Holiday Ideas/Help Required for 30th Birthday Trip to Italy

Little_Otter

Hi there,

wondered if you could help?
I'm looking to take my OH away for his 30th Birthday in May (18th) 5-7 days no more I will be paying for the whole trip as it will be a present to him from me (he doesnt like parties etc)
I was thinking either an activity holiday as he is very fit and active (although I am not and may struggle to keep up)
OR
a holiday/short break to Italy - a cultural break where we can do excursions etc. He doesnt like sunbathing (or relaxing for that matter) he always has to be on the go. I know he has always wanted to go to Italy and think this would be a better place than any other. I've never been to Italy before but heard some fab things, I've looked at some brochures and seen the Lake Garda region or the Riviera Neapolitana? Not sure of anywhere else. He loved it when I took him to Marbella old town so thinking a piece of traditional Italy?
We would be flying from MAnchester/any North West airport 2 people around 18th May(ish) obviously because I'm paying for him too the cost pp cant be too high - but i'm not going to be tight - you only turn 30 once!
Thanks - when I get some ideas I will put my travel agent quotes in the beat my quote thread

LO x

SpenderAholic

The lakes are a really lovely place to visit, and I also loved spending time at the Cinque Terre on the North Western Coast. This might be a good spot for someone who doesn't like to spend too much time standing still! There are five villages are linked by trails that run along the coastline, and make for some stunning walks. You can be as active or laid back as you like!

Ponkle22

If you want to travel you could fly to Pisa (not sure if possible from your starting point)

then, travelling down the west side of Italy: visit Pisa in one day (Leaning Tower etc) , then catch the train to Florence, stay in Florence for 3 days, then catch the train to Rome, stay there for 3 days, then catch the train to Naples and on same day catch a ferry to the fantastic island of Ischia, travel around there for a couple of days then back Naples and fly home from there. Or for an amazing coastal view of Italy continue the train from Naples down into Calabria. Stunning scenery.

However, your best bet is to post your question in the Trip Advisor Forums.

Let us know what you decide.

rosewhite

Have you thought of a cruise? The thomson med explorer cruise departs for a week on 18/5 with 2 stops in Italy (ports for Rome and Florence/Pisa) plus Corsica and Villerfranche for Nice/Montecarlo

http://www.cruisedeals.co.uk/deals/details.jsp?dealId=85154

Nigbob

If he is into Art and History, then I would suggest Florence. There is plenty there to keep you occupied, and you can also add in day trips to Siena, Assisi, San Gimignano, Lucca or Pisa. There are plenty of cheap flights to Pisa (one hour away)

If he is not into Art/History then the lakes might be a good idea. Perhaps staying 3-4 days in the lakes, with 2-3 days in Milan. Plenty of flights available to Milan or Bergamo (which is actually worth a day trip itself)

mappinn

If you are thinking about going to Italy I would consider Desenzano (DesenzanoItaly dot com) in the Northern part. I lived there, Desenzano, for over a year and I still have a lot of things on my "What-to-See-before-I-Leave" list that I was not able to do.

If you go to Desenzano del Garda, you will be just smack in the middle of Northern Italy. From there you will have Venice 1.5 hours to the east, Milano is 1.5 hours to the West, Verona is 30 minutes away, other places within driving distance (day trips) are Florence, Lake Como, Sirmione, Bergamo, Cremona and more ... In other words your possibilities of driving around (or go by train) are many and then always go back to the lake in the evening. Lake Garda also has ferries on the lake you can take or better yet, rent a speadboat. I did that one, that is not boring I tell you.

Counting_Pennies_2

http://www.saloduparc.it/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=18&Itemid=104&lang=english

For our honeymoon we travelled to Lake Garda (stayed in hotel above, highly recommend it)

Then went on a train to Rome, and then to Sardinia.

For the Lakes, I would say we stayed in a great hotel, above, which had lovely food, and the time of year you plan to go is just perfect, not too hot so you can have a good wander around. The boats for day tripping go from a five minute walk from the hotel, and there is a lovely eating court yard just off the boat departure point which is very relaxed, and nice shops.

I personally from what you mentioned though, suggest Rome. There is an abunance of cultural things to do, I personally get a bit too cultured out, but Rome kept me intrigued throughout. We stayed a stones throw from the Vatican and opposite the hop on hop off bus stop. I can't find it on the internet at the moment, it was seven years ago so might have changed hands. But you can always find good priced places in large cities. It is also a great time to go, again not too hot

hth