I didn't think I could love Italy anymore. However, after this road trip I feel in love with the country all over again. It's one of the few places that actually lives up to the hype it is given. We spent 2 amazing weeks in Italy. We hit all the main places like Venice, Lake Como, Amalfi and Milan. We didn't visit Rome as we had already been there before on a city break. This is a general overview of the trip but if you would like a more information about any of these destinations more posts are to come so Subscribe! So please let me guide you on a trip through one of the best countries in the world.
Milan
Nights spent there: 2
Hotel: 43 Station hotel
Price: 106.20
Milan is a great starting point as it has an airport that offers cheap flights. There is also something handy about starting in Milan. It's the northern most city in Italy. We decided to start there and work our way down to the south of the country.
We spent two days in Milan. Our first stop was the Duomo di Milano and I would highly recommend going up to the roof. The views are gorgeous and the architecture is beautiful. Right beside the Duomo is Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. No trip to Milan is complete without a visit there. Spin your heel around the bull in the centre of the old shopping centre for good luck. Don't forget about Sforzesco Castle and Sempione park that surrounds it. These attractions offer a gorgeous walk in the Italian sunshine.
Lake Como
Nights spent there: 1
Hotel: Hotel Riviera
Price: 97
Hours/km from previous destination: 1hr 30 min/83 km
Lake Como was like driving into a paradise. The water was so blue and the atmosphere so peaceful. It was a welcome break from the busy city of Milan. My boyfriend and I are from the countryside in Ireland. Although we love exploring new cities there's just something about being in the country side that says proper adventure. We stayed in hotel Riviera - a friendly family-run business.
After checking in, we wasted no time and got the ferry over to the other side of the lake. By chance we got off at the wrong stop and walked along the lake shore whilst waiting for the next ferry. We came across this Villa called Melzi D'Eril. It's a must see while in Lake Como. It offers beautiful views of the lake with a garden and Mansion on the grounds. Once we had gotten on the right ferry, we went one town over to Varenna. It's a lovely little town right on the lake that offers boat rental. We rented a kayak for 20 euro and explored the lake.
Stelvio Pass
A bit of a hidden gem. The only reason we knew about this place was because of my boyfriend's love for Top Gear. It basically an unbelievable road that zig zags up what is normally a ski resort in the winter. It is on the border between Italy and Switzerland. We took a detour here on the way to Venice. It offers unbelievable views of the valley below. But make sure to go early as the traffic can turn into a procession.
Venice
Nights spent there: 2
Hotel: UNA hotels ala Venezia
Price: 190
Hrs/Km from previous destination: 4hrs/344km
A place that needs no introduction and that I'm sure is either on your bucket list or crossed off it. Venice gets mixed reviews from beautiful to smelly. I have nothing negative to say about it. We had a great experience while we were there. The hotels were no more expensive than anywhere else. I don't remember paying through my teeth for dinner either. Although I find there's always somewhere cheap to eat in these expensive cities. It's just about finding it.
We did the usual touristy activities here. We got the gondola for 80 euro for 30 minutes. Although expensive I do feel like it was worth the experience. The tour brings you all around the main sites including Rialto bridge and the grand canal. Our gondola guy was a laugh as well. We went to the Doges Palace and St. Marks Square. One of my favourite parts of Venice however was not in Venice at all. Burano is a colourful island a short ferry ride away from Venice. If Dulux did towns, Burano would be it. Small it may be, but it's definitely worth the visit.
San Marino
San Marino is a small principality we stopped off in on our way to our next destination. Its main attraction being the castle - Guaita Tower - perched atop a mountain. From the peak you can see all the way to the sea. It is the definition of a fairytale castle. Although there is not much else to do there it is definitely worth the day trip just for the views alone.
Maranello
nights spent there: 2
Hotel: Hotel Maranello Village
Price: 138
Hours/Km from previous destination: 2hrs/197km
Now I know this wouldn't be on everyones bucket list for Italy. If I have to explain what Maranello is chances are it's not your cup of tea. On the other hand it is very much my boyfriend's cup of tea. For those that don't know, Maranello is the town where the great Ferrari factory is located. A sort of Disneyland for car enthusiasts. Although I like to watch F1 I've only been introduced to the sport since I meet my boyfriend. My point being it's still an enjoyable experience even if it's not your one true love (what my boyfriend likes to call F1).
In Maranello they offer tours of the factory. The tour is mainly done on a bus. It's limited when you can get off and when pictures are allowed. There's also a museum dedicated to Ferrari. Exhibits include old Ferrari cars, trophies and the history behind the famous manufacturer. If you like you can even rent a Ferrari for 30 minutes. I'll let you look up the price yourself but lets just say it makes the gondola's in Venice seem like a bargain.
Pisa
Nights spent there: 1
Hotel: Villa Martina Classic and Luxury rooms
price: 75
Hrs/km to next destination: 2hrs 20 min/206km
Even though Pisa is quite famous, I find that I don't ever really see people going there. I didn't really understand why until I went. Although it is a nice city apart from the tower itself there is not much to do. Now don't get me wrong, the tower is pretty cool and it's quite amusing people watching everyone do the same pose in a line. But other than that, we were at a bit of a loss for entertainment. If I was to do it again I would probably stay in Florence and just do a day trip to Pisa.
Florence
Nights spent there: 1
Hotel: Hotel Mona Lisa
Cost: 107.10
Hr/Km to next destination: 1hr 30min/88km
Made famous by the Renaissance this city as I'm sure you might guess is steeped in history, art and culture. We stayed in the Hotel Mona Lisa. This is another hotel I would highly recommend. It is kind of hidden behind a big wooden door. Once we went inside and walked through the main reception there was a gorgeous courtyard garden. In the morning we enjoyed our breakfast on the patio overlooking this garden.
In Florence there is much to do. First we hit the famous Duomo. The art gallery where the statue of David is is just around the corner. Continuing on our walk we went to Ponte Vecchio a famous bridge in Florence that has shops built into it selling Jewellery. A little further on there is Pitti Palace that offers a garden and views of the city. We finished up our walk around Florence in Piazzale Michelangelo. Another great view of the city. Buy a beer from one of the street vendors, sit back and wait for the sunset.
The Amalfi Coast
Nights spent there: 2
Hotel: Guiliana's view
Price: 196
Hrs/Km to next destination: 5hrs 30 min/524km
Another famous place that I have no doubt is already on your bucket list and if it isn't it should be. The Amalfi coast did not disappoint. However, there were a few things I'd do differently if I was to go again. It gets very busy in the summer. We had the bright idea to drive to the towns along the coast. Unless you are going to be up at the crack of dawn don't do this. It's incredibly stressful and next to no parking spaces. When we got back the hotel owner thought it was very amusing we had attempted this.
Another great tip is to stay in Ravello rather than the famous Positano, simply because it was cheaper. I was a bit worried when I booked it this place would not be as nice but I was proven wrong. Ravello is a gorgeous town with spectacular views. We stayed in Guiliana's View. This was my favourite hotel out of all of the ones we stayed in. It had a balcony that lead out to a view of the coast. The family that owned the place were friendly and they even had kittens (score). We got breakfast there each morning outside overlooking the same view. At night the hotel even opened as a pizzeria.
While we were on the Amalfi coast we went to Villa Rufolo. Now a five star hotel but access to the gardens is public which is pretty rare these days. It boasts great views of the Amalfi coast while being in a gorgeous garden. Of course, we also went to the beach. We frequented one in Amalfi town but I don't think any beach in this area would be a let down. Other great things to do are Positano town (of course) and the actual town of Amalfi.
Pompeii
On the way to Naples from Capri we stopped off in Pompeii. It was always a dream of mine to visit Pompeii. I was that uncool history nerd in school that used to read about the Romans for fun. One recommendation I do have is definitely get a tour or an audio guide. The ruins are so big if you don't you will just be walking around in circles. It is crazy, as well as sad, to think a whole other world was preserved like that forever. It's a truly unique place the likes of which can't be found in the modern world.
Naples
Nights spent there: 2
Hotel: Factory Design
Price: 97.24
Hrs/Km to next destination: 1hr/61 km
Once again, Naples is a place that gets mixed reviews. Honestly we only really came to Naples because it had the closest airport to The Amalfi Coast. Most of the stories I've heard about Naples relate to pick pocketing and petty theft. When we drove into Naples, there did appear to be a definite vibe change compared with everywhere else we had been. Now, that's not to say Naples doesn't have it's positives. I'm sure it does. But being honest, we didn't see the point in spending the day in Naples when we could spend it in Capri.
Capri
So we got up early on our last full day in Italy and got the 45 minute ferry to Capri. We pre-booked the tickets just to be on the safe side. Capri is paradise. I've never been somewhere as beautiful and I don't know if I ever will. I wish we had know about it sooner and we could have stayed on the Island. We got the Fenicular to the top of the mountain and explored the town. Then walked along the cliff to the Jackie Kennedy Gardens. We swam in the crystal blue waters as they bobbed us up and down peacefully. We even rented our own boat and toke a trip around the island to the blue lagoon. Don't forget about the chair lift (like we did) to the top of the island for panoramic views.
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