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Turning 50 in 2007-Please help me plan my first Italy trip!!

Turning 50 in 2007-Please help me plan my first Italy trip!!

Old Aug 4th, 2006, 01:00 PM
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Turning 50 in 2007-Please help me plan my first Italy trip!!

Hi all,
I am so excited to be finally planning our June 2007 trip to Italy and am hoping for lots of expert advice from this board. We plan on visiting Venice, Rome, and Positano on the Almafi Coast.

I'm thinking we could fly into Venice from Boston, spend 3 nights, take the train to Rome, spend 3 nights there, then again take the train to Naples, arrange to have a driver pick us up, tour Pompeii for a couple of hours, then continue on with the driver to Positano for 4 nights. I am also thinking maybe we would fly out of Naples home.

Does this sound reasonable? I will be celebrating my 50th birthday and have never been to Europe. My husband, our 17 yr old son and his friend will be traveling with me.

I would love a hotel with a Grand Canal view, so can anyone recommend a reasonable one? Reasonable means around 200.00 US for 2 rooms each, or a suite that can accommodate us for $400.00 per night. I really do want a canal view so I am willing to stay in a small, basic room as long as it's clean.

A fancy hotel in Rome isn't important to me, so I was thinking maybe Nicolas Inn. Any other suggestions?

In Positano, I have been in touch with Villa Rosa. Thoughts?

I really wanted to be in Venice on my actual birthday in August, but so many people on this board seem against visiting Italy in August. June is the only other time we can go. I welcome all thoughts and opinions. (Well, almost all)!
Thanks!!!
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Old Aug 4th, 2006, 01:17 PM
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I believe Pensione La Calcina in Venice has some rooms with canal views, though they may not be of the Grand Canal. Personally I'd spring for a smaller canal view anyways... the Grand Canal can be really noisy!
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Old Aug 4th, 2006, 01:32 PM
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If you do decide on Pensione La Calcina now is the time to book the rooms because I am going to be in Venice the end of April 2007 and cannot get a room. They are booked solid. It is a beautiful location and off the beaten path yet close to the popular sites
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Old Aug 4th, 2006, 02:18 PM
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Try this-- www.hotellocandaovidius.com
Fabulous view on the grand canal and the price is right. We stayed there in April and loved it. Absolutely great location.
If your room doesn't face the canal you have access to the general sitting area with a balcony which looks out at the canal and all the activity--great spot to relax.
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Old Aug 4th, 2006, 02:41 PM
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One more thing---I love the www.veniceby.com site----great pictures and info. Do check out Locanda Ovidius(same kind of thing with www.romeby.com etc....) I've never booked using them--I usually use www.venere.com to take advantage of the discount code. I have one if you need it.

Anyone who books with venere gets a code to share with others. It's not very much but it's always fun to find a discount!

I'm envious--sounds like a great trip!
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Old Aug 4th, 2006, 02:51 PM
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Be like Queen Elizabeth! Celebrate your BD in June.

Sounds like a good trip. I wouldn't obsess about hotels... just get a good location. (And canal views can be noisy........check out TripAdvisor.com)
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Old Aug 4th, 2006, 02:52 PM
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Thanks TexasAggie and Madison! I just emailed Pensione La Calcina!

akj, Thanks! I just emailed www.hotellocandaovidius.com too! Also, thanks for all the website info AND for offering the share your discount code! Very kind of you!

I'll post when I hear from these hotels!

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Old Aug 4th, 2006, 02:55 PM
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Hi J,

>Does this sound reasonable? <

A bit rushed, but very reasonable.

Happy B'day.

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Old Aug 4th, 2006, 02:55 PM
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Grandma,
Thanks for the advice! You and I must have been writing at the same time, as I've just now seen your post! What do you recommend with a "good location"?
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Old Aug 4th, 2006, 02:59 PM
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ira,
Just saw your post too! Yes, I would love to have more time, but knowing me, I'd then try to fit in Tuscany, Florence, Milan..............ahhhhhhhhh!!
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Old Aug 4th, 2006, 03:40 PM
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LOL Jayneann!
You'll just have to go back to Italy to see those places for your 51st The shopping in Florence... all I can say is WOW!
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Old Aug 4th, 2006, 04:06 PM
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i love La Calcina and absolutely recommend it but the canal it overlooks is the Guidecca (a large shipping canal) not the Grand Canal.
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Old Aug 4th, 2006, 04:43 PM
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As Suze said, the Guidecca Canal is a large commercial canal, considerably wider than the Grand Canal. But I stayed at La Calcina, and loved the hotel, too. It's a classy place and you can sit on the deck most mornings and have your breakfast if you want.
Paule
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Old Aug 4th, 2006, 04:46 PM
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TexasAggie,
I agree!!!! How can I possibly be planning a trip to Italy and NOT shop in Florence?? Seriously, it was really hard to leave this area out, but I have my heart set on seeing the Amalfi Coast!! Your right, I'll just have to go back!

suze,
Thanks for the positive feedback about La Calcina! It's okay that it's not on the Grand Canal, I just want to be on some canal while in Venice!

Does anyone have any thoughts on reasonably priced hotels in a good location in Rome? Thanks!
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Old Aug 4th, 2006, 04:50 PM
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progol,
Thanks for the response! I keep missing posts!!! With all these glowing recommendations of La Calcina, I'm really hoping we can stay here!
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Old Aug 4th, 2006, 06:50 PM
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In Rome, check out the Pantheon View--B&B.
Google Pantheon View Rome to get lots of info. It's a great place in the middle of everything. The Pantheon is really steps away. We stayed in the room with the torso sculpture on the balcony..loved it. Sometimes it's best to keep these little finds to yourself but I've learned so much on this forum
it's nice to share.

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Old Aug 5th, 2006, 05:25 AM
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Jayne -

We were in Venice this past June and it was perfect. We stayed at Pensione Academia in Dorsoduro. It was the perfect location and very romantic. (If you search, don't get it confused with Accademia Bed and Breakfast)

Its on a point of land between two canals that dump into the Grand Canal. You can see the Grand Canal but you are not right on it. La Calcina is very lovely and the view across the Guidecca Canal is pretty.

The other place that people seem to effusively love on this board is Locanda Orseolo.

Any of these well loved places need to be booked early. I think I booked our place like 9 months in advance since I had my heart set on it.

I think your trip schedule is doable. I had my heart set on Amalfi as well so we did a the drive from Florence to Ravello. We stopped overnight on the way to break it up. It was worth it.

Do see Ravello when you get to the Amalfi Coast. It is spectacular.

locandaorseolo.com
pensioneaccademia.it

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Old Aug 5th, 2006, 05:37 AM
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Also - do you know about Venere.com? It is a reliable site with pictures and reviews by guests. You can actually search by map so you could click on all the places on the canal, and see what fits.

The reviews are legitimate as you can only post if you booked with them and completed a stay. Many fodorites use this site so the recommendations there are a good adjunct to this site.
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Old Aug 5th, 2006, 05:57 AM
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Jayeann,
I am also turning 50 in 2007 and we are renting a villa in Italy and taking friends/family over. You will LOVE Italy, it will be my 8th trip.

When my husband asked me how I wanted to celebrate, I chose a villa in Italy with friends and family!

I agree with Ira that the trip sounds a bit rushed. If you can possibly stretch to three weeks, you might be able to experience much more, be less rushed and really indulge in the experience.

However, time and money and other things may be a factor in your case, but I just wanted to mention that.

I have used venere.com several times. It is a great site.

I love Southern Italy, and I can see the draw to "finish" there. If you start north, and work down the boot, you will end in the south and it will be relaxing and wonderful.

You might consider having Sorrento on the list, between Naples and Positano. I love Positano and Amalfi, but if you had a few days in Sorrento, you could also do a day trip to Capri which would be magical.

I personally would do a couple of nights in Sorrento and a couple of nights in Amalfi, over 4 nights in Positano, but that is just me.

Definitely don't miss Pompeii. I've been several times, It is awesome.

If you spend time in Naples, be sure to do the underground Naples tour. It is really amazing. Not for the claustrophobic, but very interesting.

Let me know if you need info on that.

Also try and book a reservation to do the Scavi (under the vatican) on the morning you visit St. Peters. It is wonderful, and if you search this forum for SCAVI you will see tons of posts on it.

Venice is fantastic. Was just in Italy 3 weeks ago, and we went to a wonderful musical event at a tiny church in Venice, all opera but only about 1.5 hours ( a small break inbetween acts) and I found it on www.whatsonwhen.com I always check that site before traveling anywhere and I can find all kinds of plays, musical events, festivals and such that aren't always advertised well or that we couldn't possibly know about since we don't live there (especially in Italy!)

Florence shopping is spectacular. I have a 'thing' for Florentine leather and this past trip was the first time I haven't added to my borsa di mano collection. (handbag).

There are several people on this board who really, truly know Italy inside and out and you will get tons of very useful tips and advice. Be sure to read some of the trip reports, especially "Enchanted April..." She wrote some wonderful stories about her trip to Italy.

Just search the forum for Crazy dear one and it should come up. Great stuff!

Congrats on your 50th...! Guess we are both 1957 babies!
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Old Aug 5th, 2006, 06:34 PM
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akj,
Thank you for your suggestion. I will check it out!

chicagolori,
Thanks for your suggestions! We definitely will check out Ravello! I keep reading it's the most beautiful spot on the Amalfi Coast. I also have emails out to the hotels you have suggested!

wanderlust5,
Well Happy 50th to you a year ahead of time!!! Isn't it amazing we're almost there???? I still feel 29!!!!
Thank you for all your unique and thought provoking suggestions! I did think about staying in Sorrento, but just secured a great flat at Villa Rosa in Positano for the 4 nights, so I am very excited!!! I thought I could still visit Capri from Positano! Am I wrong? I will certainly look up Scavi and Enchanted April.............right now in fact!!!!!!!
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