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ITALY LOVERS
Other than the big 3-- Rome, Venice, and Florence --
what is your FAVORITE place in Italy??? |
That question is akin to asking someone who his favorite child is.
For me, you'd have to add Tuscany, The AC and Lake Como to the short lists - all different, all wonderful. |
Well, that's the thing...
I have been to Rome, Florence, and Venice, as well as parts of Tuscany. If you could pick ONE favorite place, what would it be? (I know it's hard!) |
From the ones I know ..Milan :) From the ones I know just a little bit and would like to spend more time there..Padova and Verona.
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I opt for Cinque Terre
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Ahhh Italy! One of our favorite countries! We were there again last month and we're planning to see the Lake Como area in the spring. Right now, I'd have to say our favorite is the Tuscany area.
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I also opt for Cinque Terre. Also, on a recent visit to Italy, my sister and I (ages 56 and 60, respectively) enjoyed the walk on the city wall of Lucca, Italy, just an hour's train ride from Florence.
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Venice.
Loved our whole trip but there is something about Venice. There is no place (at least that I know of) quite like it in the world and I loved it. |
Whoops. Was following the direction of the 3rd post, not the first.
Other than Venice, my other favorite was Conegliano & area. It's a bit of cheating because we spent a long weekend with our friend's extended family there which made the whole experience magical. However that area of the Veneto was so beautiful and not as crowded as the more popular destinations. We drove the Prosecco Road and the views were stunning & the people that we met were so friendly! |
Without a doubt, the Amalfi Coast. AHHHHH.....
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Hello PurpleNeon, your post made me "jump" as Conegliano is where a lot of my best friends in Italy live. Congegliano is like my "second home". Not to many travellers seem to be aware of this small but delightful city and the surrounding area. I have spent so many weeks there and am homesick for it. Best regards!
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dina4,
If you're a lover of the outdoors and natural beauty, Cinque Terra can't be beat. For history and charm the small walled city of Lucca is, I think, absolutely magical. The food in Lucca also eclipses most all of Tuscany too!! |
Tuscany and San G and Positano are tops...
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Aha, LoveItaly - that's quite neat! May I recommend Agriturismo Furlan which is run by our friend's cousins. It's a small B&B which is run in conjunction with the Furlan winery. It's outside of the city a bit but the rooms were lovely and the breakfast superb. We also enjoyed the lovely hospitality of the Furlan's - who treated us like family as well! You can see it on www.agriturismofurlan.it.
On of our friend's cousins took us on a wonderful midnight walking tour of the old parts of Conegliano (the midnight part wasn't on purpose, dinner had just gone late) which we all highly enjoyed. And while we were there in late September the family took us all to the Festa dell'Uva to celebrate the grape harvest, which was also a really neat experience. Glad to find someone who has had similarly wonderful experiences! |
Wow. lots of great ideas.
thanks. I was sort of trying to figure out where to go next. I had thought Amalfi Coast, Lake Como, and Cinque Terre would dominate the discussion, but i guess not... |
Capri, Assisi and Milan.
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Sicily. A large Island that mixes Italian with Greek and Arab influences. It has great food, superb ruins and incredible churches.
As already mentioned, any o the Italian lakes in Spring. Lucca would also get my vote. I can see why some people don't like it as it lacks the "highlights" of a Florence or Rome, but if somebody was to offer to buy me a place anywhere in Italy, Lucca would be top, or very close to top of my list. Siena and Southern Tuscany - driving through the Chianti region, or South from Siena to Montepulciano or Montalcino is stunning. Cilento National park - but I shouldn't have mentioned that - crowds would spoil it. |
Lucca is a very special place. We spent a wonderfull day there.
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Since having recently returned from a two week trip to Italy, one week of which was spent in Montalcino, taking day trips and then returning towards evening, I must say that the most beautiful area that I have seen in Italy is the Southern Tuscany area including Montalcino, Pienza, Montepulciano, Montichiello, La Foce, and all the small "d'Orcia" villages in between (Castiglione d'Orcia where we had our best meal ever, Ripa d'Orcia, etc.). Definitely my new favorite spots in the world.
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I have many "favorite" plaes in Italy.
On our most recent trip to Italy in July 2006, we spent one day driving through the Crete Senese and the Val di Orcia (south of Siena) stopping at several villages along the way. The scenery is breathtaking with classic Tuscan scenes--hills, medieval towns, stone farmhouses, fields of sunflowers and lots of cypress trees. Also love the Cinque Terre, Amalifi Coast and of course Venice! |
I went on an extensive coach tour of Italy and we visited/passed through many nice small and large towns, some well off of the beaten track.
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Hmmm ! Really tough to rank.
After 13 trips, my top 5 are still: 1. The Lakes-really 3 desinations] 2. Tuscan hill towns 3. The Amalfi coast 4. Venice 5. The Ligurian coast Perhaps you notice a trend here. I always opt for natural splendor. |
Any gelateria.
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Hi PurpleNeon, I would imagine some of my friends in Congeliano know your cousin friends! Thanks for the website and may I say their room rates are fantastic!!
I am glad you got to visit the historical section of Congeliano. No doubt you walked on Via Settembre where the piazza and duomo are located. I have friends that live on that ancient street. I think you are only the second poster that has said they were in Congeliano. I had planned on being there the same time you were but put the trip off until next year for various reason. Hope you will be able to return to the region of Veneto in the future! |
Oh dear, this is hard, but after Venice, I'd have to say Siena--I really loved that place. But now that LoveItaly has sung such high praises of Congeliano (and they've been seconded), I know I'm going to have to check that one out someday!
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Don't ya hate it when you have just returned from your second trip to Italy and some smarty pants comes up with another gem to discover!! :) Oh well an excuse to return! We have spent a total of five weeks in Italy now and as yet have never been south of Rome !!! Time to emigrate !
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The choices are infinite; it's simply the most wonderful country on earth. But I would recommend going to Assisi (and staying there so you can experience at night and during quiet mornings) and hooking up with wonderful Anne Robichaud (lived there for 25 years and a licensed guide) who will show you Italy from the inside. I promise that your time with her will be very, very special b/c it will bring a human dimension along with all the wonders that Italy provides otherwise. Her site is,I think, annesitaly.com.
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Wow I can't believe there aren't more Amalfi Coast lovers out there. IT's such a beautiful place!! Positano is gorgeous. I hope you chose here :-)
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Can't pick just one, forget it... :-)
Lake Como/Positano/Tuscan hills -- a three-way tie Venice, Verona, Ligurian Coast/CT, the rest of AC Haven't been to Sicily or Assisi or Orvieto, I suspect those would be on the list as well...... |
I loved Bologna. I used to go there often when I studied in Florence. The best food I had in Italy, and the collonated (sp?) streets, the towers, the artwork, and piazzas were all beautiful
Positano and Capri for romance and relaxation. |
This is SO fun to read!
It's amazing the passion people have for this country! |
We loved the Amalfi Coast. June 2006 we visited, Sorrento, Pompeii, Positano, Capri, Rome, Venice, and Verona. We cannot wait to visit the other places mentioned here. Italy is magical.
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The Lake District and Capri. If you put a gun to my head, and made me choose, I'd go with the Lake District.
Buon Viaggio, BC |
What a difficult choice! My husband and I have travelled all over mainland Italy and Sardinia as well - but we always end up back in the Tuscany area - Florence and chianti region - we even got married there 4 years go in Certaldo alto. We are off to Sicily in September and cant wait!
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Taormina, for its stunning natural beauty, colorful history and Sicilian cuisine and personality.
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Question for PurpleNeon and LoveItaly.
My husband and I have been to Italy several times and are thinking about a possible trip this year. Our thoughts were to spend time in the Veneto region. You both have sparked my interest for the town Conegliano. I am wondering if this would be as good home base to explore the region. The only problem is that we will not drive in Italy so we have to be close to trains and buses. Any advice would be appreciated. |
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I have only been to Italy once and am planning to visit Milan and the Lakes region in April. I fell in love with the peacefulness and beauty of Ravello on the Amalfi Coast. Italy is an amazing country - the AC and Capri and Sorrento were spectacular. Can't wait to see the north.
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Assisi. Especially at night when all the daytrippers have left. Nothing more peaceful than a stroll around Assisi some starry October night...(or off-season month of your choice)
I also love Siena. |
I have to declare a tie between Positano (Amalfi Coast) and Bellagio (Lake Como). But that color of the Mediterrean in Positano is forever in my head!
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