First time in these counties. Also, my husband and I are coming on a budget.
We will be there for approx. 6 to 7 days. What Monasteries would be the best
to try and stay at for these areas. Or any other suggestions for places to stay
which are in moderate price range.
Is it best to travel between cities on the rail and how would be the best way to
purchase the tickets.
We are the ones who wanted to renew our vows in Italy. So it would be nice
to make this special.
Interested in many suggestions.
Posted by
Chicago, Illinois, USA
586 posts
My wife and I did Italy in December last year, including Venice and Rome. You can check out our itinerary details and train routes at http://moltogentileitalia.blogspot.com, my blog, under itineraries. Train is the way to go! And weather? 35 to 50 degrees F. We're from Chicago, so it seemed like spring. Best of luck!
Posted by
US Pacific Northwest
10344 posts
Yes, it's best to travel by rail between those destinations. Renewing vows may be tricky (arranging for it) if you're not Catholic. Here are links to 2 websites listing convents to stay at in Italy: http://bedandblessings.com/http://www.santasusanna.org/comingToRome/convents.html
Posted by
Columbus, OH, USA
2026 posts
Try www.monasterystays.com I recently came across this website but did not really check it out. Next time. Have fun!
Posted by
Florida, USA
12172 posts
We went with a family of five. In Venice we rented a nice apartment through Hotel d'Art. It wasn't fancy but was perfect for us. I haven't seen their double rooms.
In Verona, we stayed at the Ostello Francescetti(?). It wasn't great. The dorms were typical hostel dorms but my wife really didn't like the low water pressure in the showers. The family room wasn't available because there was a convention in town so we had to do the boys in the mens dorm and girls in the ladies dorm.
Rome has monestary type accomodations. I haven't used them. My Italian friend got reservations in a hotel in his part of town that worked well for us.
Trains work well for two but won't get you out into the wine country of Tuscany (you may not have enough time for that anyway). For two the train is the budget option and drops you near the city center.
If you choose to drive at any point, definitely bring or rent a GPS. Road signs are nearly non-existent in town and the signage on the highways wasn't logical to us. We made it without a GPS but not without a lot of wrong turns and memorable stops to ask directions.
The ratio of stairs to elevators is pretty high in Italy, packing light really pays off.
If I wanted to renew my vows, I would probably book a decent hotel in Venice and ask them if they could arrange something. Venice is such a magic place, it seems a natural.
Verona, as home to Romeo and Juliet might be another good choice. Again I would ask your hotel to help arrange it.
Rome is too big and busy, I don't think it would be a good fit for renewing your vows (but it does have a million small churches).
I'm not Catholic and virtually all of Italy is. I'm not sure how a priest feels about renewing vows of non-Catholics, hopefully you are and it's not a problem.
Posted by
Port Townsend, WA
64 posts
I used cross-pollinate.com and venere.com to find accomodations in Italy, and then used tripadvisor.com to find reviews from folks that had actually stayed in the rooms I was considering. FYI: Romeo and Juliet are ficticious characters!! They did not live anywhere, or proclaim their love for one another from any balcony!