I did 2 trips.
1) Flew into Milan, rented a car. Spent night in Genoa - visited house where Chris Columbus was born. Drove to Nice, FR for 2 nights... went to Monaco for the casinos, caught a Nice Soccer game with my dad. Drove to Florence with a stop at Pisa. 4 nights in Florence for a ton of touristy stuff using the HopOn/Off buses. Drove to Milan for 3 nights - Saw an AC milan game and also the last supper from Leo.
2)Flew into Milan. Took train South to Naples. Took a 1hr taxi to Positano for 3 nights (did a boat ride to Capri and public transportation to nearby towns). I believe we took a train from Salerno(maybe Naples) to Rome for 3 nights - did the colosseum and Vatican as well as other touristy stuff. Took a train to Florence for 4 more nights (during our stay here we took a train to Cinque Terre, did a Vespa trip to a vineyard where we handmade a 3-course meal, as well as touristy Florence stuff - also took public transportation to nearby towns). Took the train back to Milan and left.
Comments
- I liked driving in Italy. It got a little hectic in Florence and it could be confusing. But I also like driving in NYC and 3rd World Countries........ so if NYC intimidates you, then you can still drive, just do Hop On Hop Off buses at the major cities.
- I liked the Hop On Hop Off buses in Florence, Milan and Rome. Lets you hit major parts, they are typically 3 day passes if i recall correctly. And you don't have to drive within the city
- Never driving a motorcycle, i thought i would bust my face with a Vespa, but it was fun. My friend almost fell and she got scared and went in a vehicle that was provided with the Vespa/Meal to the Tuscan hill vineyard. You can probably google Vespa Tuscany Tour.
- My 2nd trip was entirely on public transportation.... everything seemed straightforward. Don't recall ever getting lost. We did a lot of walking in this trip as well.
- Loved Cinque Terre. Wish we would have spent the night here. but we only had a day planned.
- Did a train trip to Lucca from Florence stopping at a couple of towns. Rented bikes and rode around the wall/road that surrounds the town. That was fun.
- Loved Rome
- Many places to get good food, but get used to the 3-P's - Pasta/Pizza/Panini's. Don't get the lone Chicken or Steak item on a menu with many 3-P offerings. By the end of our trip my dad was tired of the food and wanted steak/rice/beans. I took him to a steakhouse (food was good). I did have a steak at a pasta place (the lone item) and it sucked really bad even though the place had good reviews. The pasta dishes were excellent.
- If you go to the Colosseum, hit "Ristoro Della Salute" across the street(4.4 on google at the moment). this was 7 years ago, but it is still the same restaurant. If you followed them on facebook, you got a 50% off coupon when you reserved through facebook or their website(i forgot exactly). I had a Steak (probably top5 in my life), my sis and friend had pasta. All the meals per top notch as we shared a few bites. It was worth full price, but the 50% was sweet. I was disappointed that i didn't get a chance to go again.
- It was cool to hit Monaco for an evening and see all the $200K+ vehicles and get great pictures. My mom was impressed.
- During my driving trip we stayed at hotels. During my public transportation trip we stayed at AIRBNBs.
My driving trip was with my parents. Since they are older i needed to consider doing stuff that didn't require too much walking. So the Hop off buses were helpful.
My public transportation trip was with a friend and sister. Lots of walking... long days trying to hit as many spots as we could.
I probably forgot a ton of stuff since i did this 7 and 9 years ago.