I have news that is SO EXCITING that I couldn't wait to share. This fall Chris and I are going to ITALY!! :) We booked our plane tickets this week.
Friends, I seriously could not be more excited. I spent some time in France when I was in college and during that time made a weekend trip to Florence. It was amazing (and, I definitely got kicked off a train at one point, and spent a night in a train station at a completely different point! Memorable weekend ;)! But beyond that I've never explored this beautiful country. Chris, on the other hand, has never been to Europe. I'm excited to introduce him.
We were actually supposed to go last fall, but then last summer, within a couple weeks of each other, we both got new jobs and with new jobs comes incredibly limited vacation time. So, we bided out time, saved our dollars and booked a trip for this fall instead!
So I want to open this up to you guys. Do you have any recommendations for must-see, awesomeness in Italy? We'll be based out of central northern Italy, but will definitely be traveling around. I'd love to hear what your favorite places are!
Anyone else have a super fun vacation coming up this summer/fall?
Update: We returned for an amazing two weeks traveling around in Italy in October. Make sure to check out all our photos from the trip here.
Update: We returned for an amazing two weeks traveling around in Italy in October. Make sure to check out all our photos from the trip here.
What an awesome trip!
ReplyDeleteWe spent a week in Italy in November 2006 - five days in Rome, and two in Florence. I want to go back to Florence because I feel like we didn't even scratch the surface of what there was to see and do.
You definitely have to visit Rome. It's simply a magical city.
My sister and her fiance are actually going to Tuscany in August for their honeymoon! I'll be sure to find out where all they are going and what was their favorites once they get back!!
ReplyDeleteOmg, how exciting!!!! I've never been to Europe but have always wanted to visit. Make sure to take plenty of pictures!
ReplyDeleteYour trip sounds like it will be super exciting. Enjoy the whole process of planning and travel... you will be sharing photos of your trip before you know it!
ReplyDeleteLake Como (we stayed in Bellagio) was amazing. I'd go back in a heartbeat. There is an old castle in Varenna (off Lake Como) that we hiked to one day... the most gorgeous views.
ReplyDeleteWe loved Florence, also. I recommend eating at La Giostra if you visit Florence.
So jealous...
Go to see The Cinque Terre, one of the most beautiful place in the world
ReplyDeleteI would love to spend more time in Siena. Also loved Verona. Tuscany is such an amazing area!
ReplyDeleteHow exciting Jenn! I've never been to Europe either and would love to experience it one day. Excited to hear more about your travel plans. Hope you're having a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteHave a ball planning this trip Jenn, it sounds fabulous and well deserved! While it's been years since I was in Italy and I have no tidbits to share, I will tell you that whenever we travel someplace new, the first thing I do is go to the library and check out every travel book on our destination. From those I locate websites and information for lodging, food, sights, etc. I pick my favorite book and then purchase only that one. Half the fun is the planning and dreaming, so enjoy!
ReplyDeleteCinque Terre is absolutely amazing!! It's definitely worth the visit. Monterosso & Vernazza are the towns if you wanna spend the night. You second pic is Vernazza, Cinque Terre. I've only been there, but the whole Italian Riviera is worth spending some time at! Jealous.. have fun!!!
ReplyDeleteWe LOVED Bellagio on Lake Como (keep your eyes peeled for George Clooney ;)). Also great destinations were Venice (we stayed overnight, it's so worth seeing) and Verona had some great food.
ReplyDeleteCinque Terre is amazing, there is a really nice trail you can hike through all 5 towns, but part is blocked off by a landslide that happened a while ago. The train can get you around that. I just got back from a five week study abroad, and really, there isn't a place you shouldn't go. We hit Rome, Florence, Siena, San Gimignano, Orvieto, Venice, Cinque Terre, and a lot of other small places. We lived in Certaldo, it's basically between Siena and Florence, and you can ride a train to either in about 45 minutes from there. Personal bias would say go see Certaldo Alto for a part of a day, it's just an amazing medieval town above a modern city. San Gimignano is literally right next to it, and they have the best gelato in the world, 4 years in a row. There is definitely a lot to do in Florence, so plan to spend a while there for sure. I was there for four days and have yet to scratch the surface, even with connections our school has made with local people.
ReplyDeleteAgain, you won't want to miss anything!