Hi all, The more I plan our family's 2 week (1st) trip to Italy, the more concerned I am that it is too hectic. Instead of doing Sorrento or Cinque Terre - are there are any other great (sort of quiet towns) that we could enjoy for just a day or so on the coast? Our trip begins in Milan but we will take the train directly to Venice, then Florence & Rome(leave from).
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
7737 posts
Venice is not smelly. I recommend Pensione Guerrato for a place to stay. When are you going to be in Italy?
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
7737 posts
When are you going to be there? That makes a difference in the responses. And FWIW, Venice can be as quiet as you want it to be. Just wander away from the crowded places. Here are some pictures I took in May 2008 and May 2011 that show what I mean. Also, there's a wonderful public garden in the Sant'Elena neighborhood (the southeast end of Venice - the "tail of the fish" if you look at a map of all of Venice.)
Posted by
OP
Desmoines
78 posts
Michael - thanks for the photos - they were reassuring! Were you happy where you stayed and I hate to ask - but is it smelly there or not? I keep getting conflicting info. I would hate to book a hotel in a smelly area.
thanks very much!
Posted by
OP
Desmoines
78 posts
Thanks for the recommendation - they are booked for the time we need and I'm looking for other options for 5.We are going may 23. Thanks!
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
7737 posts
What's your general itinerary and what lodging reservations are you locked into? I ask because Varenna on Lake Como might be a really good place to start. It's easily accessible from Milan and is a great place to recover from jetlag. Then you could go on to Venice, Florence and Rome. And your time in V, F and R need be only as hectic as you want. There are plenty of relaxing things to do in those cities. And Venice is extremely quiet in the evenings (after all, there are no cars or motorcycles) unless your room has a window overlooking one of the few hot spots. It's pretty much a small town (only about 60,000 residents in Venice) and they roll up the sidewalks around 9 or 10 pm. Another option would be Orvieto between Florence and Rome for a couple of nights. Very charming town. (Some photos from our trip to Orvieto in May 2011 here, in case you're interested.) It's very quiet, but not a beach town. FWIW, May is actually a little early for a beach town unless you're having a spell of warmer weather. Do you have the RS Italy guidebook? If so, I also recommend the Eyewitness Travel Guide series.
Posted by
roswell, ga, usa
1501 posts
We have family in Riccione (Rimini is also close as is Catolica), and even though it's crazy June, July and August we've been there in the off season, there are board walks on the beach and nice restaurants with water view, easy train access to Venice, Florence and Rome. I know it's not a favorite of RS, but we love it there! Take a look on Trip Advisor, and judge it for yourself. It's not crowded yet in May.