Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Italia.

It's official. We're vacationing in Italy this May. {Almost official, I still need to book everything, but we've decided to travel there for 12-14 days.} On the itinerary, which is very flexible right now, we want to see Rome, Cinque Terre, Florence and Venice. This is my second time to Italy and Tony's first. I don't want to race around the country. I'd prefer to spend a few days in each place. {And I'm sure that it still won't feel like enough time}

To my readers who have experienced traveling through Italy, I'd love your input: what are we missing, what do we have to see, any ristorantes, shops, hotels, tours, etc...







Equally important, what are comfortable walking shoes? The only time I like to wear tennis shoes is when I am working out, but comfort will trump fashion for this trip. Any fashionable suggestions?

Please leave comments or email me if you have recommendations.

Thanks!

16 comments:

skatieperdue said...

if you go to Florence eat at ZaZa's and get a steak and get their truffle butter ravioli if that's still on the menu! i nearly licked the plate.

if you can make it south at all, try going to Salerno. It's the most "Italy" you can get without any american influence at all. I'll be there all summer :) It's beautiful and is known for the pizza. Plus you can see Capri, Vietri, Amalfi Coast, etc.

Rome and Venice are definite musts though!

Lisbeth said...

When I was in Europe a few months ago I couldnt stand the thought of wearing my tennis shoes everywhere. At first I tried to suffer through with all my cute cheap target flats and it was still pretty miserable until.... My savior Dr. Scholl's entered into the picture. Put the gel insets into any shoe and it is magically confortable. There are sveral different types but find the ones with the most gel heel support and you will be able to walk for hours, days, weeks! and never feel a thing. I get the removable ones so I can just transfer them from shoe to shoe. I can walk through airports in 5 inch stillettos without even so much as a wimper with those puppies.

Nicole said...

Not to add another destination to your itinerary, but Siena is one of my favorite destinations in Northern Italy. It's an easy day trip from Florence and is such a quaint little city with a beautiful piazza (and an awesome tower with views for miles).

Beth {Embracing Twentysomething} said...

Indigo by Clarks is the best brand. Kinda pricey, but fashionable and most importantly, comfortable! I'll e-mail you info. This is going to be an amazing vaca! So excited for you.

Jenna said...

I haven't been to Italia yet, but it is high on my priority list and am a little jealous of your trip!!! Can't wait to hear more details as it gets closer!

xoxo
Jenna

Heather said...

ok , we need more than a blog to talk about this trip, I say meet me somewhere between tallahassee and ft laud with 2 bottles of red wine (the morans?) your pics nailed it- cinque terre! i have actually swam in that little ocean/pool thing- and florence- TO DIE! i wore rainbows E-V-E-R-Y-W-H-E-R-E when i went for 2 months and never had an ounce of discomfort. All the foreigners tried to tell us the cobble stone would rip our feet up- but they were no problem! i am SO excited for you/jelly bean.

elizabeth@themustardceiling said...

I am sooo jealous, I love Italy! My husband and I went to Rome and the Amalfi Coast for our honeymoon. I told him I want to live there. the Amalfi coast is incredible if you can make it. We also spent four days in Rome and loved every minute. Have fun!

bijuleni said...

I would also suggest Siena.The tall buildings,the monotonous colours and piazza del campo are truly amazing.Cafe Calimala in Florence has the best gelatos.Venice is also great.The gondola ride gives you a different perspective but if you dont have another couple to split the price I really dont think it's worth the 120 euros.Also buy a Venetian Mask,it's the thing to do!lol.If you like parks Villa Borghese in Rome is so pretty!

Nancy said...

That sounds so much fun! We are trying to pull off a trip to Europe this May, but haven't gotten too far with our itinerary. Fingers crossed! For traveling, I love my brown Dansko's in the winter and there are some decent Birkenstock's (Madrid or Gizeh) for Spring/Summer. Boring, I know, but so comfortable!

Sarah said...

Cole Haan Air flats. I wear them to work everyday. I heart these shoes!There's a Cole Haan outlet in St. Augustine that rocks.

Ana said...

Pizza Caprese at Dante's Pizzeria in Florence, and for dessert gelato at la carraira, which is on the same street as Dante's.
A night of apperitivo, try Kitsch bar or Oibo bar in Santa Croce.

Smitten Design said...

Keep the comments coming! I love and have noted all these suggestions. THANK YOU

paula said...

I bought toms for our disney trip and they are so comfortable. granted I am not one to wear comfortable shoes daily though. I dream of going to Italy...

Amber said...

I have some new travel books on Italy if you need them. And I noticed lots of converse the last time I was in Europe. They're comfy, not too expensive (target has them!) and much less tennis shoe-y.

Eleonoor said...

Lago di Como, Lago di Como, Lago di Como! George Friggin' Clooney lives there!
Plus also, it is of a supernatural beauty you can not possibly imagine.
And it's close to fashion-heaven Milano.

Anonymous said...

Leo's in Florence has an extraordinary zucchini salad. I went back just for the salad on my second trip. Don't miss the Uffitzi museum and take a walking tour of Florence the history is amazing.