This will be my first trip to Italy, plans for Sept/2009. We are planning something simular to the 22 days in Italy itinerary by Rick, with a couple side tracks to visit relatives. Hubby wants to rent a vehicle for most of the trip, I think we will take taxi's in the cities. We are trying to budget the best we can. 1 stars on some sites look clean, anyone have any personal experiences. We are looking for more of a beaches, scenery trip, with few historical tours. We're not much into churches, art etc. We will probably go to the expected tourist attractions: Vatican, Sistene Chapel, fountains, spanish steps, Coleseum, statue of David, Pisa, and I loved "under the tuscan sun", so definately Tuscany. Romantic gondola ride, you get the picture? I've heard Cinque Terre has beautiful beaches, and Almafi coast. Maybe a Opera? Any suggestions or comments would be welcomed.
Posted by
Los Angeles, CA, USA
1449 posts
If you want to do one of Ricks itineraries as he lays it out, the best way is probably to take one of his tours. While they initially seem pricey, I'd say you do in 2 days on one of his tours (I've taken one) what it would take you on your own 3 days which brings the true cost down.
A bit of history (its in the front of his guidebooks). He started as a tour leader in Seattle, then started offering classes based on where he took his tours. So, sure, Rick can do his Italy tour in 22 days but I think most people would find it difficult to do one of his itineraries on his timetable and enjoy it. Especially first-timers. Rick knows how to use the transport system, find his way thru towns with confusing street plans laid out 20 centuries ago, find the sites in town, where the restaurants are, etc.
For those without the guidebook handy, his 22 day tour is here http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/destinations/italy/italy22.htm
It's mostly 2-nite stays. Realistically, on your own its going to be a bunch of 1 day visits separated by travel days. Here's what's likely to happen. You leave town A after breakfast and checking out, spend 3-5 hours getting to B (more if you stop for lunch, much more if you explore an interesting area you pass). Park the car somewhere (not always easy in small towns), check in, put stuff away, get something to eat. It's 3-4pm by now, so a little walking around, dinner. The next day you see the sights, but since you don't know where they are you won't see as many as if you had a guide leading you to them, or learn as much as if a guide was describing the city as you walk thru it. Next day, repeat the above steps. This gets old quickly!!
My advice is this: if a tour isn't right for you, then plan on 3-4 days in larger cities and 2 days in smaller stops. Cut out what you need to fit it in 22 days, or stay longer.
Posted by
Los Angeles, CA, USA
1449 posts
here's one more suggestion: since you have 1 year until your vacation, why don't you test the pace and see what you think? Find 2 cities to visit about 150-250 miles from Ontario and each other, take an extended weekend. Friday morning drive to city A, Sat. visit the city, Sun. drive to city B, Mon visit the city, Tue come home. This will let you judge for yourself how comfortable you'd be doing this for 22 days.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
7737 posts
You mention opera. The opera season in Italy doesn't start up until October or November, but you should be able to find some vocal concerts that you would enjoy (and that will be easier to sit through than a full scale opera in Italian with no supertitles in English).
Posted by
Bay Area
3551 posts
One star will prob end up being hostels. Best romantic areas of course Venice & amalfi coast is incredible! Stay in Sorrento, by bus to Positano, Amalfi, Ravello is easy. The ferry back from Amalfi and view the incredible coast line ck schedules. Ferry to Capri stay at least one night and enjoy the walk around the island. Shopping is not necessary but it is what most people think when they are there. Enjoy!
Posted by
Florida, USA
12172 posts
Be sure to take a GPS with you. The roads in Italy are poorly marked by our standards. You will waste a lot of time trying to navigate without a decent GPS. I bought a TomTom 920 after driving in Italy without a GPS. I use it at home and pack it when I travel.
For 22 days a lease is a much better deal than a rental. You will have to figure out where to park it when you are in cities, however, so that reduces some of its value.
The more research you do, the more you will get out of your trip. Asking this board where you should visit isn't a substitute for building an itinerary based on your preferences. At best we can give you our impressions and you can judge based on what you're looking for.
Learn some language. I usually cram before I travel just to have some basics: getting a room, ordering a meal, asking directions. To date Italians seem the most appreciative of my efforts. When I ask a question, the responder always praises my "bella l'Italiano" even though my ability is really limited.
If at all possible, don't take an organized tour. You said you aren't into churches, art, etc. If you take a tour, you will undoubtably spend a lot of time in art museums and churches. If you did take a guided tour, you may gain a new appreciation for art and churches. If not, you would have spent a lot of money and time (more valuable than money) seeing things you weren't interested in.
Verona has an opera season outdoors in their giant Roman ampitheater. They end their season before fall. I was there in October and they were taking down the stage so they may have something in September.
Check out everything you can from the library. Italian guidebooks, videos, language programs. It's all free. Pour over that then build your itinerary and buy the guidebooks that are best for you.
CT doesn't really have beautiful beaches (coming from a San Diego native). Monterosso has the only real beach but it's tiny and rocky. Beautiful, but not in the same sense.
Posted by
OP
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
5 posts
Thanks for the input. I forgot to mention, my husband is Italian, speaks fluently when he has to, and has been to Italy, although it's been 30 years.
Posted by
Pittsburgh, PA, USA
207 posts
Cortona is a wonderful stop... though more touristy because of the book... we were there at the beginning of May-it was still great and felt real... we stayed in the Hotel Albergo San Lucas... aperfect location, great staff... we prefer pensiones and B7B's but this was a wonderful exception with fabulous views. Trattoria La Grota was exceptionally good and rather moderate... reservations were needed even on a riany Monday night... Fufluns is a local restaurant-pizza place but apparently loved by locals... we had a good dinner and went back for a late pizza lunch the next day. We had a perfect trip, but this was a special place on its own. George Werner
Posted by
Denver
787 posts
If you're really going to be in Italy for 22 days, Rick Steves' itinerary aside (and even he isn't advocating seeing all of Italy in 22 days any longer), you need to use the next year in shortening your list. Get a couple of good, comprehensive guidebooks and picture books, from your local library or a bookstore, and decide what you REALLY want to see.
If you're looking for more of a beaches, scenary trip, remind yourself that Rome (Vatican, Sistine Chapel Spanish steps, fountains, Coliseum) is beautiful, but doesn't have a beach and isn't scenic (or at least, not in the way that a beach or inland Tuscany is).
The Cinque Terre is beautiful, and has beaches, though they're small rock, rather than sandy, beaches.