Back from Italy, with loads of pics!

[LaurenThePartier]

Date: 4/1/2008 4:39:36 PM
Author: Cind11
I absolutely LOVE your pictures! My DH and I are planning to take our daughters next year (they''ll be 15 and 17) to Italy. I want to see Rome, go somewhere in Tuscany and see the Amalfi Coast. Is Positano on the Amalfi Coast? (I think so?) I''m a bit confused as to how to start planning this trip. I don''t really know the minimum no. of days we''ll need. I assume you did this on your own and it wasn''t a tour. How did you do with getting around etc., assuming you don''t speak Italian? I told the girls it is a choice between Italy and Alaska and they chose Italy. I hope they won''t be bored looking around at a bunch of old buildings (lol) Any tips for me? Thanks in advance.

First of all, we spent 2 weeks in 4 places, and it was more than enough for us. We were homesick by the 10th or 11th day.

We rented our car from www.car-rental-italy.com - tell Ricardo that Lauren sent you. He''s incredibly nice and very, very helpful.

Also, we found our castle on www.rentvillas.com - the only problem is they rent in increments of a week - Sat. to Sat., so you''d need to be in one place a while.

I spent a lot of time on Tripadviser before we left, and got lots of input from our fellow PSers, which is how I found Le Sirenuse.

 

[LaurenThePartier]

Date: 4/1/2008 5:10:58 PM
Author: Skippy123

Date: 4/1/2008 4:36:08 PM
Author: LaurenThePartier

Date: 4/1/2008 3:04:55 PM
Author: CrookedRock
Thaks so much for sharing those pics. I am enjoying Italy vicariously through you! My bf has been 5 times but I have yet to go... But obvi he has had his fair share for now and has a lot of other places he wants us to go. My only shot would be to get married there, but we are even reconsidering that now... Out of curiousity... How was the exchange? Did you find everything to be off the wall expensive?

Honestly, the exchange KILLED us.

We thought we were spending about $5k, and ended up spending about $7,500 all told in hotels, food, car rental, airfare, etc.

It was completely worth it, though. Completely!

Lauren, I am glad you said that; I was thinking am I the only one that thought it was a bit expensive!?!? I mean we planned that it would be a lot more expensive but for a casual lunch everyday w/out drinks it was $75-$80 and $120 or more for dinner which was somewhat casual too!! Paris was a bit cheaper than Barcelona for some reason

but still it was pricey. I also compare it to when we were in Europe when the dollar pretty good back in 2000 and 2002. I do think it is worth it though; it is one of those experiences that is amazing!!!

It is priceless when you are walking in a building that is was built in 125 AD like the Pantheon

or seeing a fountin designed by Bellini.

ETA: Next time do Como; if you love the quiet of the Amalfi coast you will love Como. Both are soooo romantic! Your trip sounds fab!

I know! I lived in London in 2000-2001, and everything seemed astonishingly more expensive this time. I felt guilty spending so much money on a pizza and beer!

But, it''s one of those things that you have to attribute to the experience . . .

And, yes! I think our next trip will be London - Paris - Nice/Cote d''Azur - Como . . . by train.

 

[Tacori E-ring]

Date: 4/1/2008 4:38:47 PM
Author: LaurenThePartier

Date: 4/1/2008 3:21:57 PM

Author: Tacori E-ring

Welcome back! Looks like a great trip. Any babies WE should know about?!?

I can''t believe it took until the 3rd page . . . but no.

W and I don''t plan on having any babies until he''s 30, and until we can squeeze one more European trip out.


A woman at work asked me if I got pregnant on the trip, and if we tried. God help me, but I turned so red I was purple!

Guess I am the only noisy one! Hehe! Remember Europe will *ALWAYS* be there. DH wanted a baby before he was 30....He''ll be 30 in June. We just made it

Everyone has their own time line. My clock was ticking loudly!

 

[lovewhitediamonds]

G-R-E-A-T P-I-C-T-U-R-E-S !!!!!!

Thanks for sharing Lauren -- glad you had a great trip...

Aahhh...seeing Le Sirenuse again, brings me back to my honeymoon....
Did you get a chance to have dinner at the restaurant there ? Did you love the candlelight? ... and the service!!?
We were thinking of going there next year for our 10 yr but exchange rate (YEOWCH)

I also highly recommend Bellagio and Lake Como (for next trip if you hit the lakes)... here''s the hotel we stayed in Bellagio VILLA SERBELLONI if you are interested

Welcome back -- and thanks again for all the amazing pics!

 

[PrettyBlues]

Hey Lauren, absolutely great pictures! I have been to Italy, but it was as a backpacker abuot seven years ago so the places I stayed didn''t have quite the same view from the bathroom

Now I really want to go back. I swear my travel wish list always seems to be growing no matter how many trips I take!!

 

[Upgradable]

Thank you sooooo much for sharing your trip and beautiful pictures with us!!! Hubby and I went to Italy last May for our 20th anniversary, and you brought back wonderful memories. We started north in Venice (which was hands down my favorite!! no other place on earth like it. imagine an ancient, but vital city with no vehicles!) then on to Florence, Tuscany, then Rome. It was an amazing trip, just like you shared!!

 

[LaurenThePartier]

Date: 4/1/2008 7:44:20 PM
Author: lovewhitediamonds
G-R-E-A-T P-I-C-T-U-R-E-S !!!!!!

Thanks for sharing Lauren -- glad you had a great trip...

Aahhh...seeing Le Sirenuse again, brings me back to my honeymoon....
Did you get a chance to have dinner at the restaurant there ? Did you love the candlelight? ... and the service!!?
We were thinking of going there next year for our 10 yr but exchange rate (YEOWCH)

I also highly recommend Bellagio and Lake Como (for next trip if you hit the lakes)... here''s the hotel we stayed in Bellagio VILLA SERBELLONI if you are interested

Welcome back -- and thanks again for all the amazing pics!

I want to thank you again for originally posting Le Sirenuse. It was an amazing, amazing hotel! Please, feel free to post EVERY hotel you ever stay in, because you have amazing taste!

Unfortunately the restaurant was closed for lunch and dinner - so we went to Chez Black one night, and . . . ummm . . . I can''t remember the name of it, but it''s a huge place on the left side of the beach (as you''re looking at the sea).

 

[lovewhitediamonds]

Date: 4/1/2008 9:05:53 PM
Author: LaurenThePartier

Date: 4/1/2008 7:44:20 PM
Author: lovewhitediamonds
G-R-E-A-T P-I-C-T-U-R-E-S !!!!!!

Thanks for sharing Lauren -- glad you had a great trip...

Aahhh...seeing Le Sirenuse again, brings me back to my honeymoon....
Did you get a chance to have dinner at the restaurant there ? Did you love the candlelight? ... and the service!!?
We were thinking of going there next year for our 10 yr but exchange rate (YEOWCH)

I also highly recommend Bellagio and Lake Como (for next trip if you hit the lakes)... here''s the hotel we stayed in Bellagio VILLA SERBELLONI if you are interested

Welcome back -- and thanks again for all the amazing pics!

I want to thank you again for originally posting Le Sirenuse. It was an amazing, amazing hotel! Please, feel free to post EVERY hotel you ever stay in, because you have amazing taste!

Unfortunately the restaurant was closed for lunch and dinner - so we went to Chez Black one night, and . . . ummm . . . I can''t remember the name of it, but it''s a huge place on the left side of the beach (as you''re looking at the sea).

Awwww.... thanks Lauren!

btw did you have some Limoncello at Chez Black?

 

[sevens one]

thank you so much for sharing Lauren.

 

[AGBF]

I haven''t had much time on-line, but I am glad I decided to spend the time I had looking at this thread. Your photos are very evocative, Lauren. I have never been inside Rome (except the airport) or south of it, but all your photos brought Italy rushing back to me! I am glad you had a good time. Two weeks wouldn''t have been too much for me!


Deb

 

[katebar]

Lauren I am sitting hear with tears in my eyes after seeing your awesome photos. I did a similar trip to you 10 years ago and the picture of Duomo made my heart skip a beat. My favorite memory though is walking through the vineyards in Tuscany. It just felt like I had come home and I often use the image to make me feel content. Now I can use your photo of the vineyards with you and DH shadows as an added extra! Thanks so much for posting thes stunning pictures ]

 

[monarch64]

Beautiful pics, Lauren...Happy Anniversary! I''m so happy to have seen all these pictures, I feel like a tourist on a very special trip. Thank you!!! I might never get to experience Italy but now I feel like I already have.

 

[Delster]

Lauren thank you so much for sharing these photos! They brought back so many happy memories for me. I just love Italy. I'm so glad you had a wonderful holiday

ETA - I just realised you drove! Yiiiiiikes! You are one brave woman

 

[LaurenThePartier]

Date: 4/1/2008 9:15:13 PM
Author: lovewhitediamonds

Date: 4/1/2008 9:05:53 PM
Author: LaurenThePartier

Date: 4/1/2008 7:44:20 PM
Author: lovewhitediamonds
G-R-E-A-T P-I-C-T-U-R-E-S !!!!!!

Thanks for sharing Lauren -- glad you had a great trip...

Aahhh...seeing Le Sirenuse again, brings me back to my honeymoon....
Did you get a chance to have dinner at the restaurant there ? Did you love the candlelight? ... and the service!!?
We were thinking of going there next year for our 10 yr but exchange rate (YEOWCH)

I also highly recommend Bellagio and Lake Como (for next trip if you hit the lakes)... here''s the hotel we stayed in Bellagio VILLA SERBELLONI if you are interested

Welcome back -- and thanks again for all the amazing pics!

I want to thank you again for originally posting Le Sirenuse. It was an amazing, amazing hotel! Please, feel free to post EVERY hotel you ever stay in, because you have amazing taste!

Unfortunately the restaurant was closed for lunch and dinner - so we went to Chez Black one night, and . . . ummm . . . I can''t remember the name of it, but it''s a huge place on the left side of the beach (as you''re looking at the sea).

Awwww.... thanks Lauren!

btw did you have some Limoncello at Chez Black?

Yes! We met Mr. Black and his wife . . . they were having a late lunch/early dinner when we walked by to check out the menu. We chatted with them for a couple of minutes, asked about his favourite dishes, and told him we''d be back for dinner.

He was still there when we went back at 8, and he sent over some champagne with little wild strawberries, and an apertiff of limoncello after dinner.

It was sooooo strong! But delicious!

 

[Pandora II]

Made me feel all homesick.

Do you have any photos of Piazza Grande in Arezzo?

I lived in the Piazza for 6 years and must admit I still miss it!

 

[Catmom]

Lauren, your photos are simply amazing!! What a fantastic adventure you had. Thank you so much for sharing it with us!

 

[snlee]

Gorgeous pictures! Thanks for sharing! I want to visit Italy someday.

 

[LaurenThePartier]

Date: 4/3/2008 7:52:01 AM
Author: Pandora II
Made me feel all homesick.

Do you have any photos of Piazza Grande in Arezzo?

I lived in the Piazza for 6 years and must admit I still miss it!

Unfortunately, Arezzo was the day our camera chose to die. The town was so beautiful, and it was one of the first days we had decent weather in Tuscany.

How did you come to live in Arezzo for 6 years?

 

[Pandora II]

Date: 4/3/2008 3:20:13 PM
Author: LaurenThePartier

Unfortunately, Arezzo was the day our camera chose to die. The town was so beautiful, and it was one of the first days we had decent weather in Tuscany.

How did you come to live in Arezzo for 6 years?

I worked for a huge textile and fashion company there which eventually moved to the Veneto.

The main industry in Arezzo is gold - I was hired as creative director for one of the bigger ones and then became their diamond/gemstone buyer (crappy QVC stuff sadly).

I must admit that Tuscany is soooooo boring when you live there. The scenery''s nice but I would have killed for take-out or Indian food some nights. It is also unbelievably provincial. I used to have to go to Milan every now and then just to stop myself from beating my brains out against a wall!