Originally Posted by
thebill0322
Hey all,
So getting serious about planning 2 weeks to Italy in September.
Need some advice, I know peoples opinions vary wildly on how long you should spend at each place, etc. That being said this is our only trip to Italy coming up in the near future, we are young and like to do stuff so I might be putting to much into the mix but let me know what you think so far.
Currently Plan to fly into Venice:
2 nights in Venice booked at the - Boscolo Venezia in Venice (2 x 40,000 + $10)
Train to Florence:
Stay in Florence for 5 nights
Hilton Florence Metropole (40,000 x 4)
or
Hilton Garden inn (30,000 x 4)
Train to Rome:
4 nights at the InterContinental De La Ville Roma (50,000 x 2 + 2 free night certs)
This looked to be the best centrally located for the points. I looked at the hilton hotels but they were a ways away from sites.
Train to Naples / Amalfi Coast:
Fly out of Naples, possibly an extra day overnight here to position for morning/afternoon flight:
What is everyone's thoughts on the above itinerary. Obviously a lot going on but I think its a healthy amount of time at each place. Any recommendations would greatly help me! I am worried about the Florence hotel not being in the city enough.
Very nicely done! Bravo on Boscolo Venezia. That is a really cool, very authentic neighborhood. I just think that staying only two nights there could turn it into a waste of time. You will barely be learning to find your way back to the hotel after dinner, when it will be time to check out. That is a great location. You can really relax and settle in there, and every day will be twice as nice as the day before once you get into it, and you won't want to leave.
Five nights in Florence, that's a matter of taste, but five nights at either of the Hilton properties is not very good. They are just too far away, especially the Hilton Metropole. I'm not sure about the wisdom of packing and unpacking just to stay one night at the Excelsior in Florence. It might be nicer to be at a good place and relax, than to pack and unpack just to experience another hotel.
You hit it really nice with your hotel neighborhood choice in Venice. I just would not cut that short to spend five nights at a Hilton in an outer neighborhood of Florence. You are going to love the neighborhood where you are staying at in Venice. You are actually going to be in one of the few real, unspoiled, authentic neighborhoods that are still left.
The Intercontinental in Rome should also be pretty cool, especially that you are getting it on points. Just get in shape for climbing stairs and walking up hills before you go, because it's a hike up there, but you are young. That will surely be a very memorable stay.
I don't see how you can squeeze in Naples and Amalfi on top of this, especially at the cost of spending only two days in Venice, in that wonderful neighborhood. If you have to fly out of Naples, then maybe two days, staying at the Marriott Renaissance. You just don't have time to add in Amalfi. There's a tipping point where you just try to do too much, and things fall apart.
With where you are staying in Venice and in Rome, I would say don't worry, you will certainly come back.