Yeah look Milan for me is like Madrid - just big CBDs really. I mean they're cool and all that and there's things to see but it's like visiting SA and staying in Joburg almost.
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Yeah look Milan for me is like Madrid - just big CBDs really. I mean they're cool and all that and there's things to see but it's like visiting SA and staying in Joburg almost.
L-Dog
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Thanks @SeRpEnT really helps. I have visited Pisa and Venice back in my university days and was not impressed so definately skipping. Really on the fence about North or South but wife is pregant so won't really be able to do Tuscany and the wine roots so currently leaning slighlty more to South.
Also wan't to propertyly explose places and not rush to much so might do Rome for 2-3 days, Naples 1 day for the PIzza and then Amalphi Coast 3 days
Also wan't to propertyly explose places and not rush to much so might do Rome for 2-3 days, Naples 1 day for the PIzza and then Amalphi Coast 3 days
SeRpEnT
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Both options are great.
Read mixed reviews on Milan (some people say it's worth skipping) and Naples (you either love it or hate it (apparently dirty, smelly and overpopulated city areas). Then also read several opinions that Venice is a pass and so too is Pisa.
For us it was a decision between Cinque Terre and Amalfi Coast. We decided on the Amalfi Coast. Positano was the must-see here as this was a place on my bucket list.
Rome is a given. All roads SHOULD lead to Rome.
One need to do Rome at least once in your life and experience it. Great tourist attractions and vibey city life. Good metro trains which we used often and several hop-on-hop-off buses that also cover a big part of the city at a bit more but comes with an audio tour.
Must visit: Spanish steps, Trevi Fountain (early morning to avoid crowds!), Pantheon, Colosseum & Roman forum next door, Piazza Navona and Vatican city if that's your cup of tea.
Before we left I did a lot of reading up on the region and city specific foods to try out in each city/region.
For Rome it's definitely: Cacio e Pepe, Carbonara, Suppli, Amatriciana. And of course caffe (espresso) all over Italy. Best coffee in the world!
Florence was the one big surprise. We knew the city was going to be great but boy oh boy did we fall in love. Much more relaxed than Rome and more stylish (renaissance) and clean. Everything in easy walking distance. All tourist attractions easily within walking distance.
Amazing food, markets and views. Just loved it. Want to go back.
Must visit: Everything. It's all within close walking distance. Includes things like Ponte Vechio bridge, Uffizi gallery, Pallazo Pitti and behind it the Boboli gardens, Duomo cathedral , Piazza della republica, galleria del academia and stunning views off the city at sunset from nearby hill at piazalle Michelangelo.
Food to try in Florence: Pannini (especially at world famous Al Antico Vinnaio) (they also have other branches in Rome and Milan should you skip Florence - but it all started in this city and they have a wide selection here and several branches (4!) within the city centre. Lasagne al forno. Bistecca Fiorentina (huge t-bone steak). Chianti, Vernaccia or Brunello wines from the nearby Tuscanny area. Visit the Mercato Centrale (central food market) for a great experience of all the food the city and area has to offer.
Amalfi coast. Totally difference experience. Much more laid back. More touristy in places but still well worth the amazing scenery. It's another place I want to go back to. We only spent 3 nights there off which much of the day time was lost due to travelling (on the way there and back). We stayed in Salerno (technically not part of Amalfi coast - but about 1km from the first little town on the east (Vietri-sul Mare) and probably the best place to stay to avoid the high costs of staying in any of the Amalfi coast towns.
There's lots of little towns (13!) on the Amalfi coast to see and explore. Not too many large tourist attractions as the towns and their stunning views and scenery in itself is the attraction there. And the ocean and mountainscape of course.
Must see towns: Positano, Amalfi. Also worth a visit: Vietri sul Mare, Majori.
Food to experience in the Amalfi/Campania region: Polpette (meatballs), Pizza (Naples is just next door), anything with ragu, anything with lemons - this is the lemon capital of the world - such as limoncello, limoncello crema, delizia al limone (lemon-cream pastry).
Not recommended to drive here. The coastal road is on the side of the mountainscape (ala Chapmeans peak drive) and narrow with lots of traffic and restricted private vehicle travel on certain days. The Sita Sud bus service covers all the little towns and is an experience in itself!
Geez. This was going to be a quick reply and see how much I wrote. I friggen love Italy. Must go back.
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L-Dog
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Decided we doing teh North, will definately do the South with a Tuscany trip in a few years.
Currently plan is
Rome 2 days
Cinque Terre 2 days
Lake Como 1/2 days
Milan 1/2 days
Gota start looking at accomodation will most more info If I find anything intresting
Currently plan is
Rome 2 days
Cinque Terre 2 days
Lake Como 1/2 days
Milan 1/2 days
Gota start looking at accomodation will most more info If I find anything intresting
Where we stayed in 2019 in 3 of your places:
Monterosso, Cinque Terre: I chose this town as there is a nice beach. The old town on the left if you face the town with the sea behind you has some nice restaurants on the beach. We stayed at Hotel la Colonnina which was very nice.
Rome: We stayed in the Trastevere area, it has a lively nightlife and is very central. This was our last few nights and we stayed at Donna Camilla Savelli Hotel. This place was excellent.
Milan: This was our first night and we stayed in the Navigli area, also very good area with great places along the canal and you can walk to central Milan. Here we stayed at the Art Hotel Navigli. We arrived there at 7AM and they checked us into our room at no extra costs. The hotel has a free happy hour with snacks and drink in the early evening. One night was enough in Milan to see the centre of town and have a night out.
This was for my 50th birthday so I spoiled myself a bit with the hotels.
Monterosso, Cinque Terre: I chose this town as there is a nice beach. The old town on the left if you face the town with the sea behind you has some nice restaurants on the beach. We stayed at Hotel la Colonnina which was very nice.
Rome: We stayed in the Trastevere area, it has a lively nightlife and is very central. This was our last few nights and we stayed at Donna Camilla Savelli Hotel. This place was excellent.
Milan: This was our first night and we stayed in the Navigli area, also very good area with great places along the canal and you can walk to central Milan. Here we stayed at the Art Hotel Navigli. We arrived there at 7AM and they checked us into our room at no extra costs. The hotel has a free happy hour with snacks and drink in the early evening. One night was enough in Milan to see the centre of town and have a night out.
This was for my 50th birthday so I spoiled myself a bit with the hotels.
I have only flown with Easyjet and it was fine, Amsterdam to Prague.
Have you looked at the train option? There is a high speed train between Milan and Paris that takes 6.5 hours.
I prefer the train as you start in the middle of a city and end in the middle of a city, no need for expensive taxis.
And if you take the lead and travel times with flights then you are not far off the train journey times.
L-Dog
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True didn't consider the lead times will have to review and checking pricing. Currently around 190 Euro's for the flights so maybe I can save a bit aswell.
Train appear 10% cheaper but only run strange times. (Either arrive 13:00 or 23:00). Flights seem the best optioon but will double check tonight maybe I am missing a few options,
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L-Dog
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Update
Rome booked (Trastevere didn't have any affordable options so decided to stay in Prati no problem walking to resturants)
Cinque Terre booked (Got a nice place in Monterosso, really excited for this one)
Still need to have a look at transport options but Lake Como / Milan still on the agenda, Visa appointment next week so will try to finalize everything this weekend.
Also got flight tickets from Milan to Paris, easy jet was the best and train times didn;'t work with our schedule.
Rome booked (Trastevere didn't have any affordable options so decided to stay in Prati no problem walking to resturants)
Cinque Terre booked (Got a nice place in Monterosso, really excited for this one)
Still need to have a look at transport options but Lake Como / Milan still on the agenda, Visa appointment next week so will try to finalize everything this weekend.
Also got flight tickets from Milan to Paris, easy jet was the best and train times didn;'t work with our schedule.
I got a two year visa in October 2019 when we went to Italy, then Covid happened and I could not use it.
SeRpEnT
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When are you traveling?
L-Dog
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I got a two year visa in October 2019 when we went to Italy, then Covid happened and I could not use it.
Yeah mate also got a 3 year visa a while back, wife got a two year visa last year (through work) not sure how they choose or if you select a / pay for a differnt option.
Mid September for +- 10 days.
I have a standard motivation letter that I attach to my application, last year I got a one year visa from Germany.
Cage Rattler
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Germans are stickier than most in granting longer term visas. Took me multiple trips over quite a few years to get it up to three years (even with knowing someone working there) whereas other countries might give it to you immediately. Easier to manufacture a fake itinary and get a longer Schenghen visa through France, etc.
Candystore
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When are you traveling or have you already returned?
L-Dog
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When are you traveling or have you already returned?
Traveling mid Sep for +- 10 days. Booked accomdiation and most transport between towns.
Agenda
Rome - 2days
Monterosso - 2 days
Lake Como - 2 days
Milan 1-2 Days
Will post an update once there
Rumple4skin
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Exactly. If you can be bothered making fake bookings then get a French one as they are the most generous. Worth it if you are planning to go more than once.