06-17-2011, 02:35 AM
I LOVE Italy - have been twice and Rome, Florence, Venice are my three favorite cities. The first time by myself and the second with my wife for our one year anniversary. I went in the pre-internet days, so I relied on a Let's Go! for myself and a travel agent for the wife and I.
My favorite place to recommend in Rome is the Capuchin Crypt.
Go to the Jewish Quarter and see the synagogue. You can also easily do a day trip to Pompeii, if that interests you. Train down to Naples and then change to the Pompeii line.
My wife and I stayed at the Hotel Alexandra on the Via Veneto across the street and up the hill. It was walking distance to the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, and many many other sites.
Florence is beautiful. There are actually 3 David statues - the Accademia and two that are outside, one near the Uffizi and the other across the Arno in the Piazza Michaelangelo.
In Venice, do a boat ride over to Murano and go to a glass factory. You'll be able to get a free ride over and back, sponsored by one of the factories. Do their tour, but then wander around the island, looking at other shops. Also, take a tour of the Jewish Ghetto. It was the original ghetto. Eat a late night dinner or dessert in San Marcos square and listen to the bands at the cafes. Take a gondola ride - it's very pricey, but worth it.
We went in early September and were there for the Venice Film Festival. It was interesting watching a Woody Allen movie outside in an open square, sitting on bleachers, and trying to ignore the Italian subtitles.
Oh yeah, I currently use TravelAdvisor.com quite a bit when planning trips.
My favorite place to recommend in Rome is the Capuchin Crypt.
Go to the Jewish Quarter and see the synagogue. You can also easily do a day trip to Pompeii, if that interests you. Train down to Naples and then change to the Pompeii line.
My wife and I stayed at the Hotel Alexandra on the Via Veneto across the street and up the hill. It was walking distance to the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, and many many other sites.
Florence is beautiful. There are actually 3 David statues - the Accademia and two that are outside, one near the Uffizi and the other across the Arno in the Piazza Michaelangelo.
In Venice, do a boat ride over to Murano and go to a glass factory. You'll be able to get a free ride over and back, sponsored by one of the factories. Do their tour, but then wander around the island, looking at other shops. Also, take a tour of the Jewish Ghetto. It was the original ghetto. Eat a late night dinner or dessert in San Marcos square and listen to the bands at the cafes. Take a gondola ride - it's very pricey, but worth it.
We went in early September and were there for the Venice Film Festival. It was interesting watching a Woody Allen movie outside in an open square, sitting on bleachers, and trying to ignore the Italian subtitles.
Oh yeah, I currently use TravelAdvisor.com quite a bit when planning trips.