Hello,
Italy has been my dream trip since high school. I think that it may finally happen this year! We are planning between two and three weeks in early October. We want to sail, take a cooking class, stay in a castle, and see Verona. I would also like to see some historical sites and cities because I have never been to the country. Ideas? Planning Tips? Must Sees?
Thanks in advance to one and all! :)
Posted by
3122 posts
If you're talking about October 2020, now's the time to get your plans in order. Have you already bought and read a couple of standard guidebooks? Have you already browsed the planning tips on that side of this website? That's really the place to start.
The only specific location you've mentioned is Verona, so that puts you in the north. With 2 weeks you would probably do best to stay in the north (i.e., don't venture south of Rome). If you have 3 weeks, then you could include both northern and southern destinations without whizzing all over and leaving yourself no time to actually enjoy and appreciate where you are.
You can find information on castle hotels at the following sites.
For all over Italy: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotels-g187768-c3-zff16-Italy-Hotels.html
For Tuscany: https://www.tripsavvy.com/best-castle-hotels-in-tuscany-1547509
Hope this helps!
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
13904 posts
Since we don't know where you are coming from, literally, lol, does your nearest airport have any direct flights to Italy or to hubs in Europe? That is the first thing I'd want to know in planning a trip so you can determine your start and end points.
I'd recommend you not fly home from Venice, just because getting to the airport for an early flight back to the US is a PIA with water transport. It's a good arrival point (although few direct flights from the US) and you could easily get to Verona from there.
Do you want to see the main destinations - Venice, Florence, Rome - many first time travelers enjoy in Italy?
I think there are gondolier lessons you can take in Venice if that would satisfy your "sail" component.
Also, go immediately and get Rick's Europe Through the Back Door - either purchase or go to your library. It will help you figure basic things out as well - like money and trains.