My Fiancé and I are planning our 2 week honeymoon for the middle of September 2019. Our first time to these cities! Flying to Venice and out of Rome. Any hotel recommendations? We are thinking Monterosso for CT.
Venice - 2 nights
Florence - 4 nights
CT - 4 nights
Rome - 3 or 4 nights
Thanks in advance!
This looks very doable EXCEPT I would definitely take a day off CT and add it to Venice. Two nights in Venice is really only one full day, and that day will likely be all jet-laggy; give yourself a little more time to really enjoy this unique city. Later (early this summer) you may also want to pre-purchase your train tickets on trenitalia.com, in order to save a lot of $.
Best wishes. Love long and prosper. After all the stress that usually accompanies weddings, you'll want (and need?) to slow down and relax. Suggest you eliminate the CT and concentrate on the other three with at least four night in each place. You will be surprised at the amount of time eaten up changing your base locations. Not just the actual travel time, but there is the time spent packing up, checking out, getting to the trains station, getting tickets and finding the right track / train. On the other end one has to locate and get to the hotel, check in, unpack, and reorient. You want memories of good food, good wine, sights, and meeting new people and doing new things. If you try to pack too much stuff into a short period of time, I'm afraid you have a lot of memories of taxi rides and train stations. Don't mean to be Debbie Downer, just offering food for thought.
Agree with TC. With four venues in two weeks (and the ensuing relocations every couple of days), this itinerary looks more like a checklist than an opportunity to experience Italy at an enjoyable, relaxed pace following your wedding. I'd leave Cinque Terre for another time, and look to stay 4 nights in Venice, 4 nights in Florence, and 5 in Rome. You'll get far more out of your trip by immersing yourself in a city for a few days, as opposed to 'hitting and running'. V/F/R are geographically aligned to reach by rail quickly and efficiently, so there's not a lot of wasted time. CT is great, and Monterosso in particular is a good choice for home-base given options of lodging and restaurants, but you and your husband will have a lifetime to go back for more memories. Best wishes with your upcoming nuptials and have a wonderful trip!
sarah.
First of all, congratulations! I believe the Italian equivalent is Tanti Auguri.
Your profile doesn't indicate where you're flying from, so I assume you've allowed for two flights days. You'll generally arrive in Italy the day after you depart your home airport, and one day will be required for the flight home.
My suggestion would be to leave your Itinerary as it is. A few thoughts......
While your time in Venice is short, it will allow a quick look and you can come back and explore further on a future holiday. I'd suggest leaving the Cinque Terre at four nights, and also make Rome four nights (the most time possible is always better). Spending four nights in the C.T. will allow three full days of touring. You may need a few days at a more relaxed pace after your stays in Venice and Florence, and the C.T. is a great place for that. You can do some hiking, tour the five towns and Porto Venere, and of course enjoy some great Pesto in the area where it was invented. You'll probably have to endure the cruise ship hordes from about 10:00-16:00, but if you're out touring during the days that may not be much of a concern.
For your stay in the Cinque Terre, Monterosso is a great choice as there's a good selection of wonderful hotels there. Depending on your budget, you could look at.....
It would be a really good idea to get something booked NOW, as hotels fill up quickly.
In order to use your sightseeing time most efficiently, it would be a really good idea to pack along a copy of the RS Italy 2019 guidebook. The book has information on various sights, how to minimize time waiting in queues, restaurants, etc. (los of very useful information). If you're travellling with an iPad or whatever, it's also available as an E-book in several formats.
I assume you're planning on getting around mostly by train. If you haven't used trains or other public transit in Italy, there are a few potentially expensive caveats to be aware of. If you need more information, post another note here.
Don't forget to pack along some Money Belts, as there will be pickpockets!
Buon Viaggio!
Hi All! Thank for you all of your suggestions and best wishes, we greatly appreciate them. I think we will eliminate CT all together and stick with Venice, Florence, and Rome, and maybe book through Costco Travel (would love to know if anyone has had experience).
Since we are on our honeymoon, we would love to see a beach or lake scene as a day trip, but it looks like CT, Sorrento, and Lake Como would all be too much of a stretch for 1 day. Any thoughts very much appreciated!!
Hotels through Costco:
Venice: Papadopoli Venezia, Florence: NH Firenze, Rome: The Inn & The View at the Spanish Steps
These are the default hotels, although they do have several other options.
and maybe book through Costco Travel (would love to know if anyone has had experience).
Not used Costco., but before I did, I would price out the DIY reservations at those hotels ( and others... see RS guide book) as well as determine just where each one is.
beach or lake scene as a day trip
Try the Lido in Venice.
Why 4 nights in CT. I would do 2 nights there and more in Rome and Venice.
The Papadopoli Venezia is walking distance from the Piazzale Roma bus depot where the airport bus will drop you. That looks like it could be a good choice.
The Inn at the Spanish Steps also looks like a good location.
The NH Firenze, on the other hand, looks like a modern high rise hotel about a quarter mile from the train station away from the main city center where all the attractions are. I'd look for an alternate.
Also when you book DIY, you can specify a room upgrade, maybe a room with a terrace in Venice. Don't know what your options are through Costco. Hey, it is a honeymoon.
