Italy?

[Christine]

oh how fun, I am trying to convince my dad and step-mom to do a 20 year vow renewal in 2009. My dad is retiring that year and they didn't have any pictures taken at their wedding, so what a perfect opportunity, maybe I should try for Europe too!

[Deighton]

I've been to Italy a couple times. There are several nice small villages that would be nice I think, but one place I know of in particular that would be perfect is Chianti. There's a castle there that is beautiful for weddings/ceremonies. My FI's step-brother got married there in April 2005 and it was a blast. And beautiful! Other than that, maybe on the coast...oh, look into Cinque Terra (sp??). I've never been there, but I've heard it's amazing! My brother loved it, and a couple of my friends have been and said it was one of their favorite places in Europe! Hope that helps...

[starchild]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DEE1978 What a great idea! I was Italy fro 2 weeks in Oct 2006 and we fell in love with the Almalfi Coast. The coastline was absolutely breathtaking! We rented a motor scooter and went to Sorrento, Almalfi, and Positano. There are cute little bbs that hang off the cliffs which would be amazing for a wedding site. We also went to this little island across from Capri called Ischia which is known for their thermal spring pools. We stayed in this old castle monastary that was overlooked the water and island. Pm and i can send you some pics.

Ooh...Amalfi Coast sounds great! And my mother mentioned Capri but I'll mention Ischia to her as well.

Quote:

Originally Posted by akh wow - no idea, but HOW COOL! actually, when I went there a few years ago we stayed at this little place - they made their own wine and olive oil, it was super cute. no idea if it's what you're looking for, and it was up in the hills.

That sounds good too...my dad has a small vineyard so that may be up his alley. If you recall the name/location let me know, thanks Ann.

[1elephant]

i've heard good things about cinque terre, but was never there...i was in venice (too touristy), bologna (probably the dirtiest city i was ever in; saw a drug deal go wrong as we got off train), and faenza, which is the tiniest little town, about an hr from bologna. we went there to see an alanis morissette concert, which was awesome. the town was SO cute, and had a little town square that would be perfect for any kind of ceremony. however, there wasn't much to do in town, and not many places to stay...

 

so i'm not much help

[starchild]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Just Martha ok, I just called my best friend. She was driving at the moment and can't remember off the top of her head. She said the town is calledRevelo (or something like that). The town is very small and they are staying at the very nice hotel that starts with the letter "C." Ha! That tells you absolutely nothing, huh? When she gets home tonight, she is going to check her paperwork and call me and let me know the name of the town and the hotel.

LOL! No worries, I'll just look for hotels in Italy starting with "C". J/K thanks for checking and let me know if you find out!

Quote:

Originally Posted by gkashmira OK - this is no help but I just wanted to say the Venice would be an awful option for this (we just went there). I know that's not that helpful but I just wanted to give you the heads up. It is crazy expensive and unbelievably overrun by tourism. I think a villa in the Tuscan countryside sounds simply ideallic! Also the Amalfi coast is supposed to be amazing as well.

Kash that is helpful, I know they want something that's the opposite of how Venice sounds these days. They haven't been to Venice in years so that's good info to give them. Thanks!!

[starchild]

Thanks to you both for the cinque terre info....never heard of it but I'm on my way to google it )

[NATASHA]

A bit more accessible than the Cinque Terre but right there on the tip is Rapollo. It has a few great options. Portofino is also very nice and is just a short distance up the coast from Rapollo.

 

However, I would chose a place like this castle in the heart of Italy - Sienna in Tuscany (where you can easily do lots of fun things like wine tasting)

 

Siena Hotels: Castello di Velona, Siena Luxury Hotel

[starchild]

Quote:

Originally Posted by NATASHA A bit more accessible than the Cinque Terre but right there on the tip is Rapollo. It has a few great options. Portofino is also very nice and is just a short distance up the coast from Rapollo. However, I would chose a place like this castle in the heart of Italy - Sienna in Tuscany (where you can easily do lots of fun things like wine tasting) Siena Hotels: Castello di Velona, Siena Luxury Hotel

Wow!! That place rocks and rooms are quite reasonable....I thought it would be far more costly than it is. I'm definitely passing this one on to mom and dad....thanks a bunch!

[mpowell]

We have just chosen the Amalfi Coast as our destination for our wedding. I will let you know when I get more information on hotels. I have done some research and Sorrento, Positano or the Island of Capri are typical towns for weddings. It is beautiful and very romantic. There are some online Italian wedding planners. If you google Italian weddings or Amalfi coast wedding you will find them. Let me know if you find any information maybe we can help eachother out.

mary

[becks]

Hi Jamy - sorry I just found your thread. I lived in Siena for a while, and travelled all over Italy - especially around Tuscany and Umbria. I'd stronly encourage you to look at Orvieto. It's beautiful and sits way up on a hill. Umbria is not nearly as touristed as Tuscany, but there are tons of places in Tuscany that are off the beaten path.

 

With regard to other suggestions - the Amalfi coast/Sorrento/Capri are all amazing. My only note is that to get there you have to go thru Naples, and if you have worried travelers, it's not the easiest.

 

The Cinque Terre is also beautiful, but housing is a pain. A lot of the nicer places to stay really don't take bookings - and if you do opt for there, Vernazza is the most picturesqe town.

 

If you want to do the renewal in Rome and are catholic, I would point your parents to Fr. John Fitzpatric at the Basilica di San Silvestro in Capite. It's an english speaking church in the heart of Rome. We took FI's parents there for their 50th anniversary. (It was a surprise!) Fr. John did an amazing ceremony during the Sunday evening mass. The FILs said it was better than their wedding. And, there are TONS of beautiful villas and such outside of Rome (up in the hills), where you could stay.

 

Let me know if you have any questions. I probably have some suggestions for just about anywhere you're considering.