1st time to Italy (25 days)

mikemets · #1 (**permalink**) 11-22-2008, 01:25 AM

Hello all,

I just booked a family vacation to Italy next summer. Yeah, wish I didn't have to go in the summer, but I'm tied to the school calendar as my daughters will be 13 and 16 by the time we go.

Basic Itinerary:
NY to rome
Rome - 4 nights
Abruzzo - 1 night (this is where my grandparents on my father's side are from, so we're checking it out)
Amalfi Coast - 4 nights
Tuscany - 4 nights
Florence - 2 nights
Portofino Coast - 2 nights
Como - 3 nights
Venice - 3 nights
Venice to NY

Just curious, other than the obvious, if anyone knows of any "cool" things to do please let me know.

Thanks,
Mike

///M3TZ · #2 (**permalink**) 11-22-2008, 01:34 AM

Wow that is quite the vacation! I take it a visit to the small town of Maranello is on the agenda?

Kerry · #3 (**permalink**) 11-22-2008, 02:35 AM

If i recall correctly Maranello isn't too far from Florence (I remember passing it on the freeway from Rome but its been a few years). IMO 3 nights is alot in Venice, then again maybe in the summer it won't smell so bad...

Seems like a very nice trip though, you'll definitely be tired when you get back. We were there for 15 days and I couldn't wait to get back to school just to have a routine again lol.

Sikklightning · #4 (**permalink**) 11-22-2008, 02:45 AM

I spent 12 days in Italy this last summer. Here are some pics!

Florence, The duermo is a must

Rome, some random Church

Big ass steel door! I'm 6'2''.

Tuscany: My Fiancé

Venice-you must see staint Marks-eat at a restaurant named "vesuvius"--Douges palace

Northern Italy: Bolzano

Rome:Vatican, Pantheon, Coll., Catacombs, Bourghese

Sikklightning · #5 (**permalink**) 11-22-2008, 02:46 AM

I will give you way more details, either post here or PM. I will tell you everything you need to know. I also spent 6 days in Austria and 2 days in Germany.

Challenge It · #6 (**permalink**) 11-22-2008, 03:49 AM

/\/\/\ Sikklightning, did you loose 1 camera for each pic that you had a local take for you?

Thinking of Chevy Chase in European vacation.

mikemets · #7 (**permalink**) 11-22-2008, 05:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kerry

If i recall correctly Maranello isn't too far from Florence (I remember passing it on the freeway from Rome but its been a few years). IMO 3 nights is alot in Venice, then again maybe in the summer it won't smell so bad...

Seems like a very nice trip though, you'll definitely be tired when you get back. We were there for 15 days and I couldn't wait to get back to school just to have a routine again lol.

Yeah, thanks for the feedback. My idea was to spend multiple nights everywhere so I wouldn't be "dragging" the kids around too fast. Tried to plan some downtime along the way. Now I'm thinking maybe it is a bit much.

Kerry · #8 (**permalink**) 11-22-2008, 05:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikemets

Yeah, thanks for the feedback. My idea was to spend multiple nights everywhere so I wouldn't be "dragging" the kids around too fast. Tried to plan some downtime along the way. Now I'm thinking maybe it is a bit much.

If you guys are going on your own it will be nice (no pesky tourguides pushing you around, which I guess has its benefits). I really did enjoy it, we were just really rushed; and the girlfriend that accompanied us was the pickiest eater on Earth so I didn't get many chances to have Italian food without an American influence. The country is great, and the art is fantastic... I hope you enjoy churches though.

goodfela · #9 (**permalink**) 11-24-2008, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikemets

Hello all,

I just booked a family vacation to Italy next summer. Yeah, wish I didn't have to go in the summer, but I'm tied to the school calendar as my daughters will be 13 and 16 by the time we go.

Basic Itinerary:
NY to rome
Rome - 4 nights
Abruzzo - 1 night (this is where my grandparents on my father's side are from, so we're checking it out)
Amalfi Coast - 4 nights
Tuscany - 4 nights
Florence - 2 nights
Portofino Coast - 2 nights
Como - 3 nights
Venice - 3 nights
Venice to NY

Just curious, other than the obvious, if anyone knows of any "cool" things to do please let me know.

Thanks,
Mike

When in Florence... I would check out the Panerai store... Great place to buy a "hard to find" watches... I think only the Ceramic "Black Seal" has a waitlist there.... everything else... is not a problem... It's next to big church in a square.... There's a pizza place left to it and across the street that makes the best pizza.

Also, If you have more than 30 mins to kill... check out the Roberto Cavalli Cafe... it's 5 mins walking from the Panerai store.

If you have a Ferrari or a Maserati.... you can check out the factories at Maranello and Modena (you must let the dealership where you got the car that you're going so they can set up the appointment).

If you don't have one... there is a great Ferrari Muesum next to the factory.

FYI... IMHO, less than 20% of the people speak English... So bring a English to Italian book with you... if you don't speak Italian.

And in Venice.... expect to be "bent over" if you take the water taxis... and triple it when they go on strike.

Have Fun =)

jox · #10 (**permalink**) 11-24-2008, 02:07 PM

Great trip! You'll really get to see the highlights of Italy. The contrast between the northern (hip) and southern (charming) parts is fantastic.

The only thing I could think of is that you don't really get to experience the "entire" Italian Riviera - just the icing of the cake (Portofino). I'd suggest a day trip to San Remo and/or Genova.