One More Try on Italy Honeymoon Itinerary
Dec 11th, 2004, 07:37 AM
#21
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For sheer romance, I wouldn't cut Positano, especially in May. May is a glorious month to be anywhere in Italy but, in Positano, before the masses come armed with sunscreen and ugly flip-flops, May is amazing.
Off the top of my head, this might be my plan:
3 nights in Florence
4 nights in Pienza/Montalcino (unless you need six nights for tons of sex, visiting with guests, and/or settling the bill, six is a generous allotment for this area).
4 nights in Rome
4 nights in Positano
4 nights in Venice
and one night to play with.
Good luck.
Off the top of my head, this might be my plan:
3 nights in Florence
4 nights in Pienza/Montalcino (unless you need six nights for tons of sex, visiting with guests, and/or settling the bill, six is a generous allotment for this area).
4 nights in Rome
4 nights in Positano
4 nights in Venice
and one night to play with.
Good luck.
Dec 11th, 2004, 05:46 PM
#22
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Dear Maxi
you asked if I had any other tips for a perfect honeymoon. I can give you one for sure: slow down and don't add anything else to your itinerary. We had sixteen days in Italy for our honeymoon, and we were totally pooped by the time we hit Venice, our last stop. I think your plans are pretty good as they are, and you did mention going back for your anniversary.
We go back all the time!
Romance: sunset from the ramparts in Pienza, followed by dinner at super friendly and delicious Latte de Luna. It isn't the most romantic restaurant in the world, but as far as I'm concerned, good food with a great host makes me happy, and happy leads to romance! ;-)
More romantic indeed is an evening visit to Bagno Vignoni and dinner at La Parata, where the cheesecake is truly delicious. The fancy hotel there has a spa pool that anyone can pay to use, and I sooo regretted that we didn't have bathing suits with us. The lone swimmer under the stars looked like he was in heaven.
Montalcino has fun shops if you like to shop...
Hope this helps.
Debbie
you asked if I had any other tips for a perfect honeymoon. I can give you one for sure: slow down and don't add anything else to your itinerary. We had sixteen days in Italy for our honeymoon, and we were totally pooped by the time we hit Venice, our last stop. I think your plans are pretty good as they are, and you did mention going back for your anniversary.
We go back all the time!
Romance: sunset from the ramparts in Pienza, followed by dinner at super friendly and delicious Latte de Luna. It isn't the most romantic restaurant in the world, but as far as I'm concerned, good food with a great host makes me happy, and happy leads to romance! ;-)
More romantic indeed is an evening visit to Bagno Vignoni and dinner at La Parata, where the cheesecake is truly delicious. The fancy hotel there has a spa pool that anyone can pay to use, and I sooo regretted that we didn't have bathing suits with us. The lone swimmer under the stars looked like he was in heaven.
Montalcino has fun shops if you like to shop...
Hope this helps.
Debbie
Dec 12th, 2004, 04:52 PM
#23
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Thanks again.
I must admit that I was a bit tempted to put back all 5 destinations in the itinerary. And I actually discussed this with fiance. But we both agree that it would be more relaxing and romantic to have time to basically do nothing.
Debbie, thanks for your special recommendations. We will check them out in person.
I must admit that I was a bit tempted to put back all 5 destinations in the itinerary. And I actually discussed this with fiance. But we both agree that it would be more relaxing and romantic to have time to basically do nothing.
Debbie, thanks for your special recommendations. We will check them out in person.
Dec 16th, 2004, 08:44 AM
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Cara Maxi,
My husband always wanted to be in the city, "doing", and I always wanted to be in the country, "not doing". I love museums, but you can only see so many before it's all a big blurr. The time before last when we went, I got ill in Perugia, where I went to school. My husband had to fend for himself. He got to know the local hardware store guy (who spent 2 hours helping him find the right connector for my hair dryer), and the owner and waiters at the nearby cafe. After touring the town's museum and church, he was forced to sit and do nothing and learn about 'La Dolce Far Niete'. We are planning a trip for March & he wants to skip Rome (where we are flying in)and get straight to the country - where the people are not in a hurry and are warmer! (Just like in America, Ask yourself, would you prefer New York City or Lake Tahoe?) Now, if you have never seen Rome, that won't work, of course. But, if you are not totally confused with all of the advice you have received, and you are not con-firmed for all nights, I would add 1+ days to Florence especially as many places are not open all days (stay @ the Dei Mori B&B: www.bnb.it/deimori/) and 1 or more fewer days in either Rome or Venice, or both. My recommenda-tions are that you 1.) spend a little more time in the countryside, 2.) stay in B&B's so that you get to know some of the people (and, they are so much more reasonable), and, most important-ly, 3.) do not try to do too much! There are many good recommendations in all the responses, but if your hotel/ B&B host knows you are on your honey-moon, they will help you in every way to see the best. The Italians are the warmest, most generous people on earth - and they love their country and love sharing it.
Congratulations! May you have a wonderful journey - in Italy and thru the rest of your life together.
Charon
My husband always wanted to be in the city, "doing", and I always wanted to be in the country, "not doing". I love museums, but you can only see so many before it's all a big blurr. The time before last when we went, I got ill in Perugia, where I went to school. My husband had to fend for himself. He got to know the local hardware store guy (who spent 2 hours helping him find the right connector for my hair dryer), and the owner and waiters at the nearby cafe. After touring the town's museum and church, he was forced to sit and do nothing and learn about 'La Dolce Far Niete'. We are planning a trip for March & he wants to skip Rome (where we are flying in)and get straight to the country - where the people are not in a hurry and are warmer! (Just like in America, Ask yourself, would you prefer New York City or Lake Tahoe?) Now, if you have never seen Rome, that won't work, of course. But, if you are not totally confused with all of the advice you have received, and you are not con-firmed for all nights, I would add 1+ days to Florence especially as many places are not open all days (stay @ the Dei Mori B&B: www.bnb.it/deimori/) and 1 or more fewer days in either Rome or Venice, or both. My recommenda-tions are that you 1.) spend a little more time in the countryside, 2.) stay in B&B's so that you get to know some of the people (and, they are so much more reasonable), and, most important-ly, 3.) do not try to do too much! There are many good recommendations in all the responses, but if your hotel/ B&B host knows you are on your honey-moon, they will help you in every way to see the best. The Italians are the warmest, most generous people on earth - and they love their country and love sharing it.
Congratulations! May you have a wonderful journey - in Italy and thru the rest of your life together.
Charon
Dec 16th, 2004, 07:06 PM
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I've never been to Italy and am no expert, but several have told me that 2 nights are sufficient to really take in Venice. You could beef up your Positano visit if you shifted the days a bit. We're flying into and out of Rome, because it's way way cheaper for us. (like $500 per person cheaper, and direct from our hometown to boot!)
And, like Ira said, Rome is pretty centrally located. Our trip is much breifer than yours, but we're doing 5 nights in Tuscany, 5 in Positano, and the last night in Rome (so we don't miss our flight!). You might consider rearranging your itinerary a bit to avoid backtracking. I'd do 1. florence 2. montalcino 3. venice 4. positano 5. last night in rome, don't want to miss a flight. (or you could fly out of naples, if saving $ isn't super important to you.)
congratulations on your upcoming marriage!
And, like Ira said, Rome is pretty centrally located. Our trip is much breifer than yours, but we're doing 5 nights in Tuscany, 5 in Positano, and the last night in Rome (so we don't miss our flight!). You might consider rearranging your itinerary a bit to avoid backtracking. I'd do 1. florence 2. montalcino 3. venice 4. positano 5. last night in rome, don't want to miss a flight. (or you could fly out of naples, if saving $ isn't super important to you.)
congratulations on your upcoming marriage!
Dec 17th, 2004, 12:06 PM
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wendym--whoever told you that 2 nights are sufficient for Venice missed a lot. Many people think Venice has 3 sights--the Grand Canal, the Rialto Bridge, and Piazza San Marco. Not true.
You can't see all the quality sights in Venice with 4 nights, let alone 2.
You can't see all the quality sights in Venice with 4 nights, let alone 2.
Dec 17th, 2004, 01:16 PM
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I agree; of all the places you plan to visit, Venice is (IMHO) the most romantic. I have been several times and the longer we stay, the more I love the city. It would be a shame to hurry through Venice. Two days isn't enough.
Dec 17th, 2004, 01:35 PM
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I sure agree that 2 nights in Venice is cutting a very beautiful and magical city short.
Also, rule of thumb. 2 nights usually means just 2 days. First day arrival means at least losing the morning. And the third day means usually only having a short time where you are visiting as you have to pack up, check out of the hotel etc.
To get 2 full days IMHO you need at 3 nights.
I do not know how many nights I have spent in Venice but as Ira said (who has spent 17 nights there and know I have spent probably more than that)he has so many more places to see. Me too!
Of course that is also true of any city one travels to.
But Maxi if Venice is important to you do consider more than just 2 nights there.
Also, rule of thumb. 2 nights usually means just 2 days. First day arrival means at least losing the morning. And the third day means usually only having a short time where you are visiting as you have to pack up, check out of the hotel etc.
To get 2 full days IMHO you need at 3 nights.
I do not know how many nights I have spent in Venice but as Ira said (who has spent 17 nights there and know I have spent probably more than that)he has so many more places to see. Me too!
Of course that is also true of any city one travels to.
But Maxi if Venice is important to you do consider more than just 2 nights there.
Dec 17th, 2004, 03:03 PM
#30
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Thanks for your ideas!
Certainly people have different ideas about different places. I was in Venice for 3 days 6 years ago. I was with a friend backpacking in Europe, so, while it was romantic, I was not with the right person and did not care to stay longer.
But for our honeymoon, it never came across my mind that we would spend less than 4 nights in Venice for this trip. We actually added 1 more to make 5 to make sure that we will have time to sit in a cafe, to look at small shops, to go to walk around, to take a trip to the nearby island, etc.
Venice is important for us. It's a dream come true. And we are putting it in the end of the trip with a purpose/meaning. So, 5 days is definite for us.
What we could negotiate is whether we should spend the 5 days before Venice in Rome or in Positano. At the moment, we are thinking of Positano for romance but it depends also on logistics. I still could not find flights on Alpieagles from Naples to Venice for May. But I will be checking.
Still welcome your suggestions and comments. Thanks again.
Certainly people have different ideas about different places. I was in Venice for 3 days 6 years ago. I was with a friend backpacking in Europe, so, while it was romantic, I was not with the right person and did not care to stay longer.
But for our honeymoon, it never came across my mind that we would spend less than 4 nights in Venice for this trip. We actually added 1 more to make 5 to make sure that we will have time to sit in a cafe, to look at small shops, to go to walk around, to take a trip to the nearby island, etc.
Venice is important for us. It's a dream come true. And we are putting it in the end of the trip with a purpose/meaning. So, 5 days is definite for us.
What we could negotiate is whether we should spend the 5 days before Venice in Rome or in Positano. At the moment, we are thinking of Positano for romance but it depends also on logistics. I still could not find flights on Alpieagles from Naples to Venice for May. But I will be checking.
Still welcome your suggestions and comments. Thanks again.
Dec 28th, 2004, 07:09 PM
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Hi,
What did you decide on doing? My wife-to-be are in a similar situation. She wants Rome because of the zero chance of boredom. I want Positano because of the peace and quiet (and beach).
If anyone has some convincing arguments for staying in Positano I'd love to hear them.
Best,
Doug
What did you decide on doing? My wife-to-be are in a similar situation. She wants Rome because of the zero chance of boredom. I want Positano because of the peace and quiet (and beach).
If anyone has some convincing arguments for staying in Positano I'd love to hear them.
Best,
Doug
Feb 17th, 2005, 10:13 AM
#33
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Wow -- you have so many suggestions, I cannot remember what itinerary you've settled on. My two cents:
1) My husband and I did Italy for our honeymoon. 3 nights Rome, 5 nights Sorrento, 5 nights Sicily. By the time we got to Sicily we were pooped. Definitely leave some time at each destination to relax. You'll be able to do this in Positano, and won't be able to relax as much in Rome. We are not museum people either, but Rome was absolutely fantastic. That being said, we really pushed ourselves to do all the major sites in 3 days before plopping ourselves down on the "beach" in Sorrento.
2) Our second Italy trip included Florence, Lucca (in Tuscany), and Liguria (Riviera.) You will be able to do a lot of day trips throughout Tuscany from Florence, so I would not cut back from that location. That being said, Florence is a city so in my opinion relaxing in the city is a bit harder to do.
I agree with the poster who said, "slow down" since it is your honeymoon. You WILL return to Italy again so don't try and squeeze it all in.
I speak from experience. Trip #3 to Italy is scheduled for this June in Venice.
Buona fortuna.
1) My husband and I did Italy for our honeymoon. 3 nights Rome, 5 nights Sorrento, 5 nights Sicily. By the time we got to Sicily we were pooped. Definitely leave some time at each destination to relax. You'll be able to do this in Positano, and won't be able to relax as much in Rome. We are not museum people either, but Rome was absolutely fantastic. That being said, we really pushed ourselves to do all the major sites in 3 days before plopping ourselves down on the "beach" in Sorrento.
2) Our second Italy trip included Florence, Lucca (in Tuscany), and Liguria (Riviera.) You will be able to do a lot of day trips throughout Tuscany from Florence, so I would not cut back from that location. That being said, Florence is a city so in my opinion relaxing in the city is a bit harder to do.
I agree with the poster who said, "slow down" since it is your honeymoon. You WILL return to Italy again so don't try and squeeze it all in.
I speak from experience. Trip #3 to Italy is scheduled for this June in Venice.
Buona fortuna.
