In 27 days my daughter and I are leaving for a 14 day trip to Italy as she has to attend school for 1 week. The first week we are traveling with Reggio Emila being our main base We are flying into Milan , renting a car so we are mobile. Arriving on a Tuesday , Wednesday to Thursday we are staying in Assisi On our way there we are stopping at a Avignonesi Winery . In Assisi we are looking at the usual suspects lol Has anyone ever been to the lavender fields ? The next few days are tricky. We like to stop in Sienna on our way out from Assisi also Florence and a short stop in Pisa. Florence I like to see the Statue of David. In Sienna my daughter likes to see the biblioteca . Where should we stay overnight ? Pisa is not far from our starting point so we are just going to drive back to Reggio Emilia. The following week my daughter is attending classes and I will be mostly by myself. Has anyone ever visited Reggio Emilia or surrounding areas and have some tips for me? I would like to see how cheese is made there? I would love to attend a cooking class as well. Also can I get a sim card for my cell phone at the airport? I always carry a unlocked phone with me to Germany and just buy a sim card at a local store. It saves me lots of money and its very convenient. Can I do the same at the Milan airport ? Also does anyone know how much the highway tolls are ? Cash only ? I see I can buy museum tickets online which we will do before we leave. Thanks for any tips!
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
Have not been to the lavender fields (or maybe I have been but they were not in bloom). Do you want recommendations for where to stay in Pisa, Firenze or Siena, or just on which town to choose?
You can make appointments for cheese, balsamic vinegar tours and cooking classes; I don't have particular recommendations but your hotel may be able to help you if you don't get advice here.
I am sure you can buy a sim card at MXP, I usually buy it at the train station. There are a few companies in Italy: TIM, Vodaphone, 3, and a couple of others.
You can pay highway tolls with a credit card IF it has a chip and PIN; otherwise you will need cash.
Have a great trip!
Posted by
Virginia, USA
792 posts
there is a VodaFone booth in the baggage area at MXP
Posted by
Corvallis OR
7042 posts
If you're going in late March/early April the lavender most likely will not be in bloom, just a bunch of green plants. In Tuscany the bloom generally starts sometime around very late April or early May. Of course, every year is slightly different depending on weather but that's a good rule of thumb.
Posted by
Boston
1709 posts
You may be underestimating travel times between cities.
From Reggio, you should read about and visit Parma including lunch or dinner. It's one of Italy's greatest. Be sure to enjoy Antelemi's sculptures on the Baptistry. They are almost 1,000 years old and as enjoyable as anything modern.
Posted by
OP
Fulda Germany and Rhode Island USA
332 posts
Thank you for all the great replies! I agree I might be overestimating the driving distances. I decided not to book any other hotels besides the 2 I have already booked for now. I also added a cooking class in Bologna the second week for myself while my daughter is in school.
Posted by
Washington DC
27206 posts
I loved Bologna. Huge historic district. The Tourist Office runs walking tours.
Posted by
Campbell River, Canada
361 posts
Hi Susanne, We spent a week near Assisi end of April 2012. As we drove the roads below Assisi some of the fields were covered in red poppies. Spello had beautiful vines covered in white blossoms and Montefalco and Bevagna had shrubs with gorgeous purple blooms. We didn't notice lavender fields but I too think that it was too early. You will see wild flowers in bloom in every town you visit. Every year is different so you never know. Our travelling companions bought their Sim card at a Tims outlet which seem to be everywhere. Have a wonderful trip with your daughter. Sherry