Here is our revised itinerary based on Travelers advice. Any final thoughts before we book the hotels? Thanks! Arrive Venice Saturday May 26 at 1PM Day 1 – May 26: To Venice, sleep in Venice Al Ponte Antico Hotel http://www.alponteantico.com/en/index.htm Day 2 – May 27: Venice, sleep in Venice Day 3 – May 28: Venice, sleep in Venice Day 4 – May 29: Venice, sleep in Venice Day 5 – May 30: Florence, sleep in Florence Day 6 – May 31: Florence, sleep in Florence Day 7 – June 1: Florence, sleep in Florence Day 8 – June 2: Cinque Terre, sleep in Manarola http://www.torrettas.com Day 9 – June 3: Cinque Terre, sleep in Manarola Day 10 – June 4: To Siena, sleep near Siena (Tuscany) http://www.aiamattonata.com/ Aia Mattonata Day 11 – June 5: Siena, sleep near Siena Day 12 – June 6: Rome, sleep in Rome Relais Maddalena http://www.relaismaddalena.com/bedrooms Day 13 – June 7: Rome, sleep in Rome Day 14 – June 8: Rome Day 15 - June 9: Rome Day 16 - June 10 – Rome, fly home
Depart Rome June 10 at 3:10 PM
Posted by
Salem, Oregon, USA
2489 posts
Congrats on the anniversary! Personally, I'd stay in Venice and Florence each an extra day instead of the extra time in Rome - your itinerary essentially has only one full day for each and they both deserve more time. Re: Cinque Terre stay - the hotel you list is in Manarola, not Vernazza - different towns. Vernazza was part of the heavy flooding recently, you'll want to be extra sure you have reservations to a place that is open for business.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
7737 posts
I too would spend more time in Venice and Florence. I think two nights in Manarola would be plenty, so suggest taking away one night from there and one night from Rome. Venice is a wonderful place to recover from jetlag, so three nights minimum there. (Don't forget to wander away from the crowds to see Venice at its best.) Happy travels.
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11466 posts
Marilyn:
This looks well thought out. You have 3 nights in each place, giving you two full days to tour, plus any time on arrival day. Venice to Florence is a fast train trip, so you'll have the better part of the 29th in Florence, too. The trip from the CT to Siena can be long and take 3 or 4 trains depending on the routing, so plan to leave early and give yourselves time. Set your expectations for an arduous travel day and treat yourselves to a great lunch in Siena! Rome in 2 1/2 to 3 days is not enough, IMHO, but you'll get a good overview for "next time." We stayed in an apartment near Hotel Smeraldo and I can tell you it is a very convenient neighborhood! I don't know the hotel, myself, but I really like the location. Happy planning! Laurel
Posted by
Park Ridge, IL
524 posts
Marilyn What Laurel said! Great overview trip of the main Italy towns as well as iconic Siena and Cinque Terre. Wonderful itinerary. 2 sets of friends have stayed in the Al Ponte Antico in Venice near the Rialto Bridge. Wonderful hospitality and luxurious larger rooms. The fabulous view from the rooftop breakfast/wine area shows the Grand Canal. Of course, if you can splurge the canal front rooms would be awesome. Nearby is the Rialto Fish and Fruit Veggie Market. Bobbie