Welcome to the Travel Forums

Why join TravelBlog?

Membership is Free and Easy
Your travel questions answered in minutes!
Become part of the friendliest online travel community.

Join Now! Join TravelBlog* today and meet thousands of friendly travelers. Don't wait! Join today and make your adventures even more enjoyable.

* Blogging is not required to participate in the forums

Italy Dec 26 - Jan 14

Suggestions Please Where to go?

15 years ago, October 21st 2008 No: 1 Msg: #52206 Delete Edit

crabbylady
Diane Abrahams-Gollub

N Posts: 1

Will be in Italy for Winter Break - Flying in to Rome - we (Mom, Dad, 2 college age daughters) have rented an apartment near the Collosseum for a week. Have been reading the usual tour books but would like to get off the beaten path.

Where should we be for New Years?? We really want to move around and see as much as possible. Florence?? Venice?? Tuscany?? Reply to this

15 years ago, October 21st 2008 No: 2 Msg: #52209 Delete Edit

dexdispose
Dexter Morgan

S Posts: 2

Rome is by far my favorite city in Europe but we loved the food and wine in tuscany.

Reply to this

15 years ago, October 22nd 2008 No: 3 Msg: #52241 Delete Edit

ilchicag
Liz

B Posts: 62

Nice, I did this same trip almost with the same exact dates... you're going to have so much fun! There is a ton to do in Roma around New Years. I remember a lot of people crowding around the Spanish Steps as early as 3pm with bottles of wine. Last year there were a lot of free concerts in the street. Walk down Via dei Fori Imperial and there should be a few nice spots. The place I was at was right outside of Monument to Vittorio Emanuele II. There are fireworks all around when midnight hits and then it goes crazy! People tossing things out of windows, there are people drinking everywhere (bring a few bottles of wine to pop at midnight--it's legal to drink on the streets... and there will be people drinking on the streets), people singing, the subway is a mess...

Feel free to look at my blog for what I encountered NYE and the other time I spent there. Maybe it'll be useful, who knows. Either way, have the best time!

I can't say I went to the other places you mention, but I did make my way down to Naples/Pompeii/Vesuvius. That, if you're at all interested, comes highly recommended. If you go down even further south, near Positano, last year in December, people were sunbathing. Reply to this

15 years ago, October 22nd 2008 No: 4 Msg: #52296 Delete Edit

jetsetway
Thor Henrykson

D Posts: 3

Definitely Venice. At the risk of repeating myself, the reason to visit Venice is because of its old beauty and romance. In my opinion that impacts where to stay and dine. I have been lucky to have stayed at Hotel Cipriani, Hotel Danielli, and Hotel Gritti Palace. They represent three of the best and most elegant hotels, and each is uniquely Venice.

Hotel Cipriani - Some rank this Orient Express hotel as the best hotel in Europe , let alone Venice. It is a very short boat ride directly across from San Marco which makes it quiet, yet quite accessible.

If you stay there you will eat at Fortuny or Fortuny Terrace. The restaurant is elegant and the food wonderful. Eat outside though on the terrace overlooking the lagoon.

Tip - Do not let them seat you in the bleachers. Especially if you are staying there make certain that you get a prime table.

Hotel Gritti Palace - This hotel also is a perennial favorite on Best Hotel lists. It was built in 1525 to house the Doge of Venice and has both a perfect location and view. It was on Ernest Hemingway’s list of favorite hotels for whatever that is worth. Generally I prefer to stay in hotels that are more modern. That look and feel just doesn’t seem right to me in Venice though.
It also has an outstanding outdoor restaurant with spectacular view - Club del Doge.

Hotel Danieli - If the Gritti Palace is not old enough for you try the Danieli. It was built in the 1300s. It also has a great location and views, just next to Plaza San Marco. As you enter the hotel you will gasp at the amazing interior with its marble columns, stained glass, gold leaf ceilings, and Murano glass chandelier.

If you have any funds left after paying for the hotel, you must have dinner outside on their rooftop at La Terrazza. It may be the best dinner view that you have ever experienced and once again this restaurant speaks to the romance of Venice. The only issue we had with either the food or service was that my wife, Allyn, committed the ultimate faux pas by asking for grated cheese on her spaghetti and clams. Who knew?

Harry’s Bar - The only restaurant in Venice that is world famous is Harry’s Bar. Some think it is the best, probably most disagree. Everybody agrees that the prices are astronomical. You may want to pop in to have a Bellini and then go elsewhere. That way you won’t feel liked you missed something special. Don’t even do that if you are looking for a quiet bar.

Trivia - The Bellini (fresh peach juice and sparkling wine) was invented at Harry's Bar.

Bonne voyage!

Reply to this

15 years ago, November 1st 2008 No: 5 Msg: #53121 Delete Edit

charlesbrancati
charlesbrancati

B Posts: 3

I hope that this will help you.
MAN.... they drive like crazy those people! I’ve never seen anything like that!

I found an apartment in trastevere and i had an awesome time, the apartment was affordable and thankfully clean! The area I stayed in trastevere is near the river, full of life and incredible for people that like to enoy the nightlife (like me)we were a group of 7people memy best friend Doney, 2 couples and Melissa a friend from Philadelphia...we booked the apartment from a website that is called www.theapartment.it and the apartment is called "palazzo dei morri" or something like that!
Anyway the location was great to experience a true slice of Roman city living. Large interior apartment with a great location to all the sights of Rome. It's prefect if you want to avoid all the large tourist hotels and the areas that tourists prefer to stay. Some in the group complained of a slightly noisy front bedroom, but nothing unexpected for a window facing a busy neighbourhood street in Rome...just pack earplugs and you won't be disappointed by this hidden place in Trastevere! we never used a cab like we use to do in NY, 1 because the italian taxi service is terrible, they always try to add you some strange fees, and they are too expensive! so better watch out, from trestevere you can walk everywhere with no problem!

I forgot to say that we pay 30E a day for a 1500 SQ FEET Apartment with 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms! well you get the best rate if you book it in 7 but i think they are good value for money!
Reply to this