Summer holidays 2020
Discussion
raceboy said:
The Leaper said:
Well, you must not looked far in Pisa! Sure, there's the Piazza del Duomo, but there's also so many excellent other cultural places to see and explore. Several years ago ago wife and I were there for I think 5 days and that was about right. I guess others will think Pisa is no more than a one-day town.
Being at Florence when it's mostly Italians and few tourists must be super. Wife and I love Florence but it is simply over run with visitors most of the year, as is Venice.
R.
No idea how you managed to fill 5 days in Pisa, we started a weeks trip of the area a few years ago there and half a day was enough Being at Florence when it's mostly Italians and few tourists must be super. Wife and I love Florence but it is simply over run with visitors most of the year, as is Venice.
R.
Florence, Bologna, and Verona were a lot prettier. and of course Modena for obvious reasons, hope to go back to Bologna when all this has blown over as we went in August and the smaller museums/factories were shut.
But this time next week, fingers crossed we'll be waking up in Rome.
Wife and I have been going to Italy for a week or so every year since 2004, sometimes more than once a year. We always base ourselves somewhere and if we wish we'll use public transport to get about to other towns. We always do detailed planning ahead so we know what there's to see and do before we go. For this we concentrate on galleries, museums, architecture, restaurants, nice towns and villages etc. We like to "immerse" ourselves in the local life.
There really is a lot to see in Pisa but 99% tourists see it as a one stop town...get the t-shirt, move on. Shame really.
You mention other towns and we have stayed at them all, mostly more than once. Florence has a huge amount to see but also has far too many tourists there at the same time which spoils things for us; best to go out of season if there is such a thing in Florence!
Bologna is lovely just to stroll around and is full of good restaurants and amazing food. Cheap too as it's a large university town.
We love Verona, been there several times. In fact, if asked where to go for a first visit to Italy we'd recommend Verona. Loads to do and see, super restaurants etc. Furthermore, easy to get the train for day trips to Lake Como, Mantua, Vicenza, Padua and Venice.
Another favourite town is Lucca, for similar reasons as above. Also, can get the train to Pisa and Florence for the day too. Also, to Viareggio for a day at on the coast for a change. Nice upmarket seaside town popular with Italians.
R.
The Leaper said:
Wife and I have been going to Italy for a week or so every year since 2004, sometimes more than once a year..
Can't fault that, we always seem to end up coming back to Italy time after time, last trip was Milan, but caught the train up to Monza and enjoyed that a lot more.Never had a bad holiday in Italy, don't think we've even had a bad meal there.
raceboy said:
The Leaper said:
Never had a bad holiday in Italy, don't think we've even had a bad meal there.
Totally agree.By the way, we've never been to Milan or Rome!
I have looked back and we have had days away in around 20 different towns in Italy, loved them all. Difficult to say where we think is the best. Verona, maybe, perhaps Ravello, Lucca.....such a problem!
R
generationx said:
I've just returned from a week in Italy on the shores of Lake Garda and visited Verona for the first time after several Italian holidays. What a wonderful place - definitely recommended.
You're not far from the Millie Miglia museum in Brescia either (/PH matters)
Verona is wonderful, I guess some things might not be happening at the moment, but hearing the Opera in the Arena while having a meal in Piazza Bra is a great way to dine, and an award wining Pizzeria on the other side was great.You're not far from the Millie Miglia museum in Brescia either (/PH matters)
So many other places still to visit, and it'll be our 3rd time back to Rome next week, but just wanted to keep things simple with the current 'issues'.
Harry H said:
Trouble is what is/isn't on the quarantine list is a load of rubbish in terms of safety at the moment.
Personally I'd feel a darn sight safer going to a near deserted Canary island that going to a packed Greece because the flock are told it's OK.
Admittedly quarantine is a bit of a pain but hardly the end of the world if you're working from home.
Greece isnt packed anywhere. I’m in Crete (on quarantine list) and 30 people on plane flying out. A lot of hotels shut and some restaurants closed this week also only 4 of 20 appts occupied in our apartments. Restaurants at less than a third capacity. More chance of getting it going to Liverpool than Crete. Was in Corfu a few weeks ago and similar.Personally I'd feel a darn sight safer going to a near deserted Canary island that going to a packed Greece because the flock are told it's OK.
Admittedly quarantine is a bit of a pain but hardly the end of the world if you're working from home.
ElectricSoup said:
If you need to dodge quarantine on return to the UK I think Sardinia looks like an utter bargain at the moment. Temps still in the mid 20s. I've seen 2 bed apartments on the beachfront for about £250-300 for half term week. £136 per person return from Heathrow. Very tempted.
Sardinia is quite likely to go on the naughty list next week. The rate there is kicking about 30 per 100k. I’m in Italy at the moment so my wife is keeping a close eye on the numbers.More chance of getting it going to Liverpool than Crete. Was in Corfu a few weeks ago and similar.
[/quote]
The reason that the other day I cancelled out trip to Greece next week was nothing to do with actually getting infected. It was all to do with potential for being quarantined on arrival or on return as a result of changes by governments while away.
There's always future years....hopefully.
R.
[/quote]
The reason that the other day I cancelled out trip to Greece next week was nothing to do with actually getting infected. It was all to do with potential for being quarantined on arrival or on return as a result of changes by governments while away.
There's always future years....hopefully.
R.
The Leaper said:
More chance of getting it going to Liverpool than Crete. Was in Corfu a few weeks ago and similar.
The reason that the other day I cancelled out trip to Greece next week was nothing to do with actually getting infected. It was all to do with potential for being quarantined on arrival or on return as a result of changes by governments while away.There's always future years....hopefully.
R.
[Yep get that-we are happy to accept quarantine coming home- but you’ve virtually zero chance of being quarantined on arrival.
[/quote]
Was speaking to my brother earlier today...he and his wife have been in Greece since July. He said that latest daily new cases have exceeded 400 and that the government has said that this has been attributable mostly to arrivals into Greece rather than among locals.
He has also told me that for all flight arrivals a few passengers are required to be tested and then they must self isolate for 24 hours, and if any one on the flight is tested positive all passengers are required to self isolate for 14 days at places specified by the Greek authorities. He was singled out on arrival in July, was not positive and nor was anyone else on their flight. He and his wife are due back in UK at the end of October.
R.
[/quote]
Was speaking to my brother earlier today...he and his wife have been in Greece since July. He said that latest daily new cases have exceeded 400 and that the government has said that this has been attributable mostly to arrivals into Greece rather than among locals.
He has also told me that for all flight arrivals a few passengers are required to be tested and then they must self isolate for 24 hours, and if any one on the flight is tested positive all passengers are required to self isolate for 14 days at places specified by the Greek authorities. He was singled out on arrival in July, was not positive and nor was anyone else on their flight. He and his wife are due back in UK at the end of October.
R.
blue_haddock said:
Any recommendations for Madeira guys?
If you want to go in the sea get a hotel with its own access as there's not many places you can get at it. If you're in to walking then the laverda walks are great, they're narrow drainage canals that go all over the place.
Its worth doing a trip up on to the plateau, completely different up there.
The Leaper said:
[Yep get that-we are happy to accept quarantine coming home- but you’ve virtually zero chance of being quarantined on arrival.
Was speaking to my brother earlier today...he and his wife have been in Greece since July. He said that latest daily new cases have exceeded 400 and that the government has said that this has been attributable mostly to arrivals into Greece rather than among locals. He has also told me that for all flight arrivals a few passengers are required to be tested and then they must self isolate for 24 hours, and if any one on the flight is tested positive all passengers are required to self isolate for 14 days at places specified by the Greek authorities. He was singled out on arrival in July, was not positive and nor was anyone else on their flight. He and his wife are due back in UK at the end of October.
R.
RizzoTheRat said:
blue_haddock said:
Any recommendations for Madeira guys?
If you want to go in the sea get a hotel with its own access as there's not many places you can get at it. If you're in to walking then the laverda walks are great, they're narrow drainage canals that go all over the place.
Its worth doing a trip up on to the plateau, completely different up there.
Is it best to be close to the centre of Funchal?
blue_haddock said:
RizzoTheRat said:
blue_haddock said:
Any recommendations for Madeira guys?
If you want to go in the sea get a hotel with its own access as there's not many places you can get at it. If you're in to walking then the laverda walks are great, they're narrow drainage canals that go all over the place.
Its worth doing a trip up on to the plateau, completely different up there.
Is it best to be close to the centre of Funchal?
Pestana ones are good and most have a shuttle bus into the centre of Funchal. As above though, its very small and we covered pretty much the entire place over 3 days with a hire car. Was brilliant fun and you find some great hidden gems of little restaurants and great views from high up.
djc206 said:
ElectricSoup said:
If you need to dodge quarantine on return to the UK I think Sardinia looks like an utter bargain at the moment. Temps still in the mid 20s. I've seen 2 bed apartments on the beachfront for about £250-300 for half term week. £136 per person return from Heathrow. Very tempted.
Sardinia is quite likely to go on the naughty list next week. The rate there is kicking about 30 per 100k. I’m in Italy at the moment so my wife is keeping a close eye on the numbers.But bugger.
craig1912 said:
The Leaper said:
[Yep get that-we are happy to accept quarantine coming home- but you’ve virtually zero chance of being quarantined on arrival.
Was speaking to my brother earlier today...he and his wife have been in Greece since July. He said that latest daily new cases have exceeded 400 and that the government has said that this has been attributable mostly to arrivals into Greece rather than among locals. He has also told me that for all flight arrivals a few passengers are required to be tested and then they must self isolate for 24 hours, and if any one on the flight is tested positive all passengers are required to self isolate for 14 days at places specified by the Greek authorities. He was singled out on arrival in July, was not positive and nor was anyone else on their flight. He and his wife are due back in UK at the end of October.
R.
craig1912 said:
croyde said:
We cancelled Kefalonia early in Sept. The holiday was £600 for the two of us with Tui.
Just looked at same time next year, it's £900
.
Why did you cancel? We’re in Crete atm and it lovely- flights more expensive next year thoughJust looked at same time next year, it's £900
. We were getting concerned about possible quarantine and then both our workplaces banned foreign travel.
More little Hitlerism.
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