Recommend me an Italian city

[stikey]

Bit of romeo and juliet not juliet alfa romeo

 

[MarkMas]

I love that I've not seen one vote for Naples or Venice. Or I just missed them.

And if visiting Naples, then there is a side trip to Capri. Although, Bill Bryson tells us that the town is a bit of a climb: “Neither [of my guidebooks] so much as hinted that Capri town was miles away up a vertical mountainside. I looked around for a bus or a taxi or even a burro, but there was nothing, so with a practiced sigh I tuned and began the long trek up. It was a taxing climb, mollified by some attractive villas and sea views. […] a mile or so along, some steep and twisting steps had been hewn out of the undergrowth and they appeared to offer a more direct, if rather more precipitate, route to Capri town. I have never seen such endless steps. They just went on and on. They were closed in by the whitewashed walls of villas on both sides and overhung by tumbling fragrant shrubs – highly fetching, but after about the three hundredth step I was gasping and sweating so much that the beauty was entirely lost on me. […] it looked as if the summit might be just ahead, but then I would round a turning to be confronted by another expanse of steps and yet another receding view of town. I stumbled on…”

Bryson also gives a wonderful account of coming tipsily to the end of a meal in (I think) Capri (or maybe Naples) and giving up his table to a Mafia Don, earing him the undying gratitude of the restaurant owner.

 

[conaero]

V
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Like Florence used to be before it got spoilt, book a gig in the colosseum and sit in the horseshoe of bars out front and watch the world go by. Stunning

 

[sionie1]

Sorry to hijack the thread, but I am off to Florence for 3 nights in mid December. I have previously visited for just a half day wander around but this was very rushed (and also involved having a grumpy teenage son in tow whereas this time it’s just the wife and I).

Any tips re. the “must do” sights / museums etc. or anything to avoid ?

My only advice would be to hire a guide. We got to see so much more having one, also they know the ways to get into the museums etc without queuing ( you can book some in advance). Must see David and then whatever tickles your fancy. Try and eat local and in one of the ‘`slow food‘ restaurants, designed to be a foil against McDonald’s in the 60’s-70’s.

 

[Zep]

They'll have a hand gesture for that. Mr @Zep to the customer services desk, Mr @Zep.

 

[Zep]

For me, I love nearly all of them. It’s is tricky to have a bad time in Italy, as any situation is only minutes from an open air cafe and stunning architecture.

Places I would go at a drop of a hat:

Bologna
Padova
Verona
Orvieto
Sienna

But I really, really like Naples.

Do a tour of the churches with Caravaggio paintings (and hear the stories about what the stolen ones are used for). Visit the Castel Dell’ovo (the castle on an egg) then walk down Via Caracciolo past the Collona Spezzata (broken column) and Mapatella Beach to have a pizza at Fresco. Take in the view from San Martino then have a stroll around the gardens of the Museo e Real di Capodimonte.

Take a drive down the Amalfi coast, buy bread cheese and ham from a mercato and have lunch in a lemon grove.

Also make sure you go to the Pallazzo Reale in Caserta. The palazzo was build by the same bloke who did the Palace of Versailles, the gardens are stunning (also quite big - the Cambridge and Oxford rowing crews practice in one of the lakes).

All under the shadow of Vessuvio. Stunning.

 

[conaero]

Zep, we forgot Camogli with a day trip to Portifino. Like you say, so many to choose from and Orvieto a great shout.

 

[Ebenezer]

For something a bit left field, charter a yacht and spend a week sailing around the Bay of Naples. Sail along the Amalfi coast visiting the islands of Ischia, Proceda and Ventotene and dive in the Baia Underwater Archaeological Park.
Eb

 

[MarkMas]

For something a bit left field, charter a yacht and spend a week sailing around the Bay of Naples. Sail along the Amalfi coast visiting the islands of Ischia, Proceda and Ventotene and dive in the Baia Underwater Archaeological Park.
Eb

Decisions, decisions...

- Charter a yacht...
- Leave the QP with @conaero for a week...

How to choose?

 

[Zep]

For something a bit left field, charter a yacht and spend a week sailing around the Bay of Naples. Sail along the Amalfi coast visiting the islands of Ischia, Proceda and Ventotene and dive in the Baia Underwater Archaeological Park.
Eb

OMG - this.

 

[Oneball]

For something a bit left field, charter a yacht and spend a week sailing around the Bay of Naples. Sail along the Amalfi coast visiting the islands of Ischia, Proceda and Ventotene and dive in the Baia Underwater Archaeological Park.
Eb

Don’t think my budget would stretch to that but we’re in Kent with the in-laws so I could get on a ferry at Dover, you can see Roman stuff from the boat.

 

[Zep]

Zep, we forgot Camogli with a day trip to Portifino. Like you say, so many to choose from and Orvieto a great shout.

Oh yes, that too. Too many!

I have had the terrible news that I am going to Bologna for 3 days in Jan. gutted.

 

[Zep]

And if visiting Naples, then there is a side trip to Capri. Although, Bill Bryson tells us that the town is a bit of a climb: “Neither [of my guidebooks] so much as hinted that Capri town was miles away up a vertical mountainside. I looked around for a bus or a taxi or even a burro, but there was nothing, so with a practiced sigh I tuned and began the long trek up. It was a taxing climb, mollified by some attractive villas and sea views. […] a mile or so along, some steep and twisting steps had been hewn out of the undergrowth and they appeared to offer a more direct, if rather more precipitate, route to Capri town. I have never seen such endless steps. They just went on and on. They were closed in by the whitewashed walls of villas on both sides and overhung by tumbling fragrant shrubs – highly fetching, but after about the three hundredth step I was gasping and sweating so much that the beauty was entirely lost on me. […] it looked as if the summit might be just ahead, but then I would round a turning to be confronted by another expanse of steps and yet another receding view of town. I stumbled on…”

Bryson also gives a wonderful account of coming tipsily to the end of a meal in (I think) Capri (or maybe Naples) and giving up his table to a Mafia Don, earing him the undying gratitude of the restaurant owner.

I like all of Bryson’s books. Another good one is Vroom with a View by Peter Moore.

 

[Oneball]

The Ms isn’t keen on Naples so I’m thinking Verona is top choice unless I can convince her about Naples.

 

[RoaryRati]

And if you are thinking of Sicily - friends own Just Sicily (as well as Just Sardinia and Just Corsica( - they organise bespoke packages

 

[Ebenezer]

And if you are thinking of Sicily - friends own Just Sicily (as well as Just Sardinia and Just Corsica( - they organise bespoke packages

Corsica is a fantastic Island too!
Eb

 

[DLax69]

Corsica is a fantastic Island too!
Eb

Napoleon's reviews alone are enough to put you off.

 

[stikey]

looking at all this just do italy
and take a few months off

 

[Zep]

The Ms isn’t keen on Naples so I’m thinking Verona is top choice unless I can convince her about Naples.

I wish you luck. You’ll not regret either I am sure.

 

[Guy]

Bologna in winter because of the miles of Porticos so you can walk all day in the rain and not get wet. Easy train transfer from the airport and great food at reasonable prices.