Where did you go in Italy?

Question

On your vacation to Italy, where did you go, and why?.

Answer 1

We based are trip on suggestions from friends and Rick Steve's website (www.ricksteves.com).

Venice
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Romantic, easy to walk around and sort of it's own world (no cars, just food traffic and boats). Loved it. Best part is wondering the streets and getting lost.

Florence
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Paid a visit to Statue of David, Duomo (church) and Uffizi Art Gallery. Sort of gritty and dirty. Great Museums, some shopping, not much else.

Pisa
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See the tower in about a 1/2 hour. 1-2 hour drive west of Florence.

Tuscany Hills (south of Florence)
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Stayed in a resort (not too expensive) in the hills. Reminded me of Napa Valley in Northern CA. Nicest place we stayed at in Italy.

Visited Siena. Friends gave rave reviews about it. Took 2 hours to find parking though and it rained. Nice town with a good centeral square. They have a big horse race in the square there twice a year (Palio di Siena).

Rome
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Colliseum is nice. Forum it OK (mostly ruins). Trevi fountain is a good people-watching place. Favorite lunch was getting a pannini sandwich from the sandwich bar, fruit from the market, sitting on the steps of the fountain in front of the Pantheon and watching the world go by.

Spanish Steps was OK. Largest McDonald's I've ever seen is a block south of Spanish Steps (then again, didn't go to Rome to see McDonalds).

Vatican is more awesome that it appears on TV. Amazing church. Sistine Chapel is good too but be prepared to wait in line and follow the herd of people to see the chapel. Keep one eye on the ceiling and another eye on the priest that keeps "shhh'ing" people in the Chapel. Thought he was going open a can of whup**s at one point.

Answer 2

I go to Italy on a regular basis. My last trip was a couple of months ago and I went to Venice. It is a most unusual city and you simply can't get the feel of it until you visit. The islands of Murano and Lido etc are also very interesting and the main attractions such as Saint Marks, The Doge's Palace,Rialto, Accademia and Arsenal etc are wonderful.

Rome is also marvelous and I've visited on many occasions. I love an evening walk around the Circus Maximus and along the Tiber or up to the Via Appia Antica. I never get bored of the Vatican Museums and never fail to be amazed my the Pantheon. If I went back there twice a year for the rest of my life I doubt if I'd see all that I wanted to. My other favourite sites include Palatine, The Forum, Colosseum, Saint Pietro in Vincoli, Castel Saint Angelo and Ponte Saint Angelo, Saint Peter's Basillica, The Trevi Fountain and the Piazza Navona.

I also like Pompeii, Naples and Herculaneum. Naples is a wonderful place and the food is incredible.

The seaside resorts of Italy are really good too. My favourite is Catollica. The beeches are so clean as each hotel has its own little area which they rake and look after.

There are lots of little villages and other towns to visit but the Jewel of Tuscany, Florence holds my heart. I study Art History specialising in the Renaissance period and this city is my Mecca. When I'm there I'm at peace and when I'm not, I yearn for it like a mother for its child. There's the Uffizi, Accademia, Bargello, Duomo, Palazzo Vecchio, Piazza della Signora and the Loggia, Santa Croce, Forte Belvedere, Pitti Palace,etc etc.

Answer 3

We flew into Roma and stayed at an enchanting hotel across the Tiber River away from to hustle and bustle of the city center. Donna Laura has one suite on about the fourth floor that has a huge private balcony. Among tree tops and red roofs tiled building it sang ROMA without the noise. This particular room is worth booking.

Spent another week in Tuscany in a villa in Montefollonico rented from Parker Villas. It was a hill top walled town not far from Montepulciano (a shopping mecca.) This was a beautiful train ride north from Rome to Chuisi that lasted a few short hours. Plenty of day trips to surrounding towns of historic interest or glorious to stay put and dine in one of four super restaurants. Great trip!

Went for first time to Italy and stayed in villa that looked interesting. It was an excellent choice.

Answer 4

Rome, Milan, Lake Garda, Cinque Terre, Venice, Napels-Pompeii, Florence, Sienna, Verona!!!
I LOVE ITALY!!!

Answer 5

I've been to Rome several times. The first time was during graduate school when I studied at the American Academy. I just love Rome and have gone back on my own twice. I've taken short trips to Florence and Pompeii. Both are worth seeing as well. Florence for the Renaissance art work and Pompeii for the Ancient history.

Answer 6

First time a Tour that went from Rome to Florence to Lake Maggiore through Pisa, Genoa and Milan, then to Venice stopping in Verona, then to Assisi stpping in Ravenna then to Sorrento stopping in Pompei, side trip to Isle of Capri, back to Rome stopping in Monte Cassino.

Second time a week in Rome with day trip to Tivoli and Hadrians Villa. Rome is a fabulous place full of History, Art, Great Food.

Answer 7

we stayed near spoleto bc we wanted to experience more of the natural italian ways instead of just the touristy side of italy. we learned some history of this town and got to know its streets and sights.
rome and the vatican was a must for the history both places hold and the amazing sites, sounds, and people.
florence was visited bc of its beauty and all the wonderful shopping that was available. the boboli gardens were a jewel in that beautiful city.
we went to pompeii and vesuvius for more history and to learn more about the ancient city.
we spent time throughout umbria visiting deruta for the handmade ceramics, perugia for chocolate, and grotte di frasassi to see the caverns.
we went to the monster garden to see the cool sculptures.

we tried to make part of our trip about all the big things you cant miss while visiting and include places that are a bit off the beaten path - some new adventures!

Answer 8

Visited a few places in Sicily...Siracusa, Catania, Palermo...but nothing compared to Taormina! To this day Taormina is one of the most beautiful places I've ever been. We simply went to these places because we didn't know where to go. We just explored and enjoyed. Just chance and opportunity. It just so happened we went to Taormina during Christmas and I'd suggest that to anyone. (It is featured in a Microsoft commercial that aired last year)

Answer 9

Venice

Answer 10

i've been to florence, to the lake of como, tuscani, san remo, pisa, and sienna. I liked the most tuscani and florence. was in tuscani several times, so i saw a lot of it. it is just so nice!!!! absolutely the best place!