Italy Trip.

[Artisan Fan]

I just got back from Rome and Florence, both wonderful visits.

I was struck by the affordability of the Zegna boutique. Shirts easily 50% off versus US stores. I picked up two Trofeo shirts that were beautiful and I'm not normally a Zegna guy. They seem to have stepped up their game. Customer service was five star.

Loro Piana had some amazing stuff but best I could tell it was more modest of a discount, say 25% off, maybe 30% on some items when VAT returned.

Be careful on VAT. Many retailers in Rome are slippery and won't provide the paperwork to get VAT back. You have to ask for it. Without it, the security folks at the airport can't do anything.

 

[NorCal]

Damn son, how long were you there for?

 

[Artisan Fan]

Just a week. Day trip to Florence. Three days of business and four days vacation.

 

[NorCal]

Seems like I haven't seen you post in years though. Figured you were lost in the worsted jungles of Naples.

 

[gnatty8]



I just got back from Rome and Florence, both wonderful visits.

I was struck by the affordability of the Zegna boutique. Shirts easily 50% off versus US stores. I picked up two Trofeo shirts that were beautiful and I'm not normally a Zegna guy. They seem to have stepped up their game. Customer service was five star.

Loro Piana had some amazing stuff but best I could tell it was more modest of a discount, say 25% off, maybe 30% on some items when VAT returned.

Be careful on VAT. Many retailers in Rome are slippery and won't provide the paperwork to get VAT back. You have to ask for it. Without it, the security folks at the airport can't do anything.

Geez Fran, I just got back from there also, and it's entirely possible we passed each other in the streets, lol.. Hope you enjoyed yourself!

 

[ramuman]



I'm planning a trip in May, maybe 3 weeks long. Which place do you guys think is the best place to kick back after the usual Rome/Florence/Venice sightseeing? I do want to see the Alps and since I'm planning to visit Venice, I thought perhaps to go more north like the Trentino-Alto region and maybe hike around the alps for a couple of days. Haven't heard a single mention of this region in this thread though so is it a bad choice? Would Piedmont or Lombardy be better choices for an Alpine experience?

Stelvio is pretty gorgeous if you're planning to travel up to Germany or the like. I wouldn't quite even call it Italy, but it is in Italy.

 

[Artisan Fan]



Seems like I haven't seen you post in years though. Figured you were lost in the worsted jungles of Naples.

Just lost in the jungles of high end audio and home upgrades which cut down a bit on my artisan clothing purchases.

 

[Artisan Fan]

I just got back from Rome and Florence, both wonderful visits.

I was struck by the affordability of the Zegna boutique. Shirts easily 50% off versus US stores. I picked up two Trofeo shirts that were beautiful and I'm not normally a Zegna guy. They seem to have stepped up their game. Customer service was five star.

Loro Piana had some amazing stuff but best I could tell it was more modest of a discount, say 25% off, maybe 30% on some items when VAT returned.

Be careful on VAT. Many retailers in Rome are slippery and won't provide the paperwork to get VAT back. You have to ask for it. Without it, the security folks at the airport can't do anything.

Geez Fran, I just got back from there also, and it's entirely possible we passed each other in the streets, lol.. Hope you enjoyed yourself!

Sorry I missed you. Would have been fun to meet up.

 

[gnatty8]



Sorry I missed you. Would have been fun to meet up.

Yes, it would have. Sent you a PM..

 

[venividivicibj]

I've been looking at most of the hotel recs from earlier in the thread (2010 or so) that people were saying were value and <100 euros, and are now >2-300 euros per night. Damnit.

 

[chobochobo]

FWIW I had a great time in Piedmont last month.

 

[bourbonbasted]



I've been looking at most of the hotel recs from earlier in the thread (2010 or so) that people were saying were value and <100 euros, and are now >2-300 euros per night. Damnit.

Not for everyone, obviously, but I had tremendous luck with AirBNB in Rome in October. Was able to get a 2 bedroom, 3 story apartment with a rooftop garden in Trastevere for <$200 USD a night. It helped that it was shoulder season, and I again understand many appreciate the comforts of a hotel, but the place was very well-furnished and three blocks up from the Tiber. As someone who never tries to spend much time in my room while in Italy, it was more than adequate.

 

[venividivicibj]

Not for everyone, obviously, but I had tremendous luck with AirBNB in Rome in October. Was able to get a 2 bedroom, 3 story apartment with a rooftop garden in Trastevere for <$200 USD a night. It helped that it was shoulder season, and I again understand many appreciate the comforts of a hotel, but the place was very well-furnished and three blocks up from the Tiber. As someone who never tries to spend much time in my room while in Italy, it was more than adequate.

Thanks, I'll check it out - cheapest time would be september/october?

 

[bourbonbasted]



Thanks, I'll check it out - cheapest time would be september/october?

Shoulder seasons are always cheapest (early spring and early fall). Depending on where you're looking winter can be pretty cheap too. It really all depends. No one is looking to go to the Amalfi in February...

 

[chobochobo]

I've done a lot of AirBnB in Italy and overall it's getting better. Rome seems to be the worst (I mostly stay in Trastevere too), the apartments tend to have more (minor) issues than other places eg issues with the boiler, leaking shower hose and iffy wifi in the last place. By contrast, Bologna, Modena and Milan were much better and cheaper. Turin/ Piedmont last month was ok too.