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13 Nights in Italy - What to do?
Posted on 5/3/17 at 8:59 am
Posted on 5/3/17 at 8:59 am
My wife and I have booked our flights to Italy in September and will be flying into Venice.
It's our first time, so we'll be trying to catch most of the "must see" items on the checklist, but would also like some advice from those that have visited in the past.
Our original plan was Venice, Florence, and Rome. We've also considered Cinque Terre, but we're not sure if 4 cities in that short of a time frame would be good.
Any advice on how many nights in each city? Should we do Cinque Terre? Something else we're not thinking of?
Thanks in advance!
It's our first time, so we'll be trying to catch most of the "must see" items on the checklist, but would also like some advice from those that have visited in the past.
Our original plan was Venice, Florence, and Rome. We've also considered Cinque Terre, but we're not sure if 4 cities in that short of a time frame would be good.
Any advice on how many nights in each city? Should we do Cinque Terre? Something else we're not thinking of?
Thanks in advance!
This post was edited on 5/3/17 at 9:00 am
7
Posted on 5/3/17 at 9:03 am to LC4Tigers
Are you flying back out of Venice or another city?
2 or 3 nights in Venice should be sufficient. Spend a half day around St. Mark's in Venice, and then the rest of the time roaming and getting lost. Trip out to Murano or another island good way to spend a day. Also, would try and stop by Verona on way out of town if possible.
4 Days in Florence (with a day trip somewhere) and 5 days in Rome. Something like that would be pretty good and judicious use of time.
2 or 3 nights in Venice should be sufficient. Spend a half day around St. Mark's in Venice, and then the rest of the time roaming and getting lost. Trip out to Murano or another island good way to spend a day. Also, would try and stop by Verona on way out of town if possible.
4 Days in Florence (with a day trip somewhere) and 5 days in Rome. Something like that would be pretty good and judicious use of time.
Posted on 5/3/17 at 9:09 am to LC4Tigers
quote:
Should we do Cinque Terre
Absolutely, we liked Corneglia in particular. 2 days is plenty in Rome, in my opinion. Positano is a must see.
Posted on 5/3/17 at 9:38 am to BlackenedOut
quote:
Are you flying back out of Venice or another city?
We're flying out of Venice, but not until 9 PM.
Thanks for the advice on timing. We're interested in day trips out of Florence and have been researching a few. I hear mixed things about Venice.
Posted on 5/3/17 at 9:41 am to Paul Allen
quote:
Positano is a must see
I don't think we'll make it down to the Amalfi Coast as we've decided that would be a separate trip in the future.
The idea of this trip is more about exploring and getting a feel for the culture.
Thanks for the advice on Corniglia. I think we're going to pull the trigger on Cinque Terre.
Posted on 5/3/17 at 9:49 am to LC4Tigers
Venice may be one of the most polarizing cities in all of Europe.
Personally, I love it. Its got a uniqueness and history that is fascinating. St. Mark's, the Rialto Bridge, Bridge of sighs, gondolas...all of that gets a bad rap for being touristy, which it is, but its still pretty amazing to see.
But to me, the real soul of whatever is left of Venice is just wandering around and finding these other squares that are quiet and usually have a bar or cafe, a fountain, and some kids kicking a soccer ball and not much else, maybe a market on the right day.
If flying out of Venice, might be a good idea to do one or 2 nights in Venice, then hit the road then end with a night or 2 back in Venice as a way to wind down.
Personally, I love it. Its got a uniqueness and history that is fascinating. St. Mark's, the Rialto Bridge, Bridge of sighs, gondolas...all of that gets a bad rap for being touristy, which it is, but its still pretty amazing to see.
But to me, the real soul of whatever is left of Venice is just wandering around and finding these other squares that are quiet and usually have a bar or cafe, a fountain, and some kids kicking a soccer ball and not much else, maybe a market on the right day.
If flying out of Venice, might be a good idea to do one or 2 nights in Venice, then hit the road then end with a night or 2 back in Venice as a way to wind down.
Posted on 5/3/17 at 10:25 am to LC4Tigers
I've got a decent thread in the sticky up top. It will cover Rome, Florence, and two day trips (Wine Tours basically) out of Florence.
Posted on 5/3/17 at 11:35 am to BlackenedOut
quote:
BlackenedOut
You have a favorite restaurant in Rome?
Posted on 5/3/17 at 2:09 pm to LC4Tigers
The Chianti Classico Wine Festival is in Greve from September 8-11th. It's on my short list of things to do in Italy. Greve is also home to the most beautiful enoteca I've ever seen.
Posted on 5/3/17 at 2:23 pm to LC4Tigers
You might also consider a day trip out of Rome, even if it's just taking the train to Ostia Antica (on the coast, past FCO airport). OA is the former seaport of ancient Rome; it lay buried by silt & has been excavated, so think preserved mosaic floors, ruins of commercial and residential structures, an amphitheater, small museum containing antiquities, etc. I suggest getting out of the city b/c Rome can be noisy and crowded & not especially relaxing, depending on the tourist load & your tolerance for groups of tourists being herded by guides.
I'd build in a little time to wander thru the countryside; maybe stay at an agriturismo (working farm that takes in guests) somewhere in Tuscany or Perugia, on your way from Florence to Rome, or after Rome on your way back to Venice. The Tuscan countryside is lovely, relaxing, and a place like San Casciano dei Bagni (between Orvieto and Siena) an be a nice respite from hard sightseeing/walking/cities. The San Casciano area has thermal springs, spas, outdoor thermal pools, etc. https://www.sancascianobagni.com/borghi/
Also, since you're planning well in advance, I suggest (as I have in other Italy threads) trying to book a tour of the Scavi, the archaeological excavations far beneath St Peter's Basilica (the Vatican). Only 250 ppl a day are admitted to a special tour through the excavated 1st century AD Roman cemetery, purported resting place of St. Peter. The entire tour experience is amazing--you enter through a special door guarded by Swiss Guards, go through airlock doors, and are accompanied at all times by a specialist guide & small group of people. I'm the farthest thing from religious, and even I found the experience profound. To see 1st century grafitti "Petros" and early Christian symbols was amazing. Here's a link to the Scavi tour's office/booking site: LINK
I'd build in a little time to wander thru the countryside; maybe stay at an agriturismo (working farm that takes in guests) somewhere in Tuscany or Perugia, on your way from Florence to Rome, or after Rome on your way back to Venice. The Tuscan countryside is lovely, relaxing, and a place like San Casciano dei Bagni (between Orvieto and Siena) an be a nice respite from hard sightseeing/walking/cities. The San Casciano area has thermal springs, spas, outdoor thermal pools, etc. https://www.sancascianobagni.com/borghi/
Also, since you're planning well in advance, I suggest (as I have in other Italy threads) trying to book a tour of the Scavi, the archaeological excavations far beneath St Peter's Basilica (the Vatican). Only 250 ppl a day are admitted to a special tour through the excavated 1st century AD Roman cemetery, purported resting place of St. Peter. The entire tour experience is amazing--you enter through a special door guarded by Swiss Guards, go through airlock doors, and are accompanied at all times by a specialist guide & small group of people. I'm the farthest thing from religious, and even I found the experience profound. To see 1st century grafitti "Petros" and early Christian symbols was amazing. Here's a link to the Scavi tour's office/booking site: LINK
Posted on 5/3/17 at 4:10 pm to LC4Tigers
One of your days in Florence do a wine guided wine tour to the chianti region. One of my favorite activities when I was there. Also would recommend spending 2 nights in one of the rural old towns in chianti area, we loved Luca and San gimognano
Posted on 5/3/17 at 5:03 pm to GynoSandberg
I dont. Havent been to Rome in almost 20 years but would trust anything Hungryone recommends.
Posted on 5/3/17 at 5:12 pm to BlackenedOut
Katie Parla won't steer you wrong, see her 2017 Rome restaurant recs: LINK
ETA: neglected to list some of my favorites:
Pizzarium, in Prati, near the Vatican, here's a Lucky Peach article about it: LINK
Armando al Pantheon, near the Pantheon (obvi): traditional stuff in the Centro Storico, where the tourist-choked streets mean lots of lousy restaurants. Menu here: https://www.zomato.com/roma/armando-al-pantheon-navona-pantheon/menu
La Tavernaccia da Bruno in Trastevere: LINK
One of my favorite things to eat in Rome is pizza bianca, a focaccia like flatbread topped w/salt, herbs, and olive oil. Forno Roscioli and Forno Campo di Fiori both do great versions in the Campo di Fiori area.
The Volpetti and Castroni food shops are a delight & good source for edible souvenirs. Italy is one of the few places I visit that requires a check on bag for the flight home; I usually bring home balsamic vinegar, olive oil (esp the olio nuovo if visiting during pressing season), and other liquidy things like pistachio paste or single-flower-variety honeys.
ETA: neglected to list some of my favorites:
Pizzarium, in Prati, near the Vatican, here's a Lucky Peach article about it: LINK
Armando al Pantheon, near the Pantheon (obvi): traditional stuff in the Centro Storico, where the tourist-choked streets mean lots of lousy restaurants. Menu here: https://www.zomato.com/roma/armando-al-pantheon-navona-pantheon/menu
La Tavernaccia da Bruno in Trastevere: LINK
One of my favorite things to eat in Rome is pizza bianca, a focaccia like flatbread topped w/salt, herbs, and olive oil. Forno Roscioli and Forno Campo di Fiori both do great versions in the Campo di Fiori area.
The Volpetti and Castroni food shops are a delight & good source for edible souvenirs. Italy is one of the few places I visit that requires a check on bag for the flight home; I usually bring home balsamic vinegar, olive oil (esp the olio nuovo if visiting during pressing season), and other liquidy things like pistachio paste or single-flower-variety honeys.
This post was edited on 5/4/17 at 9:48 am
Posted on 5/3/17 at 6:51 pm to LC4Tigers
quote:
Should we do Cinque Terre?
Yes. We did a trip that was Cinque Terre, Florence, Rome, Venice. The day we spent hiking Cinque Terre was my favorite. It's great to get out of the cities.
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