Sestriere? ... Honeymoon itinerary help
 

I'm looking to plan a May '00 Honeymoon in Italy. A friend offered us a timeshare which we promply traded in for a week in Sestriere (just south of Susa, only place available after 2 month wait). The benefit is check in/out on Tuesday, great for a Friday wedding (fly Sun/Mon, B&B Monday, arrive Tues). I know Sestriere may not be the ideal base camp for exploring the Piedmont region, but has anyone ever been? <BR> <BR>Here's my 12-day itinerary so far: <BR>- Arrive Milan on Monday, go directly to B&B between Milan and Sistriere Mon night (recoup) <BR>- explore the spring-time ski resort and Peidmont region for the week <BR>- ... thinking coastal town for 2 days <BR>- Rome (remainder of week) <BR>- home Saturday flight. <BR> <BR>Questions: <BR>1. Car: Will most likely get a car in Milan and ditch before entering Rome. How about getting car in Turin (take train from Milan), then taking train Turin-coast then coast-Rome? <BR>2. Best honeymoon coastal town (Portofino, Cinque Terre)? <BR>3. Alternatives? After taxes, transfer fees, etc, the timeshare will be just about $700 for the week. Does that sound about right for 7-night stay? <BR>4. Someone mentioned to me to be in Rome on Wednesday when the Pope addresses the people. Don't know much else. Is this worth the extra time there? <BR> <BR>Thanks in advanced! <BR>- Tim

Tim, I am confused--are you paying for <BR>the timeshare?? For $700 you can stay <BR>elsewhere and see more. Why are you <BR>skipping the Lakes--the best destination <BR>in all of Italia?? Why drive past Tuscany and Florence for Rome?? You may need some help on this itinerary.

BOB, hope this helps: <BR>A friend offered us his timeshare in return for the cost of taxes/upkeep for the year. We took him up on it, banked his week in Florida, and starting looking for places in Italy. At the time we booked it, Sestriere was the only available location, and we think it fits our schedule (Tues/Tues versus a Sat/Sat week). After that and some transfer fees, it came to $700. <BR> <BR>I will return to Italy someday, so I'm not afraid to pass on Tuscany, Florence, etc - but for a 1st time in Italy we think that Rome is a must. <BR> <BR>Turin to Rome is a long way, that's why I was planning of a stop on the coast. <BR>

Beware of Sestriere that time of the year unless you desire a steady diet of <BR>vacant skii lifts.--See if you can trade that timeshare back to your friend. We went there in April and the accommodations (restarurants and night life were lacking, quite frankly.)...For your honeymoon I would recommend either <BR>Portifino, or maybe better, a little town right beyond the Italian border in France called Menton. It's fantastic and is only 15 minutes from Monte Carlo <BR>And the within easy driving range of the <BR>French Alps. We went there two years ago as part of our honeymoon. <BR> <BR>By the way, that timeshare cost breakdown you described seemed about $300 on the high side based on what our <BR>mainentance fees run each year...Sorry! <BR>

I have only been to Sestriere during the ski season, and I was not a fan. It is very 1970's with lots of ugly building and not too many nice places to stay. <BR> <BR>If you would like to stay in the region, I would recxommend the hotel Hermitage in Cervinia. It is less than 2 hours drive from Milan. The hotel is a member of relais et chateaux, so the food is fantastic ! It has the appearance of a large chalet, but inside it is homely but luxurious family run hotel. <BR> <BR>Cervinia is not as pretty as Swiss alpine villages, but mch prettier than Sestriere. The other advantage is that the ski lift system links it to Zermatt, so you can experience Switzerland without paying the prices. (You may also be able to fit in some skiing on the glacier in May). <BR> <BR>Last time that we stayed there we met aother couple who were on honeymoon (American)- they said that they could ot be happier with their choice. <BR> <BR>You can book centrally through relais et chateaux (1 800 7352478), but I tend to get a better deal by e-mailing the owner (Corrado Neyroz : [email protected]). <BR> <BR>Hope this is useful.