Italy!

We are seriously thinking about going for our 10th anniversary.

We love food, wine, seeing the sights, but we also love downtime, beaches and sitting around being pampered.


We are willing to take up to 2 weeks for this trip. What would be the way to go. What cities, how long?

Any help would be appreciated.

Re: Italy!

I took a two week trip but spent a week in Italy alone...but it could have easily been 2 weeks. Started in Venice...then Florence...then Rome. Each spot was spectacular and a great balance between doing a lot of sight seeing to having some down time. We went to the beach in Venice which was great. Florence we did some sightseeing but also did a lot of sitting at cafes and shopping...and Rome was a lot of sights but amazing amazing amazing.

Message edited 2/6/2008 1:51:44 PM.

Re: Italy!

You must see Venice, Rome, Florance and Capri!!

Re: Italy!

I have been to Italy twice (once for 12 days once for 9 days) and will definitely go back in the future. The first time was with family and we took a bus tour. While everything was very nice and we saw a ton, we really didn't get the whole intimate "experience" of doing it on your own. The second time was just DH and me. We took the trains, we rented a car, we took it much slower (but still not slow enough!).

If you have two full weeks I would recommend taking things slow. Don't try to go from the top of the country to the bottom.

The must sees are obviously Venice (2 days is enough time), Florence (at least 4 days) and Rome (3 days). Plan enough days while you are in Florence so that you can take day trips out to the hill towns. This was by far our favorite part of the whole trip. Montepulciano, San Gimignano, and Chianti were all stunning. We stayed in Florence for 3 nights. We really wished we had 2 or 3 more days to spend just exploring the towns. You definitely need a car to do this. We took a wine tour which I would recommend to anyone. The company is called Tuscan Trails and is run by an American who married a woman from Florence.

The first trip we went to the big places plus Capri. The second trip we went to Lake Como. Both were amazing, but overall I liked Lake Como better. You can visit so many little towns around the lake and just get lost in walking, eating, drinking. Bellagio was beautiful, but Varenna was our favorite--so quiet and peaceful.

The next time we go back we want to rent a villa in Tuscany or Umbria and really take it slow! Or maybe go to Sicily for a week and then rent the villa--so many choices!

Have fun--the anticipation while planning is so great! And once you go, you will want to go back again.

If you have other questions please ask away, I love talking about this stuff!

Re: Italy!

This thread is getting me excited...I am leaving for italy in 6 days!!!