Two weeks in Italy...
Oct 29th, 2017, 04:42 PM
#21
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I don't have any must do area in Milan. My only real interest would be to see the Last Supper. For my daughter, beautiful architecture and shopping- which I know can be found in many areas of Italy.
The itinerary Annhig laid out was great, and very helpful. The idea of writing it out has proven to be beneficial for my thought process, I seem to get scattered and off track easily with all the options.
As far as Amalfi Coast goes, is it easy to find the needed transportation? Taking a train, bus, private car and ferry are all options so I'm not sure where to start with that. I'm sure I'm just overthinking. Since positano will be so crowed during this time of year, is it worth staying there? Better options for staying on the coast?
Also- thoughts on hotel vs air bnb?
The itinerary Annhig laid out was great, and very helpful. The idea of writing it out has proven to be beneficial for my thought process, I seem to get scattered and off track easily with all the options.
As far as Amalfi Coast goes, is it easy to find the needed transportation? Taking a train, bus, private car and ferry are all options so I'm not sure where to start with that. I'm sure I'm just overthinking. Since positano will be so crowed during this time of year, is it worth staying there? Better options for staying on the coast?
Also- thoughts on hotel vs air bnb?
Oct 29th, 2017, 05:15 PM
#23
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Once you are actually on the AC, a train is not an option. You may have to use a bus or car once in a while, but roads will be very, very crowded and busses will be slow. A driver and hired car will be in the same traffic. Ferries run frequently during the Summer, views are great and there is always a breeze in the water.
Oct 29th, 2017, 06:46 PM
#24
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You can easily get train Rome-Florence then Florence-Venice.
I think is the top 3 places to visit in Italy and 2 weeks is plenty time to do it.
You can even squeeze in some more. You can reach Naples for 2 days or so. If not, from Florence you can go Pisa and Siena, and the chianti region. From Venice you can go see Verona that is great, also Trieste is not far and it's beautiful/
I think is the top 3 places to visit in Italy and 2 weeks is plenty time to do it.
You can even squeeze in some more. You can reach Naples for 2 days or so. If not, from Florence you can go Pisa and Siena, and the chianti region. From Venice you can go see Verona that is great, also Trieste is not far and it's beautiful/
Oct 30th, 2017, 02:03 AM
#25
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If the Last Supper is a priority than you must buy tickets well in advance. There are not many available given the huge numbers of people who want to see it. You can find information about how to book tickets online. Be sure to follow the instructions about picking up your tickets before the actual entry time.
All of the Amalfi coast will be crowded, and so will every town. What is most important for choosing a town is how comfortable you are with stair climbing, whether you want a beach for swimming and how much "day tripping" you plan to do. The worst experience of the crowds along the Amalfi coast is on the buses. If you plan a lot of day trips you might want to be sure you are located somewhere that minimizes how many buses you need to take. If you are really not happy with stair climbing in the hot sun, then perhaps Positano is not the best choice unless you pick the right location for lodgings.
Airbnb or other rentals can be great for cost saving + charm + extra elbow room. They are also great for people who are particular about breakfast and thus would like a kitchen, or people who are not huge eaters, and therefore will prefer to have some breaks from restaurant meals. Downsides are that it's often a bit more complicated to check into a rental than a hotel, and that you are unlikely to have 24 hour access to a desk that will help you with booking restaurants, tours, etc if you want that kind of help.
At a minimum I suggest you check out what on offer via Airbnb (or Rome Loft's website for Rome rentals and Summer in Italy website for the Amalfi coast). You might see a set up that looks much better for you than hotels in your price range. Be sure to read reviews and get air conditioning wherever you decide to stay, whether it's a hotel or a rental.
All of the Amalfi coast will be crowded, and so will every town. What is most important for choosing a town is how comfortable you are with stair climbing, whether you want a beach for swimming and how much "day tripping" you plan to do. The worst experience of the crowds along the Amalfi coast is on the buses. If you plan a lot of day trips you might want to be sure you are located somewhere that minimizes how many buses you need to take. If you are really not happy with stair climbing in the hot sun, then perhaps Positano is not the best choice unless you pick the right location for lodgings.
Airbnb or other rentals can be great for cost saving + charm + extra elbow room. They are also great for people who are particular about breakfast and thus would like a kitchen, or people who are not huge eaters, and therefore will prefer to have some breaks from restaurant meals. Downsides are that it's often a bit more complicated to check into a rental than a hotel, and that you are unlikely to have 24 hour access to a desk that will help you with booking restaurants, tours, etc if you want that kind of help.
At a minimum I suggest you check out what on offer via Airbnb (or Rome Loft's website for Rome rentals and Summer in Italy website for the Amalfi coast). You might see a set up that looks much better for you than hotels in your price range. Be sure to read reviews and get air conditioning wherever you decide to stay, whether it's a hotel or a rental.
Oct 30th, 2017, 02:22 AM
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I think you did ask the right question-how to get there? I find when planning a trip that figuring out how to get everywhere is the first step before booking lodging or making other reservations for sight seeing!
Everyone gives great advice above.
Everyone gives great advice above.
Oct 30th, 2017, 10:23 PM
#29
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I like Annhig's itinerary too. Nice mix.
If you love this itinerary, I would start browsing lodgings. For me, I like to take my time on this part so starting now is not a bad idea. I email myself websites of the places I am looking at.
With all of your destinations, I would suggest you figure out what part of the city (or in Amalfi, which city) you want to stay in. Use the map view on travelocity, booking.com or whatever site you prefer.
For apartments, I like booking.com better than airbnb.com. I had great support from booking.com when I needed help. I also loved their app. Homeaway.com is a good third option for apartments.
No matter which apartment website you use, keep an eye out for extra fees like a housekeeping fee. When needed, message the property owner with questions. If they don't message back in a timely fashion, that is its own answer.
You will want to be sure to get A/C in Rome, and probably also Florence. Apartments with A/C will go early.
Your Venice and Amalfi stays would be over weekends, so those may go sooner too.
One drawback to an apartment, in that you don't have anyone to answer questions, help order dinner reservations, or even just call a taxi.
For at least one of your stays, it would be fun to stay somewhere with a terrace balcony, either an individual one or a rooftop terrace with a bar or restaurant. In Rome, an example of what I mean is the Albergo del Senato, a hotel located in the same piazza as the Pantheon. I have not stayed there but that property gets good reviews on this board.
If you love this itinerary, I would start browsing lodgings. For me, I like to take my time on this part so starting now is not a bad idea. I email myself websites of the places I am looking at.
With all of your destinations, I would suggest you figure out what part of the city (or in Amalfi, which city) you want to stay in. Use the map view on travelocity, booking.com or whatever site you prefer.
For apartments, I like booking.com better than airbnb.com. I had great support from booking.com when I needed help. I also loved their app. Homeaway.com is a good third option for apartments.
No matter which apartment website you use, keep an eye out for extra fees like a housekeeping fee. When needed, message the property owner with questions. If they don't message back in a timely fashion, that is its own answer.
You will want to be sure to get A/C in Rome, and probably also Florence. Apartments with A/C will go early.
Your Venice and Amalfi stays would be over weekends, so those may go sooner too.
One drawback to an apartment, in that you don't have anyone to answer questions, help order dinner reservations, or even just call a taxi.
For at least one of your stays, it would be fun to stay somewhere with a terrace balcony, either an individual one or a rooftop terrace with a bar or restaurant. In Rome, an example of what I mean is the Albergo del Senato, a hotel located in the same piazza as the Pantheon. I have not stayed there but that property gets good reviews on this board.
Oct 31st, 2017, 12:44 PM
#32
yes annhig's itinerary is relaxed enough -I may say add a day to Florence and take one away from Amalfi.>>
of course, it's not written in tablets of stone.
My reasons for giving Florence so little time were that it wasn't on the OP's original list and it can be very hot in the summer. The Amalfi will be hot but if the OP chooses well, there should be a beach and/or a pool in the near vicinity and they can use that as some down time before heading to Rome.
There isn't time to do Florence justice, so you might as well cut down the time there so that you just have a taste and save seeing most of it for another time.
of course, it's not written in tablets of stone.
My reasons for giving Florence so little time were that it wasn't on the OP's original list and it can be very hot in the summer. The Amalfi will be hot but if the OP chooses well, there should be a beach and/or a pool in the near vicinity and they can use that as some down time before heading to Rome.
There isn't time to do Florence justice, so you might as well cut down the time there so that you just have a taste and save seeing most of it for another time.
Oct 31st, 2017, 02:55 PM
#33
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Yes annhig - just think 5 full days in Amalfi would be a bit too much if just relaxing and in hectic summer most towns may not be so relaxing - but if doing day trips to Paestum, Capri and other Amalfi towns maybe not and of course maybe not if folks just want to beach or pool it for five days that is of course great.
Florence was not on OP's original wish list - and a few days there is enough for seeing the main sights but I think Florence with a day or two more would be ideal for daytrips to iconic Tuscan hill towns like Siena - about an hour by bus - or to nearby Pisa to see the Leaning Tower if nothing more - that was what I suggest anyway and this is all veryn subjective.
But the more options presented the better for OP to consider.
Florence was not on OP's original wish list - and a few days there is enough for seeing the main sights but I think Florence with a day or two more would be ideal for daytrips to iconic Tuscan hill towns like Siena - about an hour by bus - or to nearby Pisa to see the Leaning Tower if nothing more - that was what I suggest anyway and this is all veryn subjective.
But the more options presented the better for OP to consider.
Nov 1st, 2017, 12:53 PM
#34
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I definitely appreciate being thrown more options. Florence never crossed my mind originally, now it's almost a must do. Hearing of the little places in close proximity to the major cities is my favorite! We absolutely want to see a little more than just the tourist attractions.
Nov 1st, 2017, 01:43 PM
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Day trips to Pisa and Siena from Florence won't net you an experience of little places beyond the tourist megnets. Both towns are packed to the gills in summer with tourists there to see world-famous sights.
However, if you really would like a more intimate of Italy, connecting you with Italy & charms (and charming people) it is not at all difficult to with your present itinerary if you make a point of doing so. In fact, there are less-visited corners of Venice and Rome that can be fascinating to spend just a few hours in, away from the tourist hordes and guidebook attractions, plus tiny villages and walking in the Amalfi or the nearby islands that are away from the souvenir hawking and frantic rush to "must-do" and "must-see".
For Rome and Venice you can sometimes find short books or internet essasy with very obvious titles like "Quiet Corners of Rome" or "Hidden Treasure of Venice". For the Amalfi, it can be a simple as going for a drink or lunch in Atrani or Furore or Scala.
When you finalize your itinerary, start another thread asking for tips for teeny mini breaks from famous Italy. Or just make a pact with yourself that at least 1/2 day in each destination, you are going to keep your guidebook shut and just head out into the unknown (and only open the guidebook when you discover something fabulous and are curious to know what it is. Such things are everywhere in Italy -- and not all of them in the guidebooks)
However, if you really would like a more intimate of Italy, connecting you with Italy & charms (and charming people) it is not at all difficult to with your present itinerary if you make a point of doing so. In fact, there are less-visited corners of Venice and Rome that can be fascinating to spend just a few hours in, away from the tourist hordes and guidebook attractions, plus tiny villages and walking in the Amalfi or the nearby islands that are away from the souvenir hawking and frantic rush to "must-do" and "must-see".
For Rome and Venice you can sometimes find short books or internet essasy with very obvious titles like "Quiet Corners of Rome" or "Hidden Treasure of Venice". For the Amalfi, it can be a simple as going for a drink or lunch in Atrani or Furore or Scala.
When you finalize your itinerary, start another thread asking for tips for teeny mini breaks from famous Italy. Or just make a pact with yourself that at least 1/2 day in each destination, you are going to keep your guidebook shut and just head out into the unknown (and only open the guidebook when you discover something fabulous and are curious to know what it is. Such things are everywhere in Italy -- and not all of them in the guidebooks)
Nov 1st, 2017, 02:48 PM
#36
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When we went to Italy the 1st time in '00, we skipped Florence for exactly for one of the reasons cited by Ann....we were doing a "survey" trip that time and Florence would have gotten short shrift. We went back in '13 and spent 5 nights there.
Nov 1st, 2017, 05:01 PM
#38
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Very true! I just knew that I wanted to take my time in Florence whenever we did finally go....and our "survey" trip was really great. 2 nights in Venice, 3 nights in the Tuscan countryside, and 3 nights in Rome. We took DS as a college graduation/family trip knowing that his days of traveling with us were probably coming to a close...
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