Venice, Florence, Amalfi, Lake Como in July? | FerrariChat

Venice, Florence, Amalfi, Lake Como in July?

Discussion in 'Other Italian' started by Boxer12, Feb 28, 2004.

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  1. Boxer12

    Boxer12 Formula 3

    Jun 1, 2003
    1,672
    Your thoughts? (first two weeks of July)
     
  2. V-10 Nut

    V-10 Nut Rookie

    Dec 1, 2003
    45
    Missouri
    Full Name:
    Steve
    Jim
    Of the locations you mention I've only been to Lake Como. Considering the temperatures in July, the central/southern regions could be quite warm and I'm sure you've been told about Italian air-conditioning.
    Como is in the mountains and I highly recommend a stop there. I stayed there at the end of a vacation last fall because it's reasonably close to the Milan airport, but in hindsight, I wish I'd had more time to really get to know the area. Fabulous food and a beautiful city.
    Enjoy the trip
    Steve
     
  3. Boxer12

    Boxer12 Formula 3

    Jun 1, 2003
    1,672
    Steve, I am told Lake Como is very romantic. I would tend to lean toward the coastal regions, only because I am from Denver and mtns are my 'usual' locale. Thanks for your thoughts. Jim
     
  4. chrislamborghiniatlanta

    chrislamborghiniatlanta Formula Junior

    Dec 23, 2003
    343
    Hey Jim,
    I was there last year for the launch of the Gallardo. I spent three weeks in Italy and saw everything from Rome to Milan on the west coast. I started in Rome and my hotel (albergo) did not have A.C. and believe me that is the worst thing ever!!! It was pretty hot but not unbearable. Went to Florence and stayed in a place called "Fiesole" which is just above the city. Florence was one of my favorite stops and one of the more friendly and easy to navigate cities. I then went to Pisa, Lucca, drove the whole Tuscan countryside along with seeing Bologna, Modena and of course Sant Agata for a tour of the Lambo factory. From there I proceeded on up the west coast of Italy. Stopped in Portofino, Cinque Terre, San Gimignagno and almost all of the other cities up the coast all the way to San Remo where I then went into France to Nice, Monaco and Monte Carlo. What I am getting at is this, I ended up in Milan and the only highlight to that part of the trip was going to Lake Maggiore where it is beyond beautiful. My opinion for what it is worth, skip Milan altogether or just go for a day. It is very industial, unfriendly and touristy to the maximum. I wish I had not gone with hindsight being twenty twenty. My two cents worth.

    Chris
     
  5. V-10 Nut

    V-10 Nut Rookie

    Dec 1, 2003
    45
    Missouri
    Full Name:
    Steve
    Jim...
    If you prefer the coast, I spent a week in Santa Margherita and Portofino. Absolutely spectacular coastline (don't miss the Cinque Terre) and Portofino is the Monte Carlo of Italy.
    We stayed in a B&B owned by locals. Check out www.karenbrown.com for information on Inns and B&B's.
    The pics in my profile are from Santa Margherita.
    Steve
     
  6. Pat

    Pat Karting

    Jan 2, 2004
    88
    Genova, Italy
    Full Name:
    Emanuele

    well, I live less than 20km far from Portofino ;)

    I'll tell you something about these places you choose as soon as possible.

    Any particular answer? ;)
     
  7. V-10 Nut

    V-10 Nut Rookie

    Dec 1, 2003
    45
    Missouri
    Full Name:
    Steve
    Hi Emanuele
    In addition to the beautiful surroundings, the people of Liguria were very warm, helpful and a delight to be with.
    Steve
    who is envious of Emanuele
     
  8. Pat

    Pat Karting

    Jan 2, 2004
    88
    Genova, Italy
    Full Name:
    Emanuele
    Hi Steve Will ;)

    You haven't to be envious of me....there are different ways to live a life....I'm envious of you about some things, like you with me I think ;)

    Hope you can understand what I mean, really really sorry about my english....

    Southern Italians are much wamer than northern, but sometimes I think they're more dangerous than northern, so you have to watch out in some places....Liguria is safer than others I think ;)

    so....if you all guys have any questions about Italy and expecially about Liguria and the north, you have just to ask ;)

    bye

    Emanuele
     
  9. Boxer12

    Boxer12 Formula 3

    Jun 1, 2003
    1,672
    Thanks for the input everyone! People say to stay away from central and southern Italy in July and August due to heat and poor A/C. Then again, on the coast, could it be that bad? Is Amalfi coast considered central or are they talking central as in 'inland?' Florence is inland, could it be unbearable? I get the impression that I better have a set itinerary and hotel reservations. I have booked Venice because this will be my honeymoon and (oh, I didn't mention that??) it just seems like a place to go on your honeymoon. Emanuele, do you have any recommendations for this time of year? I don't want to run my new bride ragged, so I am going to limit our two weeks to maybe 3 locations. Steve, by "monte carlo' of Italy, do you mean casinos galore and mega expensive? Emanuele?

    Jim
     
  10. Pat

    Pat Karting

    Jan 2, 2004
    88
    Genova, Italy
    Full Name:
    Emanuele
    well, Jim, if you're going to come in july/august, it will be very hot. Anyway, Amalfi is down south and it's a WONDERFUL place to be, in the summer you can go to the sea and I think that's ventilated by wind, so it won't be as hot as cities in central Italy.

    Watch out, I'm not saying that Amalfi will be a fresh place ;)

    I suggest you not to go to Florence in full summer. Yes, Florence it's a wonderful city, but in the summer it's one of the warmer places in italy, and it's full of tourist....better you come to Florence in another period of the year I think.

    Anyway, you can come another time just to visit Tuscany (Pisa, Florence, Grosseto, Lucca, San Giminiano, Volterra....), because it's a wonderful country.

    I've never been in Venice...!!!!!! But you have to go to ;) but It will be probably hot in Venice too, because of the high humidity levels....but I think you'll enjoy it anyway.

    Very important thing!!!! >>>> when we say that portofino/Liguria is the Montecarlo of Italy, it doesn't really mean there are casinos and shops....not any casino in Liguria....it's like Montecarlo WITHOUT awful buildings and shops, it's natural and wonderful; if you are coming to this side of Italy, you have to visit the "cinque terre" too by boat, expecially Portovenere and some other "jewels".

    If you come here to Liguria in a period when I'm here, you'll have a free tourist guide ;)

    for any question.....;)
     
  11. ClassicFerrari

    ClassicFerrari F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa

    Jan 7, 2004
    16,798
    Toronto
    Full Name:
    Vasco
    WOW, excellent pictures!!! Did you take them??? Very veryyyy good job and choice of places. I definetly know where to visit when I go to Italia one day.

    My summer family home is in Estoril Portugal which is like the Monaco of Portugal (Remember the Portuguese Grand Prix??) If anyone ever gets a chance to go by that area I highly recommend it.

    Obrigado.

    Vasco.R
     
  12. V-10 nut please send me those pictures and if you have any more in high res I would love to use them as my background my email is [email protected]


    Thanks
     
  13. Boxer12

    Boxer12 Formula 3

    Jun 1, 2003
    1,672
    Italy is so beautiful! I am so excited! Portofino looks nothing like my image of Monte Carlo, but I have never been there either. Thanks for the advice. I will skip Florence this trip, fly direct to Venice and stay in northern Italy. Now, in Northern Italy, besides Venice, what is "Must see"? Jim
     
  14. tritone

    tritone F1 Veteran
    Silver Subscribed

    Dec 8, 2003
    6,864
    On the Rock
    Full Name:
    James
    Emanuele - beautiful pictures!
    For nearly 10 years I went to northern Italy 2X a year, always in the Lakes region; Como, Maggiore, Garda, stc. on business with Riva. I always passed the opportunity to go to Cinque Terre; now I see what a mistake that was!!
    I will go there first next trip, then take care of business later.
    thanks for the pictures.
    James
     
  15. Pat

    Pat Karting

    Jan 2, 2004
    88
    Genova, Italy
    Full Name:
    Emanuele
    I've been to Santa Margherita saturday night, but it was raining :(

    well, I have no photos for you now because I'm writing on the university's computer....

    I have to think about what city, Jim. You have to tell me your ideas, what kind of country do you prefer (natural-hystoric-city/town-on the sea....ecc ecc. ecc), how long can you stay.

    Well, now I'm thinking about Rome. I know it's in central Italy, but on august every place in Italy will be very warm....and it's easyer to find A/C in bigger cities.

    If you go to Rome I think you must stay there AT LEAST 4 days; I've been there for the first time in my life the 1st January 2004, and I have to say that's a WONDERFUL city, charismatic and easily wonderful...

    I've been in Paris and I thought it was the best-looking city in the world....but now I think Rome is much better...

    That's not because I'm italian, believe me.... ;)

    now, I wrote to you about Rome, but I don't know if you'd like to go there...so tell me what kind of "tour" of Italy you want to do.

    I know you want to go to Amalfi and Cinque terre.....how long do you want to stay?

    I think 3 days are right for a fast trip in the Cinque Terre, with a boat journey to see them from sea (really unforgivable).

    If you go to Amalfi, you can see some more going to Sicily (or Naples), so you can stay there from 2 days to one week....

    The northern lake region will be hot too during the summer....but there are good places too....

    I suggest you to come another time just to visit Tuscany and Florence, too ;)

    >>James, very glad to know that you were in business with Riva......!
    you have to come back to Italy and see something more.....always welcome!;)

    >>Jim, sorry about my confused words, hope you understood....anyway, just ask ;)
     
  16. V-10 Nut

    V-10 Nut Rookie

    Dec 1, 2003
    45
    Missouri
    Full Name:
    Steve
    Congrats Jim on the upcoming wedding. Italy will be a great place for a honeymoon. I took the photos last October...my wife and I were celebrating our 5th anniversary.
    Steve
     
  17. Boxer12

    Boxer12 Formula 3

    Jun 1, 2003
    1,672
    Thanks Steve. I am certain it will be the trip of a lifetime.

    Emanuelle, I don't exactly want to 'tour' Italy. I want to experience a romantic vacation, and I think too much packing and travel will not be good. At the same time, I can't imagine going to Italy and not seeing Rome (like going to France and not seeing Paris). BTW-Your English is very good. No worries.

    I am even a bit worried that trying to do more than a single region will be too much travel. I have considered points of entry in Rome, then going thru Florence to Venice, but then I will miss the coast. So I considered entry in Milan, then visit the coast, then Venice, or vice versa. That seems to be quite a bit of travel in inself, probably some nice train rides though. I would miss Rome if we stay in North.

    Maybe I should enter in Rome and go up the coast to CT and Portofino, then over to Venice. How many days would this take? Should I go by rail or auto? Anyone ever do a similar trip?

    Jim
     
  18. Pat

    Pat Karting

    Jan 2, 2004
    88
    Genova, Italy
    Full Name:
    Emanuele
    ok Jim I understand now...

    so I suggest you to go to Rome, spend 4 days, come to Genoa (Portofino/5terre), spend 4 days more, then go to Venice and spend other 4 days....

    no Amalfi, 'cause you have to go too south....

    If you like you can go from rome to Florence (other 4 days there) and then come to Cinque terre.

    From Rome to Genoa by a normal train it's 5 hours (not so much), usually with A/C (Intercity and Eurostar trains), 30 euros each ticket.

    With lots of luggage I think that's boring, so by car is more confortable (and much more expensive); anyway isn't so easy to drive around Rome so I suggest you the train...

    From Rome to Florence it's 2hours and 30 minutes by Inter City trains and 1 hour and 30 minutes by EuroStar trains (a bit smaller, built by Fiat and capable of 250 kmh top speed.....!)


    the price is 20 euros for the InterCity and 30 euros for the Eurostar.

    From Florence to Genoa it's 3 hours by train....

    From Genoa to Venice it's another 5 hours travel...

    then you can go from Venice to Milan and leave by plane from Milan...

    Well, it isn't so difficult to go by train in Italy because there are lots of trains, and the Intercitys and Eurostars all gets A/C. Sometimes it's much faster than going by car, always cheaper...

    troubles are: I suggest you to reserve your places on trains (ask you travel agency, anyway I can help you if you choose to go by train); and trains in Italy usually suffers 20minutes delays.....(exept for Eurostars usually) and they could be really crowded on holiday...(not a problem if you get a reservation ;) )

    you can use the plane too.....but it's very very very expensive.

    I suggest you not to use a car: I mean, I'd prefer surely the car, if you haven't money troubles, but there's an enormous problem.

    To drive in Italy is completely different than to drive in the States....believe me....It's another world, a completely different way to drive: my parents had some hosts from the USA (some relatives and a dentist university doctor who owned lots of BMW.....!) in these years, and they all were really afraid of driving there, altough they liked to drive.....that's because Italian drivers are tremendous....nervous....don't know how to say this, I hope you understand, I'm not jokeing or sayng that USA people can't drive, I'm saying it's a completely different driving way and it could be difficult to drive here for you ;)

    hope you undersand as usual, thanks Jim but I still think my english's not so good :(

    edit: my Rome-Florence-Genoa-Venice-Milan trip is just an idea/example, I say 4 days but of course those are only my ideas...:)

    re-edit: train times are the actual times, I was looking at the train timetable while writing: www.trenitalia.it , there's an english version too ;)
     
  19. Boxer12

    Boxer12 Formula 3

    Jun 1, 2003
    1,672
    Emanuele, Thanks again. I am curious, why do you suggest going to Milan from Venice to exit rather than fly from Venice? It looks like the cost to fly to/from Venice is a bit higher, but is there another reason?

    Also, thank you for including the link to train info. That helps. Jim
     
  20. Pat

    Pat Karting

    Jan 2, 2004
    88
    Genova, Italy
    Full Name:
    Emanuele
    first sorry for the delay Jim, I had lots to do and I went to Geneva too last week....;)

    well, I didn't know that's possible to fly directly from Venice to the USA.....if it's possible, you can surely do that without going to Milan....maybe more expensive, but for sure more comforteble because you haven't to go to Milan (and I really don't like Milan...!)

    for any other question, you can e-mail me too ;) ( [email protected])
     
  21. Boxer12

    Boxer12 Formula 3

    Jun 1, 2003
    1,672
    Well, it was difficult to get a good fare to Italy this July. Minimum of $1,100 USD except r/t Rome. We have been convinced to see IT Riviera, in addition to Venice and Rome. We will arrive in Milan, but don't plan to spend time there. So we plan to go to Comagli on the coast, or Venice as our first destination since we depart via Rome. Can't seem to get the train schedule up on inet, so I am at a hold on booking hotels for now, but am thinking if travel schedule is not an issue, will go to Comagli first, then Venice, then Rome. Is there any reason I should reverse the order of Comagli and Venice?

    It looks like we will be doing a good bit of travel by boat in the Riviera. Do those have to be reserved? Anyone know the link or phone number?

    Any suggestions on hotel in IT Riviera or Rome? (We have Venice booked, and thinking of Hotel Cenobio dei Dogi in Comagli.) What about restaurants? Sights? Advance reservations necessary?

    Thanks. Jim
     
  22. Pat

    Pat Karting

    Jan 2, 2004
    88
    Genova, Italy
    Full Name:
    Emanuele
    Hi Jim...

    just seen your mails ;) I wrote you, but I'll write much more informations (expecially about the Riviera, where I was born....! ;) ) soon....

    see you! ;)
     

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