Bologna, Florence, CT, and Rome - Trip Report

Leia, I love your website (just looked at the Bologna pages so far) and plan to look at all the locations. Thank you for sharing!

Leia, just went through your whole website and I'm utterly impressed with it. Great job! I especially like the recommendations section. Thanks for posting this. Glad you had a great trip to Italy and just goes to show that you don't have to be well-traveled to do an independent trip if you plan well and do lots of research. Wishing you many future international trips.

Thank you for the kind remarks (blushing) Not only was our trip fun, it did give me a great sense of accomplishment. Since we've returned I've turned a very critical eye toward our monthly budget. We've already cut back in some areas and put what we saved in our "travel" account To say that travel has moved far up the priority list since we returned, is an understatement. Next month I am going to start planning our next trip.

Glad you liked Bologna so much, I've always thought it was one of the true hidden gems of Italy and I continue to be relieved that Rick Steves hasn't picked up on it (ie, ruined it) yet.

Wonderful and helpful website, and spectacular photos! Which highlights a delimma: take the large SLR or stick with the iPhone ? Obvious advantages and disadvantages. What did you all do?

David, I used a small, handheld camera - Canon Power Shot SX260 HS. Every morning, before we stepped out of our hotel I slipped the band around my wrist, put the camera in the palm of my hand, and away we went. For me, this camera was the right balance of small and convenient vs. good quality photos. I was very pleased with our photos.

Wow what an awesome trip report. Just about ready to take the same trip so thank you for all the insightful information!

Leia, yes, travel is my #1 priority, and has been for a long time. I loved your website.

First trip to Italy for 14 days in one week!! Thank you for your post & all the info. Now if I can remember any of it in the excitement!!

I really liked your share site. Thank you for sharing with all of us. I haven't been to Bologna yet, but it is on my list for a future trip.

Wonderful website. Will help my BFF and I as we plan our 14-day trip scheduled for March 2014. Thanks so much for sharing.

Thank you so much, I loved the pictures, the writing, and the whole thing. We have been to italy 6 times, always drive ourselves. It is really not as hard as some people say. The Italians are great drivers. I think a lot of the people who don't want to drive come from states that are flat and wide open. I see you are from ct. Us too and our roads as well as all around us are a lot like Italy, or we have been where they are. Well, thank you again.
Denise

You did an amazing production here. Thanks for sharing your travel and all the great tips and suggestions of your planning details. I like your suggestions of using B & B's for lodging over hotels. We went to Italy 13 years ago and I plan to return in the next couple of years. Did you meet any solo travelers during your time there?

Diane - We did meet a couple of solo travelers on our day trip to Cinque Terre, but mostly it was friends traveling together, couples, and families.