Splurge in Rome and/or Florence -- Your Ideas!!
Feb 8th, 2002, 09:46 AM
#1
Guest
Posts: n/a
Splurge in Rome and/or Florence -- Your Ideas!!
I am heading to Italy in March for a week-long vacation, half in Rome, half in Florence. For my past couple of trips my vacation philosphy has been to travel within my budget but to indulge in one "splurge" per trip. In Paris we ate at Tour d'Argent, in Portugal we hired a driver one day to take us around Sintra and areas outside Portugal so we wouldn't have to take the train or drive. Now I'd like to plan something fun for our trip to Italy. My boyfriend and I have both been to Italy before, I studied abroad in Rome. We love eating, sightseeing, museums, theater, etc. <BR>I also love shopping and buying clothes so I see some real potential there although it would be nice to enjoy something together. As for our price range, something in the range of what we have done in the past seems appropriate. <BR>I am very interested in hearing about anyone's memorable experiences in and around these two cities. A couple initial ideas are a dinner at the Hotel Eden in Rome or Enoteca Pinchiorri in Florence - although I am interested in things other than eating as well.
Feb 8th, 2002, 09:53 AM
#2
Guest
Posts: n/a
Hotel Eden does seem like a great idea, though I have never been there. I can recommend Vivendo at the St. Regis Grand as a great upper-crust dining experience.<BR><BR>Enoteca Pinchiorri has gotten some bad comments here on this forum - - mediocre food and snooty service - - though I have not read any bad words from the "published" restaurant "critics" - - they all still seem to hold in the highest esteem.<BR><BR>Villa San Michele in Fiesole meets MY criteria for a great getaway for dinner in (near) Florence. It is NOT rated in the top five for Florence dining - - I am rather surprised by this, since the hotel itself gets such raves. The dining room SEEMS to me to be on a par with the hotel, to the extent that you can tell by a walk through the grounds and lobby.<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR>
Feb 8th, 2002, 02:58 PM
#3
Guest
Posts: n/a
in rome my fav splurges are la rosetta dn agata e romeo. Rosetta is a fish place where you will have some of the freshest fish you will ever eat. dont look at the menu, just have the mixed fish antipasto and a whole fish. you will be in heaven<BR><BR>Agata is more moodern, small and very simple and elegant. ths food was superb. it is in a far residential neighborhood, a cab ride from the centro.<BR><BR>In florence we love cibreo althoug we are just as happy at Trattoria Cibreo around the back from the more formal restaurant. both offer the same food but the restaurant has a more extensive menu but the food is from the same kitchen. the wine lis is longer int he restaurant but you can drink very well in the trattorea. Int he trattoria you will share a table and eat off paper placemats (well dishes placed on a paper placemat).
Feb 28th, 2002, 10:48 PM
#7
Guest
Posts: n/a
Here are my favorite "splurge" restaurants in Rome these days--taken out of my files so the format might be funny (some less splurgy than others):<BR>L'Antiquario<BR>Piazzetta S. Simeone, 26 [Navona] 06-6879694 Closed: Sunday<BR> Spectacular setting on a quiet piazza with excellent, classical cuisine, especially seafood. Reserve in advance, expensive but not excessive.<BR>Convivio Troiani<BR>Vicolo dei Soldati, 31 [Navona] 06-668805950 Closed: Sunday, and Monday lunch<BR> On a small street off Via della Scrofa, one of the best places for an intimate dinner in rome, serving creative dishes which you'll find nowhere else. Expensive!<BR>Or if you want a more complete experience, hire a car and driver to take you to Tivoli for the day, visit the Villa d'Este (and maybe Hadrian's Villa) and then eat at La Sibilla.La Sibilla<BR>Via della Sibilla 50 [Out of Town] 0774-335281 Closed: Mon<BR> On a ridge overlooking a beautiful valley with waterfalls and Roman temples this place has good food, and is worth the splurge.
Mar 1st, 2002, 11:53 AM
#8
Guest
Posts: n/a
Some splurges that I recommend:<BR><BR>If you like tours, the Scala Reale tours are somewhat expensive but very good. We just came back and our guide, Gregory, was very entertaining as well as educational.<BR><BR>Shopping is always a good idea. Buy a really nice Gucci, Prada or Fendi bag. Or maybe a leather jacket or very nicely tailored suit for your boyfriend. My husband went crazy for the shirts and ties there and bought a ton of them.<BR><BR>About dining, IMHO, you don't need to spend alot to get a really good meal in Italy. I would spend that "splurge" money elsewhere. Some of the most humble places we went to had the best food and ambiance, without the hefty bill at the end.
