ishootthings Loc: Western shore of Lake Michigan

Thank you for your opinion! I have been to Tuscany which included major sites and Florence. The other three I'm traveling with have not been to Italy at all. The other couple coming along can only get away for nine days, and it may be a once in a lifetime trip for them. I truly appreciate your advice!

ishootthings Loc: Western shore of Lake Michigan

Hi Wendy
We are going in September. Feedback so far is so positive; thanks to all in the forum! I new I'd get good insight! :)

ishootthings Loc: Western shore of Lake Michigan

Yup, the photos are clinching the deal"......gotta go there. Thank you!"

ishootthings Loc: Western shore of Lake Michigan

HI RAK....pistacio is my favorite, and thank you for your opinion. Jeepers, it sounds so lovely!
:thumbup:

ishootthings Loc: Western shore of Lake Michigan

Hi TimS,
Very good advice! I will be forwarding all of this info to the other couple!

ishootthings Loc: Western shore of Lake Michigan

Ahhh-mazing photo! Thank you so much for your opinion!
How can I deny Venice now? :thumbup:

ishootthings Loc: Western shore of Lake Michigan

Hi Mr Wilson! I'd add another week but the other couple can't really do that. Maybe hubby and I will return another time! Thank you for your input/info.

ishootthings Loc: Western shore of Lake Michigan

Hi ebrunner,
Good suggestions for a return trip. I really don't like cramming too much in to one trip,,,,,we'll see what the others want to do...it's probably their one and only trip to Italy,

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

Here is another suggestion that might be viable. If the couple you are traveling with cannot stay longer than 9 days, would it be possible for them to return and you and your hubby stay on for an extra week? If they are not experienced travelers, they may not be too keen on this idea.

Or.....is it possible to do Rome/Sorrento at the beginning of your trip and then stop in Florence on your way to Venice?
Day 1,2,3 in Rome. Then Amalfi (sp) coast and Pompeii Day 4,5. Then on to Florence (Night train perhaps) for day 6,7 . Finally move on to Venice for day 8,9. Fly home from Milan.

That is a lot of traveling for a short amount of time. If I could go to Italy only once, I would like to see Venice. If you decide on Venice let me know, and I'll recommend a fantastic (and not all too expensive ) restaurant where you can enjoy pasta cooked with cuttlefish ink. A Venician specialty. You should also get off the beaten track (St. Marco square to Rialto bridge) I would suggest heading toward Rialto from St. Marco and then turning right. It will take you to an area that is mostly locals and very few tourists go there because it has none of the major attractions like the Academia and Gondola rides. Here you can still see the real Venice. Try to do as much of your photography as possible during early morning and evening since the sun is very harsh in the mid day. I guess you are figuring out that I am a big fan of Venice. Finally, I have never been there when it was smelly. I'm told it does get pungent at times; but I've never experienced it.

rebride

Absolutely!!
Did whirlwind tour. Bologna, Florence, Rome, Venice etc.
Though all are greatly photogenic, my impression of Venice was every inch of that city, every step . . .
Looking back from the boat taking us to the mainland, seeing the city recede in the distance (and the water) I realized that future generations might not be able to experience it.

ishootthings Loc: Western shore of Lake Michigan

Hi EBrunner!
Wow, thank you! If you want to PM me with restaurant recommendations, that would be great! Maybe you should be my travel agent/tour guide!

ishootthings Loc: Western shore of Lake Michigan

Hi Rebride!
Great photos, and you are correct, future generations may miss out. I just hope Venice is still "standing" this fall! I'll post photos down the road ( canal!)

TimS Loc: GA

Check out the restaurant Da Mamo. It's a trattoria so it's not too expensive. They were right under my hotel and their food was delicious and very reasonably priced.

If you stop in or coffee (all coffee in Italy is cappuccino - you don't see the type if coffee we are used to here in the USA) or a light snack, you will pay more to sit down at the table. If you stand up at the bar then it will be less expensive. Don't go for the expensive wines, just order the vino Della casa ( wine of the house). Chances are it will be better than what you would've picked and at a substanty cheaper price. That's pretty much all I drank when I went out to eat. Coke was 5 euros a glass. House wine was 3-4 euros a liter.

wjones8637 Loc: Burleson, TX

I would vote to include Venice. My wife and I were there about three years ago in April and loved it! Evenings were nice when most of the tourists went bacteria to the mainland and there were fewer people around. Having been in chemistry labs for 35+ years I didn't notice too many odors.

Since your time is short you might consider hiring local guides in each city. They are a bit costly, but they can customize where you visit. In Venice we had already wandered around some so our guide didn't need to include what we had already seen thus we received a very interesting back alley tour. Also local personal guides will get you directly to the front of all lines. In the Vatican we just walked in without waiting during Holy Week. As I said earlier pricey, but worth every cent when time is short.

Bill

Frank47 Loc: West coast Florida

My wife and I were unsure about Venice. But, do not miss it! We had a terrific experience. We are lucky enough to have done some traveling over the years and Venice is on the short list of places we would return to.