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      10-21-2021, 08:34 PM   #1
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Italy Recommendations

Hey guys,

The wife and I are about to start planning a trip to Italy which will take place in May. It will be for our 1yr anniversary and following that we plan to start trying for little minions so we definitely want to make the best of it. Right now we are thinking between 10-14days and 2-3 locations. I don't want to travel too much during the stay because I'd really like to enjoy where we are as much as possible. I hope we will have the opportunity to come back to Europe many times In the future, but also understand the kids may get in the way. This will be our first venture over to Europe, don't get me wrong we have been out of the country many times, but not over there unfortunately.

She has a few places that she has her eye on due to social media, but I on the other hand would like to hear what actual people without influence would recommend.

We have barely started planning, and to be honest it's a little difficult to start planning because reviews are just that. Hence why I'm starting a thread. I'd like to know y'all's most memorable experiences so I can attempt to make the trip a memorable one for her.

I really appreciate the help!
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      10-21-2021, 08:58 PM   #2
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Sadly I cannot offer any first hand experience, but I too have long wished to have a few weeks to spend in Italy. My two choices of venue would be the Dolomites and the Amalfi Coast. Third would be Tuscany. A week in each would be heaven.
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      10-21-2021, 09:01 PM   #3
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I have been a number of times, and there are lots of great places to go.

What are your interests, when are you going?
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      10-21-2021, 09:08 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by M_Six View Post
Sadly I cannot offer any first hand experience, but I too have long wished to have a few weeks to spend in Italy. My two choices of venue would be the Dolomites and the Amalfi Coast. Third would be Tuscany. A week in each would be heaven.
Amalfi Coast is on her list, I just want to ensure that it isn't because of the Instagram hype. This forum is the closest thing I have to social media, and have seen many are well traveled hence the topic. We will definitely report back after our voyage!!

Quote:
Originally Posted by ToddBlack88 View Post
I have been a number of times, and there are lots of great places to go.

What are your interests, when are you going?
I am a big old architectural buff, although lacking on the religious aspect as such Rome may not be our go-to. We both love food and a great drink, but by no means like to gorge ourselves. We are young so a later night atmosphere is always nice, but not necessarily a requirement. We love the beach and great views. We want an area where there is plenty to see and doesn't leave us wanting more.

We will be heading there come late May next year.
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      10-21-2021, 09:15 PM   #5
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Amalfi Coast is on her list, I just want to ensure that it isn't because of the Instagram hype. This forum is the closest thing I have to social media, and have seen many are well traveled hence the topic. We will definitely report back after our voyage!!



I am a big old architectural buff, although lacking on the religious aspect as such Rome may not be our go-to. We both love food and a great drink, but by no means like to gorge ourselves. We are young so a later night atmosphere is always nice, but not necessarily a requirement. We love the beach and great views. We want an area where there is plenty to see and doesn't leave us wanting more.

We will be heading there come late May next year.
Tuscany covers food and drink in spades. Amalfi coast has the beaches. But I get where you're coming from and agree with your approach. Get some firsthand advice here. I seem to remember a thread from not long ago from here about someone's vacation along the Amalfi Coast. There were a lot of pics in it.
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      10-21-2021, 09:57 PM   #6
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      10-21-2021, 10:01 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JP10 View Post
Hey guys,

The wife and I are about to start planning a trip to Italy which will take place in May. It will be for our 1yr anniversary and following that we plan to start trying for little minions so we definitely want to make the best of it. Right now we are thinking between 10-14days and 2-3 locations. I don't want to travel too much during the stay because I'd really like to enjoy where we are as much as possible. I hope we will have the opportunity to come back to Europe many times In the future, but also understand the kids may get in the way. This will be our first venture over to Europe, don't get me wrong we have been out of the country many times, but not over there unfortunately.

She has a few places that she has her eye on due to social media, but I on the other hand would like to hear what actual people without influence would recommend.

We have barely started planning, and to be honest it's a little difficult to start planning because reviews are just that. Hence why I'm starting a thread. I'd like to know y'all's most memorable experiences so I can attempt to make the trip a memorable one for her.

I really appreciate the help!
For a 14 day trip, here is what I would recommend:

3 days in Venice are plenty. I prefer to stay a little off the beaten path because of the crowds. Perhaps closer to the north side of Venice proper. You can take a train directly there. Take a water taxi to your hotel because it is too much trouble dragging your luggage from the train station (and no cars in Venice). Take good walking shoes and use Google Maps. There are dozens of churches, some museums, restaurants everywhere and plenty of opportunities to shop. Take a nighttime gondola ride.

4 days in Florence. Any hotel near the Duomo will do. Look for restaurants off the beaten path (notice the theme?). Shop for leather and other chortles, tour churches and museums and catacombs. Go see the Medusa.

6 days in Rome. Imagine a week in DC? You still cannot see it all, and that is Rome, too. Hit up the Spanish steps, just don't sit on them. Throw some coins over your shoulder into the Trevi fountain. There are 400 fountains in Rome as part of their 2,000 year old aqua duct system. The Parthenon is a personal favorite. Go to the Vatican. Hit up the Coliseum. Go to the ruins. Consider spending money on private tours, especially of the Sistine chapel and Coliseum, because the guided tours are the only way to get all of the stories that go with the art and the ruins. Private tours are not cheap but are completely worth it to jump the lines and get personal attention.

You can fly in to Milan to get to Venice. Nothing wrong with spending a day or two in Milan, especially to recover from jet lag. Fly back from Rome.

For several years my wife and I were going there annually. We always rented an Audi wagon (that's what Hertz had) and randomly traveled over most of the country using Waze. But the Italian train system is excellent. Uber is available in Rome, but not in Florence at our last visit.

We spent time in many other locations away from the main tourist areas, but you would have to drive. I would recommend those main cities for your first trip.

One little trick to know -- don't exchange dollars for Euros anywhere. Set up your ATM and credit cards for international use (no additional fees and automated conversions). Once you arrive in Italy, find an ATM and withdraw a few hundred Euros. Note that you cannot tip with a credit card like we're used to here, so you'll want to leave a few Euros for tips. Your dollars will not fly in Italy, so don't bother bringing any more greenbacks than you'll need before you leave USA.

Regarding phones, we paid Verizon $10 per day to use our iPhones in Italy. Was just easier that way. You can buy a SIM card there for an Android if you want a cheaper solution.

Do not assume you can do laundry there like you can at US-based hotels. Plan accordingly.

Practice a little of the language before you go because the Italians are so friendly and accommodating, and they will gladly help you communicate. But most of them speak excellent english.
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      10-21-2021, 10:11 PM   #8
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Highly highly recommend Florence. One of the best cities I've ever visited. Most of the city there are no cars so very walkable and gives a village feel. Very lively and picturesque city.

I found Rome a little overrated, it seemed dirty and a little hard to get around. But it's a significant city but size-wise and culturally so I probably didn't spend enough time there to really experience it. Spent most of my time at Spanish Steps and the Coliseum. Venchi is an amazing chocolatier well regarded across Europe, they have some locations in Rome.

Pisa I did a 1/2 day trip. Was worth it to me.

Haven't been to the rest of Italy. I hear wonderful things about Amalfi Coast. Venice seems like a must-see and Milan is probably worth a look. Ferrari museum is in Maranello and Alfa Romeo in Milan. I'd love to see their collections at some point.
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      10-21-2021, 11:05 PM   #9
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Gonna go against the grain here and skip Florence. I never understood the draw. Been there twice (second time wasn’t really up to me) and wasn’t hugely into it, and I have been all over Italy.

Best to list the places your wife is interested so we can help. Italy is a long country and it would take months, if not years, to do it justice. With 2 weeks, you’ll need to focus on a certain region. If northern, you could go to Milan, Lake Como/Bellagio, Verona, Venice, and Genoa. Pick 3 out of those. If Tuscany area, you could do Florence, Pisa, Cinque Terre, Bologna, and Lucca. Again, choose 3 (with maybe a day trip to Pisa). More south is where Rome, Naples, Pompeii, Sorrento (not technically on Amalfi Coast), and the Amalfi Coast itself. For a more relaxed pace you could spend 5-7 days in Amalfi and visit all the towns. I prefer Amalfi Coast over Cinque Terre, although CT is also very picturesque. People tend to prefer one over the other.

There are tons of other towns in between that are worth visiting too. Modena for cars, for example. You could also go way south and visit Sicily.

Btw, out of curiosity, would you ever entertain paying someone to plan/tailor your trip for you?
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      10-21-2021, 11:17 PM   #10
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This is on my bucket list, where I hope to eventually take my wife.
It is located in the Cornaro Chapel, Santa Maria della Vittoria, Rome.
Bernini created stage sets, and this was perhaps one of his ultimate works.

Ecstasy of Saint Teresa
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      10-21-2021, 11:29 PM   #11
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Originally Posted by rwheels View Post
This is on my bucket list, where I hope to eventually take my wife.
It is located in the Cornaro Chapel, Santa Maria della Vittoria, Rome.
Bernini created stage sets, and this was perhaps one of his ultimate works.

Ecstasy of Saint Teresa
Rome is one of my favorite cities in the world. I normally don’t like big cities but Rome just speaks to me. It’s full of history, wonderful architecture, food, wine, people (although the centrale area can be a bit sketchy lol). Love all the cathedrals and churches there. Just so wonderfully wonderful.
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      10-21-2021, 11:38 PM   #12
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I used to go to Italy a lot. Saw the well known cities (Rome, Florence, Venice) and they are all special in their own way.

But I most enjoyed renting a car and getting lost in Tuscany and Umbria. Also drove from Nice to Venice and that was great, but not like Tuscany and Umbria. The hill towns are great. Of the hill towns I'd look into Siena, Montalcino, Montepulciano, Cortona, Gubbio, Orvieto, San Gimignano amongst others. Most of these are well known for their wines and deservedly so.

I love early Renaissance art and every small town had an art museum that maybe didn't have dozens of great works, but at least a few of very bigl significance. And you could view and enjoy without hordes around you.

Night life - not much that I can recall other than great eating and wines. The beef frpm the Val di Chiana is some of the best in the world.
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      10-22-2021, 01:07 AM   #13
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Wife and I go to Europe every other year. We go for 18 days and spend 3-4 nights in a city. Our last trip was the year before Covid. We spent time in France and then went to Florence by train from Paris, spent a few days there and then went to Rome before a weekend in Dublin visiting friends and coming home. Florence was amazing and much less hectic than Rome. Rome was busy but so full of history it was incredible. We even booked a mass with the Pope he does on Wednesday's. The food in both places is awesome. I recommend a Florentine steak at antica trattoria da tito in Florence and don't order a soda with your meal. Book tours in advance to Michelangelo. 3-4 days in Florence is enough to see everything.
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      10-22-2021, 02:52 AM   #14
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Rome would be my first choice with it's history,Vatican and the Colosseum are a big draw, lots of walking involved so good shoes needed.
On the other end of the scale the small seaside resort of Viareggio I've been to twice if you want something quieter and if lazing around on the beach is your forte. Hire a car to visit Pisa,Florence and other interesting places in the vicinity.

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      10-22-2021, 04:30 AM   #15
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Rome would be top of my list.
Lived there for 10 years and would still go back to visit.
Although there are a lot of tourists for some of the big attractions.
Pre book the Vatican and the colosseum if you can helps to avoid some of the queues.
If you go try to get a hotel somewhere near the centre so that you can walk everywhere.
The Amalfi coast is lovely but extremely busy. So wouldn't plan to go there myself.
If you want a few days on the beach there is a resort town called Lido Di Jesolo which is a bit busy but nice. From there you can take a small ferry to Venice for a look around.
The Italians are super friendly. A drive into the quiet countryside is how we often spent a bit of free time. Eat at a local restaurant for excellent food.
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      10-22-2021, 05:28 AM   #16
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I guess it’s what your interests are, Italy can provide most things including sports.
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      10-22-2021, 05:52 AM   #17
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      10-22-2021, 06:37 AM   #18
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Hey bro - Rome is pretty jaw dropping - I would love to go back to St. Peter's Basilica again - I will likely never visit a structure as grand and awe inspiring as St. Peter's again. The coliseum is cool - it definitely is worth visiting. Florence is often raved about by many of my friends and family but I have not been.

Maybe lookup "Rick Steve's" on youtube and enter some of the cities mentioned on here for further reference. And congrats on getting married and wanting kids right away - that's awesome!
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      10-22-2021, 07:00 AM   #19
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Our Honeymoon we landed in Paris, took a fast train to Monaco then off to Florence and departed from Rome.

Florence is a MUST!
Food, architecture, and just a feeling like everyone is one big family. Such a friendly town. Just watch out for gypsies...everywhere. You can not leave anything unattended. Its VERY safe, but they are creepers.

IMO Rome is eehhh....the history is obvious and completely amazing but we found the food and the lodging very boring.

We wanted to do Amalfi but in Sept it was said to be "too cold" to visit and truly enjoy it.

You're going to love Italy!!! Just dont bring a lot of clothes/luggage. We brought 2 suitcases each for 14 days and it was a nightmare. The lodging is much smaller (elevators/hallways) and the trains are jam packed and not much room.

Pics to follow shortly......
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      10-22-2021, 07:04 AM   #20
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Hey guys, really appreciate all of the comments. I'll be working all day, so won't have time to really dig into all of the recommendations but we plan to this weekend for sure! I was debating Rome for a while there, but after hearing all of the recommendations and understanding it has probably some of the best architecture a person can see, it may be back on my list.

I'd like to minimize travel to an extent, so leaning towards region specific like BMW F22 had recommended. Although this may mean we skip Tuscany and she was pretty focused on that so we will see how that discussion goes haha.

floridaorange Much appreciated man! It has been one expensive year especially for a young guy lol. Car purchase, wedding/honeymoon, just closed on a house as well - as you can imagine my wallet is screaming at me! We have been together for more than a third of our lives now (crazy typing that, but true), and we have always wanted kids. Just a matter of being patient and finding the right time. Finally in a solid position in regards to career/financial/home, and we don't want to wait too long. Only concern is that I am a workaholic, but I'll have to tackle that when the time comes.

Thanks again everyone!
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      10-22-2021, 08:21 AM   #21
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All of the above good suggestions. Siena, Rome and Florence are a must see but the swarms of selfie sticks and tourist groups ruin it somewhat…I guess that’s the way of the world now though.

I got married in Lucca. It’s like an Italian version of Brugges. It’s home to the best Restaurants I’ve ever eaten in anywhere in Italy. Simply incredible food.

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. Your dollars will not fly in Italy, so don't bother bringing any more greenbacks than you'll need before you leave USA.
Always find this surprising. It’s a country with its own currency in the developed world. Why would they take dollars? 😀
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      10-22-2021, 08:31 AM   #22
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GF has been 3 times, nudging me, great thread, will follow this one.
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