italy in 7 days
Jun 19th, 2010, 12:05 PM
#21
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In order to avoid spending the better part of the seven days on the road, I think I would do one of the following:
Fly into Florence, rent a car, spend 4 days in Tuscany, including a day trip to Florence and then go to Rome for 3 days and fly out of Rome; or
Fly into Rome, spend 3 days in Rome, drive or train to the Amalfi area, spend 4 days, including Capri, and fly out of Naples.
Fly into Florence, rent a car, spend 4 days in Tuscany, including a day trip to Florence and then go to Rome for 3 days and fly out of Rome; or
Fly into Rome, spend 3 days in Rome, drive or train to the Amalfi area, spend 4 days, including Capri, and fly out of Naples.
Jun 19th, 2010, 12:53 PM
#23
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Rose, I'm glad to see you are adjusting your expectations. You are not being wishy-washy. You are learning the realities of trveling to Italy. Zeppole and mamcalice both have do-able ideas for your trip. You just have to decide which 2 or 3 things are most important to you.
As for the heat: if you are used to Florida in the summer you probably will find the heat in Italy OK. I'm from the San Francisco are and I find it unbearable, but you'll be fine.
I'll tell you a secret: you WILL go back to Italy!! Everyone does. We're going to go back for about the 15th time this fall!
As for the heat: if you are used to Florida in the summer you probably will find the heat in Italy OK. I'm from the San Francisco are and I find it unbearable, but you'll be fine.
I'll tell you a secret: you WILL go back to Italy!! Everyone does. We're going to go back for about the 15th time this fall!
Jun 20th, 2010, 11:37 PM
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Given your interest in night life, I suggest you stay in Santa Margherita Ligure or Sestri Levante.
If you are flying into Milano, getting to Santa Margherita Ligure would be shorter.
If you are flying into Pisa, Sestri Levante is the shorter trip.
Santa Margherita Ligure is the more sophisticated, wealthier place, next door to Portofino, and with a lot of weekenders from Milan. It has hotels in all price ranges, including some historic luxury hotell. For lower prices, check out Hotel Minerva and B&B La Luna. The modest hotels are often just as enjoyable as the fancy ones.
Sestri Levante is a less exclusive destination for Italian beach lovers, with its beachfront lined with cafes, bars, restaurants and gelaterie. It has two sand beaches. Its hotels cater less to foreign tourists, and therefore are much quirkier. Some places to check out are Hotel Helvatia, Hotel Miramare and Albergo Marina.
Both are pretty towns and both are located so that you can visit le Cinque Terre and Portofino.
I live not far from these places so I never stay in hotels there. You need to check out TripAdvsor reviews, and venere.com reviews for the places I've mentioned.
When you look for hotels, you also need to make sure that you can walk to the train station and the beach from the hotel. Some hotels in these towns are up in the hills, and you would need a car. But there are many hotels on the waterfront or just steps away.
You can of course stay in one of the five tiny towns of le Cinque Terre, but even in mid-July you are not going to find any nightlife in the tiny towns, but you are going to find it wall-to-wall with tourists. If you think you would be happier in tiny fishing village, perched on a cliff, check out staying in one of the five towns. There are plenty of choices, but you need to book fast for mid-July if you want a view.
If you stay in Santa Margherita Ligure, pick up your rental car in Rapallo.
If you stay in Sestri Levante or one of the le Cinque Terre towns, pick up your rental car in La Spezia.
If you are flying into Milano, getting to Santa Margherita Ligure would be shorter.
If you are flying into Pisa, Sestri Levante is the shorter trip.
Santa Margherita Ligure is the more sophisticated, wealthier place, next door to Portofino, and with a lot of weekenders from Milan. It has hotels in all price ranges, including some historic luxury hotell. For lower prices, check out Hotel Minerva and B&B La Luna. The modest hotels are often just as enjoyable as the fancy ones.
Sestri Levante is a less exclusive destination for Italian beach lovers, with its beachfront lined with cafes, bars, restaurants and gelaterie. It has two sand beaches. Its hotels cater less to foreign tourists, and therefore are much quirkier. Some places to check out are Hotel Helvatia, Hotel Miramare and Albergo Marina.
Both are pretty towns and both are located so that you can visit le Cinque Terre and Portofino.
I live not far from these places so I never stay in hotels there. You need to check out TripAdvsor reviews, and venere.com reviews for the places I've mentioned.
When you look for hotels, you also need to make sure that you can walk to the train station and the beach from the hotel. Some hotels in these towns are up in the hills, and you would need a car. But there are many hotels on the waterfront or just steps away.
You can of course stay in one of the five tiny towns of le Cinque Terre, but even in mid-July you are not going to find any nightlife in the tiny towns, but you are going to find it wall-to-wall with tourists. If you think you would be happier in tiny fishing village, perched on a cliff, check out staying in one of the five towns. There are plenty of choices, but you need to book fast for mid-July if you want a view.
If you stay in Santa Margherita Ligure, pick up your rental car in Rapallo.
If you stay in Sestri Levante or one of the le Cinque Terre towns, pick up your rental car in La Spezia.
Jun 28th, 2010, 04:17 PM
#28
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i booked a hotel at hotel paraggi, i like the modern look to it and thought there may be less children. is this still in distance to the train and other attrations if i dont have a car. any suggestions? also from there i am trying to book a room for 3 nights in tuscany prefarably in wine country and then will stay the last 2 nights in rome.
again looking for romantic places to stay in tuscany
thx
also
again looking for romantic places to stay in tuscany
thx
also
Jun 29th, 2010, 02:58 AM
#29
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If you go to hotel paraggi you will either have to take a bus after getting off the train in Santa Margherita Ligure or get a taxi. Be aware too that Paraggi is located on a road that gets a tremendous amount of summertime traffic heading in and out of Portofino -- which not only means some noise, it means you will find yourself walking to Santa Margherita Ligure most of the time (30 minutes walk) because you won't want to sit in traffic.
There is no guarantee of fewer kids in July on the beaches anywhere on the Italian Riviera. You might take a look at Hotel Tiguillo et de Milan in Santa Margherita Ligure for something a little boutique. But your biggest problem now is going to be finding anything. You are booking very late for the Riviera. Also look in Rapallo, but read tripadvisor reviews carefully.
There is no end of romantic places to stay in Tuscany. You need to state a budget before people can help you or else go look on Tripadvisor for "specialty lodging" in chianti or around Montepulciano. I like a place in the country with a restaurant on site. More romantic not to have to drive home after dinner. You might do better staying near Montepulciano so you have a shorter drive to dropping off your car in Chiusi or Orvieto. Take a scenic route from Rapallo to get there. Leave plenty of time to enjoy the scenic route.
There is no guarantee of fewer kids in July on the beaches anywhere on the Italian Riviera. You might take a look at Hotel Tiguillo et de Milan in Santa Margherita Ligure for something a little boutique. But your biggest problem now is going to be finding anything. You are booking very late for the Riviera. Also look in Rapallo, but read tripadvisor reviews carefully.
There is no end of romantic places to stay in Tuscany. You need to state a budget before people can help you or else go look on Tripadvisor for "specialty lodging" in chianti or around Montepulciano. I like a place in the country with a restaurant on site. More romantic not to have to drive home after dinner. You might do better staying near Montepulciano so you have a shorter drive to dropping off your car in Chiusi or Orvieto. Take a scenic route from Rapallo to get there. Leave plenty of time to enjoy the scenic route.
Jun 29th, 2010, 03:06 AM
#30
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Sorry! I just realized you already booked the Hotel Paraggi. If what I said doesn't discourage you, keep the reservation. Maybe you'll get lucky with light traffic or if you are going out early enough in the day for daytripping, you won't see it. But presumably the Hotel Paraggi has a cancellation policy, so you can continue to look elsewhere if you like.
You said in your earlier posts that you liked nightlife. Paraggi is quite tiny and isolated. You will need to go to either Portofino (a jet set scene with prices to match) or Santa Margherita Ligure for meals and nightlife, and then you will need a taxi back Paraggi I'm pretty sure. Check with the hotel to see if the buses are running.
Paraggi is a beautiful spot if you just want to kick back completely, swim, lounge, eat at the hotel and turn your back on the world for 3 days. If you are relaxed about it, or start out early before the heat kicks in, you can get yourself to other towns to poke around shopping. It's nearly a resort destination. But if you want a town, some nightlife, a variety of restaurants, to do some sightseeing every day? It's not an easy base for that.
You said in your earlier posts that you liked nightlife. Paraggi is quite tiny and isolated. You will need to go to either Portofino (a jet set scene with prices to match) or Santa Margherita Ligure for meals and nightlife, and then you will need a taxi back Paraggi I'm pretty sure. Check with the hotel to see if the buses are running.
Paraggi is a beautiful spot if you just want to kick back completely, swim, lounge, eat at the hotel and turn your back on the world for 3 days. If you are relaxed about it, or start out early before the heat kicks in, you can get yourself to other towns to poke around shopping. It's nearly a resort destination. But if you want a town, some nightlife, a variety of restaurants, to do some sightseeing every day? It's not an easy base for that.
Jun 29th, 2010, 04:24 AM
#31
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PS: For the amount of money you are spending at Hotel Paraggi, you should check out Cenobio dei Doge in Camogli, which is a bigger town with excellent boat, bus and train connections to other towns. And it is very pretty.
Jun 29th, 2010, 04:33 AM
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You can also check out Villa Rosmarino in Camogli. You will probably want taxis back to the hotel at night, but the room rate is much lower, so it will end up costing less than Hotel Paraggi.
But don't give up your reservation in Paraggi until you've nailed something else -- or keep it and go! It is a beautiful thing to relax on the Italian Riviera and not worry about "sightseeing." It's the same "sight" everywhere: blue water, blue sea, olive trees and pastel buildings. It can be wonderful and romantic just to have your own private perch for 3 days and watch other people run around, not you.
But don't give up your reservation in Paraggi until you've nailed something else -- or keep it and go! It is a beautiful thing to relax on the Italian Riviera and not worry about "sightseeing." It's the same "sight" everywhere: blue water, blue sea, olive trees and pastel buildings. It can be wonderful and romantic just to have your own private perch for 3 days and watch other people run around, not you.
Jun 29th, 2010, 09:19 AM
#33
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zeppole
i had a change of heart again and took your advice to stay in the towm of sm. i am staying at the hotel metropole. has good ratings and seems to be a good spot. and saved me some money. as for doing a day trip for some shopping do you suggest portofino? and do you have any suggestions for a great place to dine? i dont mind spending the money if it is worth it! btw i looked at the villa rosmarino and it looks beautiful but no availabitly
anyhow i am going with this plan now and now need to book the bookings in tuscany. i work for marriott so ive booked my last nights in rome already at a great rate so i am looking for splurge a bit in tuscany!
i had a change of heart again and took your advice to stay in the towm of sm. i am staying at the hotel metropole. has good ratings and seems to be a good spot. and saved me some money. as for doing a day trip for some shopping do you suggest portofino? and do you have any suggestions for a great place to dine? i dont mind spending the money if it is worth it! btw i looked at the villa rosmarino and it looks beautiful but no availabitly
anyhow i am going with this plan now and now need to book the bookings in tuscany. i work for marriott so ive booked my last nights in rome already at a great rate so i am looking for splurge a bit in tuscany!
Jun 29th, 2010, 09:47 AM
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I think you will be happier in the Metropole and I am glad you found availability there. Villa Rosmarino is pretty, but its location makes it hard for evening strolls.
Portofino is much better for window shopping than real shopping. For that, snoop around Santa Margherita Ligure or pop next door to Rapallo (where the real bargains are). While I am really fond of taking a boat trip into the harbor or Portofino, because it is so pretty, the tiny town itself can get overrun with cruise ship tourists. I suggest taking a boat to Portofino, but after you've had your fill of window shopping, get on another one to see the abbey of San Fruttuoso, hidden in a beautiful cove. You can stop for a swim, a coffee or lunch, or you can just catch another boat for Camogli and wander around the small town, shopping and eating. From Camogli, it is simple to take the train back to Santa Margherita Ligure, or a bus (which gives you beautiful views). You can catch the bus by the train station.
According to local and expert opinion, best restaurants in the area are TRATTORIA CESARINA in Santa Margherita Ligure, in via Memeli, 2/c. It can be worth heading over to Camogli by train, bus or boat to eat at Rosa's, up the hill -- anybody can point you to it. For an exquisite lunch, take the bus from Santa Margherita Ligure uphill 10 minutes to Ruta, and walk or take a 5 minute bus ride to La Cucina di Nonna Nina. After lunch, walk down the stairs to Camogli. You should have your hotel make reservations for any of these places.
The best gelato in the region is at Frigidarium in Rapallo, opposite the castle on the seaside promenade. The loveliest wine bar in the area is Cantina d'Italia in Rapallo on via G. Mazzine, especially on a very hot day.
In Santa Margherita Ligure, it can be a real pleasure to have a coffee and pastry at Pestarino on via Palestro. I think they even serve gelato in the summer.
You should start another thread asking for recommendations for a Tuscan stay, and specify your dollar amount for a splurge and what else you might want -- a pool, a restaurant, a winery, or what.
Portofino is much better for window shopping than real shopping. For that, snoop around Santa Margherita Ligure or pop next door to Rapallo (where the real bargains are). While I am really fond of taking a boat trip into the harbor or Portofino, because it is so pretty, the tiny town itself can get overrun with cruise ship tourists. I suggest taking a boat to Portofino, but after you've had your fill of window shopping, get on another one to see the abbey of San Fruttuoso, hidden in a beautiful cove. You can stop for a swim, a coffee or lunch, or you can just catch another boat for Camogli and wander around the small town, shopping and eating. From Camogli, it is simple to take the train back to Santa Margherita Ligure, or a bus (which gives you beautiful views). You can catch the bus by the train station.
According to local and expert opinion, best restaurants in the area are TRATTORIA CESARINA in Santa Margherita Ligure, in via Memeli, 2/c. It can be worth heading over to Camogli by train, bus or boat to eat at Rosa's, up the hill -- anybody can point you to it. For an exquisite lunch, take the bus from Santa Margherita Ligure uphill 10 minutes to Ruta, and walk or take a 5 minute bus ride to La Cucina di Nonna Nina. After lunch, walk down the stairs to Camogli. You should have your hotel make reservations for any of these places.
The best gelato in the region is at Frigidarium in Rapallo, opposite the castle on the seaside promenade. The loveliest wine bar in the area is Cantina d'Italia in Rapallo on via G. Mazzine, especially on a very hot day.
In Santa Margherita Ligure, it can be a real pleasure to have a coffee and pastry at Pestarino on via Palestro. I think they even serve gelato in the summer.
You should start another thread asking for recommendations for a Tuscan stay, and specify your dollar amount for a splurge and what else you might want -- a pool, a restaurant, a winery, or what.
