Exploring Italy...?

Question

I want to travel to Italy. What are some of the best spots? How can I save money? What are the best places to stay and tour?

Answer 1

I agree with the others that it very much depends on your interests [may I suggest you post here again with some details?]. Generally speaking, the north of Italy tends to be more prosperous and therefore more expensive. I know the Marche and Abruzzo regions - they offer a wide range of beautiful cities, cheap restaurants and stunning scenery. You can fly to Ancona, Pescara and even Bologna Forli (and then take the train). What the cities don't tend to have is club culture, etc, so if you're young they might not suit.

These provinces don't have as many visitors and give you a great welcome. It does help to have a little Italian although they people are most sympathetic and will try heard to understand you, particularly in the towns and villages. The younger generation have better English (and often German and French also) and in the cities you will find plenty of people to help.

You might have a search for Ancona and Pescara (both on the Adriatic Sea), or you could base yourself in Macerata, Jesi, Ascoli Piceno or L'Aquila [all but the last are on railway lines]. Having a hire car is useful although it is possble to tour using trains and buses.

I will be uploading some more info on my web site below.

Buon vacanza [have a good holiday],

Peter

Answer 2

The best place to stay is in the centre of Italy (Florence is ok) and then move as much as possible by train and by bus.They are cheap and efficient. You can find best spots everywhere either in the same Florence and in Venice,Rome,Naples,the Amalfi coast with Positano, Capri and Ischia islands, Sicily and Sardinia island. It's much too long to detail city by city what is worthy with a visit and then I regret I can't but when you'll be there you'll realize that I'm right.
I don't know how long it will last yr trip but for sure it will be not long enough to see all of those spots and you'll need to come back here in future. To save money you must book and stay in the hostels. Here is a link for them
http://www.hostelworld.com/findabed.php?DateStart=2007-02-20&NumNights=1&ChosenCity=Florence&ChosenCountry=Italy&

Answer 3

I really like Sorrento. You can stay there a week, and take day trips to Pompeii, Herculean, Isle of Capri, Naples, Vesuvius, and not drag luggage all around. It is a great place for a week.

Venice is the most expensive place I have ever been. We paid $650USD a night for a double hotel room. But, I'd like to go back-----if I can ever afford it. There is so much beauty around St. Mark's Square.

Rome has it's places of interest-but, we found it to be one of the dirtiest cities around. The graffiti on buildings was awful.

Answer 4

Looking at the best spots--that depends on what your interests are. As for saving money, that depends on how you want to save. Hotels through Venere are usually reasonably priced but many are top notch hotels. Hostels are the most economical. Check out trip adviser.