If you were to splurge... which city?
Dec 13th, 2004, 06:22 PM
#1
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If you were to splurge... which city?
Our trip is Sept 05, two weeks, 4 people.
Current itinerary is btwn: Rome -> Soutern Tuscany -> Chianti -> Venice
OR
Milan -> Lake Como -> Chianti/Bologna(?) -> Venice
We're letting the airfare decide the destination for us, as we can't make up our own minds! And, yes I know some of you will feel like 4 moves is too many in 14 days, last time we did 5 in two weeks and we were A-ok with it, but I don't really want to debate the itinerary right now. Back to the topic at hand...
Where would YOU choose to splurge, if you went 'budget' in the other three destinations? (whatever budget means to you)
Would you splurge in...Rome, Venice, Milan, Chianti, Lake Como or Bologna?
Also, does it matter if you splurge on the first few days of your stay? In the middle? At the end?
Input please!
Current itinerary is btwn: Rome -> Soutern Tuscany -> Chianti -> Venice
OR
Milan -> Lake Como -> Chianti/Bologna(?) -> Venice
We're letting the airfare decide the destination for us, as we can't make up our own minds! And, yes I know some of you will feel like 4 moves is too many in 14 days, last time we did 5 in two weeks and we were A-ok with it, but I don't really want to debate the itinerary right now. Back to the topic at hand...
Where would YOU choose to splurge, if you went 'budget' in the other three destinations? (whatever budget means to you)
Would you splurge in...Rome, Venice, Milan, Chianti, Lake Como or Bologna?
Also, does it matter if you splurge on the first few days of your stay? In the middle? At the end?
Input please!
Dec 13th, 2004, 06:38 PM
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I probably would pick Rome. There are so many choices. Try to get some suggestions from the "board", but also from locals as to the places in which to splurge. My second choice would be Milan.
I would do it closer to the end of the trip. By that time you probably have a better sense of the definition of a "splurge" in the environment where you are; you may welcome a rest from your itinerary, and lastly, the splurge leaves you with a pleasant crowning memory of your trip.
I would do it closer to the end of the trip. By that time you probably have a better sense of the definition of a "splurge" in the environment where you are; you may welcome a rest from your itinerary, and lastly, the splurge leaves you with a pleasant crowning memory of your trip.
Dec 13th, 2004, 08:00 PM
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My experience has been that Venice will require the need to "splurge". I just haven't seen as nice hotels for cheap there as I have in the other places you mention.
Of course, with a little work and luck you can avoid splurging at any of them.
Of course, with a little work and luck you can avoid splurging at any of them.
Dec 13th, 2004, 11:16 PM
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Well, hard question in a way to answer because you do not have your iternary planned but I have to agree with Patrick. If you are going to "splurge" somewhere I would make in Venice. I would definetly get a room overlooking the Grand Canal by the way. Have a great trip.
Dec 13th, 2004, 11:55 PM
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This is how my trip planning tends to go. Say I start out by getting a great deal on a hotel at my first destination. Then I think - how can I be unfair to the second destination and not get as nice a place there? And so on for the third destination.
At a piano recital, the teacher typically places the beginning students at the start, and the program progresses in order of the students' achievements. This is because if you place the most advanced student at the start, all the other students will look worse by comparison.
So, if you end up with your best hotel at the end, then you won't have the feeling of having stepped down, which can be disheartening.
At a piano recital, the teacher typically places the beginning students at the start, and the program progresses in order of the students' achievements. This is because if you place the most advanced student at the start, all the other students will look worse by comparison.
So, if you end up with your best hotel at the end, then you won't have the feeling of having stepped down, which can be disheartening.
Dec 14th, 2004, 12:30 AM
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Since everyone needs/wants different amounts of time in places I don't think moving four times in 14 days is "too many"
I agree with splurging in Venice; you don't really need to do so IMO at Lake Como to get decent lake views and be well-located.
A canal view could be quite memorable if that sort of thing is important and it certainly would be for me.
Have a great trip.
I agree with splurging in Venice; you don't really need to do so IMO at Lake Como to get decent lake views and be well-located.
A canal view could be quite memorable if that sort of thing is important and it certainly would be for me.
Have a great trip.
It will also leave you with a smile at the end.
Dec 14th, 2004, 04:19 AM
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Even though flight costs are going to dictate your itinerary, I really believe that the first option (Rome, southern Tuscany, Chianti, and Venice) is a superior way to go, and paying a little more in transportation costs (if that is how it would turn out) would be worth it.
But anyway, I throw my vote in for splurging in Venice.
--Marv
Dec 14th, 2004, 01:31 PM
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Ah Ira, that is a good question. I assumed (and we all know about that) that trvelphile was referring to hotels.
Travelphile were you referring to hotels or a host of things, restaurants, shopping etc. also.
If more than hotels I would change my answer.
Travelphile were you referring to hotels or a host of things, restaurants, shopping etc. also.
If more than hotels I would change my answer.
Dec 14th, 2004, 03:03 PM
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For those of you that suggested Venice for the splurge - what hotels would you have in mine?
We have reservations in September - and are not on the Grand Canal. We're at Locanda Orseolo. Will we regret not being on the Grand Canal? Are rooms noisy?
Linda
We have reservations in September - and are not on the Grand Canal. We're at Locanda Orseolo. Will we regret not being on the Grand Canal? Are rooms noisy?
Linda
Dec 14th, 2004, 03:21 PM
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landcochran, personally I like a hotel with a room overlooking the Grand Canal. But if I could not get one, whether the reason being budget or availability it certainly would not stop me from going to Venice.
Dec 14th, 2004, 03:39 PM
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landcochran,
We stayed at the Locanda Orseolo in August. We loved the place. It is on a small canal upon which gondoliers travel. Our room overlooked it and it was lovely. The rooms on the otherside of the building overlooking an interier courtyard - not gorgeous, but not ugly either - and I imagine those rooms are quieter (and less expensive). I would stay with the Locanda if I were you. The breakfast area there overlooks the same small canal especially if they open up the window.
Best wishes,
Sally
We stayed at the Locanda Orseolo in August. We loved the place. It is on a small canal upon which gondoliers travel. Our room overlooked it and it was lovely. The rooms on the otherside of the building overlooking an interier courtyard - not gorgeous, but not ugly either - and I imagine those rooms are quieter (and less expensive). I would stay with the Locanda if I were you. The breakfast area there overlooks the same small canal especially if they open up the window.
Best wishes,
Sally
Dec 14th, 2004, 05:11 PM
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Another possibility - it costs a lot less to splurge in Tuscany than in Rome or Venice. For the price of a one or two star hotel in Rome or Venice, you can stay at a three or four star very luxurious hotel or agriturismo in Tuscany.
We have found a splurge in the countryside or in a small town to be a great contrast to a somewhat hectic stay in Rome or Venice.
Our favorite thing to do is stay at an agriturisimo where the owners supply dinner. This is where we have definitely had the best food we have eaten anywhere in Italy, and for a very reasonable price.
One of our favorite itineraries is to fly into Venice.It is a great place to enjoy while recovering from jet lag. Then we take the train to Florence and rent a car. We drive through Tuscany to Umbria staying in nice hotels in small towns and at agriturisimos. We are always struck by how much more you can get for your euros away from big cities. We return the car in Orvieto and take a one hour train trip to Rome. We are ready for the high energy level of Rome as a great place to end our trip.
.
We have found a splurge in the countryside or in a small town to be a great contrast to a somewhat hectic stay in Rome or Venice.
Our favorite thing to do is stay at an agriturisimo where the owners supply dinner. This is where we have definitely had the best food we have eaten anywhere in Italy, and for a very reasonable price.
One of our favorite itineraries is to fly into Venice.It is a great place to enjoy while recovering from jet lag. Then we take the train to Florence and rent a car. We drive through Tuscany to Umbria staying in nice hotels in small towns and at agriturisimos. We are always struck by how much more you can get for your euros away from big cities. We return the car in Orvieto and take a one hour train trip to Rome. We are ready for the high energy level of Rome as a great place to end our trip.
.
Dec 14th, 2004, 06:04 PM
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Well... When I initially wrote this message, I had more details - such as what a 'splurge' was to me - but I decided to see what the board felt was a splurge. To me, its hotel & dining - I'm not so much of a shopper. Drinks at the Danielli one night perhaps? (worth it???) Hotel with a view, and restaurants that get rave reviews here. Usually we just sort of eat where we end up - its served us well, and while I bring a lot of research, usually its easier to see what's in the area we end up in when we are hungry. However, since Venice is more easily navigated (IMHO), than some of the other locales, I would make stellar dining plans based on the love of fellow Fodorites.
While I wanted the views of other travelers, my initial thought was for Venice to be the splurge. I fell in LOVE with La Serenissima the first time I was there - 4 days in 2000. We stayed at the Giorgione, which was fabulous, but I'm feeling like I need to have a canal view on this trip. I'm torn - loved the service and location of Giorgione, but having a canal view sounds exquisite. (and the G apparently has realized they are wonderful, their rates have skyrocketed!)
Sally - I think I agree with your views on the Tuscany splurge being more moderate money-wise. It seems like with renting an agritourismo for 4, we can get a pretty darn nice place at a reasonable price - so I feel I would need to splurge in one of the cities.
LoveItaly - would you mind sharing your favorite Grand Canal views? I can probably do some research on your posts too...
And yes, you all picked up that with either itinerary we must end in Venice. I'm leaning towards doing the north, Into/out of Milan or Venice. And leaving Rome, southern Tuscany, and Almafi coast for another trip in a few years. We spent 4 days on Lake Garda last trip, LOVED the mountains, so thinking about Como this time around... So torn... the others I'm traveling with have never been out of the country - I feel like they need to see Rome, but we have PLENTY to do in 14 days in the Northern area... Sigh...I think I may be rambling now...
While I wanted the views of other travelers, my initial thought was for Venice to be the splurge. I fell in LOVE with La Serenissima the first time I was there - 4 days in 2000. We stayed at the Giorgione, which was fabulous, but I'm feeling like I need to have a canal view on this trip. I'm torn - loved the service and location of Giorgione, but having a canal view sounds exquisite. (and the G apparently has realized they are wonderful, their rates have skyrocketed!)
Sally - I think I agree with your views on the Tuscany splurge being more moderate money-wise. It seems like with renting an agritourismo for 4, we can get a pretty darn nice place at a reasonable price - so I feel I would need to splurge in one of the cities.
LoveItaly - would you mind sharing your favorite Grand Canal views? I can probably do some research on your posts too...
And yes, you all picked up that with either itinerary we must end in Venice. I'm leaning towards doing the north, Into/out of Milan or Venice. And leaving Rome, southern Tuscany, and Almafi coast for another trip in a few years. We spent 4 days on Lake Garda last trip, LOVED the mountains, so thinking about Como this time around... So torn... the others I'm traveling with have never been out of the country - I feel like they need to see Rome, but we have PLENTY to do in 14 days in the Northern area... Sigh...I think I may be rambling now...
Dec 15th, 2004, 09:03 AM
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SRS - Thanks for the input - I'm going to stay with my plan - we do have a canal view room at Locanda Orseolo
Sally - your itinerary was almost the exact same as we have mapped out. Is it difficult driving a rental car out of Florence?
Linda
Sally - your itinerary was almost the exact same as we have mapped out. Is it difficult driving a rental car out of Florence?
Linda
Dec 15th, 2004, 10:09 AM
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You can pick up a rental car(Auto Europe) a few blocks from the Florence train station. Follow the map they will give you, and it just takes a few minutes to get out of Florence.
We took a taxi from the train station to the car rental place even though it was not far away. This was easier than trying to find it on foot.
We took a taxi from the train station to the car rental place even though it was not far away. This was easier than trying to find it on foot.
