Italy from Top to Bottom

J. & C. were looking to experience a little bit of everything on their Italian adventure. They wanted to see all the major sites and experience some off-the-beaten-path locales of Italy to see where they’d like to return to one day. We put together a whirlwind trip from Rome to Florence ,Venice, Naples & the Amalfi Coast. Here’s their trip report:

First of all: Wow!! 

Trip Length

14 days is too long for us, 10 would have been better (good to know about ourselves), also probably 2 full days and a travel day if we’re visiting multiple cities, the 3rd day in Rome and Venice was too much for a quick tour. We walked about 3-5 miles per day – so I was sore the first 3 days, but better after! I really need to ramp up walking before the next trip…

Rome

We loved that we were off the beaten path away from the center of the city. We were close to the Trastevere area which we liked (where the Jerry Thomas Bar Room was – we went there for the first night in Rome) . It’s a bit younger, hipper with street music and great restaurants. We went to this area a couple of times.

We also went to Beppe and his cheeses – a small cheese shop with wine and trays of cheese and meats to eat – so much for such a small price – also awesome! We really like to eat! We also went to Alfredo’s where fettuccine alfredo was invented – a bit cheesy (pun intended) but good. 

Our bartender gave us some great places to visit: Drink Kong (didn’t get to), Oteleg Trastevere for gelato – was awesome, Trapizzino for stuffed pizza (didn’t get to), Supplizio (didn’t get to), Seu Pizza Illuminati – awesome pizza, L’Elementare – also awesome pizza, Trattoria Sora Lella was a wonderful restaurant and Taverna Trilussa (didn’t get to).

We went into a lot of churches, saw the squares and fountains. Our second day we had a tour scheduled for the Sistine Chapel and we were a bit disappointed. The tour was 3 hours, we didn’t get what we wanted to see, paintings, and saw so many statues. The crowds were crazy and you can see the chapel a lot better in photos. The Basilica was better. We walked around the Colosseum – not in- way too crowded and enjoyed some quiet time at the Non-Catholic cemetery.

Overall, there are so many cars, but it’s still a walking city. The hotel was great (Gigli D’Oro Suites), though we might want to be a bit closer to the Trastevere area, but still on our side of the city, if we ever go back. 

Florence

The trip on the train was awesome – really wished we had a bit more time here, it looked like there was a lot to do. Really would have liked to go into the Duomo. We did get to the Uffizi Gallery. The hotel was awesome!! (Hotel Cerretani Firenze – MGallery) Highly recommend. 

Venice

The train to Venice was also great. We loved Venice – probably because there weren’t any cars! Loved how each alleyway was a street that led to another square. So many restaurants and too many cheesy tourist crappy shops. Had to search to find some really nice artisan shops. 

Our hotel [Liassidi Palace] (so great right on the canal), had a tour to a glass shop on Murano, Italy, so we did that our second day, and then continued to Burano where we ate at a Michelin star restaurant Al Gatto Nero (The black cat), OMG, so good and this island is so cute and colorful. 

Again, walked around, went into many churches, saw many squares, and ate a lot of pasta. Found some nice art galleries in an off-the-beaten-path area and had some nice talks with the artists. The hotel was beautiful and so nice right on the canal. 

Naples

We really didn’t care for Naples, Italy. We should have just taken the train after all. By the time we got to the airport by water taxi, waited, got on the plane, and got to Naples, it would have been the same time just sitting and relaxing on the train. Naples is definitely a city – not a tourist area. They have touristy things, but it feels like a city. And where the cars in Rome take a back seat to the tourists, not so in Naples – they’ll run you over. Maybe if we had time to explore we would have found something to love, but at first glance- no. We did go to the artifact museum… it was fine. Feeling a bit museumed out by this time. We should have just gone down to Praiano that day.

Praiano

Wow – this place (Hotel Torre Saracena) is beautiful. The room and the staff were amazing, the views awesome, the breakfast was great. But no restaurant or bar.

We went on a wine tour that took us to Ravello (beautiful) and then further up to a winery with lots of wine and great food. 

Overall – nice, but I feel the coast is a bit limiting. In a larger city you probably have enough to do, but in the smaller areas, there’s only so much to do, and it involves climbing a lot of stairs – you definitely need good cardio and good knees. Really a beautiful area, but not sure if i’d go back. 

We’re looking forward to our next big trip in 2026. We’ll take some of the things we learned here and apply them when we start planning. 

Thank you so much, you were awesome!!

-J. & C.

SHARE THIS

You provided excellent guidance for us. I appreciated that you really had us think about what was most important to us when we were selecting the right cruise – and not to totally focus on what other people had to say. THANK YOU for helping to make this a memorable trip for our family! It really was a trip of a lifetime!

Clare and Mark (family cruise to Alaska)

The level of service we experienced was out of this world (and we did NOT make it easy on Ann). We weren’t quite sure where we wanted to go, when we would be able to go, or what “vibe” we were going for. After asking us some key questions (what we liked, didn’t like, why, etc.) Ann helped us narrow down our trip details and planned the honeymoon of our dreams. She helped book some of our excursions, answered some emergency questions while abroad and was always available/willing to help. I think it’s safe to say we won’t be using anyone else for future travel planning – Ann is a rockstar!

Carli (Italy and Spain)