Italy suggestions? Any Luxury Link packages that you recommend?

[thepiranha]

I'm planning a September or October trip to Italy with my wife and I would like to map out our trip based on two, three or four Luxury Link packages spread out over two or three weeks. I haven't been to Italy since I was a seventeen year old backpacker (almost forty years ago) and I would like to know what are your favorite parts of the country and if you have any experience at any of the Luxury Link properties there. Thanks much!

[kyshel]

Not sure of If you plan on Venice, I'd avoid early September due to the film festival. I really like the idea of Abano Grand package, but have no first-hand experience there. Great price and you get good perks. The Montegridolfo looks very charming and the price is right!
Might be a much more luxurious trip than the last one!
You could start at VCE and work west, then south and end up at one of the other properties just above or below Florence.

[runaround]

Hi, my Husband and I have been to Italy 3 times and can recommend several fantastic
deals we have used on Luxury Liink. Since I have no idea what your time frame is
for this trip, I suggest what most people traveling to Italy for the first time do: that is,
Rome, Florence and Venice. We have used LL for all 3 cities and many other areas
from the Dolomites to the north, and Capri to the south. As far as Rome goes, we have
stayed at the Bernini and also at the D'Inghilterra (other hotels are now on site as well),
both hotels were up to LL's high standards; we preferred the location of the D'Inghilterra
as it is close to the Spanish Steps and right in the center of many great restaurants
and historical sites. Next, take the train from rome to Florence, so much to see there as well.
We stayed at the Villa Medici, so absolutely gorgeous, near train station and walking
distance to museums. I noticed on LL's site they offer the Helvetia Bristol Hotel - this location
is really central, you might want to check that deal out. From Florence you could visit
Lucca, a charming town, or even travel up to Lake Como, they have a beautiful
property there (we didn't stay there but it looks fabulous). If you want to head to
Venice, we stayed at the Bonvecchiati, hard to find as most places in Venice are, but very nice. I, personally, enjoyed Verona more, but that is just my opinion. I would opt to stay
in Verona and do a day trip to Venice.
Fortunately for you, there are more deals in Italy than any other area on LL's site.
If you plan to travel to any other areas, I can suggest the Abano Grand Hotel, the most
inclusive package I have ever purchased on LL, but a little further from Venice.

[LL_Travelfan]

thepiranha
We are planning a trip to Northern Italy from mid- to end-September. We are staying at the Hotel Posta, Reggio-Emilia, the Grand Hotel Continental in Siena, and the Albano Grand Hotel and Therme in Albany, all with LL packages. On our way back, we booked a 2 night stay in Triest with e-bay.de at an excellent price.
The recent Verona Mystery Auction package would have been a great fit for us. But alas, the price jumped too high and I did not win the auction.
How far did you get with your Italian trip planning?
We recently got back from a trip to Ischia Island in the Gulf of Naples. We spent 5 lovely days at the Albergo San Montano which was just wonderful and another 3 days at the terrific Hotel Mezzatore just a hop-scotch-and-jump from Albergo San Montano, both with LL packages. We also spend one night at the Albergo Grand Vesuvio (a LHW) in Naples. We are hoping to get back to these two properties again next year since we had such a lovely time.

[kyshel]

I assume you've already done Rome but I just saw the LL Splendide pkg and it's in a great location. For Roman standards, the price is extremely tantalizing with a GC applied. Molto bene!

[thepiranha]

Thanks so much for the great information, runaround! We're thinking about going for two or three weeks. Our original plan was to go in mid to late September, but I can use miles and go for almost free in mid October.

Hi, my Husband and I have been to Italy 3 times and can recommend several fantastic
deals we have used on Luxury Liink. Since I have no idea what your time frame is
for this trip, I suggest what most people traveling to Italy for the first time do: that is,
Rome, Florence and Venice. We have used LL for all 3 cities and many other areas
from the Dolomites to the north, and Capri to the south. As far as Rome goes, we have
stayed at the Bernini and also at the D'Inghilterra (other hotels are now on site as well),
both hotels were up to LL's high standards; we preferred the location of the D'Inghilterra
as it is close to the Spanish Steps and right in the center of many great restaurants
and historical sites. Next, take the train from rome to Florence, so much to see there as well.
We stayed at the Villa Medici, so absolutely gorgeous, near train station and walking
distance to museums. I noticed on LL's site they offer the Helvetia Bristol Hotel - this location
is really central, you might want to check that deal out. From Florence you could visit
Lucca, a charming town, or even travel up to Lake Como, they have a beautiful
property there (we didn't stay there but it looks fabulous). If you want to head to
Venice, we stayed at the Bonvecchiati, hard to find as most places in Venice are, but very nice. I, personally, enjoyed Verona more, but that is just my opinion. I would opt to stay
in Verona and do a day trip to Venice.
Fortunately for you, there are more deals in Italy than any other area on LL's site.
If you plan to travel to any other areas, I can suggest the Abano Grand Hotel, the most
inclusive package I have ever purchased on LL, but a little further from Venice.

[thepiranha]

I was in Rome for a few days, but that was in 1973!

I assume you've already done Rome but I just saw the LL Splendide pkg and it's in a great location. For Roman standards, the price is extremely tantalizing with a GC applied. Molto bene!

[thepiranha]

Exactly the properties that I'm looking at! I was involved in the Verona Mystery Auction as well. I jumped in at the last minute and went back and forth with another bidder for over an hour until I eventually folded. I didn't want to spend over $500 on a package when I don't even have airline tickets yet and I'm still not 100% if and when we're going (my wife's work schedule). I've never used e-bay.de. Do you buy packages from them often? Thanks for the great info! It's too bad that we're probably traveling at different times. How long are you going for?

thepiranha
We are planning a trip to Northern Italy from mid- to end-September. We are staying at the Hotel Posta, Reggio-Emilia, the Grand Hotel Continental in Siena, and the Albano Grand Hotel and Therme in Albany, all with LL packages. On our way back, we booked a 2 night stay in Triest with e-bay.de at an excellent price.
The recent Verona Mystery Auction package would have been a great fit for us. But alas, the price jumped too high and I did not win the auction.
How far did you get with your Italian trip planning?
We recently got back from a trip to Ischia Island in the Gulf of Naples. We spent 5 lovely days at the Albergo San Montano which was just wonderful and another 3 days at the terrific Hotel Mezzatore just a hop-scotch-and-jump from Albergo San Montano, both with LL packages. We also spend one night at the Albergo Grand Vesuvio (a LHW) in Naples. We are hoping to get back to these two properties again next year since we had such a lovely time.

[runaround]

hi Piranha, so glad to hear you will be going to Abano - you won't believe how
beautiful this place is. I don't know if your package comes with massages,
ours did and I was so glad as we had run the Trieste Marathon the day before
arriving in Abano. We stayed at the Excelsior in Trieste, don't know if that
is on LL now, also stayed in Sienna at Continental, really beautiful as well.
If you hve any extra time while in Northern Italy, the town of Bolzano is
like a Swiss village, so pristine, surrounded by the Dolomites, really
breathtaking! You are going at the perfect time weather and euro wise,
it was $1.52 last year when we visited Italy - so expensive! I am so glad we
have this community forum for travel discussions, I have learned so much
from all of you - thank you!
Runaround

[danielboldea]

thepiranha,
Which properties did you end up choosing? What does your itinerary look like?

Enjoy Italy! Looking forward to hearing about your travels!

Buon viaggio e buona fortuna!