Taking wife to Italy for 50th - Where to go?

RKC · 04-16-2008, 08:15 AM

Did a surprise party at 40. Now thinking something more like a retreat with good scenery, food, relaxation, etc. - not the museums, history, etc. (maybe Pompeii or Capri if we've got time and go south). Thinking a kind of midlife "timeout" for fun and reflection and no time pressure.

North or South? Portofino or Amalfi Coast - or how bad is the drive if we do a week at each? Which first? If we wait until the 1st week in Sept. when the kids are in school does it start to rain/cool off up in Portofino? What can you see in a daylong drive through Florence and Rome on the way up/down?

Thanks Pelicans!

tcar · 04-16-2008, 08:33 AM

Start in Florence. See San Gimigiano (sp?) Then drive down - Rome... BTDT.

Stuart993 · 04-16-2008, 09:01 AM

Rome's a dump, it's full of ruins.

vash · vash's Garage

cinco terra if you want peace and quiet, romance that type of thing. oh, you better like seafood.
awesome walking to each of the five towns. train too, if you are not into walking. the train will get you to rome too, for a day trip.

venice, if you want to stay in a city. i found a affordable hotel, outside of the tourist spots. it was fun living with the locals. it gets crazy on garbage day. amazing.

steve911 · steve911's Garage

Suggest staying in Tuscany and do day trips from there. Almost 10 years ago we did it with two kids (8 & 3 then). We rented a farmhouse in outside of Greve (Italy's Napa) with olive orchards all around - absolutely gorgeous. Florence was 45 minutes away. San Gimingano (sp), Sienna all nearby. GREAT restaurants and wine right there. Didn't make it all the way down to Rome, so can't comment on that part of it.

Enjoy!

72doug2,2S · 72doug2,2S's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by tcar

Start in Florence. See San Gimigiano (sp?) Then drive down - Rome... BTDT.

I second that, but I'll add the North is the more affluent part of the country. More art, more wine, less poverty. Forget August, but April and May are pleasant times to visit. I was there Jan-July.

Florence +
Lake Como
Fiesole
San Gimignano +
Siena
Assisi
Pisa
Cinque Terre

Or pick a spot and just stay there and relax. I'm thinking two weeks around Lake Como sounds ideal.

Va Bene!

vash · vash's Garage

seriously, you could throw a dart and hit a good spot in italy. it is all good. i dont think you can possibly go wrong.

DaveE · 04-16-2008, 09:20 AM

I can't tell you where to go because I've never been to Italy, but congrats on 50 years!

Zeke · 04-16-2008, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveE

I can't tell you where to go because I've never been to Italy, but congrats on 50 years!

+1!

And, if I had the chance, I'd see at least some of Milan. Big place, might not be what you're looking for.

RKC · 04-16-2008, 09:44 AM

Thanks for all the info.

It's for 50th birthday - only 17 blissful years of marriage! Though it is truly a great marriage to a great woman.

Looking for the most romantic spots - those are in short supply with two children, two dogs, etc......

We just love spending time together....

jtfreels · 04-16-2008, 09:57 AM

I with Milt on Milan, besides your wife would like the little towns around Milan; Fiorano, Maranello, Monza etc

Jay

tcar · 04-16-2008, 10:11 AM

I liked Venice, A LOT, too, but it's a pretty long drive over there, and it's just flat farmland getting there.

imcarthur · imcarthur's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by RKC

Looking for the most romantic spots

That would have to be Ravello imho. High above the Amalfi coast, if I was looking for a place to chill with my spouse, this would be high on my list. We visited for dinner & I swore I would be back. You can easily visit Amalfi & Positano below & hop over the mountain to Pompeii. About a 3 hour drive from Rome.

Combine this with a nice quiet town in Tuscany or Umbria. Pick any one, it's hard to go wrong.

The view from Ravello:

Ian

RKC · 04-16-2008, 10:24 AM

Thanks.

Ravello is where one of the hotels is I'm looking at. That photo looks like just what I'd hoped to find....

Seric · 04-16-2008, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jtfreels

I with Milt on Milan, besides your wife would like the little towns around Milan; Fiorano, Maranello, Monza etc

Jay

+1

Look honey, red prancing horses..

RKC · 04-16-2008, 10:36 AM

In the middle of a Chicago winter my wife will drop the window when she sees a Porsche, Ferrari, Lambo, etc. so I can hear engine as it drives by the other way. Can't ask for more than that. We'll do the car factory tours on my birthday! LOL!

tcar · 04-16-2008, 10:49 AM

One disappointment... I actually see more Ferraris in Colorado (in summer) than I did in Italy.

On the autostrada; Germans in Porsches, Mercedes in the left lane as far as the eye could see. Rented a little Alfa that was a kick to drive.

imcarthur · imcarthur's Garage

The piazza in Ravello is a tourist hit but the throngs clear out late afternoon. There are several nice hotels - we had drinks at the Villa Maria. It looked affordable. There are also some high end villas that are hotels. Numerous restaurants too - Cumpa' Cosimo being a highlight for us. Ideally, you will need a car. The roads are not as bad as everybody says - except Naples - it's worse.

The walkway at the Villa Cimbrone:

Ian

RKC · 04-16-2008, 11:42 AM

Ian:

Those are some beautiful photos. How long to Pompeii? Can you avoid Naples on the way from Rome?

imcarthur · imcarthur's Garage

To avoid Naples, just stay on the Autostrada past Naples. I turned off of it too soon & ended up in downtown Naples. A good map & some planning & it's not too hard. You pass Pompeii just before you turn to Sorrento & the routes over the mountain. We did a day-trip from near Amalfi to Pompeii. We drove over in about 1 hour. Saw the ruins. Had lunch & drove back. A great day. I loved the drive.

FWIW here is my trip report: Italy

Ian