Originally Posted by
thebill0322
Thanks for the AirBnB tip, had not thought of that. Will see what options we got.
Really Venice is the only city I feel like we are rushing with the 18 day trip, only spending 2 nights there. Our 1 year anniversary is that first night in Venice so while that does not make up for it being short it will be memorable at least. I think Rome and Florence we have a healthy amount of time in. Amalfi is the other leg we are probably stretching to add but I think we really wanted to see that so i think I am ok trying to add it. I mean its not just a standard two weeks but really the 18 days I said above.
Perche is just making me think twice on how much we are really trying to fit into my Florence leg.
If you can only do 2 days in Venice, that's life. Since it's an anniversary make sure to plan a great dinner. You can't just walk into any restaurant in Venice. The good ones always require reservations. You are in a venetian neighborhood in Canareggio, not a tourist neighborhood. Still, the best thing to do in Venice is to walk and get lost, and you will have plenty of opportunity to do that where you are staying out near dall'orto. But just a few blocks away is Algiubagio, a very appropriate place for an anniversary dinner.
If you really want to walk and don't care about how far, and you shouldn't since you are young and no place in Venice is far away, an anniversary dinner at Al Covo, or Antiche Carampagne if you really don't mind walking. But Algiubagio pretty much around the corner from your hotel will be the most romantic. The owners have two restaurants one block away from each other. One is more or less a glorified pizza shop. Don't mix them up and go there, as they have the same name. Go to the one that has the extension on to the water. It's excellent and romantic. Covo and Carampagne may have somewhat better food, but are not as romantic.
If you are going to Florence for five days, even if it's just for a shower and a bed, try to stay in the center. Both Hiltons are too far away. If you must choose one or the other, at least the Hilton Garden Inn is only an hour walk to the city. If you are going to be taking cabs back and forth, then you'll be spending a lot per day on taxis.
An apartment is always a good option for a stay as long as 5 days. AirBnB is not really cheaper. An equivalent apartment vs. hotel in terms of quality will cost about the same. There is just a lot more potential to have an, "Oh my gosh, what did I do!?!" moment with an AirBnB apartment, many of which are way outside the city, yet they always advertise, "minutes to everything." It's doable, but buyer beware.
With five days in Florence I don't think you have the time to do Chianti, Cinque Terre, and other parts of the countryside, and still do Florence justice. Cinque Terre involves taking a train to La Spezia or Pisa, then taking another train. Then you get there, "OK, I've been to Cinque Terre," and have to leave to get back. CT is designed to go there and eat pesto, drink a local wine, and watch the sunset over the water, and then gaze, have a coffee. It's not a day trip place to take a photo just to show that you've "been there." Almost sacrilegious. People do it to check a place off a list, but it's not a very good idea.
From Florence, more doable day trips are Siena and San Gimignano. You won't be spending all day on the train just to be somewhere for an hour before it's time to go back and spend many more hours on a local train.
No matter how much time you spend in Rome, it is never enough, so you are doing well there. And why not get to Positano, your wife's wish, and get up on the side of the mountain and chill out? It could be the highlight of the trip.
No need to stay at the airport in Naples. Stay in the city. The airport is close, and the views and food are fantastic.