Okay... April 11-18, from Warsaw into Milan. We have four adults, two seven year olds, a eleven month old, one seven month pregnant lady... We fly in in the morning and leave a week later in the early morning. The parents of the seven year olds have a max of two ports or places to drop our bags at. The pregnant fiance of mine (we've really dissapointed my grandma) wants to exchange our vows somewhere beautiful and on the Tuscan or Ligurian coast. I like the pace of a city and love seeing it all so I have to choose something. The two adults and seven year old spent their fall break of 7 days in Rome and south of there. They live in Warsaw so they're leaving the trip up to us to plan. They wouldn't "mind" Rome again, "but just went there." Please help me...
Posted by
Tacoma, WA, USA
671 posts
Steve, have you researched getting married in Italy? It's a bit more complicated than here- is that the main purpose of the trip?
I have traveled my share and have traveled pregnant more than once, and yikes...I don't know about Europe and 7 months pregnant. I have a type A travel personality, and I can't relax on vacation, but if I were you and traveling for a week in Italy with an 11 month old and fairly pregnant woman- find one place (somewhere beautiful on the coast) and take it relatively easy.
Posted by
Vicenza, Italy
319 posts
I would recomend Florence or Siena. I've been to florence when my daughter was 11 months old. I would recomend either if you're into site seeing. My friend has taken her kids (ages 10, 7&5) to Florence. They love it. The park behing the Piti Palace is a great place for kids to run and explore. What about staying for a week at an agratourismo in Tuscany? There would be space for the 7 year olds to run. And depending on the location (like lucca) you would be an hour drive from Pisa, the beach, Cinque Terra, Florence, or Sienna.
When I was 7 months pregant I went to Lake Bled in Slovenia with my 2 friends who were also pregant. We stayed at the Golf Hotel which had indoor pools that over looked the lake. I know that Bled is a popular place to get married for a destination wedding.
Posted by
Carbondale, IL, USA
1201 posts
If you are wanting to get legally married in Italy there is a significant amount of red tape and time requirements. It is different than what many US residents are used to.
You'll want to do some research and some of the stuff requires some advance planning.
Many people do it, so it can be done. Just don't expect to show up and in a day or to get married.
What some people opt for is a civil ceremony here in states for the legal part and then exchanging vows in Italy in front of their traveling companions in a unique setting.
Lucca might be a spot to settle into. Near the shore but not on it also close to other attractions.
Posted by
OP
Tacoma, WA
2 posts
Thank you all for your replies. First the ceremony will be, just that, with the cival taking place in the States. We have talked and we will spend day one (Saturday) in Venice, and head to Florence for day two (Sunday), day three (Monday) Florence, day four Florence (Tuesday). Head to the beach for day five (Wednesday), day 6 (thursday), day 7 (Friday). We would like suggestions for our stay "in" Venice, our stay "in" Florence, and our stay up North on the Tuscan Coast or the Ligurian Coast. We'll all be amazed by Venice, us older city kids will get to enjoy the vibe of Florence, still we want something special for the coast. Please suggest your favorite spots and why... Thank you so, so much in advance.
Steve
Posted by
Morrison, CO, USA
891 posts
For the hotel in Venice, go to Hotel al Ponte Mocenigo. Got it from Rick's book and had a great time. Small hotel with lots of charm. It's in a "neighborhood" more than a tourist path, so it's quiet around the hotel, but convenient. If you can't get in there, try Ca Dogaressa in the Cannaregio district. It faces the Cannaregio Canal, we loved the small hotel and the neighborhood.