Tell Me Where To Go (Italy)

[blackcat20]

We're heading to Italy next year but are completely overwhelmed trying to decide where to go. We've both been before but cant quite decide which parts of the country to focus on. We have 7 days; arrive in Rome on a Friday night and depart the following Saturday (fight not booked so dont need to get back to Rome). I'm torn between heading north to Cinque Terra, and south towards Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast.

So, tell me where to go

 

[Geegeela]

In a word, Florence.

 

[Buzzard]

I have never been to Italy but the Amalfi Coast is certainly one area that I would like to visit.

 

[DontGetMeStarted]

We're heading to Italy next year but are completely overwhelmed trying to decide where to go. We've both been before but cant quite decide which parts of the country to focus on. We have 7 days; arrive in Rome on a Friday night and depart the following Saturday (fight not booked so dont need to get back to Rome). I'm torn between heading north to Cinque Terra, and south towards Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast.

So, tell me where to go

We are just back from 3 weeks in Italy, we have been a few times before....I would not bother with Cinque Terra, very touristy - instead catch a fast train to Salerno, stay in Salerno and do day trips to the Amalfi Coast - very easy via Ferry to Positano, Amalfi.. ( take the bus to Ravello) Salerno was great and a cheaper option than staying in Positano and much more to do we had 6 days there and also went to Pompeii and Paestum by train. My favourite place of all though is Varenna on Lake Como, just beautiful. Happy to help with some ideas if needed for accommodation

 

[Cruiser Elite]

bc FWIW we did Cinque Terra but did not enjoy that as much as Lake Como region - Cinque Terra did nothing for me at all - but we are all different. BTW - George Clooney's favourite all time restaurant is in Bellagio - we ate there - what a fabulous night we had. George was not in attendance but so many of the staff had us mixed up.

But Venice a must see IMHO.

 

[blackcat20]

I've been to Florence. I've also been to Cinque Terra and loved it which is why its on my radar.... so many options!

 

[mark4217]

The wife and I are heading to Italy this Sunday. without bragging, we are in F on the 787 out of BNE hehehe. We have been to Italy a few times so this itinerary has a couple of repeats as we love them so much: Starting in Milan driving to Bellagio and the Como area. been before and just love the area. Then to Bergamo, not been, but looks nice. Then down to La Speza to train it to Venezza (Cinque Terra) for a few nights, yes, touristy but on the bucket list. Will also to a day/boat trip to Portifino to get it off my bucket list. Following this we head to Siena to use as a base...Day trips to small villages like Castel San Gimignano, Volterra, Castelina in Chianti, Greve in Chianti. The whole Chianti region is just to beautiful. Then to Florence for a couple of nights. Then to a small town called Cortona, this is where they filmed Únder the Tuscan Sun', day trips from here to Castiglion Fiorentino & Arrezo. Then we go deep into the region of 'Úmbria' staying in a very old villa in the hills next to Assisi. From here we are walking from villiage to village taking it all in. This is such a beautiful area, and not touristy. We are taking a day trip back to Siena for the famous annual horse race around the town centre. Leaving Assisi we take a 5 hour drive to Sorrento to park and boat it to Capri for a week. Not been there so fingers crossed its great. Then to Positano for 2 night, 2 nights in Amalfi, I know, they are 10km apart. Following this we go to Bari and in particular a hotel and restaurant called Grotta Palazzese, it has the most amazing cave restaurants I have ever seen. Just google it, you will see why. Not been to this part of Italy, so all new to me. Then to Rome for a week and then back to BNE via AUH in F on the 787... did I mention all tickets on points... I hope the above gives you some places to research, but out of all places I love, its the Umbria region, I could spend six months there. Venice is lovely and you have to do it at least once. Cheers Mark

 

[Austff]

Mrs A & I were in Rome last Sept , Vatican & its museums are amazing + colosseum + forum + too many to list.
Can recommend St Regis on spg points .
Using subway & walking was best but be aware of pickpockets .

 

[blackcat20]

The wife and I are heading to Italy this Sunday. without bragging, we are in F on the 787 out of BNE hehehe. We have been to Italy a few times so this itinerary has a couple of repeats as we love them so much: Starting in Milan driving to Bellagio and the Como area. been before and just love the area. Then to Bergamo, not been, but looks nice. Then down to La Speza to train it to Venezza (Cinque Terra) for a few nights, yes, touristy but on the bucket list. Will also to a day/boat trip to Portifino to get it off my bucket list. Following this we head to Siena to use as a base...Day trips to small villages like Castel San Gimignano, Volterra, Castelina in Chianti, Greve in Chianti. The whole Chianti region is just to beautiful. Then to Florence for a couple of nights. Then to a small town called Cortona, this is where they filmed Únder the Tuscan Sun', day trips from here to Castiglion Fiorentino & Arrezo. Then we go deep into the region of 'Úmbria' staying in a very old villa in the hills next to Assisi. From here we are walking from villiage to village taking it all in. This is such a beautiful area, and not touristy. We are taking a day trip back to Siena for the famous annual horse race around the town centre. Leaving Assisi we take a 5 hour drive to Sorrento to park and boat it to Capri for a week. Not been there so fingers crossed its great. Then to Positano for 2 night, 2 nights in Amalfi, I know, they are 10km apart. Following this we go to Bari and in particular a hotel and restaurant called Grotta Palazzese, it has the most amazing cave restaurants I have ever seen. Just google it, you will see why. Not been to this part of Italy, so all new to me. Then to Rome for a week and then back to BNE via AUH in F on the 787... did I mention all tickets on points... I hope the above gives you some places to research, but out of all places I love, its the Umbria region, I could spend six months there. Venice is lovely and you have to do it at least once. Cheers Mark

We are doing SQ F to SIN, SQ Suites to Tokyo, JAL F to LHR then QF F home Also all on points.

I have previsouly been to Rome, Sorrento, Assisi, Florence, Venice, Cinque Terra, Luca, and Siena. Definitely keen on Lake Como. And the Tuscan wine regions. Its going to be hard to squeeze everything in.

 

[dajop]

I've been to Florence. I've also been to Cinque Terra and loved it which is why its on my radar.... so many options!

First time I visited Cinque Terra I loved it, but second time it didn't really enjoy at as much. On the first visit it came after the maddening crowds of Venice, but second time it followed Lake Maggiore, Genoa and time on the coast near Portofino, and didn't seem quite so charming.

If you haven't been there, Amalfi Coast is quite spectacular, and you can see the coast from different perspectives via sea (ferry) or road (bus or car). Also worthwhile visiting Pompeii and Capri whilst in that part Italy.

 

[mark4217]

We are doing SQ F to SIN, SQ Suites to Tokyo, JAL F to LHR then QF F home Also all on points.

I have previsouly been to Rome, Sorrento, Assisi, Florence, Venice, Cinque Terra, Luca, and Siena. Definitely keen on Lake Como. And the Tuscan wine regions. Its going to be hard to squeeze everything in.

hahahah, well played with SQ... You can spend a week in the Como area.

 

[Austff]

If you are keen on lake Como , also see lake Maggiore & Isola Bella .

 

[Renato1]

Quite frankly, if you buy the DK Rome Top 10 book, seven days isn't enough to see the major sites of Rome. So far we've spent 11 days there on two trips and have missed seeing scores of places.

If one does stay in Rome for a week, the must see place that many don't know about, is to catch the train to Ostia Anticcha. You walk into the place - and you see the well preserved ruins of a big Roman town which was abandoned in three or four hundred AD. It is like walking back in time.

That said, we're never going back again. Rome is unsafe because of thieves - one has to be constantly on one's guard, so it's not relaxing. We found the trains safe enough, but the two train lines don't take you to all the attractions. And when one catches a crowded bus, there are usually around eight thieves working it trying to pick pockets.

The problem with Italy is that there is just two much to see. It took us four days to see the major attractions in Florence. Four days is also good enough for the major attractions in Venice. Cinque Terre is good for a day and a half - but there's nothing really historical there that you can't find the equivalent of just about anywhere else that you drive to at random to in Italy. The three islands (two with palaces) in the middle of Lago Maggiore we thought were magical to visit (and they can be seen in a day). We've only ever done day trips to Pisa, Bologna, Milan, Verona, Vicenza, Treviso, Trieste - that is, we've barely scratched the surface.

My number one tip for visiting tourist places in Italy is to buy pairs of Farah casual trousers, where put you wallet in the front pocket, and then twist the inner lining around. The wallet cannot then be removed without your knowing about it. You have to untwist the inner lining every to remove the wallet. Other brands of trousers usually don't have the pocket inner lining deep enough to twist, or they are fairly loose, so that when walking the pocket inner lining untwists by itself. Anyhow, I showed this little trick to acquaintances in Rome, and they were amazed - "Why didn't we think of this?"

Good luck with your city selections.
Regards,
Renato

 

[DontGetMeStarted]

The wife and I are heading to Italy this Sunday. without bragging, we are in F on the 787 out of BNE hehehe. We have been to Italy a few times so this itinerary has a couple of repeats as we love them so much: Starting in Milan driving to Bellagio and the Como area. been before and just love the area. Then to Bergamo, not been, but looks nice. Then down to La Speza to train it to Venezza (Cinque Terra) for a few nights, yes, touristy but on the bucket list. Will also to a day/boat trip to Portifino to get it off my bucket list. Following this we head to Siena to use as a base...Day trips to small villages like Castel San Gimignano, Volterra, Castelina in Chianti, Greve in Chianti. The whole Chianti region is just to beautiful. Then to Florence for a couple of nights. Then to a small town called Cortona, this is where they filmed Únder the Tuscan Sun', day trips from here to Castiglion Fiorentino & Arrezo. Then we go deep into the region of 'Úmbria' staying in a very old villa in the hills next to Assisi. From here we are walking from villiage to village taking it all in. This is such a beautiful area, and not touristy. We are taking a day trip back to Siena for the famous annual horse race around the town centre. Leaving Assisi we take a 5 hour drive to Sorrento to park and boat it to Capri for a week. Not been there so fingers crossed its great. Then to Positano for 2 night, 2 nights in Amalfi, I know, they are 10km apart. Following this we go to Bari and in particular a hotel and restaurant called Grotta Palazzese, it has the most amazing cave restaurants I have ever seen. Just google it, you will see why. Not been to this part of Italy, so all new to me. Then to Rome for a week and then back to BNE via AUH in F on the 787... did I mention all tickets on points... I hope the above gives you some places to research, but out of all places I love, its the Umbria region, I could spend six months there. Venice is lovely and you have to do it at least once. Cheers Mark

Mark if you get a chance from La Spezia catch the boat to Porto Venere....we loved it, great church there up on a hill and charming village, also found some nice restaurants - There is a grotto in Porto Venere where Lord Byron swam from and spent time https://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&...2g6Jz_zx7O6Cg_98zlwOrfw&bvm=bv.98717601,d.dGY

 

[dajop]

Quite frankly, if you buy the DK Rome Top 10 book, seven days isn't enough to see the major sites of Rome. So far we've spent 11 days there on two trips and have missed seeing scores of places..............
Four days is also good enough for the major attractions in Venice. Cinque Terre is good for a day and a half - but there's nothing really historical there that you can't find the equivalent of just about anywhere else that you drive to at random to in Italy. The three islands (two with palaces) in the middle of Lago Maggiore we thought were magical to visit (and they can be seen in a day).

Your post has highlighted an important thing too, it really does depend what the traveller is into.

Those into art, history, and indeed the history of art, can spend months covering Italy, and your suggestions of time in Rome, Florence, Venice all make sense. For me a combined 16 days looking at history and art, even in such esteemed cities would bore me senseless! Yet others may be interested in walking, swimming, scenery, etc, and only a day in places like Lake Maggiore or Cinque Terre may way too brief to enjoy. The beauty is we are all different, have different interests and tastes, and certainly Italy has plenty of variety (as an example, I note no-one has mentioned the Dolomites, and although I haven't been there, for me it also looks quite interesting, albeit down the pecking order).

 

[TomVexille]

Any thoughts about Sicily?

 

[samh004]

In a word, Florence.

Seconded, but you say you've been before, so assuming you did everything it does sort of rule it out

 

[Renato1]

Your post has highlighted an important thing too, it really does depend what the traveller is into.

Those into art, history, and indeed the history of art, can spend months covering Italy, and your suggestions of time in Rome, Florence, Venice all make sense. For me a combined 16 days looking at history and art, even in such esteemed cities would bore me senseless! Yet others may be interested in walking, swimming, scenery, etc, and only a day in places like Lake Maggiore or Cinque Terre may way too brief to enjoy. The beauty is we are all different, have different interests and tastes, and certainly Italy has plenty of variety (as an example, I note no-one has mentioned the Dolomites, and although I haven't been there, for me it also looks quite interesting, albeit down the pecking order).

My home base in Italy is at the base of the Dolomites, as we live on the road that goes up to Monte Grappa. We've spent weeks driving around the Dolomites.

I'm more into historical buildings and places - only occasionally going into galleries and museums - just not enough time for them too.
Cheers,
Renato

 

[significance]

My favourite parts of Italy are Venice (I expected it to be over-rated, but it isn't), Sicily, Sienna and Rome.

 

[RB]

We have visited a fair few parts of Italy so happy to help if possible once you have decided on a region. We certainly liked Sicily, Cinque Terre, Amalfi and some other spots previously mentioned in the thread (visited before I started writing trip reports). We are not really into cities although we have visited some of the main Italian ones and enjoyed. Not sure if you have read them but maybe you might find something in the trip reports I have written that include parts of Nthn Italy
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....e-como-madrid-nthn-69138.html?highlight=italy
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....al-spain-then-fasa-61547.html?highlight=italy
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....ence-3-lakes-black-52221.html?highlight=italy
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....unas-francs-europe-30408.html?highlight=italy