 PM
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Thanks for posting your trip report, Robyn. It sounds as if you had a wonderful time. Your pictures are beautiful! How did the clothes/packing situation work out? I followed your packing thread/journey very closely, and I'm curious. 
Oct 30th, 2006, 05:07 AM
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Lucy D
I know I have one more chapter to finish in my trip report and will do that today....
as for the packing.....if you are traveling by train take the advice and bring a small suitcase----if you are traveling by car as we did the majority of the time it wasn't an issue having a slightly larger suitcase. I saw many with the smaller ones and truly stared in amazement that they fit all that they needed in there...mix and match is fine but things add up. We had truly perfect fall weather, it was very smart I had a light weight fleece with me and my pashmina. We were lucky and did not need to use our rainjackets. I did bring 2 pairs of jeans and wore them both to death same with the black gaucho pants. The flip flops were comfortable but not completely appropriate or fashionable in the cities in the fall. I did buy a pair of shoes in Rome. I wore my sneakers and never wore my heels.....flat cute shoes that can be wore during the day or evening is perfect...Camper had a few pairs as well as Sierra Trading Post. Will write more later.
Robyn
I know I have one more chapter to finish in my trip report and will do that today....
as for the packing.....if you are traveling by train take the advice and bring a small suitcase----if you are traveling by car as we did the majority of the time it wasn't an issue having a slightly larger suitcase. I saw many with the smaller ones and truly stared in amazement that they fit all that they needed in there...mix and match is fine but things add up. We had truly perfect fall weather, it was very smart I had a light weight fleece with me and my pashmina. We were lucky and did not need to use our rainjackets. I did bring 2 pairs of jeans and wore them both to death same with the black gaucho pants. The flip flops were comfortable but not completely appropriate or fashionable in the cities in the fall. I did buy a pair of shoes in Rome. I wore my sneakers and never wore my heels.....flat cute shoes that can be wore during the day or evening is perfect...Camper had a few pairs as well as Sierra Trading Post. Will write more later.
Robyn
Oct 31st, 2006, 05:55 AM
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almost done.....two more chapters to go...
Dinners in Montebenichi
The first night we wanted to something light and had excellent pizza
at L'Antico Portale in Capannole about 15 mins from the castle.
La Porta Del Chianti - San Gusme
A charming little hamlet also about 15 mins from the castle. We had very high expectations for this place as my parents had raved about it.
The atmosphere is wonderful and romantic.
The appetizer - polenta and porcini mushrooms was very good as was the porcini mushroom risotto we shared. The filet with porcini mushrooms was a bit disappoionting as it was quite fatty and at this point we were over all the porcini mushrooms---all ended well with an amazing chocolate lava cake/souffle. And the wine of course was perfect.
The last night in Montebenichi was at at the Osteria in the town....
Osteria L'Orciaia- Excellent
Not only are you dining with other guests from the castles so conversation keep the mood upbeat. The restaurant is small but the menu is authentic.
We started with pinci with garlic and tomato---YUM....next we shared a roasted pork loin which was outstanding and for dessert we had fresh strawberries/ricotta crepes......and the wine was as always excellent.
We are definately not starving on this trip.
Next up Venice-----We wished we had more time here...next time I would start here.
Dinners in Montebenichi
The first night we wanted to something light and had excellent pizza
at L'Antico Portale in Capannole about 15 mins from the castle.
La Porta Del Chianti - San Gusme
A charming little hamlet also about 15 mins from the castle. We had very high expectations for this place as my parents had raved about it.
The atmosphere is wonderful and romantic.
The appetizer - polenta and porcini mushrooms was very good as was the porcini mushroom risotto we shared. The filet with porcini mushrooms was a bit disappoionting as it was quite fatty and at this point we were over all the porcini mushrooms---all ended well with an amazing chocolate lava cake/souffle. And the wine of course was perfect.
The last night in Montebenichi was at at the Osteria in the town....
Osteria L'Orciaia- Excellent
Not only are you dining with other guests from the castles so conversation keep the mood upbeat. The restaurant is small but the menu is authentic.
We started with pinci with garlic and tomato---YUM....next we shared a roasted pork loin which was outstanding and for dessert we had fresh strawberries/ricotta crepes......and the wine was as always excellent.
We are definately not starving on this trip.
Next up Venice-----We wished we had more time here...next time I would start here.
Nov 6th, 2006, 07:21 AM
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I know I have been MIA for a few days and have just one more chapter to go.....
Venice
We drove from Montebenichi...about 5 hours to Venice..dropped our rental car off at Piazza Roma..VERY easy. Took our luggage a short distance...Vaporetto a few stops and then a short walk to our B&B.
Ca Dogaressa- excellent location, super friendly owners and beautiful rooms.
We arrived in Venice at our hotel around 2pm and it was much warmer than it had been in Tuscany.....good thing for layers as everyone advises.
We went to the room...showered..changed and headed out to explore. We truly squeezed in a lot in the short amount of time we had in Venice. This was my second visit ..DH's first....and this time the weather was perfect. We headed out and wandered through the amazing streets towards the Rialto Bridge....and then San Marco's Square. DH was really looking forward to this. And it met all his expectations. Even with all the people its still magical. We made our way to San Marco's Square ..DH fed the pigeons....sort of gross but also very funny and we got some great photos. On our way back we walked through the Jewish Ghetto and decided where to go for dinner.......pizza!
Saturday we woke up and this was it ..we were on our last day in Italy. We headed back to St. Mark's ...went to the top of the bell tower..got some great pictures...went into the basilica and wandered towards San Giacomo and had lunch. Il Rifolo- Excellent pizza..a bit pricey but worth it. This was a wondeful neighboorhood...all locals. Around 4pm we headed over to Burano.....what a charming and beautiful town. We had dinner here.....Riva Rosa.
After walking around Burano for a little while, its not that big..we really went a bit too early but wanted to catch the sunlight. We sat at a cafe and had cappuccino and espresso and watched the people around us. Dinner was at Riva Rosa. A new restaurant... Lorenzo the owner is charming and the food is very good. The restaurant is beautiful. We hope he and his family have great success there.
Back to the room...packing and prepare for the flight home.
We woke up to another great breakfast...I am going to miss Nutella but I will be back for more.
Truthfully we were both getting a bit homesick and ready to get back to the routine and our cats.
The water taxi picked us up on time...right to the Venice airport..very easy.
I want to mention the security at Venice airport...extremely secure. We went through 4 checkpoints..including one after the gate before entering the plane. There was a woman complaining about I think her lipstick but I held my tongue...I know this is another topic that could drag on and on. Just something we noticed.
The flight home was smooth...a little help from xanex made the time go super fast.....we were extremely happy to land in the US and see DH's parents. We had such a wonderful honeymoon and experience..memories that we will have forever...and now we are planning our return...Hopefully 2008
Thanks for reading....if you have any questions about restaurants, hotels...or comments...I would love to hear them.
Robyn
Venice
We drove from Montebenichi...about 5 hours to Venice..dropped our rental car off at Piazza Roma..VERY easy. Took our luggage a short distance...Vaporetto a few stops and then a short walk to our B&B.
Ca Dogaressa- excellent location, super friendly owners and beautiful rooms.
We arrived in Venice at our hotel around 2pm and it was much warmer than it had been in Tuscany.....good thing for layers as everyone advises.
We went to the room...showered..changed and headed out to explore. We truly squeezed in a lot in the short amount of time we had in Venice. This was my second visit ..DH's first....and this time the weather was perfect. We headed out and wandered through the amazing streets towards the Rialto Bridge....and then San Marco's Square. DH was really looking forward to this. And it met all his expectations. Even with all the people its still magical. We made our way to San Marco's Square ..DH fed the pigeons....sort of gross but also very funny and we got some great photos. On our way back we walked through the Jewish Ghetto and decided where to go for dinner.......pizza!
Saturday we woke up and this was it ..we were on our last day in Italy. We headed back to St. Mark's ...went to the top of the bell tower..got some great pictures...went into the basilica and wandered towards San Giacomo and had lunch. Il Rifolo- Excellent pizza..a bit pricey but worth it. This was a wondeful neighboorhood...all locals. Around 4pm we headed over to Burano.....what a charming and beautiful town. We had dinner here.....Riva Rosa.
After walking around Burano for a little while, its not that big..we really went a bit too early but wanted to catch the sunlight. We sat at a cafe and had cappuccino and espresso and watched the people around us. Dinner was at Riva Rosa. A new restaurant... Lorenzo the owner is charming and the food is very good. The restaurant is beautiful. We hope he and his family have great success there.
Back to the room...packing and prepare for the flight home.
We woke up to another great breakfast...I am going to miss Nutella but I will be back for more.
Truthfully we were both getting a bit homesick and ready to get back to the routine and our cats.
The water taxi picked us up on time...right to the Venice airport..very easy.
I want to mention the security at Venice airport...extremely secure. We went through 4 checkpoints..including one after the gate before entering the plane. There was a woman complaining about I think her lipstick but I held my tongue...I know this is another topic that could drag on and on. Just something we noticed.
The flight home was smooth...a little help from xanex made the time go super fast.....we were extremely happy to land in the US and see DH's parents. We had such a wonderful honeymoon and experience..memories that we will have forever...and now we are planning our return...Hopefully 2008
Thanks for reading....if you have any questions about restaurants, hotels...or comments...I would love to hear them.
Robyn
Nov 6th, 2006, 07:50 AM
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Congratulations! We got back from our honeymoon on 10/29. Great informative report. We can feel your joy and excitement coming out in your stories. Sounds like you had a memorable time. We also new when it was time to come home and see all of our friends and family. We have our Venice, Prague and Budapest report posted. Hopefully, you guys are still reminiscing about the honeymoon like we are. We have been to some of the places you went to so I can't see why you still wouldn't be. Good luck.
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