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re: Want to take a trip to Italy - Thoughts on length of stay, cost, and places?
Posted on 7/7/15 at 1:37 pm to StringedInstruments
Posted on 7/7/15 at 1:37 pm to StringedInstruments
You will probably want to spend 4 days in Rome alone. Doing only 4 days is silly because you'll be missing a full week of work either way and not taking advantage of extra weekend days. Instead, leave on a Friday (you may be able to get a late flight depending on your location) and come back the following Sunday. You'll only miss 5-6 days from work and get 8 full days at your destination.
That being said, I would only recommend that schedule if you're doing 2 different cities, maybe 3. We spent 14 days in Italy and it was the perfect amount of time for us. It really just depends on what you are interested in. We spent 4 days in Rome, 3 days on the Amalfi coast (stayed at Sorrento, highly recommended, but visited the other parts), 3 days in Florence, and 2 days in Venice (plus the two travel days). It was a great itinerary that allowed us to see everything we wanted to see in those cities. It would take you months to even begin to see all the great places in Italy, so find out your wife's favorite places and go from there. If you tell us what she's interested in (art, landscape, wine, ocean, etc) we could probably give you better recommendations.
Like others have said, I would go with apartment rentals, airbnb, etc. If you like to stay in hotels, always email them first. I was able to get many of the hotels we stayed at (prior to the emergence of airbnb) to reduce their prices significantly.
That being said, I would only recommend that schedule if you're doing 2 different cities, maybe 3. We spent 14 days in Italy and it was the perfect amount of time for us. It really just depends on what you are interested in. We spent 4 days in Rome, 3 days on the Amalfi coast (stayed at Sorrento, highly recommended, but visited the other parts), 3 days in Florence, and 2 days in Venice (plus the two travel days). It was a great itinerary that allowed us to see everything we wanted to see in those cities. It would take you months to even begin to see all the great places in Italy, so find out your wife's favorite places and go from there. If you tell us what she's interested in (art, landscape, wine, ocean, etc) we could probably give you better recommendations.
Like others have said, I would go with apartment rentals, airbnb, etc. If you like to stay in hotels, always email them first. I was able to get many of the hotels we stayed at (prior to the emergence of airbnb) to reduce their prices significantly.
1
Posted on 7/7/15 at 1:40 pm to MetArl15
quote:
Rome and Florence are musts. Lucca and Parma are great smaller cities that are high on my list as well. Siena is also great. The Amalfi Coast is as unbelievably beautiful as they say. I personally would skip Venice as I find it overrated.
I agree with all of this. I think Venice is worth seeing if you're interested in it, but don't spend too long there. We were ready to move on after a day.
Posted on 7/7/15 at 1:41 pm to StringedInstruments
If you are planning a trip 3 years out you should be able to build up enough CC rewards points to cover basically everything other than food.
I have done Europe a few times now and I think 16 days is about perfect.
I have done Europe a few times now and I think 16 days is about perfect.
Posted on 7/7/15 at 1:41 pm to lapistola
quote:
If you tell us what she's interested in (art, landscape, wine, ocean, etc) we could probably give you better recommendations.
Landscape, hiking, wine, and food. Ocean would be a nice plus. Amalfi Coast looks very promising.
History is good, but it wouldn't be what we were there for.
Art would be lowest on our list.
Posted on 7/7/15 at 1:41 pm to StringedInstruments
Florence
Positano
Tuscany
Positano
Tuscany
Posted on 7/7/15 at 1:48 pm to StringedInstruments
quote:
Could I use the points through a deal I find on a site like Travelocity or Hotwire?
probably not, but if you spend every penny you can, you will be able to cover a lot of cost.
If you have the patience, read up on some forums on how to exploit the point system. it takes effort, but there are ways to rack up numerous points just by working the system
Posted on 7/7/15 at 1:51 pm to StringedInstruments
I just did Barcelona (4.5 days) and Paris (8.5 days). After everything it was right at $10k on the dot. Capitalize on points as best you can. I was able to use points for my stay in Barcelona and the flight from there to Paris.
This post was edited on 7/7/15 at 1:53 pm
Posted on 7/7/15 at 1:52 pm to StringedInstruments
Pompeii is nice and Capri is unbelievable, but most of Southern Italy is kinda a dump. 1 day at each of those.
Rome is dirty, but has some incredible sights like the Coliseum, Forum, and the Vatican. If one is not interested in beautiful churches, Renaissance Art, and history, then it's not for you. I'd ration 2 days and 2 nights for Rome.
Pisa is cool for a roadside stop, but that's about it. An hour or 2 is all you need.
Florence is amazing. I could spend a week there and in the surrounding countryside.
Venice is one tremendous, gorgeous, expensive tourist trap. If you've got the coin and want a romantic trip, this is your spot. No less than 2 days and nights here. More, if it's a romantic adventure.
I've heard great things about the Amalfi coast, but have never been. It's more of an "off the beaten path" kind of place.
Rome is dirty, but has some incredible sights like the Coliseum, Forum, and the Vatican. If one is not interested in beautiful churches, Renaissance Art, and history, then it's not for you. I'd ration 2 days and 2 nights for Rome.
Pisa is cool for a roadside stop, but that's about it. An hour or 2 is all you need.
Florence is amazing. I could spend a week there and in the surrounding countryside.
Venice is one tremendous, gorgeous, expensive tourist trap. If you've got the coin and want a romantic trip, this is your spot. No less than 2 days and nights here. More, if it's a romantic adventure.
I've heard great things about the Amalfi coast, but have never been. It's more of an "off the beaten path" kind of place.
Posted on 7/7/15 at 1:57 pm to StringedInstruments
quote:
Landscape, hiking, wine, and food. Ocean would be a nice plus. Amalfi Coast looks very promising.
History is good, but it wouldn't be what we were there for.
Art would be lowest on our list.
Sounds like you would thoroughly enjoy Florence and the Tuscan Valley. Another poster already listed a number of small towns in Tuscany that are amazing to see. My favorites were Sienna and San Gimignano. Also do Cinque Terra for the hiking. I didn't go but my friends loved it. I didn't go but heard that Pisa is a waste.
Then I'd say head down to Rome for at least a day before heading to the Amalfi Coast for as long as you'd like.
You could literally spend your whole trip on the Amalfi Coast or around Florence if you wanted. Capri is great like others have said but we really liked Sorrento. One of the most beautiful places you'll ever see.
Posted on 7/7/15 at 1:57 pm to StringedInstruments
Once you get into Europe flying via Ryan Air is super cheap if you plan ahead.
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Posted on 7/7/15 at 2:10 pm to StringedInstruments
Just got back from honeymoon in Italy. We flew into Milan (cheapest to fly into) and drove to Casetta, a small town outside Siena. We did 4 nights there.
The wife really wanted to see the colliseum, so we took a train from Chiusi into Rome. We were there until 2ish and left to head back. Too many tourists, compared to Florence. I wish we had visited Siena instead of Rome.
We spent a day in Florence. Was an hour drive from our hotel. Could also take the train there, so don't have to find parking.
Drove to the coast one day. Didn't go as we thought. We didn't plan any of our days, except Rome.
Cost wise the biggest expense was flights. Go economy comfort minimum. With car, train, hotel, and food we spent right at $2k and we never starved. 3 course meals with usually 500mil of wine each. House wine was 4 euro for 500 mils. :-)
We found 2 small family restaurants that had the best food. One was right outside our hotel; the other was on our way back from Florence.
I would recommend like the others to take 5-6 days minimum. Our 4 days in Tuscany didn't quite seem enough. 1 more day would have been great.
The wife really wanted to see the colliseum, so we took a train from Chiusi into Rome. We were there until 2ish and left to head back. Too many tourists, compared to Florence. I wish we had visited Siena instead of Rome.
We spent a day in Florence. Was an hour drive from our hotel. Could also take the train there, so don't have to find parking.
Drove to the coast one day. Didn't go as we thought. We didn't plan any of our days, except Rome.
Cost wise the biggest expense was flights. Go economy comfort minimum. With car, train, hotel, and food we spent right at $2k and we never starved. 3 course meals with usually 500mil of wine each. House wine was 4 euro for 500 mils. :-)
We found 2 small family restaurants that had the best food. One was right outside our hotel; the other was on our way back from Florence.
I would recommend like the others to take 5-6 days minimum. Our 4 days in Tuscany didn't quite seem enough. 1 more day would have been great.
Posted on 7/7/15 at 2:11 pm to StringedInstruments
The girlfriend and I did 8 days in Italy back in May. Started with two days Venice, took the train to Florence and stayed for three days, then did the last three in Rome. I thoroughly enjoyed each city. You really don't need more than two days in Venice. I could have used an extra day in Florence and Rome, but I wouldn't have wanted to skip Venice.
Both of us together spent about $6k. That includes airfare, hotels, food, tours, trains, and souvenirs. We did economy airfare and decent hotels, but we did splurge on some meals.
Both of us together spent about $6k. That includes airfare, hotels, food, tours, trains, and souvenirs. We did economy airfare and decent hotels, but we did splurge on some meals.
Posted on 7/7/15 at 2:16 pm to StringedInstruments
I am a civil engineer, and the Romans were the best at it. So I would look at the buildings. The Pons Fabricius is oldest Roman bridge in Rome. Still in its original state. Built in 62 BC, it is older than Christ. Paul probably walked across it.
Posted on 7/7/15 at 2:26 pm to AUCE05
quote:
I am a civil engineer
I am a civil human and I think the Dali Lama is the best at that.
(Shots fired)
Posted on 7/7/15 at 2:54 pm to StringedInstruments
(no message)
This post was edited on 11/8/20 at 7:52 am
Posted on 7/7/15 at 2:55 pm to StringedInstruments
Florence is a must. See David before it cracks. Venice just for a day to have been there. And Roman ruins and monuments are impressive.
Posted on 7/7/15 at 3:11 pm to StringedInstruments
quote:
I'd like to go for longer, but money is going to be an issue. Also, we have young kids, and they aren't coming with us. Not sure if I want to be away from them for more than a week. I know the wife won't.
Hmm. Can you wait longer until the kids are older or you have some more cash? I just don't think that's sufficient time over there to justify the expense of flying there. Honestly it would make more sense for you to go for 4 days if you had a lot of money than if you had little. Because you pay all this money to get there, then will have to leave in a few days.
I mean you'll still have fun if you go for a short time, since it will be new and exciting.. But if you've spent 5 grand on flights and 4 days, what's an extra grand for 2 more days since you're already there?
Posted on 7/7/15 at 3:12 pm to StringedInstruments
We did three nights in Rome, Florence and Venice. It is going to cost around $7-$10k. The flights will run $2,500 and you need to factor about $150 per night for 9 nights ($1,350). A couple hundred dollars for trains and taxis and then another thousand or two for sightseeing, eating and drinking. shite adds up but it is well worth it in the end.
Posted on 7/7/15 at 3:18 pm to Wasp
quote:
Flight: 1000-1500 each
Right now Aer Lingus is flying having fall flights to Rome for $1000 RT.
Posted on 7/7/15 at 3:22 pm to AUCE05
I find it amazing the Pantheon is still standing in Rome. Their version of concrete was literally millenia ahead of the rest of the world.
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