Photo by by Natasha via The Everygirl
I cannot believe we leave for Italy in THREE WEEKS! I had a dream last night that I had done nothing to prepare and that I only had a few minutes to pack and that I didn’t have time to do a packing post for you guys and I was very upset ? I have a feeling this is my subconscious’ way of telling me to start getting my you-know-what together because this trip is going to sneak up on me before I know it!
Anyway, I’ve been getting a lot of questions as to where we’re going and where we’re staying, because a bunch of you, it turns out, are ALSO planning trips to Italy! Hooray!
First of all, let me give you a little background on our trip. We always wanted to do our honeymoon in Italy, but with the stress of wedding planning, we really didn’t have the extra time to take two weeks off post wedding, didn’t want to spend the money it would require to do it the way we wanted to right after we paid for our entire wedding, and truthfully, wedding planning took so much out of us that we just didn’t have the time to think about planning a big post-wedding European adventure. In hindsight, this was the BEST decision we could’ve made–we did 6 nights in Cabo instead, and our brains were so fried that we really just needed bottomless Coronas and the pool.
Second, Italy holds a very special place in my heart because I studied abroad in Florence and lived there for a semester. It was definitely one of the biggest highlights of my whole life, and I’ve been dying to get back since and haven’t had the chance. I’m pretty sure Neal could’ve gone anywhere, but I’ve been talking about going back to Italy ever since he’s known me–so let’s be real–we weren’t going to go anywhere else on our “big honeymoon trip.”
Okay, now that you know the background, let’s get into the details! We decided to work with a travel agent who has planned all of our friends’ Italy trips as well–her name is Barb and she is such a gem–if you want her info, just message me on Instagram and I’ll send it to you!
Our Italy Itinerary:
First up, Florence:
My favorite city in the world–we’ll hop off our flight in Rome and get on the next train bound for Florence. We’ll be there for four nights, staying at the Glance Hotel. We booked this on points and chose it because it was reasonable (we didn’t have to use ALL the points) and it’s in a perfect location that I’m very familiar with–near Santa Maria Novella train station and a short walk to the Duomo. It’s also a pretty, modern, boutique hotel which are a lot harder to find in Italy than they are in the states. The pool was the kicker for Neal (although, I made him promise that we wouldn’t spend much time there while Florence was awaiting us!)
My main goal here is to not plan too much, but just wander about on our own, take in the city, and stop at some of my favorite restaurants: Il Gato e La Volpe, ZaZa, Antico Noe, La Giostra, and hopefully finally make it to Three Benches, and of course–check out plenty of new spots, too! We’ll definitely be stopping into Massimo leather for a jacket, and sipping a lot of iced cappucinos (if you’re in Florence, you HAVE to get one!) Maybe take the bus up to the tiny hilltop town of Fiesole, above Florence, to explore for a couple of hours–I’m so excited to just be there again!
Second, Tuscany: Borgo San Felice
While I studied abroad in Florence (which is in the region of Tuscany). I never spent any real time in the Tuscan countryside. I did do a Chianti tour when my mom came to visit. However, it was just a day trip. I’m really excited to experience the region for the first time with Neal.
This is one of the instances where we decided to splurge, and we’re staying at Borgo San Felice, which came highly recommended by friends as well as our travel agent, and it looks UNREAL. I would highly recommend going through a travel agent and booking early, because we got a really good price (I think it was around $400/night–obviously expensive, but nothing insane) which I thought was really fantastic for such a high-end place.
From BSF we’ll plan to do some wine tasting and take advantage of some of their awesome tours and experiences (bike riding and a picnic in the Tuscan countryside? Yes please!)
Third: Praiano, Amalfi Coast:
From Tuscany, we’ll rent a car and drive to Sorrento, stopping to explore Siena and San Gimignano on the way–I’ve visited both once before, but really fell in love with San Gimignano, a tiny Medieval town surrounded by 13th century walls. It’s amazing! We’ll drop off the car in Sorrento and have a driver take us the rest of the way to our hotel in Praiano, which is right outside Positano. (The roads are treacherous on the coast so our travel agent recommended we get a driver instead!) I’ve never been to the Almalfi coast before. So this leg of the trip is perhaps what I’m looking forward to the most. (Well, in a different way than I am to Florence, which feels like returning home!)
Our big splurge of the trip: we’ll be staying at Casa Angelina, which is a quieter, less touristy village called Praiano–between Positano and Amalfi. To be honest, much of us choosing Praiano was because fell in love with the hotel first. However, we loved it even more when we learned that Praiano was a bit off the beaten path. Less crowded, and less touristy than it’s two neighbors. Yet still a great location for exploring the other towns along the coast.
We still need to solidify our plans here, but definitely want to do a day trip to Capri by boat and definitely pay a visit to La Fontelina Beach Club that we’ve heard so many friends rave about!
Third, Rome:
Photo via Polka Dot Passport, who has a great guide to Rome!
After 4 days in Almalfi, we’ll head back to Rome for the last three nights of our trip! We’ll hit up the touristy spots like the Vatican and Coliseum, as Neal hasn’t been. But really, we have no other plans here other than to just soak up the city and explore! I definitely want to find some more local hangouts off the beaten path. As I feel like studying abroad and taking out of town visitors to Rome so many times really took the magic out of it for me.
Hoping I can see the city through fresh eyes this time! Some friends who studied abroad in Rome lived in the Trastevere neighborhood, so I’ve spent a little bit of time there, but never got a chance to wander what I’ve heard are some of the most charming, picturesque streets in the city! We may have to pay a visit to Tony’s, which has the best Penne a la Vodka I’ve ever had!
Ah, so much of this is getting me excited for my trip to Italy this June, too! I also studied abroad in Florence and having already been back once, it DOES feel like returning home (side note: ALSO love Gato e La Volpe (I dream about their balsamic!) and Massimo leather (Will be buying my third leather jacket from him this trip lol!)). If you have a chance while stopping through Sorrento, you must must must eat at Ristorante Bagni Delfino. It’s right on the water with an incredible view of Mt. Vesuvius and the best fish/seafood I have ever had in my life. Have a great trip!
Florence is my favorite city, too! Seeing the Birth of Venus at the Uffizi is one of the highlights of my life. I also agree that Trastevere is a great place in Rome. I regret not buying a pair of custom sandals at a little shop I found while I was there. Have a great time!
Lexi
lifeloveandmedicine.com
My husband and I are headed back to Florence, Rome & Amalfi Coast in July too as part of the Mediterranean Cruise! Thanks for sharing this- we have both been to Florence and Rome and looking for additional things to do. Would love to see your packing list as well! Especially good walking around all day outfits with the heat! Have a wonderful trip!
This trip seems like a dream! I cannot wait to follow along. I haven’t been to Italy since college either, and I’d love to make a return trip.
x Diana // Pearl Girl
Cannot wait to live vicariously through you on your Italian adventure! I also studied abroad in Italy (Rome!) and have been dying to get back. I’ll try and recall some top ‘off the beaten path’ recommendations and send them your way. One of my favorite views was Terrazza del Pincio, overlooking Piazza del Popolo and on the edge of Villa Borghese (large park in Rome). Also Sant’Ignazio Church is worth seeing for the cool dome paintings – it’s near the Pantheon.
This sounds like such an amazing trip. My husband and I are hoping to go to Italy this year, I’m excited to use this as a guide.
Also, all these gorgeous photos remind me of the book Beautiful Ruins, which I highly recommend! A lot of it takes place on the Italian coast. xAllie
http://www.theallthatglittersblog.com
My husband & I have been to Italy 5 times. I loved Siena – when you going through Tuscany try to hit San Galgano. It’s an old monastery that is now a ruin & you can walk all over it. Some of my favorite pictures are from there. Positano is beautiful – we rented a little boat and went up the coast. One of my best vacation stories is when the Italian Coast Guard pulled us over because we were in a cove that banned motorboats!
My boyfriend and I and a couple of our friends made the trip from Sorrento to Positano a couple of years ago and treacherous is a very accurate description. We took a bus that was ridiculously cheap (only a few euros) but experienced the scariest ride of our lives – and this is coming from people who have done a good bit of driving in the mountains before. Our bus felt like it was going to topple over the edge of those ridiculously tall cliffs every time it curved along that winding road. Today we look back and laugh about the adventure we experienced by taking that bus but had I known how bad it was going to be I would never have agreed to it!! So that advice on getting a driver is gold. We were told that you can also make that trip by boat which I imagine would be gorgeous but the downside is that it takes three times as long. Enjoy your time in Italy! Safe travels!!
We are laving for Rome then Cortona on Tuesday… so happy to have your suggestions. 🙂
Hi Jess!
I studied abroad in Rome 6 years ago and lived in Trastevere! Just some recommendations:
1. For the best pizza you will EVER have (seriously) hit up Dar Poeota in Trastevere. It is amazing.
2. Chigi’s Villa (Villa Farnesia) A villa in Trastevere. This is hidden Roman gem! Artwork by Raphael can be seen up close. It was owned by Agostino Chigi, an art lover and accountant for the Pope.
3. Janiculum Hill- A really spectacular view of Rome, and there are statues of soldiers that died fighting with Garibaldi.
4. Go to the Knight’s Of Malta on Aventine Hill and look through the keyhole. One of the most beautiful and unique views of Rome!
5. Piazza Del Popolo- It’s all the way at the end of Via Del Corso–a really easy to walk! Villa Borghese is right above it. This is where the original walls of Rome can be seen. The inner facade of the wall was designed by Bernini!
6. For delicious Cacio e Pepe hit up Roma Sparita or Cacio e Pepe (the restaurant)!
7. For creme espresso, stop by Tazza D’Oro, which is right next to the Pantheon. They also just have great coffee and general!
8. Last but not least–eat as many supplis as you can at all the pizza shops! They are usually 1 euro and just little fried balls of goodness.
Have fun! 🙂
Hi Jess. I just found your blog and read your itinerary.
I’m doing almost the same but not going to Rome.
Flying to Florence on September 14, planning to stay there 2 nights, rent a car and drive to Tuscany for 4 nights. Wanted to stay where you did but it’s sold out to a wedding.
After I also thought to drive to Naples and drop off the car there and get a ferry to Capri for 3 nights. After Capri on September 24 ferry to Amalfi and stay at Conca de Marini.
How was your drive to Amalfi from Tuscany? I know you visited the other towns on the way there but I’m gonna do that while I’m in Tuscany. Everyone is advising me against it
because of ZTL In Italy and saying to take a train either from Florence or Chiusi. What can you recommend?
Hi there ! This is the trip we’re looking to do with my family my brother was told by our travel agent amalfi would be too much of a hike but I’m sold in having to see it while there – I’ve searched for an update on your trip but haven’t been able to come across it – how can I find that and how long this trip was ? Hope it was amazing !