Yes! Did it once when I was in college and once when the kids were in high school. I don’t find it that far, especially as there’s a break in the middle when you walk round the gallery in the cathedral. For me it was the best bit of the trip to Florence despite the long lines, and we still have the family photo of us at the top on our wall at home. Walking up the curved dome is particularly special. But I love domes and vantage points - the Pantheon and the roof of St Peter’s are my favorite sites in Rome.
Cinque Terre is great, especially if you can stay overnight and see it when the day trippers leave. Climbing the Leaning Tower of Pisa is worthwhile (book in advance) but much less scary than 30 years ago now it’s been straightened!
Any suggestions for where to stay in Cinque Terre?
Also would love suggestions for bases in Tuscany and Umbria. I’m torn between staying in a village or outside in the countryside. Also should I plan on multiple spots in both those areas? We will have a car. Also would love a cooking class somewhere during the trip.
Cinque Terre is a pain with a car. Better to get the train which goes right along the coast. Monterosso has the most accommodation and best beach. But commuting in from La Spezia or even Pisa is easy (we found the best combination was to take the boat up the coast from La Spezia and then get the train back, hopping from town to town).
We’ve stayed in Cortona as a central base for Tuscany and Umbria (though it’s an hour or more into Florence by train or car). We had a villa outside the town (one of the Agriturismo farmhouses). It was convenient for Siena, Assisi and wine country - a car is definitely needed for those places. Avignonesi is our favorite winery and is close to Cortona, don’t miss the dessert wines. You can rent boats on Lake Trasimeno, we also took a bike tour to Montepulciano. And had cooking classes (someone who came to us as it was a large multi-family group).
I would consider one place in the center like Cortona and a second place near the coast. The distances are quite significant and both the roads (apart from the autostrada) and the trains are slow.
We’ve climbed the stairs of the Duomo. Great workout.
In Rome, if you want an amazing tour, try to book Francesca Caruso. She does the Rick Steve’s tours, and is in his Italy specials on tv. She makes everything come to life, and is fantastic. One of the posters said she was disappointed by the coliseum. You won’t be, with this tour guide.
We spent a week or so in Italy as part of a longer 3-country trip. Visited Florence, Siena, and Cinque Terre. The museums and architecture of Florence were lovely, but I was disappointed. It was insanely crowded and very commercialized. If I had it to do over, I would only spend a couple of days there. Siena also a bit disappointing. Cinque Terre was amazing and I’d definitely return. The villages are beautiful. We rented an apartment right in the village and felt like we lived there. Did a lot of hiking throughout the park. Views are breathtaking. Swam. People are so nice. Food to die for. Spent a day up in Portofino. Ligurian coast is magical. Highly recommend.
@taverngirl Did you need a car to visit Cinque Terre? Four of us are going in May and I do not want to drive if at all possible. Was your apartment large enough for 4?
No, the train systems are excellent for getting around the villages (hiking is fun too). There’s also a train from there to Florence. Here’s a link to our rental B&B Rosa Camere Vernazza - en
Small but worked fine for us and two teens. As you can see the foldout is in the eat in kitchen and bedroom is right behind. Rosa is amazing host! We thought Vernazza was a great central location.
My daughter and I went to Rome and Florence in October 2019. (I think I had a thread back then, there are several good Italy threads around for you to check out).
My daughter is very afraid of heights, but we did climb to the top of the Duomo - well worth the steps - the view is great (inside of the ceiling and outside of the town). We booked it last minute (the day before), but really should have booked it before we got there (it gets filled up quickly).
The entire trip was booked with a travel agent who specializes in Italy (if anybody is interested I can DM them her name). She got us the rooms in Rome and Florence, the cars from the airports, a ride from Rome to Florence with a stop for a Tuscan farm for lunch and at a winery, and various half day tours.
I have never booked tours when traveling before, but I think in both Rome and Florence they really added value to our trip and were worth the cost. The tour guides skip the line (and in the case of the Vatican got us to the Sistine Chapel before the crowds hit), they add a lot of value with the stories they tell, they made good recommendations for places to eat lunch, and they offered some unique opportunities (a tour of a historic library in Florence and a food tour in Rome.)
The travel agent had a relationship with the hotels and they were very nice - bending over backwards to greet us and take good care of us. She also booked us dinner every night, which eased the stress of trying to figure out where to eat each night.
Agreed, at Cinque Terre a car would be useless. Just be aware that Florence Airport is very small and not connected to the train lines. Pisa airport is bigger and easy to get into town (Pisa’s train station is between the airport and the city, it’s walking distance from the airport if you don’t have many bags).
I would be interested in your TA’s info - thanks! I’m looking for someone who knows Italy and can make recommendations/do bookings but am not looking to be part of a tour group
For those who want to see the most interesting sights, with fantastic local guides (but don’t want to hassle with researching everything), Rick Steves Heart of Italy tour is amazing.
Any recommendations for lodging in Lake Como area?
Also looking for where to base ourselves for several days each in Umbria and Tuscany. I would like to stay at an Agriturismo at least once on this trip. Would love suggestions.
My husband is not a big church or museum person and I’d like to find a place on the Adriatic to spend a few days. He loves boats and exploring marinas.
We plan to go this summer also. Hopefully some time in Norther Italy, such as Lake Como, Florence and cliffs, then fly out of Paris. Would love to share suggestions too.
kiddpe - would be interested in your travel agent info too if you’d like to share via DM! Might go in 2023 if D is studying abroad! Love the idea of having someone who knows pick the restaurants and places to go. I can barely decide on restaurants in my US hometown LOL.
I have been to lake come a few times. It is beautiful, but it’s also more expensive than other places in Italy. It is worth it to have a car to get around while in lake como. I was not a fan of Milan before, but spent few days there last Oct and wished I had a bit more time.
The east coast of Italy is niot popular with tourists, but there are some beautiful towns there. I used to go in and out of Ancona.
If you are around Milan, check out the piedmont region. They have some of nicest vineyards for Barolo wines.
The first time I was in Venice, it took my breath away. We used to stayed in Venice proper and then Lido. My kids used to say it was surf and turf. My favorite hotel on Lido used to be Excelsior and then stayed at their sister hotel on Venice. It allowed us to use their water shuttles between the hotels.
Florence never gets old with me. I could go back there and find something new every time. It is a very walkable city.
On the west coast I like Viareggio. It reminds me of NJ shore with Italian twist.
I am going back to Italy this summer for 2 weeks with my kids and their families again. My kids said it’s their happy place.
I love seeing all of this information! H and I will be there for two weeks in June: Rome, Florence, Venice, Amalfi coast. It’s been a long postponed trip so I’m crossing fingers and toes that it actually happens. Would love restaurant suggestions in any of those places!
I feel like I should be planning my Oct trip but on the other hand I feel weird and privileged to be thinking about travel when there is a war going on. Searching for hotels when Ukrainians are being bombed out of their homes. I can’t fathom how people can kill other people.
I’m realistic enough to know that the world goes on. I’m selfish enough to admit that I hope my Oct trip to Italy happens.
Not a restaurant per se, more like a deli, but a must do! We stayed on this quaint little street right near the Uffizi, and ate there three times! We fell in their arms and just had them put platters of food together for us. Grilled artichokes, fresh mozz, grilled bread, sliced meats. Omg so delicious. There are a handful of tables.
The first time we went was in 2015. Venice, Rome, Positano. Here are some things we did and loved and will do again with our son’s in May.
Venice:
The Hotel Bauer close to St. Mark’s Square has a wonderful patio restaurant overlooking the Grand Canal. Make reservations.
At night when the dueling orchestra play at St. Marks, pay the money to sit down and listen. Order drinks and dessert. Yes, it’s pricey, but what a wonderful time this was for a couple hours under the stars, after the day trippers left.
During the day, walk away from those places and discover the quieter Venice. You won’t get terribly lost, there are signs everywhere pointing you back to the square or Rialto.
Rome
Book now…Eating ITALY, their Travestere Twilight Food and Wine Tour. Simply fantastic and a huge highlight.
Al Fortunato by the Pantheon is a really busy and fun restaurant. We ate outside, but wish we had sat inside. Will do it this time. Much Warner and more “Italian”.
Do you have your tours schecule?
