516 Hi! I'm looking for some advice...

Hi, I just stumbled across these forums today and I have already picked up a lot of useful information. I have been learning Italian for about 6 months and have a reasonably good grasp on the basics (thanks to Michel Thomas) but am still lacking the vocabulary. Anyway, my girlfriend and I are planning a month trip to Italy and are looking to see as much of it as posssible. Places we want to go include Rome, Venice, Milan, Rimini, Genoa, Naples, Amalfi and Pisa (hardly original but this will be our first time to Italy so we thought we'd start with the most popular places). We're going in September (hopefully enough time to get our Italian up to scratch) but have a few questions to anyone in the know.

Firstly, would it be better to start in the North and make our way South or vice versa. (we want to make the most of the weather - is there much difference in weather between North and South?).

We would like to stay in apartments or other self catering accomodation but as we'll only be staying in each place a few days at a time we're finding it difficult. So far the only thing in our price range is hotels through expedia and the Italian Last Minute.com. Does anyone know of any good apartment websites or how we'd be able to go self catering?

A big part of this trip is to improve our Italian so we'll be looking to stay in friendly towns where we can talk to lots of people, (I guess we're looking for the steriotypical large Italian families). Can anyone recommend the most friendly places to stay?

We'll also be looking for places to stay more long term as next year we'll be looking to go back for a while and teach English as a foreign language. I've read that some of you are looking into Trinity for the qualification, am I to assume that this is the best? We've looked online but have found millions of different courses ranging from 6 months to a weekend. Very confusing!!!

Anyway, any advice at all would be much appreciated.

Thank you in advance

Category
Introduce Yourself - Piacere Conoscerti

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 06/04/2005 - 05:53

[QUOTE=Seany]We would like to stay in apartments or other self catering accomodation but as we'll only be staying in each place a few days at a time we're finding it difficult. So far the only thing in our price range is hotels through expedia and the Italian Last Minute.com. Does anyone know of any good apartment websites or how we'd be able to go self catering?

A big part of this trip is to improve our Italian so we'll be looking to stay in friendly towns where we can talk to lots of people, (I guess we're looking for the steriotypical large Italian families). Can anyone recommend the most friendly places to stay?[/QUOTE]

You would find it difficult, if not impossible to find self-catering accomodation in England for just two a three nights at a time. In Italy it's just the same. Also if you go self catering it tends to isolate you from other people to an extent, because you spend time cooking rather than socialising.

So, IMO, the two sides of your question are incompatible, you can go self catering (which is cheap) but you wil have to book for a week usualy Saturday to Saturday in each location. You will also have to accept that by self catering it will reduce the time you have to socialise with Italians.

If it were me going, I would forget the self catering and stay in agriturismi, which are relatively cheap, offer very good food and the chance to socialise with non-English speaking Italians, every night over dinner.

The prices range from about EUR 28 per head for mezzo pensione (half board) and eating at an agriturismo is highly recommended as part of their licence they must prepare their own food and local specialities.

[url]http://www.terranostra.it/ricerca/[/url]

Gives a clickable map to help you look for a place. To find the price for a room let your mouse hover over the grey icon at the bottom left of the description and the price will pop up. It took me ages to work this out, it's not obvious.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 06/05/2005 - 05:00

seany, the best forum for this question is called "slow traveller" it's american based, covers Italy very well, they're almost as nice as this lot...[url]www.slowtrav.com[/url]

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 06/05/2005 - 06:58

If you are in Le Marche and want to self-cater in an Agriturismo then try Agriturismo Marulla near Montefalcone Appennino - they will take bookings for less than a week outside the peak periods of July and August

Haven't got their website to hand but a google on Marulla should find it

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 06/11/2005 - 02:48

Hi Seany,
You might have a look at [url]http://www.monteviste.co.uk[/url] They have a self catering holiday apartment in Abruzzo (2h from rome) that can sometimes be booked for less than a week as and when is convenient to both them and the holiday maker. Run by an English couple. Positioned in a small Italian town - lots of interaction with the locals who are very friendly. Ottimo! :)

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 06/16/2005 - 07:48

We've never had much joy with Italian hotels. Try B and B or Agriturismo. These tend to be smaller, friendlier, more pleasant and sometimes have selfcatering accomodation. Otherwise expect loads of freshly made local produce with your breakfast.

If you are visiting the Langhe, I can recommend Cascina Martina at Dogliani. Great spot for visiting vineyards (inc Barolo) and the owners will recommend fantastic local prices at unbelievable prices. I'm not sure if the owners speak English, but the lady, Maria, is lovely; a real chatterbox. See [url]http://www.geocities.com/cascinamartina/martina_en.htm[/url]

Have a wonderful holiday.

Maria Lucia

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 06/20/2005 - 08:09

Try the following [url]www.residencefiorella.com[/url]. Based very near to Cattolica, which is a lovely town, about 20 mins south of Rimini. They do B & B and self catering, not sure what the minimum time is on the self catering side though. Very friendly owner who speaks English and Italian, I'm sure he will help you. Train station no more than 5 mins drive. I've just been there for 2 weeks, it is in a great position, lovely views etc etc

I've never been to Rimini, so I shouldn't comment, but I did read somewhere if you like Blackpool, you'll like Rimini!!

Bring us back some rock! :D

Jan.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 06/20/2005 - 13:11

Puglia between Bari and Brindisi:
You didn't mention heading down to Puglia (Apulia) on this trip, but if you do -- which I highly recommend! -- there is a great agriturismo/B&B called Agriturismo Montepaolo, [B][url]www.montepaolo.it[/url][/B]. It is family owned and run, a beautiful, peaceful location in the countryside, yet only 10 km from the Adriatic. Great little romantic get-away after visting the hustle-bustle cities. Montepaolo also has a restaurant with delicious local food. The price is very attractive for the quality of the establishment...

Rome:
I know of 2 fabulous apartments right in the center of Rome that are rented out by my friend's cousin. The price isn't "budget", but take a peek at the site and you may think it's worth it. [B][url]www.holidayrome.it[/url][/B]

Whatever accomodation you find, I'm sure you'll have a great trip!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 06/22/2006 - 11:59

Hi

We have a newly renovated trullo in Puglia and we would be more than happy to offer short stays for this year and discounts for longer stays if required. Please PM me for more details if you are interestead.