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Started By
Message
Help me plan a trip to Italy in December for Christmas
Posted on 7/20/17 at 11:10 am
Posted on 7/20/17 at 11:10 am
I'm looking at very roughly December 21-31. Definitely not any longer than that, but it could be a day or so shorter.
Cost is an issue as the couple we are traveling with does not have the disposable income that we do, although they are not destitute or anything. So I would like to keep the cost down a bit...thinking Airbnbs, not hostels.
The flights I am looking at fly into Rome the morning of the 22nd and fly out and back home on the 31st. Obviously this is still somewhat flexible as we have not booked a flight yet.
So the things set in stone would be staying the first few days in Rome, at least until Christmas day, and then being back in Rome to fly out of it.
That gives roughly 5 nights anywhere else in Italy if we need to be back in Rome on the last night of the trip.
Would you just keep it simple and spend a few nights in Florence and Venice (get there via Train)?
Would you rent a car and spend a night in multiple smaller places like Siena, Orvieto, Sorrento, etc etc? Head north? South?
Give me your thoughts. Keep in mind it will obviously be cold so places like the Amalfi Coast or Cinque Terre won't be at their most ideal.
Cost is an issue as the couple we are traveling with does not have the disposable income that we do, although they are not destitute or anything. So I would like to keep the cost down a bit...thinking Airbnbs, not hostels.
The flights I am looking at fly into Rome the morning of the 22nd and fly out and back home on the 31st. Obviously this is still somewhat flexible as we have not booked a flight yet.
So the things set in stone would be staying the first few days in Rome, at least until Christmas day, and then being back in Rome to fly out of it.
That gives roughly 5 nights anywhere else in Italy if we need to be back in Rome on the last night of the trip.
Would you just keep it simple and spend a few nights in Florence and Venice (get there via Train)?
Would you rent a car and spend a night in multiple smaller places like Siena, Orvieto, Sorrento, etc etc? Head north? South?
Give me your thoughts. Keep in mind it will obviously be cold so places like the Amalfi Coast or Cinque Terre won't be at their most ideal.
4
Posted on 7/20/17 at 11:26 am to Fun Bunch
Don't count out the coast. I think winter temps there are similar to the Gulf Coast here, so you can get some quite nice mild weather.
Posted on 7/20/17 at 11:52 am to Fun Bunch
Go to Modena for the sole purpose of eating at Osteria Francescana. Rated multiple years the best restaurant in the world.
You can also test drive Ferraris there.
Make a reservation now.
You can also test drive Ferraris there.
Make a reservation now.
Posted on 7/20/17 at 12:00 pm to Fun Bunch
1)Rome is full of religious orders offering simple pilgrims lodgings. These are usually affordable rooms, often in architecturally interesting buildings, with basic services. Simple lobbies, no bars or restaurants, but usually a communal breakfast room & simple breakfasts. They're scattered all around the city & definitely worth a visit if you are doing Rome on a budget. Check out Monastery Stays: LINK
The only drawback to these lodgings--some have "closing hours" which mean the front door is locked at midnight (or 11), and if you're locked out, tough luck. So if you stay out until the wee hours, this is not a good option.
2)You can easily combine Florence & Siena/Orvieto as a side trip from Rome, and if you're into archaeology, consider Tarquinia and Ostia Antica as close-by ancient sites (in case Rome isn't enough, LOL). Sorrento is a longer train ride, and though the Amalfi Coast is breathtaking in any season, it will be cold & on the wet side in December. During the season, the Amalfi Coast is well served by bus service, but in the off season, you will need a car (and a driver, unless you are comfortable driving on scarifying, twisting roads with no guardrails & a drop to the ocean. Just getting around the Sorrentine peninsula can eat up some time. I went to Amalfi at Mardi Gras one year; it was lovely to see the rain on the coast turn into snow on the hilltops, but many things were closed or on very reduced schedules. Empty of tourists, though....
I wouldn't go all the way to Venice, esp if you're traveling with budget conscious friends.
Stick to Rome/Lazio, venture into Tuscany, and you'll enjoy every minute of it.
The only drawback to these lodgings--some have "closing hours" which mean the front door is locked at midnight (or 11), and if you're locked out, tough luck. So if you stay out until the wee hours, this is not a good option.
2)You can easily combine Florence & Siena/Orvieto as a side trip from Rome, and if you're into archaeology, consider Tarquinia and Ostia Antica as close-by ancient sites (in case Rome isn't enough, LOL). Sorrento is a longer train ride, and though the Amalfi Coast is breathtaking in any season, it will be cold & on the wet side in December. During the season, the Amalfi Coast is well served by bus service, but in the off season, you will need a car (and a driver, unless you are comfortable driving on scarifying, twisting roads with no guardrails & a drop to the ocean. Just getting around the Sorrentine peninsula can eat up some time. I went to Amalfi at Mardi Gras one year; it was lovely to see the rain on the coast turn into snow on the hilltops, but many things were closed or on very reduced schedules. Empty of tourists, though....
I wouldn't go all the way to Venice, esp if you're traveling with budget conscious friends.
Stick to Rome/Lazio, venture into Tuscany, and you'll enjoy every minute of it.
Posted on 7/20/17 at 12:15 pm to hungryone
I would bet that time of year you can find a 2 bedroom Airbnb for under $90/ couple pretty easily. Probably under $120 total/ night. Food in Italy is cheap, even eating out you can just get a pasta or pizza for dirt cheap.
The small towns can be very cheap too especially in the off season, especially compared to say Rome. I've stayed in a suite in the off season in a mid grade hotel in a ski area for under $100/ night.
One of your big expenses will be traveling while in Italy. Trains aren't expensive, but it could still add $100/ day per couple. Which could easily be the same as your food/ lodging. So keep that in mind. I'd rather spend 2 extra days while traveling less than travel more.
Not sure what your work schedule is, but another way to save money is not to fly and stay in the big cities over the weekend. Hotels you may save $50/ night easily on a Tuesday over a fri/sat.
Venice has high water in the winter. I probably wouldn't go there. I don't think you'll have a hard time finding things to do at all.
The small towns can be very cheap too especially in the off season, especially compared to say Rome. I've stayed in a suite in the off season in a mid grade hotel in a ski area for under $100/ night.
One of your big expenses will be traveling while in Italy. Trains aren't expensive, but it could still add $100/ day per couple. Which could easily be the same as your food/ lodging. So keep that in mind. I'd rather spend 2 extra days while traveling less than travel more.
Not sure what your work schedule is, but another way to save money is not to fly and stay in the big cities over the weekend. Hotels you may save $50/ night easily on a Tuesday over a fri/sat.
Venice has high water in the winter. I probably wouldn't go there. I don't think you'll have a hard time finding things to do at all.
This post was edited on 7/20/17 at 12:19 pm
Posted on 7/20/17 at 1:43 pm to baldona
quote:
I would bet that time of year you can find a 2 bedroom Airbnb for under $90/ couple pretty easily. Probably under $120 total/ night.
This is very true.
Even in Venice I found places that have balconies overlooking canals for 170 a nice or less.
I'm just trying to get an idea of places to stay if we don't just do Rome/Florence.
Posted on 7/21/17 at 10:25 am to Fun Bunch
quote:
So I would like to keep the cost down a bit...thinking Airbnbs, not hostels.
There are hostels all over Europe that are really nice. You can usually get a four-bed private suite for really cheap. Just do your research ahead of time.
quote:
flights I am looking at fly into Rome
Also, if you're looking to save some cash, be willing to be flexible on which airport you land in. It can be cheaper to fly into another city/country (say Barcelona or Paris) and fly into Italy on one of the European budget airlines (Ryanair, etc.).
quote:
So the things set in stone would be staying the first few days in Rome, at least until Christmas day, and then being back in Rome to fly out of it.
I'd recommend book-ending your trip with Rome. Rather than spending your first four-five days there, stay for a couple of days, travel, then spend your last couple of days there. It's a great city with plenty to do. But you're going to wish you had more time in Florence and that you had a day or two to relax before flying back.
quote:
Would you just keep it simple and spend a few nights in Florence and Venice (get there via Train)?
Yes. Spend more time in Florence. It's beautiful and my favorite city in Italy by far. Venice can be done in two days (really isn't much there). Also, think about stopping in Verona on your way to Venice. It's small and quiet, but it's actually a really cool city.
Most importantly, if you haven't been to Italy before, don't eat in major tourist centers (palazzos, in the shadows major landmarks, etc.). Find small, cramped mom and pop places with no English on the menu. Order a couple of liters of the house red. Drink espresso. Eat the local specialty (get the pastissada--pony stew--in Verona is tits).
Have a great trip.
This post was edited on 7/21/17 at 10:27 am
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