Everything in Italy Looks Awesome, Where Do I Go?

[Deactivated] on 16/04/2019 - 12:01

Wife and I are going to Europe for a trip in July/August.
Sadly a busy time of year but we have a conference we are attending then.
We've allocated 3 weeks of our trip to see some of Italy.

The problem: It all looks so awesome and it's hard to know
where to go and how to plan it.

A little about us: Young couple, not into nightlife.
We love great natural spots but also are keen to see
some great architecture and try new things.

We aren't keen to rush things, we are happy to visit
less places and see more in them. We wouldn't
mind checking out a bit of countryside too.

Would love your advice fellow ozb'ers.

TLDR: Don't know where to go in Italy, tell me!

Travel Europe Italy

Comments

  • Fergy1987 on 16/04/2019 - 12:08

    I just did Rome and Amalfi Coast……..both winners, Do that. Food in Rome is awesome, Sights in Amalfi Coast are awesome. Amalfi kind of sucks to get around, but still do it. Watch out for the freaking bees in the bins though! got stung twice!

    • jnewau on 16/04/2019 - 12:45

      I spent some time in Sorrento and did the whole coast, was fabulous.

      I would recommend starting north and heading your way down.
      Venice is a tourist trap but still unmissable. Then work your way down to Florence which is stunning. Be prepared to stand in line a bit but places like the Accademia are worth it. Then spend some time around Tuscany checking out places like Siena

      On to Rome which doesn't need much explanation, then down south.

    • Daabido on 16/04/2019 - 12:55

      Bees in the bins. Is that codewords for gypsies?

    • gmail92 on 16/04/2019 - 13:34
      -2

      Could you please elaborate on the "awesome" food in Rome? I didn't get that vibe.

      • Hellfire on 16/04/2019 - 13:50
        +4

        Avoid the tourist areas and almost every restaurant is good. Or do your research if you want to eat near the colosseum

  • dust on 16/04/2019 - 12:23
    +1

    Pompeii and Herculaneum are also fantastic.

    • KaTst3R on 16/04/2019 - 14:39
      +1

      Not to talk you down but just differing opinion. i didnt enjoy Pompeii. I found that it was actually pretty underwhelming. Probably because i started with high expections and when I was there, I didnt find that there was enough artifacts to look at.

      • gyrex on 17/04/2019 - 09:21

        I go to Italy around every 2 years and there used to be plenty of artefacts and mummified bodies at Pompeii but I think they removed them a few years ago into a museum in order to preserve them. Disappointing but understandable. Even without the artefacts, it's still an incredible site - remember, it's an archaeological site and all of the structures and buildings etc have been dug up!

        • KaTst3R on 17/04/2019 - 15:09

          Apparently, the majority of the artifacts are now stored in the Naples Museum.

  • myusername on 16/04/2019 - 12:27
    +6

    i'm sure your wife will tell you what you want to see

    • onetwothreefour on 16/04/2019 - 12:29
      +4

      Lol "what did your wife say when you asked her?"

  • brad1-8tsi on 16/04/2019 - 12:33

    Places i want to see again:
    Pompei
    Naples
    Rome
    Amalfi Coast
    Florence

    Places i want to see / stay (1st time):
    Le Grotte della Civita, Matera,
    Sienna (and surrounds)
    Lipari (where my mum's family comes from)

  • spiff on 16/04/2019 - 12:52

    Umbria is the new Tuscany

  • Malarkey on 16/04/2019 - 13:11

    I went in September/October last year. The Italy portion (11 nights?) of our 6 week holiday went:
    Venice
    Florence
    Naples
    Rome

    Each were totally unique and different. I wouldn't spend more than a day in Venice, the food in Florence was amazing and Naples was like visiting another country compared to the other cities. Obviously Rome is pretty awesome too.

    Looking back I wish we visited some smaller cities and just relaxed a little bit but at the same time we wanted to see as much of the country as we could.

  • theHMASfriendship on 16/04/2019 - 13:39
    +1

    I enjoyed Florence much more than Rome. Haven't been south of Rome yet but it's on the list.

  • salbee28 on 16/04/2019 - 13:59

    I really enjoyed Rome for the historical sites etc but it felt very busy & crowded. We definitely found Florence to be a more enjoyable experience & quite relaxed in comparison, I would love to go back there for another couple of weeks.

    I agree with the majority about Venice, 1 or 2 days is sufficient to see everything it has to offer, additionally I would recommend staying on the mainland, there is a very frequent train to the island & you can save a lot on accomodation that way.

  • sjtem3 on 16/04/2019 - 14:19
    +1

    I enjoyed Italy. Wasn't all that fond of Rome (though it's a must see), thought Venice was unmissable but I wont go again. The one place I'd dearly love to return to is Cinque terre - I thought it was one of the most picturesque sights I've ever seen. Highly recommend looking into it, especially given the brief you gave about yourself - namely that nightlife isn't a priority, nature is of interest alongside architecture, and that you'd often like to give a bit of time to really soaking in a place.

  • ozeebee on 16/04/2019 - 14:38

    Are you planning to drive? Most Italian drivers seem like they're auditioning to be Formula 1 drivers 24/7. Something to take note, but I enjoyed driving there! Much better than the right lane hoggers we get here.

    Rome is a must for the history. Venice is one of a kind and would recommend staying in the main section since the feeling of waking up and stepping out and you're already feels great. Amalfi Coast is amazing for the nature and sights. Lake Como was one of our favourite places to visit.

    Milan has nothing to offer and I thought was a shithole. Florence is good too and I think the food is better here than Rome.

  • KaTst3R on 16/04/2019 - 14:41

    I really enjoyed Vatican and St Peter's Basilica in Rome. Be prepared to queue to enter. I find Rome in general quite interesting. Drive to Amalfi is beautiful.

  • star-ggg on 16/04/2019 - 14:46

    Naples turned out to be such a hole lol Literally trash piles/dumps on every street corner, public transportation was dark, dirty and full of graffiti and never saw anyone pay on buses except me. Quite amusing "Wtf!?, this isn't what I expected Italy to be like"

    • brad1-8tsi on 16/04/2019 - 15:54

      I loved it despite the dirt and trash. Possibly helped by randomly meeting Keith Richards from the Rolling Stones and having a chat about what to see.

    • LPV569 on 17/04/2019 - 08:34

      I have to disagree, Naples is authentic, amazing place. Yes it’s gritty and edgy, but it’s also genuine working class Italians, living their lives. Narrow streets, colourful, noisy busy and due to its reputation avoided by some tourists. Look past the graffiti, above street level and the buildings are beautiful. I will definitely go back if I get the opportunity. Also The National Archaeological Museum of Naples is well worthwhile, it contains items taken from Pompeii that are amazing.

  • Colonel Flagg on 16/04/2019 - 19:15

    "Europe for a trip in July/August"

    I would try to avoid Southern Italy during the summer. Way too hot and too crowded. Lining up for hours for entry to a site in 40 Deg heat :(

  • LPV569 on 17/04/2019 - 08:20
    +1

    We visited Italy April 2018. Itinerary Rome, Naples, Pompeii, Sorrento, Capri, Positano, back to Rome, Tuscany/Umbria (Orvieto, Spello,Assisi, Cortona, Florence), cinque terre, Lerici,Tellaro, Milan, Lake Como.
    Places I’d revisit, Rome, Naples, Florence, Milan, Lake Como, and places off the tourist trail like Golf of the Poets (Lerici, Tellaro).
    We did some beautiful walks, (Lake Como - The Greenway, Amalfi Coast- Walk of the Gods, Cinque Terre, Capri, Tellaro) unfortunately during peak season I fear it would be shoulder to shoulder crowded which I personally wouldn’t enjoy as most are single lane trails, most parts steep and rocky. I felt we spent too much time in the hill top towns Tuscany/Umbria, (once you’ve seen a couple of hill top towns they are all pretty similar).
    In April, when we went, crowds were not too bad, the trails (except Cinque Terre) we had to ourselves. Florence however was surprisingly busy even during the shoulder season! Love Italy.

  • MaxTravels on 17/04/2019 - 09:24

    I would definitely spend 2-3 nights in Venice - once all the cruise ships disappear its a wonderful place to stay. We stayed in a B&B and then again in AirB&B and felt like we could experience the city like a local. The Cannaregio is a great place to stay. Just spend your days walking the alleys - almost impossible to get lost and every corner brings a new vista. Don’t say long in the San Marco area - too touristy.

    Other than that, obviously the major sites of Rome and Florence but myself personally, I would avoid Naples. A friend of mine describes it was the arsehole of the world - and its the only place we have ever visited were we experienced an obvious pickpocket (we are very vigilant and have never been targeted before in all our travels) we also had our credit card details skimmed while we are there (we believe) and racked up thousands on our card. I would however, recommend Sorrento - a beautiful place to stay and a great base to visit Pompeii.

    Lastly, at least take a day trip and trek to the Cinque Terre. We did a tour from Florence that drove us there, included a nice lunch, then a trek between 2 of the villages with some free time. It was possibly the highlight to our trip.

  • smalltime0 on 17/04/2019 - 10:31

    Rome is a must see, but it is bit of a dump outside of the main tourist areas.
    Venice is one of a kind, but save yourself the euros and stay nearby and walk/bus in.
    Bologna was pretty cool, I only did an overnight there. I've heard nothing but good things for Milan and Florence. If I ever go back to Italy, that's where I'd go.

    • MaxTravels on 18/04/2019 - 12:04

      IMHO, if you don’t stay on one of the islands your missing out on the best part of the experience. All our treasured moments occurred in the back alleys far away from San Marcos square, and almost all of them were in the evenings or at night. We choose to stay in b&bs to reduce the costs.

  • HeWhoKnows on 17/04/2019 - 17:55

    Go see a travel agent.

    For that time of year its PEAK season so you will need to book in advance

  • endolphin on 17/04/2019 - 19:21

    I've seen a lot of Italy and love the country but;

    Dolomites > everything else

  • Mad Max on 20/04/2019 - 09:13

    What about a SIM card for data and a few phone calls.
    Is it better to buy it here or there?

  • Cheap Steve on 24/04/2019 - 23:44

    3 weeks, I would tick off Rome, Florence and Venice for 3 days each. Then Amalfi, Cinque Terre for beaches and Sienna and surrounds for countryside/hilltop towns for rest of time.

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