My itinerary, Spring 2018

[jan]

Just posting for the fun of it although I imagine I could make changes if you see some glaring errors.

Drive to Miami around March 24.
March 28, fly to Lisbon, from Miami on TAP
March 29— April 2, Lisbon http://www.dreamchiadoapartments.com/en/hotel-overview.html

April 2—6, Porto, https://oldstoneflats.com/the-mercadores-residence/
fly Porto to Lisbon to FCO

April 6—13 Roma, Monti https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/8544189
April 13—20 Naples www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p6583387?utm_campaign=HAUS_TRV_INQ_HASC_replyBlank_PPS&utm_content=propid_text_o_lprop&utm_term=20170623&utm_source=SYS&utm_medium=email Via San Domenico Soriano 34
April 20,21,22,23—Poggio Etrusco, Montepulciano
April, 24,25—Ravenna GALLA PLACIDIA
Via Mura di San Vitale, 12
48121 Ravenna
April 26—May 3—Reggio Emilia Air BnB
May 3—8 Torino Air BnB https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/17351190?
May 8&9—Bergamo http://www.incentrobb.it/
May 10—May24 Venice --Same apartment as the last 2 times. Feels like home to me.

May 24—Fly home to Tallahassee from VCE

 

[Ian Sutton]

Looks reasonably balanced to me, in timings and variety, the only criticism being quite a bit of doubling back - especially West to East, back west and then exiting from the east.

4 days in Montepulciano feels good, and allows for 1 or maybe 2 day trips should you feel the need e.g. Bus to Siena

Definitely prep 2-3 day trips for Reggio Emilia. I do like the place, but it's more about the relaxed vibe than having a huge amount in the city itself. Luckily loads of options, with Modena and Parma both very easy, and both reveal charms easily. A visit to a balsamic vinegar producer perhaps? (we had a good tour for just the two of us at Ca' de Medici - organised direct with them, and they even picked us up from the Medici Ermete winery, making it easier via public transport)

Torino a favourite city, happy to share thoughts if I haven't already. That's a nice number of days to be there.

 

[jan]

Thanks, Ian.
We will definitely do a couple of day trips from Reggio Emilia--one to Modena and one to Parma. Both easy train rides. Mostly I'm looking for that week to be more restful and an opportunity to be out of the tourrist flow and to speak more Italian.
We have done a balsamic producer visit but never to a Parmigiano factory and would like to find an easy way to do that.
Car pick up--in Naples and return in Reggio Emilia, so that we will have it in Tuscany and for the drive from Ravenna to RE--hoping to stop in Dozza for lunch and a walk about.
Really looking forward to Torino!

 

[BJinNM]

This sounds great. In Lisbon, see if you can get into Sacramento restaurant in Chiado (I think). Judy R. recommended it to us and we loved it. You are staying where we stayed in Ravenna (again a Judy rec). It's a great location and the owner is so nice. Enjoy every place you go,

BJ

 

[Jan55612]

Another Lisbon restaurant we enjoyed two years ago was Frade dos Mares. We were in Lisbon for a month and ate there three times.

 

[Anne]

Of all your places, I've only been to Rome and Naples, but it sounds like a wonderful trip. I'd love to visit Lisbon and/or Torino someday. How marvellous that you have two full months!

 

[Amy]

That sounds marvelous. I am looking forward to hearing your impressions of Napoli, as we've yet to get there. And I love spending a few days in Ravenna, it is an enchanting town aside from the marvelous sights.
Quite jealous of your time in Elisa's place in Venice. We're aiming to get back there in 2019.

 

[JustTravel]

Jan, are you visiting Procida, an island just off Napoli? Karen and Mike, who used to live in the yellow house in Sant'Elena, love it there.

 

[Jim Zurer]

Looks like a great trip Jan...except for the inexplicable two weeks outside of Italy.

I think you will find it easy to arrange a parmigiano-reggiano excursion in Reggio-Emilia.....either through the consortium

https://www.parmigianoreggiano.com/where/guided_tours_dairies_1/default.aspx

or one of the many tour companies in the area.

http://www.parmagolosa.it/?page_id=280

We have been on three visits and enjoyed them all.

You might be interested in my reports from my three nights in Reggio Emilia in 2006....

Day 4: Pavia-Reggio nell'Emilia

Day 5: Reggio nell'Emilia

Day 6: Reggio nell'Emilia

Day 7: Reggio nell'Emilia - San Quirico d'Orcia

 

[jan]

This sounds great. In Lisbon, see if you can get into Sacramento restaurant in Chiado (I think). Judy R. recommended it to us and we loved it. You are staying where we stayed in Ravenna (again a Judy rec). It's a great location and the owner is so nice. Enjoy every place you go,

BJ

I got the rec from you, BJ. Thanks! and thanks, tourmama.

 

[Susie L]

Wow, what a great trip! Dozza definitely makes a nice lunch stop. The regional entoteca is there as well, in a castle surrounded by a moat. If you like Lambrusco, this is a great place for a tasting. Brisighella makes an enchanting stop as well, and is famous for their fruity olive oil.

 

[Alpinista]

Looks like a great trip. Hope that the Easter celebrations in Portugal are festive. Always love being in places when the party is on.

 

[artnbarb]

So sorry we won't be in Italy until August this year! Your itinerary sounds great!

 

[jan]

Wow, what a great trip! Dozza definitely makes a nice lunch stop. The regional entoteca is there as well, in a castle surrounded by a moat. If you like Lambrusco, this is a great place for a tasting. Brisighella makes an enchanting stop as well, and is famous for their fruity olive oil.

I've always wanted to visit Dozza and see the murals. Do you have a restaurant rec?

 

[jan]

Looks like a great trip Jan...except for the inexplicable two weeks outside of Italy.

I think you will find it easy to arrange a parmigiano-reggiano excursion in Reggio-Emilia.....either through the consortium

https://www.parmigianoreggiano.com/where/guided_tours_dairies_1/default.aspx

or one of the many tour companies in the area.

http://www.parmagolosa.it/?page_id=280

We have been on three visits and enjoyed them all.

You might be interested in my reports from my three nights in Reggio Emilia in 2006....

Day 4: Pavia-Reggio nell'Emilia

Day 5: Reggio nell'Emilia

Day 6: Reggio nell'Emilia

Day 7: Reggio nell'Emilia - San Quirico d'Orcia

Thanks, Jim. I enjoyed the blog!

 

[Susie L]

I've always wanted to visit Dozza and see the murals. Do you have a restaurant rec?

We had a couple of good meals at Ristorante Canè. They have a very pretty terrace. www.ristorantecanet.it

 

[Susie L]

Here is the link for the regional enoteca. I highly recommend it, very atmospheric and an amazing selection of local wines that you would have a hard time finding anywhere else.
www.enotecaemiliaromagna.it

 

[DDTraveler]

Looks like a wonderful trip. I look forward to hearing what you think about TAP airlines.

DD

 

[Sandrac]

Looks lovely Jan - I used to live on Boschetto, in Monti, and liked it a lot. I've been in Testaccio for the past year or so, which has a very different vibe. Hope you'll enjoy it!
Cheers,
Sandra

 

[jan]

Looks lovely Jan - I used to live on Boschetto, in Monti, and liked it a lot. I've been in Testaccio for the past year or so, which has a very different vibe. Hope you'll enjoy it!
Cheers,
Sandra

Thanks Sandra--hope to meet up during that week. Maybe you can show us around Testaccio???