Italy Master Thread (Other Than Florence/Milan/Rome/Venice)

[Joe4007]

Anyone here flew on a covid tested flight? Would love to see data points on how long the testing process takes on arrival.

[lunatic]

Landing in Venice on a Thursday afternoon, and flight back from Rome the following Thursday. I plan to leave Venice on Sunday morning, and looking for  suggestions on the rest of the week.
Go to Naples, stay overnight on Sunday and go to Capri on Monday, then stay overnight again in Naples and go to Rome on Tuesday? Would Tuesday afternoon plus Wednesday be enough in Rome?
Or perhaps this is too much travel... In which case I need another city to stop on the way? Is Florence worthwhile for people who don't love museums?

[ckmk47]

I loved Rome.
Nice atmosphere.  Historic areas. Fresh water from fountains strategically placed.
I did a main activity and a smaller one each day. Rome is best absorbed with a minimum of 2-3 days.


Florence didn't impress me.  And museums are it's main attraction.


West of Florence is Tuscany.  Wine growing quaint countryside. Beautiful.


Naples is feh. I assume you have decent accommodations in mind. Do you really want to see capri?


I did rome > tuscany/florence > venice.  You could reverse that by seeing Venice, then going west to Tuscany, and south to Rome.  Are you driving at all?  Tuscany needs a car. North of Rome there's a beautiful gardens you can do on the way.


Sun train to Florence. walk around - walking tour?  Stay over night? Mon- Rent car. drive around Tuscany. drive south - see gardens. return rental in Rome.  mon, tue, wed night sleep in Rome. See great stuff. eat great food.  thurs fly home.

[Joe4007]

Landing in Venice on a Thursday afternoon, and flight back from Rome the following Thursday. I plan to leave Venice on Sunday morning, and looking for  suggestions on the rest of the week.
Go to Naples, stay overnight on Sunday and go to Capri on Monday, then stay overnight again in Naples and go to Rome on Tuesday? Would Tuesday afternoon plus Wednesday be enough in Rome?
Or perhaps this is too much travel... In which case I need another city to stop on the way? Is Florence worthwhile for people who don't love museums?

Here's what we did in June:

-Landed in Naples Monday mid-day and drove to Amalfi with a stop in Pompeii
-Monday and Tuesday night in Amalfi
-Wednesday mid-day drove back to Naples and got on a train to Rome
-Wednesday evening through Thursday night in Rome

Worked out pretty well. We're not that into history so after the Ghetto and Colosseum tours + walking around at night to some of the main sights (Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, etc.) we didn't feel like we missed much in Rome.

[lunatic]

Thank you, this is very helpful.

[lunatic]

OK, new thoughts - thanks you both of you.

Thursday afternoon - Sunday morning  - Venice
Sunday morning  - train to Florence
Sunday afternoon - Florence shul and walk around. then rent car and drive to Tuscany
Sunday night  - stay here https://www.marriott.com/hotels/hotel-photos/flrgg-grotta-giusti-thermal-spa-resort-tuscany-autograph-collection/
Monday morning - Tuscany activities (maybe this https://cantinagiuliano.com/en/activities/kosher-wine-tour/)
Monday late afternoon - drive to Rome
Tuesday and Weds - Rome
Thurs - fly back

Does this sound right? Too much? Too little?

[Legends666]

OK, new thoughts - thanks you both of you.

Thursday afternoon - Sunday morning  - Venice
Sunday morning  - train to Florence
Sunday afternoon - Florence shul and walk around. then rent car and drive to Tuscany
Sunday night  - stay here https://www.marriott.com/hotels/hotel-photos/flrgg-grotta-giusti-thermal-spa-resort-tuscany-autograph-collection/
Monday morning - Tuscany activities (maybe this https://cantinagiuliano.com/en/activities/kosher-wine-tour/)
Monday late afternoon - drive to Rome
Tuesday and Weds - Rome
Thurs - fly back

Does this sound right? Too much? Too little?

I couldn’t find much to do in Rome besides walk around and see historical things. But tons of good food there.

[Spoon]

OK, new thoughts - thanks you both of you.

Thursday afternoon - Sunday morning  - Venice
Sunday morning  - train to Florence
Sunday afternoon - Florence shul and walk around. then rent car and drive to Tuscany
Sunday night  - stay here https://www.marriott.com/hotels/hotel-photos/flrgg-grotta-giusti-thermal-spa-resort-tuscany-autograph-collection/
Monday morning - Tuscany activities (maybe this https://cantinagiuliano.com/en/activities/kosher-wine-tour/)
Monday late afternoon - drive to Rome
Tuesday and Weds - Rome
Thurs - fly back

Does this sound right? Too much? Too little?

Sounds about right

[lunatic]

Looking at rental cars in Italy. Which companies are best to work with?

[ckmk47]

Looking at rental cars in Italy. Which companies are best to work with?

Reviews were full of problems with returning and being charged for scratches that were on the car before renting.
So try this:
Take clear video of the car when you pick it up.  Include the checkout person in the video. Mention the scratches you see.  Take another video when you return it that includes the return agent. 

[Joe4007]

Reviews were full of problems with returning and being charged for scratches that were on the car before renting.
So try this:
Take clear video of the car when you pick it up.  Include the checkout person in the video. Mention the scratches you see.  Take another video when you return it that includes the return agent.

Yep. Good advice.

I was charged for some damage to the vehicle (which was actually my fault) but they wouldn't give me any repair backup so that my Chase Sapphire insurance could reimburse me. After seeing that they weren't planning on sending anything (my guess is they don't repair it and just keep the extra charge as it was a minor scratch), I disputed the charge to give them a reason to provide backup. Next thing I know they email me that they charged me by mistake and they'll refund it...

Another thing to be aware of when driving in Italy, is the multitude of ticket issuing cameras. Aside from speeding, they also have ZTL's which are areas within most cities that are restricted for driving to only locals that have permits. If you do any city driving, you're pretty much guaranteed to hit one of these, as it is all over the place and very easy to miss (there's just a sign with a ticket camera on top). There might be some exemptions for hybrid vehicles, but I never figured out the exact rules.

On the bright side, FWIU, aside from giving it to a collection agency to constantly call you they don't really have a way to enforce these fines on Americans. You'll be charged an "admin fee" per ticket by the rental company though.

[JlmBoi]

Tuscany activities (maybe this https://cantinagiuliano.com/en/activities/kosher-wine-tour/

I believe they are only open in the summer

[lunatic]

Anyone aware of any winery in Tuscany area that is open in November?

[lunatic]

OK, new thoughts - thanks you both of you.

Thursday afternoon - Sunday morning  - Venice
Sunday morning  - train to Florence
Sunday afternoon - Florence shul and walk around. then rent car and drive to Tuscany
Sunday night  - stay here https://www.marriott.com/hotels/hotel-photos/flrgg-grotta-giusti-thermal-spa-resort-tuscany-autograph-collection/
Monday morning - Tuscany activities (maybe this https://cantinagiuliano.com/en/activities/kosher-wine-tour/)
Monday late afternoon - drive to Rome
Tuesday and Weds - Rome
Thurs - fly back

Does this sound right? Too much? Too little?

Seems that there is no kosher winery open in November. Any ideas for what to do in November in Tuscany? Do I just stay in Florence overnight, instead, and go to Rome first thing Monday morning?

[JlmBoi]

Seems that there is no kosher winery open in November. Any ideas for what to do in November in Tuscany? Do I just stay in Florence overnight, instead, and go to Rome first thing Monday morning?

Spend another day in Venice and go to Murano and Burano.

[ckmk47]

I'd prefer an extra day in Rome.
You can do some Murano, Burano on Friday. If you start early enough maybe you can do both.
While in Florence stop in at the Accademia Museum to see Michaelangelo's David.  Even if you don't much care for art.  Rick Steves free audio tours has one of the Accademia.
If you're into history or art, Rome has plenty to do and see.  Even if not, it's a great city to walk around and eat in.

[Joe4007]

Spend another day in Venice and go to Murano and Burano.

I'd second this. If you're going in November, zman will be pretty early which means you can definitely use more time in Venice. Monday evening to Thursday is, IMO, more than enough time for Rome.

[lunatic]

I'd second this. If you're going in November, zman will be pretty early which means you can definitely use more time in Venice. Monday evening to Thursday is, IMO, more than enough time for Rome.

So Thursday afternoon, to Monday morning would not be too much for Venice? and then just take a train to Rome on Monday morning?

[arye her]

Hi Guys
Back in 2019 on the way to Israel with a friend I made a 2 day stopover in Rome, loved the country so decided I need to come back with my better half and explore more so when Dan posted back in Dec. SIN wide open availability for saver awards JFK-FRA I booked 2 seats for June (thanks Dan)
Original plan was Sunday JFK-FRA-NAP,
arriving Monday afternoon to Amalfi Coast, Capri, etc. till Thursday
Thursday evening flight NAP-VCE
Friday till Sunday - Venice
Sunday - drive Venice to Rome through Tuscany
Monday & Tuesday - Rome
Wednesday FCO-NYC

But as I was searching flights FRA-NAP my only option is 4PM which makes it for 5-6 hour stopover, so I'm thinking of doing the following
Sunday JFK-FRA-FCO (12:10PM Monday FRA-FCO)
Monday pm till Wednesday pm - Rome
Wednesday pm drive to Florence Through Tuscany,
Thursday till Sunday morning - Venice
Sunday am flight to NAP,
Sunday till Tuesday - Amalfi Coast, Capri, etc.
Wednesday NAP-NYC

We're not to much into Museums or art so we're skipping Exploring Florence,
any recommendations between the 2 itineraries? or any other comment?
also i can't find much info regarding Kosher food or must do in Amalfi Coast?   

Any help is appreciated

[Joe4007]

Hi Guys
Back in 2019 on the way to Israel with a friend I made a 2 day stopover in Rome, loved the country so decided I need to come back with my better half and explore more so when Dan posted back in Dec. SIN wide open availability for saver awards JFK-FRA I booked 2 seats for June (thanks Dan)
Original plan was Sunday JFK-FRA-NAP,
arriving Monday afternoon to Amalfi Coast, Capri, etc. till Thursday
Thursday evening flight NAP-VCE
Friday till Sunday - Venice
Sunday - drive Venice to Rome through Tuscany
Monday & Tuesday - Rome
Wednesday FCO-NYC

But as I was searching flights FRA-NAP my only option is 4PM which makes it for 5-6 hour stopover, so I'm thinking of doing the following
Sunday JFK-FRA-FCO (12:10PM Monday FRA-FCO)
Monday pm till Wednesday pm - Rome
Wednesday pm drive to Florence Through Tuscany,
Thursday till Sunday morning - Venice
Sunday am flight to NAP,
Sunday till Tuesday - Amalfi Coast, Capri, etc.
Wednesday NAP-NYC

We're not to much into Museums or art so we're skipping Exploring Florence,
any recommendations between the 2 itineraries? or any other comment?
also i can't find much info regarding Kosher food or must do in Amalfi Coast?   

Any help is appreciated

Both options looks great!

Any reason you're driving Rome to Venice? Train or plane would probably be quicker/cheaper.

As far as I know, the only kosher establishment south of Rome, is the Tiberio Palace in Capri which isn't cheap. I've ordered some meals from Chabad of Naples in the past, but if you're coming from Venice/Rome, I'd recommend you bring along food.

Since you've already seen Rome, another option for 2 days might be Lake Como/Alps.