Italian Phrasebook from Anthropologie ($10 USD, purchase here)
The day we booked our flights was slightly overshadowed by the apartment flood, as water began trickling down our walls just a few hours after we booked our trip to…*drumroll please*… ITALY! Due to our annoying apartment set back, only now am I revisiting this portion of our wedding and I can’t help but feel as though my ability to plan another event are completely exhausted. This is why I’m hoping you can help us out!
We were advised to wait until September to visit Italy, so we’re going to have a very brief mini-moon in Whistler for a few nights immediately after our wedding and then wait a month until we leave for the real adventure. So far, we’ve booked our flights in and out of Rome. We get almost three blissful weeks to explore the country, one that I’ve never visited and Adam hasn’t been to since he was a teen. We’ve narrowed it down to Rome for about 4 days, a very quick jaunt to Venice for a day or two, and then splitting the remainder of the time in Cinque Terre and the Amalfi Coast.
Have you been to Italy? We’re accepting ANY advice you can give when it comes to what area(s) to stay in these places (Cinque Terre is especially tough to choose and seems to be extremely booked up already), accommodation you’d recommend, restaurants, or really any Italian travel tips you might have. It’s completely overwhelming trying to book hotels in areas that I haven’t been. The internet can only take me so far, I would so appreciate your input! Thank you guys a ton.
Oh, and as for learning Italian, we’re quite impressed by this adorable phrasebook that I picked up at Anthropologie a few weeks ago. We practice a little bit each night before bed and hopefully we’ll master the language by the fall 😉
I've been to Italy two summers ago and adored it. Rome was AMAZING, I also like Venice. I'm not sure if you'll have time or if you'll want to but Assisi, Sicily, and Pisa were also all amazing. Hope you guys have an extremely fun time!
xx
Cinque Terre is as beautiful as it looks. I stayed in Manarola. It's one of the smaller villages. Monterosso is a bigger village with a bigger beach and definitely had more of a party vibe. We hiked between the towns but they are also a quick train ride away from each other. They isn't a ton of options to eat but they were all amazing. Manarola had a quaint fishing village vibe but no beach to sprawl out on if that's what you're looking for. Definitely get some gelato in the cove in vernazza. You can't go wrong. We stayed in Hostel 5 Terre. It was nice and clean. Well run… But still a hostel. I'm not sure if you can get private rooms there. But if you can't find accommodations in monterosso (it was soooo busy) the smaller villages are lovely and a quick train ride away! …speaking of trains. If you're buying a train pass make sure you know what train you're on. Some off them are "second class" and cost more (ie: one of the trains from Rome to the airport… I may or may have been yelled at for being on the wrong train. Woops!). Italy is beautiful. The people we encountered were all very kind and helpful. Have an amazing honeymoon!!
Ciao Alicia,
I love reading your blog and needed to comment on this post.
Italy is a great choice. You will love Rome, there is way too much to do and see. I would recommend an AirBnB accommodation for a bigger city like Rome.
Regarding Venice or Cinque Terre, I would advise against it. It will be hot. The trains will definitely be late. Italian trains are always, always late. This will add unnecessary stress to your trip.
I say stay south. There is also Naples (often overlooked, but amazing food and history) and Pompeii (fascinating). The Amalfi Coast is stunning and it will still be beach season, so spend lots of time there.
As for Italian language, I start teaching a course, Italian for Tourists (Vado in Italia!) tomorrow, April 9, from 6-8pm. It will be lots of fun! Here is the link http://www.iccbc.com/learn-italian/courses.htm
Happy planning!
Italy is absolutely amazing! Dining in Venice, definitely go to Becca Fina and get the fresh seafood risotto for 2. Also, my best tip for dining in Italy in general is to eat where the locals eat. Ask your concierge for non-tourist restaurants. You'll have to learn a little italian to get by, but basic restaurant Italian is super easy. Download the Duolingo app for your phone and you'll be fine.
For Rome, my family took a private foot tour and it was amazing. The guides are all history students studying in Italy, and because you're on a private tour, you can customize what you want to see and it's more intimate. I can't remember the name of the company though.
If you plan on doing any shopping in the local shops, try to pay with cash if you can because then you can bargain with them. In Venice, my colleague got a beautiful coral cameo ring and bargained down to like half price because she was paying cash. Definitely worth it!
Kris | Love. Loft. Life.
Best honeymoon idea ever! We basically did the exact same thing – married in June then took a mini honeymoon in Seattle. We went to Italy for 3 in the middle of September/beginning of October.
We stayed near the main strain station – Termini which is a great location. The metro is right there and we took it everywhere! Buy a multi-day pass as soon as you get there. There is also a big grocery store in the lower level as well.
Rome: do the hop on hop off bus tour one day. You don't need to do a tour of the Colosseum but its very informative! Vatican city is one day – don't do a tour we did it on our own. As a couple you will be accosted EVERYWHERE in Rome by people trying to sell you things, give you flowers ect. Just say no and keep walking.
Spanish steps, trevi fountain, – do these both at night too – totally different perspective. Make sure you walk down the Via Del Corso – this is long street with a lot of great shopping.
Do a day trip to Florence – I don’t think you NEED to spend a night in Florence – you could do it in a day trip if you don't want to see the Uffizi. Make sure you go there on a day the leather market is open. (if you buy train tickets go to the booth to get help from a person – if you buy return on the same day its usually cheaper)
In Venice (I know it’s touristy) but make sure you have dinner along the main canal one night – its part of the experience! We also did a ghost walking tour at night which was cool & learned a lot. Venice can be very confusing with the tiny streets.
If you do the Amalfi – I highly recommend staying in Sorrento – it’s a good central location. Make sure you do Pompeii (take a tour on this one!! Got so lost!) and if you can take a tour up to Mt Vesuvius which is an active volcano – one of the coolest things we did (wear really good walking shoes for walking in gravel eek!). We did a driving tour down the Amalfi coast – very very windy roads. Also go to Capri! It’s a good day trip – you can take a hydrofoil from Naples. Go to Ana Capri which is the other side of the island (can take a bus from the main piazza) and take the chair lift up Mount Solaro – it is amazing!
If you’re going to be taking the train a lot of places – you can go the website for trenitalia and pre-book because that was the thing we spent the most $$ was the trains. Always do first class and cant stress enough to prebook your seats or you may not get one! Travel light if you take the train around Italy. Hauling your suitcase up tons of stairs is exhausting.. or be brave and drive around we could not face the autostrata! (and no automatic vehicles)
Also just remember Italy is like the Mexico of Europe (I can say this because I'm Italian). It works differently there. Places close in the afternoon for siesta time. Places are closed on weird days. Make sure you check before you go when places are open/when they close. Have a great time!!
Congratulations on your engagement! I'm so excited for you! You guys will have a great time in Italy. I've been to Italy twice and I love it!
Rome is a beautiful city! So much to do and see! If your looking for a place to stay, I'd recommend this B&B for the perfect location near San Peter and all the main attractions. It's nice, clean and one of the less expensive in the area. http://www.casalinnea.com/en.html
You can also book it via http://www.booking.com. On this website you will find several B&B in Rome but I would strongly recommend you to stay close to via cola di rienzo, from there you can walk everywhere and it's a nice area.
Also, be careful pickpocketing is really bad in Rome. Nothing to be scared about, but be aware of your surroundings and if anyone approaches you it most likely is a scam trying to steal your money or belongings. Google pickpocketing safety tips for Rome and you can read about common things to avoid.
Also, all the tours are great but can be super expensive. If you google free walking tours and the name of the city for example free walking tours rome. Most European cities have tours offered by locals and you pay what the tour is worth. I did a few of those while I was in europe and it is great way to see the city and meet other people.
Venice is a beautiful city and very romantic. I stayed in a great b&b in San Marco square. I think you guys would absolutely love it if your only staying for a few days cause you can walk everywhere and see everything. The b&b that I stayed at is: ca dei fuseri http://www.cadeifuseri.it/en/
He is really nice, speaks English and Italian, has awesome tips about Venice and if you stay at his b&b I highly recommend you book the private top room with the terrace. It includes breakfast on the terrace.
If you want any other tips for Italy, please do not hesitate to contact me 🙂 rosalia.marie2@gmail.com
Rosalia
Style-love.blogspot.com
Having a honeymoon in Italy is simply an amazing experience. The place is just so full of wonderful places that will help you appreciate your time together and share the bond as husband and wife before you go back to the real world. With the rate you are going on your language learning, you'll be speaking basic phrases in Italian comfortably, probably even more! Good luck!