Just Back - Dayle's Solo Trip to Italy
Aug 28th, 2011, 10:11 AM
#82
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Dayle, I realize your trip was sometime in the past, but I have enjoyed your report in anticipation of a trip which will include a week in Umbria (splitting nights between a B&B in the village of Montone and an agriturismo outside of Orvieto). I'm working on packing plans; I will probably check in luggage, but want to pack lightly, just for convenience of moving around, and with expectations of doing laundry. As our trips are of similar length, location, and same time of year, and you did mention laundry a couple of times, what worked well for you in terms of what do bring/pack for the trip? Anything you would have done differently? I'd appreciate any recommendations! I am traveling with two friends this trip but after reading your and other trip reports, will do a solo trip next year; it sounds like an adventure that I would really enjoy.
Sep 21st, 2011, 12:05 PM
#84
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Dayle will have better info, but I'll chime in. Hub and I were gone for 2 weeks usually and we each brought 3 changes of clothing-including what we wore. We wore each outfit 2 times. We did laundry 2 times. He did a chart of what to wear so he would always have a clean change of clothing if needed.
Once we used a fold and wash, twice we used our hotel, but the rest of the time we went to local lavaterias. Hotel laundry is most expensive but it sure is a luxury to come home to washed and folded duds! The fold and wash was less than the hotel but very nice to have someone else do it. Cheapest was DIY-we usually met a fellow traveler or local.
Have a great trip.
Once we used a fold and wash, twice we used our hotel, but the rest of the time we went to local lavaterias. Hotel laundry is most expensive but it sure is a luxury to come home to washed and folded duds! The fold and wash was less than the hotel but very nice to have someone else do it. Cheapest was DIY-we usually met a fellow traveler or local.
Have a great trip.
Oct 4th, 2011, 06:24 PM
#85
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italynovice,
Sorry it's taken me SO long to answer. My life has been extremely busy the last few months and I've been mostly absent from Fodor's!
I have to think back....back in time....OK!
Timing of my trip meant I encountered all types of weather, yes even in Sept!
Amalfi Coast area was very hot and humid to me - someone who lives in the desert dry climate of the UT mountains.
I took:
1 pair lt wt cotton slacks (wore on plane)
1 pair lt wt linen crop pants
1 other pair pants, can't remember what, but not jeans
1 cotton twill pencil skirt
1 cotton gauze multi layer skirt
1 cotton shirt
1 linen sleeveless
2 cami's
3 tee shirts
1 lt wt sweater
1 floaty summer dress (stupid fantasy idea, didn't wear)
1 rain coat
3 pr shoes - wore closed toe pair over, 2 pr sandals
umbrella
Believe it or not - all fit in a 21" roller - Eagle Creek Switchback on it's 3rd trip to Europe.
Amalfi Coast - very hot and humid, crowded buses, very sweaty = laundry in Rome
Rome - perfect temps, rain at night, pleasant breezes daytime, laundry at served laundomat,interesting experience
Tuscany - 2 day COLD front & wind - bought extra wool sweater, freezing, laundry at hotel
Umbria - warmer, perfect again
Wore everything except the stupid dress. Loved the linen, didn't love the packing wrinkles, no irons, had hotels do ironing for me. Skirts were my favorite - much cooler.
Wash undies in sink, cotton takes a long time to dry. Microfiber blends best - see REI, Travelsmith, dept store and read your labels.
I took a small backpacker's squeeze bottle of Woolite.
Hope this helps. Buon viaggio!
Sorry it's taken me SO long to answer. My life has been extremely busy the last few months and I've been mostly absent from Fodor's!
I have to think back....back in time....OK!
Timing of my trip meant I encountered all types of weather, yes even in Sept!
Amalfi Coast area was very hot and humid to me - someone who lives in the desert dry climate of the UT mountains.
I took:
1 pair lt wt cotton slacks (wore on plane)
1 pair lt wt linen crop pants
1 other pair pants, can't remember what, but not jeans
1 cotton twill pencil skirt
1 cotton gauze multi layer skirt
1 cotton shirt
1 linen sleeveless
2 cami's
3 tee shirts
1 lt wt sweater
1 floaty summer dress (stupid fantasy idea, didn't wear)
1 rain coat
3 pr shoes - wore closed toe pair over, 2 pr sandals
umbrella
Believe it or not - all fit in a 21" roller - Eagle Creek Switchback on it's 3rd trip to Europe.
Amalfi Coast - very hot and humid, crowded buses, very sweaty = laundry in Rome
Rome - perfect temps, rain at night, pleasant breezes daytime, laundry at served laundomat,interesting experience
Tuscany - 2 day COLD front & wind - bought extra wool sweater, freezing, laundry at hotel
Umbria - warmer, perfect again
Wore everything except the stupid dress. Loved the linen, didn't love the packing wrinkles, no irons, had hotels do ironing for me. Skirts were my favorite - much cooler.
Wash undies in sink, cotton takes a long time to dry. Microfiber blends best - see REI, Travelsmith, dept store and read your labels.
I took a small backpacker's squeeze bottle of Woolite.
Hope this helps. Buon viaggio!
Jun 6th, 2012, 07:36 AM
#87
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Dayle,
Thank you for your tip on Le Sirene in Praiano (and other tips on my itinerary). My daughter and I loved Le Sirene...although I also could have done without the steps! Loved the small town pluses like buying our fruit & cheese from the same store by the bus stop. I will do a full trip report in a week or so but wanted you to know the tip really made our Amalfi Coast stay perfect. Le Sirene: so calm, friendly - and incredible views!
Dawn
PS: I plan to pack even lighter next time!
Thank you for your tip on Le Sirene in Praiano (and other tips on my itinerary). My daughter and I loved Le Sirene...although I also could have done without the steps! Loved the small town pluses like buying our fruit & cheese from the same store by the bus stop. I will do a full trip report in a week or so but wanted you to know the tip really made our Amalfi Coast stay perfect. Le Sirene: so calm, friendly - and incredible views!
Dawn
PS: I plan to pack even lighter next time!
Jun 6th, 2012, 06:41 PM
#88
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Dawn,
How nice that you enjoyed Le Sirene! I stayed there after Ira mentioned it in his trip report and I did a little checking on my own.
That's how the forums are supposed to work! Not everyone ends up with the same experience, but "personal" recommendations here in Fodorville are worth a lot.
So looking forward to your trip report!
How nice that you enjoyed Le Sirene! I stayed there after Ira mentioned it in his trip report and I did a little checking on my own.
That's how the forums are supposed to work! Not everyone ends up with the same experience, but "personal" recommendations here in Fodorville are worth a lot.
So looking forward to your trip report!
Jun 17th, 2012, 04:22 PM
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Thanks for your information and insight. I will be traveling solo early Oct to Cinque Terre, Amalfi Coast areas hoping for day trips to Rome, Florence and Naples. All your information is exceelent knowledge.
Mar 4th, 2013, 03:41 PM
#90
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Hi Dayle
This is my first time in a forum! I've enjoyed reading all the great info people have posted. My husband and I are heading to Florence/Tuscany/Cinque Terre for 2 weeks in May. We have most things worked out (I think!). You had mentioned loving Montalcino (this goes back to a 2011 posting I read!). Do you remember where you stayed? Or is there another town you would now recommend? What about San Quercio? Our thinking is 5 nights Florence (with a day trip to Lucca in there), 4 nights in Tuscany (I have booked 2 nights in San Gimi, and am still not sure where the other 2 nights should be), and then ending with 3 nights in Cinque Terre. That should give us time to explore without charging around too much! We can always come back!
thanks...
This is my first time in a forum! I've enjoyed reading all the great info people have posted. My husband and I are heading to Florence/Tuscany/Cinque Terre for 2 weeks in May. We have most things worked out (I think!). You had mentioned loving Montalcino (this goes back to a 2011 posting I read!). Do you remember where you stayed? Or is there another town you would now recommend? What about San Quercio? Our thinking is 5 nights Florence (with a day trip to Lucca in there), 4 nights in Tuscany (I have booked 2 nights in San Gimi, and am still not sure where the other 2 nights should be), and then ending with 3 nights in Cinque Terre. That should give us time to explore without charging around too much! We can always come back!
thanks...
Mar 17th, 2013, 09:02 AM
#91
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MtlBabe,
Wow, I just saw this. I hope my old trip report was helpful for you.
I loved Montalcino, it was easy to drive in/out of, especially since the hotel did the parking! The views are amazing. My main interest there was Brunello.
I stayed at Il Giglio***. The hotel itself was nice and some rooms had incredible views. The owners are a little remote, which is defintely not normal for Italy. There are other hotels and apartments for rent in and around Montalcino, so you might look into those.
For my tastes, I would not want to spend a whole 5 days in Florence. Do you have a definite list of museums and sites you want to see that will take a full 5 days?
If it were me:
2 days Florence
3 nights southern Tuscany (around the Montepulciano/Pienza/Montalcino area)
2 nights San Gimignano
3 nights Cinque Terre
I didn't visit San Querico, so can't say. Just drove past on my way to Montalcino.
Hopefully, the next time I visit Tuscany, I will stay in a new little town. I always like visiting new places.
I have some friends who travel to Italy every year. Their strategy is to go to areas that everyone wants to visit, BUT - they stay in towns that are completely off the tourist radar. They have a much more authentic experience and save a lot of money.
It's a thought!
You better hurry. You are VERY late making reservations for this May and you options will be limited.
Buon viaggio!
Wow, I just saw this. I hope my old trip report was helpful for you.
I loved Montalcino, it was easy to drive in/out of, especially since the hotel did the parking! The views are amazing. My main interest there was Brunello.
I stayed at Il Giglio***. The hotel itself was nice and some rooms had incredible views. The owners are a little remote, which is defintely not normal for Italy. There are other hotels and apartments for rent in and around Montalcino, so you might look into those.
For my tastes, I would not want to spend a whole 5 days in Florence. Do you have a definite list of museums and sites you want to see that will take a full 5 days?
If it were me:
2 days Florence
3 nights southern Tuscany (around the Montepulciano/Pienza/Montalcino area)
2 nights San Gimignano
3 nights Cinque Terre
I didn't visit San Querico, so can't say. Just drove past on my way to Montalcino.
Hopefully, the next time I visit Tuscany, I will stay in a new little town. I always like visiting new places.
I have some friends who travel to Italy every year. Their strategy is to go to areas that everyone wants to visit, BUT - they stay in towns that are completely off the tourist radar. They have a much more authentic experience and save a lot of money.
It's a thought!
You better hurry. You are VERY late making reservations for this May and you options will be limited.
Buon viaggio!
