Ive already cut my locations back by 50%!!!!! Im really considering skipping the Naples area actually, as much as I hate to but something has to give, and I dont want that to be my fiance. Like I said the only part that is booked for sure is my flight into Paris so everything is open, but heres my thought on my trips timeline. Paris 4 days including my fly in day. Paris to Venice travel day. Venice 2 days Venice to Florence travel day Florence/Tuscany 6 days Florence to Rome travel day Rome 3 days (Ive done it already just going to hit the highlights with my girl) Rome to Naples travel day Naples 4 days ish. Home, with a possible day lay over in London or Amsterdam, all the flight connect through on of those cities. What do you guys think? To much or to little time in each spot?
For first time in Italy, I like it. Get a taste of all areas and then if you go back you can really concentrate on your favorite area. First time I went I did something similar and copied an advertised tour guide trip for Rome, Florence Venice in 12 days. Lots of tour packages for Italy and I think you will find you are covering as much territory as these guided tours only you have more time. If it was me I would take a couple days off Florence/Naples and stick in a 2-3 days of relaxing at Cinque Terre. I agree with other poster, Venice was not my favorite.
Not everyone likes Naples. It isn't the safest or cleanest place in Italy. But Amalfi and Capri are close and they are pretty amazing, easily my favourite spots in Italy.
If it were me, I'd subtract one day in Florence/Tuscany and then instead of Naples, hop on EasyJet to Barcelona (its like an hour flight or a little longer and pretty cheap) and just chill on the beach for a few days. You're going to be doing a lot of historical sightseeing, eating pasta and walking around stone steps. I'd cap off the trip in a nice sunny beach area like Barcelona where you can just decompress and do nothing for a few days. Take siestas in the afternoon, you'll need a break from the hyper agressive Italians who are always shouting and shit. Spaniards are chill and live life at a much slower pace. You can also take a ferry, but that takes like 8 hours vs like a 2 hour flight.
I did like Venice, personally. I never did the gondola tours, its pretty expensive, like 100 Euros or something like that. Its overrun with tourists, but its just kind of fun to walk around and get lost, seeing the old stores in the back of the island, really fun actually. Like I said, take the Water Taxis to other islands, you can get a day pass and they're pretty cool and you'll get nice pictures on the boats, etc. Its a strange way of life, if you just hang around St. Marks Square there and stand in line for the museums and churchs and palaces and shit, you may get less out of it. If you do go to Venice, and happen to go to Burano, go here. Da Romano. The Seafood Rissoto was fucking great, and it was historical, Hemingway ate there all the time I guess as well as many others throughout the years. [video=youtube;AyQvTefwP48]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyQvTefwP48[/video]
As far as big cities go, Turino is nice because there's not a million tourists and there is still some good shit to see, just not the ancient stuff you'll see in Rome. Also if you're in Naples and it's too hot, hop a ferry to Ischia. It's like, 20 degrees cooler there and it's beautiful.
This was one of my original considerations, but I had discounted it awhile ago because of travel time/money budget. I think though that I would get more of what I want out of a last stop from Barcelona rather than Naples. At this point of the trip I figure we will be a little tired and looking more for relaxing on a beach before we go home. Missing Pompeii and Amalfi would hurt but the beachlife sounds so much better in Barcelona. Alternatively I could cut a day in Tuscany, bust ass through the sights in Naples and get to Barcelona for some chill out. From what I hear Naples seems to get mixed reviews though, people seem to like it and the area but it seems to be much further down the lists of Italys "must see's", is that a fair assumption?
Florence FTW. http://deadspin.com/crazy-ass-italian-sport-combines-rugby-with-bare-knuckl-1612721772 [video=youtube;R3YYm7_5qvQ]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3YYm7_5qvQ[/video]
I've never been to Naples. No real huge desire to either to be honest other than to go to the original pizza place for the Margherita pizza. Barcelona is kickass though. I got an apartment in the Gothic Quarter (short walk to the beach), bought foods from La Boqueria and cooked, really dope. If you're a big soccer fan you can go to the Barca stadium tour, just walk around all over and see all the Gaudi architecture.
I'd also consider going to Sienna during the Palio races. Twice in the summer, I really wanted to do it but missed it. Its on my bucket list. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palio_di_Siena
Ok guys, first off thanks again for all the suggestions here. They have all been very helpful and have given me a lot of good ideas and direction in my searches. Ive narrowed down my trip to Paris - Rome - Florence - Venice - Amsterdam. The only thing set so far is fly into Paris and out of Amsterdam and after tons of research on this I have a few more questions and need some more opinions as I work on finalizing my trip. 1) Paris, the trip is centered around Italy and we are only going here because of the cheap incoming flight along with a desire to see this city. How much time should I allocate for here? Comes down to I fly in on a Wednesday morning, and Im debating on leaving either Sunday afternoon or Monday morning/early afternoon. Im leaning towards Monday to give us some extra leisure time and a whole weekend in the city, good idea or to much time here and Ill be ok leaving Sunday? 2) Easyjet, what are you experiences with them? I used Ryanair last time I was here, and thought it was good for the price but the crazy airport locations put me off them for this trip. Seems easy jet uses more accessible airports but Im a little put off by some of the online horror stories of flights being canceled, extra luggage fees, cattle boarding, and etc. After I add the priority boarding, seat guarantees and luggage its not as huge of a savings as I hoped but still enough to take a good look at them. 3) After Paris my option is to go Rome - Florence/Tuscany - Venice, or reverse Venice - Florence/Tuscany - Rome. This is purely opinion but what would you suggest? My thoughts are to do Rome first to get the Paris Rome big city excitement out of the way then ease into the country side, but Ive heard some opinions to do Venice first because of the wow factor in the city and end in Rome. Thanks again.
I've been fine with EasyJet. They are sticklers on luggage though, they weigh all of them as well as put them all in sizers.
Is it enough hassle to not bother if it only saves me $100 a ticket and a few extra hours on a connecting flight or would you feel confident enough with them and their service? The luggage stickler thing could be an issue but I did notice they allow you to pool your flight parties baggage weight allowance.
I've only used them a few times, usually do Trains in Europe. I mean to save some cash and time, I'd probably be fine with it, but then again, I pack really light so I don't have to worry about luggage.
I'd probably prefer Venice-Florence-Rome. I like Rome the best of teh 3 of those. Although, staying in Rome could put you in a very "La Dolce Vita" state of mind. I think taking in Rome at a relaxing pace is the best.
flights work out a little cheaper and more convenient that way also, which is what got me really thinking about it. I can get an airfrance on monday for only $65 a ticket to Venice. I kind of felt Rome would be a good introduction to Italy though, but Ive been there once and know what to expect which is not the case of the other two.
I don't know Italy well, but in Paris I would definitely suggest that you stay behind Notre Dame on The Île Saint-Louis. It's an "island" (but not really) in the Seine with great small hotels, shops, cobblestone streets, restaurants. It is central, walkable, awesome.
Thanks for the tip, I actually read about this spot. Sounds like a quiet oasis in the middle of the city. I was looking for a place to stay there as I heard they book up early and can be a little pricey. Had to get my exact travel dates nailed down before I could start booking accommodation though. Good to hear from someone that it is as good as it sounds there though, maybe Ill spring for the extra on this. Also been looking at a spot on airbnb that is just across the water from the tower for pretty cheap, with a view. I heard in Paris there isnt really a bad spot to stay as long as your in the 3rd through 7th arrondissements. If you (or anyone) have a specific spot to recommend Im all ears as thats my next agenda item after travel is fully set.
