Request for *Italy* honeymoon help
Aug 23rd, 2006, 06:50 AM
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Request for *Italy* honeymoon help
Sorry--reposting at Rex's request. Thanks to all who replied to my earlier thread--some really great tips:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?fid=2
We are heading to Italy, flying from Boston to Florence on 9/24 arriving on the 25th, and leaving from Naples on 10/7. That's all we know for sure. Yes, I know--we are way behind...yikes.
We will have money for mid to high-end accomodations, dining, etc. We are planning to have a rental car, at least for part of the time. We want to focus primarily on Florence and the Amalfi Coast, with a brief stopover in Rome in between the two. Art and wine are high on our list.
We definitely have some thoughts, but would love to hear from others about how they would shape this trip.
I should add that I have been to Italy several times, but never to the Amalfi coast and my fiance has never been.
Thanks very much in advance.
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?fid=2
We are heading to Italy, flying from Boston to Florence on 9/24 arriving on the 25th, and leaving from Naples on 10/7. That's all we know for sure. Yes, I know--we are way behind...yikes.
We will have money for mid to high-end accomodations, dining, etc. We are planning to have a rental car, at least for part of the time. We want to focus primarily on Florence and the Amalfi Coast, with a brief stopover in Rome in between the two. Art and wine are high on our list.
We definitely have some thoughts, but would love to hear from others about how they would shape this trip.
I should add that I have been to Italy several times, but never to the Amalfi coast and my fiance has never been.
Thanks very much in advance.
Aug 23rd, 2006, 07:29 AM
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Since you don't say what you are looking for or if you have plans where to stay.
I have been several times and love Italy, however, my neice just went to Italy for her honeymoon and stayed at this lovely Castle for very, very cheap.
Check out the website:
http://www.montalto.it/
They stayed in the San Martino suite. We have since sent a few other friends there and they all come back just loving it and the kindness of the owners. I plan to stay there when I go in 2008. (2007 is reserved for New Zealand)
If you go to the Almafi Coast we stayed at a lovely, in-expensive hotel right on the water, Hotel Pupetto
http://www.emmeti.it/Welcome/Campani.../index.uk.html
We have stayed here twice. If you have a car they have a parking garage at the top of the hill and they bring your luggage up and down for you.
Actually my luggage was in the lobby before I got there and I don't know how they did that ...hmmmmmm
Don't for get to take a day trip to Capri....
Enjoy,
Pat
I have been several times and love Italy, however, my neice just went to Italy for her honeymoon and stayed at this lovely Castle for very, very cheap.
Check out the website:
http://www.montalto.it/
They stayed in the San Martino suite. We have since sent a few other friends there and they all come back just loving it and the kindness of the owners. I plan to stay there when I go in 2008. (2007 is reserved for New Zealand)
If you go to the Almafi Coast we stayed at a lovely, in-expensive hotel right on the water, Hotel Pupetto
http://www.emmeti.it/Welcome/Campani.../index.uk.html
We have stayed here twice. If you have a car they have a parking garage at the top of the hill and they bring your luggage up and down for you.
Actually my luggage was in the lobby before I got there and I don't know how they did that ...hmmmmmm
Don't for get to take a day trip to Capri....
Enjoy,
Pat
Aug 23rd, 2006, 07:36 AM
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My main advice is to "be careful" about a "brief stopover" in Rome. Based on my own experience, and that or many other similar postings here... the largest number of visitors to Rome who say that they didn't like it... were from peoiple who spent less than three nights there.
Rome is very <i>intense</i> - - and it takes some time to acclimate to its sights and sounds, the traffic (pedestrian and vehicular), the scooters...
Best wishes,
Rex
Rome is very <i>intense</i> - - and it takes some time to acclimate to its sights and sounds, the traffic (pedestrian and vehicular), the scooters...
Best wishes,
Rex
Aug 23rd, 2006, 07:37 AM
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Oh... and good for you that you re-posted - - but the URL for your first post is...
http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessa...p;tid=34857847
The link you cited is simply the Europe forum. To get the URL for your post. right click on the message header in the right-hand frame.
http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessa...p;tid=34857847
The link you cited is simply the Europe forum. To get the URL for your post. right click on the message header in the right-hand frame.
Aug 23rd, 2006, 08:37 AM
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Oops - in my post on your other thread I put in the wrong link!
Here's my honeymoon itinerary for similar dates and locations.
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34851902
Here's my honeymoon itinerary for similar dates and locations.
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34851902
Aug 24th, 2006, 02:46 AM
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Well, you are rather relaxed! Some general thoughts:
With 2 weeks, try to limit yourself to 4 places at the very most; I think 3 is better especially given the size of Rome and the fact that this is your honeymoon. Hate to say it, but I would rule out Venice this trip, just too far. I would do Rome, Florence and countryside and Amalfi coast. I agree completely with the above that Rome needs to be seen at its own pace. My suggestion would be
3-4 nights Rome
2 nights Florence
2 nights in countryside staying in inns, etc
4-5 nights in Positano
2. I would limit car rental as much as you can. Take the train from Rome to Florence and see the city first as you don't want or need a car in the city, and most hotels will not provide parking. Then rent a car and head into the countryside for a few days. If you want drive to the Amalfi coast from there you could; it is a toss up for me as to whether a car is an advantage there. The only good thing is being able to avoid the sometimes very crowded SITA buses and if you wanted to drive to Pompeii for the day. You will still have some crowds during your time so SITA buses could be crowded. However otherwise parking is a pain and expensive and driving is not that much fun (esp for the passenger, and perhaps not the best way to start married life with an anxious spouse...) Hard to say. Gas is like US$6 a gallon, so bear that in mind. You can take a very lovely train from Florence to Naples in 4 hours, and then have a driver meet you in Naples and take you down the coast (and you BOTH can enjoy the scenery), which IMO is really the way to go. (You can also fly from Florence to Naples but door to door the trip is about the same as the train, look into flight times, cost and schedules.)
3. Consider hiring a boat for the day to go to Capri, or joining one of the smaller boat trips rather than doing the day trip by ferry. I have hired boats with captains on several occasions, pricey but so worth it as you can completely make your own schedule, swim where you want, and come back as late as you want (coming back in a speeding boat as the sun is setting blazing behind Capri is spectacular). The first contact below is a charter company I have used a few times and would recommend. The Gennaro e Salvatore Capraro trip mentioned below gets great reviews on this site for their 12-person boat to Capri for €80 including lunch, and might be worth a try.
amalfisails.it
tel 39-335-645-1400 f
fax: 39-08-985-2911
email: [email protected]
Gennaro e Salvatore Capraro
Via Trara Genoino, 13
Positano
Office: +39 089 875 211
Fax: + 39 089 875475
Email: [email protected]
www.syrene.it/gennaroesalvatore
If can't find the website, " Gennaro e Salvatore Capraro" on a search and then their website should be the first link.
4. There is a very good walking guide to the Capri & the Amalfi coast published by Sunflower books. I first read about it on this site, and thought it was very useful. Their website is http://www.sunflowerbooks.co.uk/walking_titles.htm. They rate hikes by difficulty and time it takes to complete all or each section, and give good directions on how to reach each walk. For walks and drives in Tuscany get their book on Tuscany. In Rome, consider taking one or more of the truly excellent very small walking tours offered by Context Rome, go to http://rome.contexttravel.com. Highly regarded on this site. In Florence, I have used http://www.firenzeantica.org
and http://www.artviva.com/originalwalk.html for walking for tours as well and liked them both. The latter group also does a day bike tour that is a lot of fun. Remember to check the classical concerts schedule in Ravello. Held from spring through late fall, if weather permits they are outdoors in a spectacular setting overlooking the sea. Not quite as atmospheric if it rains, as you will then be moved indoors, but still a great evening. Their website is http://www.rcs.amalficoast.it/.
5. Hotels. Since you are willing to go high-end, my favourites are below. I have limited myself pretty much to one hotel in each, but have some others if you want more:
Hotel de Russie
Via del Babuino 9
00187 Rome
Tel: +39 06 32 88 81
Fax: +39 06 32 88 88 88
hotelderussie.it
Great hotel, great location. You can walk to everything (I have even walked to St Peters). The staff is wonderful, good spa. The courtyard for breakfast or drinks is so peaceful, a nice way to get away from hectic Rome.
Lungarno Suites
Lungarno Acciaiuoli, 4
Florence 50123
Italy
Tel: +39 055 2726 8000
Fax: +39 055 2726 8888
Lungarnohotels.com
Great location on the river looking onto the Ponte Vecchio. All their rooms are suites of 50 square meters with a small galley kitchen as well. Some have balconies. Most but not all the rooms look onto the Ponte Vecchio and the river and have great sunset views.
An alternative in Florence would be to stay up in the Fiesole area and then just go into Florence for the day, for this try Villa La Massa, sister hotel to the Villa d'Este. Take a look at www.villalamassa.com or lhw.com
For inns and B&Bs in the Tuscan countryside, try Karenbrown.com, she always has good suggestions.
Hotel Santa Caterina
S.S. Amalfitana, 9
84011 Amalfi (Sa) Italy
Tel +39 089 87 10 12
Fax +39 089 87 13 51
hotelsantacaterina.it
Or go through Leading Hotels of the World website at lhw.com.
Such a breathtaking location hugging the cliffs full of bougainvillea and orange groves. I personally like being outside of the villages, and it is any easy walk downhill to Amalfi (the hotel also has a shuttle to the village). Great restaurants, you can jump right into the Med from the pool terrace, lovely views from the rooms.
With 2 weeks, try to limit yourself to 4 places at the very most; I think 3 is better especially given the size of Rome and the fact that this is your honeymoon. Hate to say it, but I would rule out Venice this trip, just too far. I would do Rome, Florence and countryside and Amalfi coast. I agree completely with the above that Rome needs to be seen at its own pace. My suggestion would be
3-4 nights Rome
2 nights Florence
2 nights in countryside staying in inns, etc
4-5 nights in Positano
2. I would limit car rental as much as you can. Take the train from Rome to Florence and see the city first as you don't want or need a car in the city, and most hotels will not provide parking. Then rent a car and head into the countryside for a few days. If you want drive to the Amalfi coast from there you could; it is a toss up for me as to whether a car is an advantage there. The only good thing is being able to avoid the sometimes very crowded SITA buses and if you wanted to drive to Pompeii for the day. You will still have some crowds during your time so SITA buses could be crowded. However otherwise parking is a pain and expensive and driving is not that much fun (esp for the passenger, and perhaps not the best way to start married life with an anxious spouse...) Hard to say. Gas is like US$6 a gallon, so bear that in mind. You can take a very lovely train from Florence to Naples in 4 hours, and then have a driver meet you in Naples and take you down the coast (and you BOTH can enjoy the scenery), which IMO is really the way to go. (You can also fly from Florence to Naples but door to door the trip is about the same as the train, look into flight times, cost and schedules.)
3. Consider hiring a boat for the day to go to Capri, or joining one of the smaller boat trips rather than doing the day trip by ferry. I have hired boats with captains on several occasions, pricey but so worth it as you can completely make your own schedule, swim where you want, and come back as late as you want (coming back in a speeding boat as the sun is setting blazing behind Capri is spectacular). The first contact below is a charter company I have used a few times and would recommend. The Gennaro e Salvatore Capraro trip mentioned below gets great reviews on this site for their 12-person boat to Capri for €80 including lunch, and might be worth a try.
amalfisails.it
tel 39-335-645-1400 f
fax: 39-08-985-2911
email: [email protected]
Gennaro e Salvatore Capraro
Via Trara Genoino, 13
Positano
Office: +39 089 875 211
Fax: + 39 089 875475
Email: [email protected]
www.syrene.it/gennaroesalvatore
If can't find the website, " Gennaro e Salvatore Capraro" on a search and then their website should be the first link.
4. There is a very good walking guide to the Capri & the Amalfi coast published by Sunflower books. I first read about it on this site, and thought it was very useful. Their website is http://www.sunflowerbooks.co.uk/walking_titles.htm. They rate hikes by difficulty and time it takes to complete all or each section, and give good directions on how to reach each walk. For walks and drives in Tuscany get their book on Tuscany. In Rome, consider taking one or more of the truly excellent very small walking tours offered by Context Rome, go to http://rome.contexttravel.com. Highly regarded on this site. In Florence, I have used http://www.firenzeantica.org
and http://www.artviva.com/originalwalk.html for walking for tours as well and liked them both. The latter group also does a day bike tour that is a lot of fun. Remember to check the classical concerts schedule in Ravello. Held from spring through late fall, if weather permits they are outdoors in a spectacular setting overlooking the sea. Not quite as atmospheric if it rains, as you will then be moved indoors, but still a great evening. Their website is http://www.rcs.amalficoast.it/.
5. Hotels. Since you are willing to go high-end, my favourites are below. I have limited myself pretty much to one hotel in each, but have some others if you want more:
Hotel de Russie
Via del Babuino 9
00187 Rome
Tel: +39 06 32 88 81
Fax: +39 06 32 88 88 88
hotelderussie.it
Great hotel, great location. You can walk to everything (I have even walked to St Peters). The staff is wonderful, good spa. The courtyard for breakfast or drinks is so peaceful, a nice way to get away from hectic Rome.
Lungarno Suites
Lungarno Acciaiuoli, 4
Florence 50123
Italy
Tel: +39 055 2726 8000
Fax: +39 055 2726 8888
Lungarnohotels.com
Great location on the river looking onto the Ponte Vecchio. All their rooms are suites of 50 square meters with a small galley kitchen as well. Some have balconies. Most but not all the rooms look onto the Ponte Vecchio and the river and have great sunset views.
An alternative in Florence would be to stay up in the Fiesole area and then just go into Florence for the day, for this try Villa La Massa, sister hotel to the Villa d'Este. Take a look at www.villalamassa.com or lhw.com
For inns and B&Bs in the Tuscan countryside, try Karenbrown.com, she always has good suggestions.
Hotel Santa Caterina
S.S. Amalfitana, 9
84011 Amalfi (Sa) Italy
Tel +39 089 87 10 12
Fax +39 089 87 13 51
hotelsantacaterina.it
Or go through Leading Hotels of the World website at lhw.com.
Such a breathtaking location hugging the cliffs full of bougainvillea and orange groves. I personally like being outside of the villages, and it is any easy walk downhill to Amalfi (the hotel also has a shuttle to the village). Great restaurants, you can jump right into the Med from the pool terrace, lovely views from the rooms.
