Bella Italia
10:21 am Mon, 31st July 2006After much budgeting, scrimping and saving.. bringing lunch from home every day for work, never eating out or spending so much as a penny on shopping.. myself and Kwai have managed to save enough money to go on a much needed holiday! Yay! We are off to Italy for 1 week in september (6th – 13th). It’ll be just after peak season, so everything is much cheaper – but the weather will be (hopefully) still warm!
We’ve bought plane tix to Milan – cheap cheap on EasyJet at only £104 for two ppl, return! Not bad eh! We’re also hiring a car (hopefully the Nissan Micra C+C convertible if it is available *crosses fingers* – cheap on avis atm) and will be driving around north Italy, visiting all the major cities such as Milan, Rome, Florence, Venice, Naples, Bologna, Pisa, Verona, Cinque Terre.. oh yeh and the Vatican too. Hm. Suddenly a week seems very short! Dunno if we’re gonna be able to fit all those destinations in.. plus I want to see the Tuscan countryside and the Amalfi coastline too. *sigh* Gonna have to make some tough choices methinks. Anyone who has been to Italy before, feel free to comment and give any advice about recommended destinations. So far for me, must see cities are Milan (oh the shopping!!!), Rome, Florence and Venice.. as well as some nice driving through the gorgeous Tuscan countryside, Cinque Terre and the Mediterranean coastline. 🙂
Lots to research and plan in advanced.. coz we want cheap accomodation, we’re gonna have to book in advanced, which takes out some flexibility. Not to mention, I should probably learn some italian before we go!! I’m starting to get all these european languages confused.. german, french, italian.. not as bad as Kwai though, who’s developed a tendancy to answer in the wrong language – usually german. Heehee. Anyway, anyone know of any good online italian tutorials?
Only 5 & 1/2 weeks to go! Can’t wait!! 😀
Current listening :: “Automatic High” – S Club Juniors (Pure cheesy pop packed full of cheesy goodness :P)
Posted in Travel | 5 Comments »
5 Comments on “Bella Italia”
a l
Jul 31, 2006
i think your intended itinerary is too packed. 😉 i spent three nights in florence and thought it wasn’t enough. Only one night in rome, and it wasn’t enough either. Pisa can be seen in one afternoon on your way to florence.
i’ve been told good things about cinque terre. =) haven’t been to the other places you mention.
Kazzart
Jul 31, 2006
Hehe yeh I know.. its just a draft list of possible destinations.
But I won’t be spending 3 nights in Florence either (is there really that much stuff to see in Florence?).. it’ll prob be 1 or 2 nights per main destination (eg Florence, Rome, Venice, Milan) and then just drive-through for some minor ones (like Pisa, Bologna and some tuscan countryside/coast). Does that sound feasible?
w3ndes
Aug 1, 2006
I’ve been to Cinque Terre. Real nice. Not much in Florence. I’d say 2 days. You have to see the statue of David though! Venice though you obviously can’t get around in a car. Pisa yes can be done in an arvo. Milan not much either say a day or two. Naples the same. Rome 2-3days.
Anyway narrow it down. You’d much rather see a lot of one place then have to miss things and scoot off to the next destination.
a l
Aug 1, 2006
heheh =) the reason why i spent 3 nights in florence was bec the first night saw us being bumped from hotel to anor (this involved a hotel owner who mucked up our reservations). so one afternoon/night gone. i did like florence somehow – just one of those cities i wanted to walk around abit more.
i think one or two nights in the major cities is feasible, though you need to take into consideration italian roads. erm, never been on them either – i went around by train. =)
you’ll have fun.
Adds
Aug 1, 2006
YO Kaz!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/languages/italian/lj/menu.shtml
Saw it and thought of you.
Addsx