Italy or Two Smaller Trips

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tnj2tnj2

Confused about dryer sheets
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Hi everyone!

I am new to the forum and very excited to join you all. It looks like a lot of good information is here!

I am 32 (33 in a week or so) and my husband is 33. We have been married 8 years and have no kids. We are considering having 1 child.

My husband and I love Napa and have traveled there 3 times. We enjoy traveling in general. We were considering going to Italy at the end of 2013. We have been saving for the trip. After returning from Napa a few weeks ago, we are considering "ditching" Italy and going back to Napa and another destination. We can do two trips for the cost of one trip to Italy. Airfare alone to Italy is going to run us $2400.

I was speaking to my friend about this who already has children. She recommended going to Italy if we are even remotely considering having a child because she said she wont be able to travel to Europe now until her kids are out of the house. We are really torn because we love Napa. Did I mention that we love Napa? Any advice?
 
In summary:

You've been to Napa 3 times.
You've never been to Italy.
You want to go to Italy.

Conclusion: Go to Italy
 
tnj2tnj2 said:
...She recommended going to Italy if we are even remotely considering having a child because she said she wont be able to travel to Europe now until her kids are out of the house.....
Click to expand...

Ummm, we took our kids to Europe when they were 7 and 5.... Don't base your decision on your friend's advice. Or that you could do two US trips vs one to Italy--you could also do ten weekend trips by that logic, but you won't see Italy.

Go to Italy.

PS: welcome to the forum!
 
I've been to Napa, and I've been to Italy. Go to Italy.
 
I'd go to Italy. Napa is nice, but after 3 visits you've probably seen it all.
 
Italy was always my top bucket list destination, and I deferred going there for some 10 years. Went last summer with DW and LOVED it. By the way, previously we vacationed at the same luxury hotel for 25 straight years, so I understand that love you have for Napa. But, you just HAVE to go to Italy.
Yes, it is costly but I promise you won't regret it
 
I'd say go where you think you'll have the best experience. To do so really think about what you like about Napa and how Italy will meet those expectations.

Italy isn't my first choice but lots of people love it there.
 
Go to Italy; you won't regret it. Yes, the airfare is steep, but the cost is worth it. We have made a habit of going to Italy once per year. Unfortunately, due to the nasty weather destroying the school calendar, we aren't going this year. It will be the first time in more than five years that we haven't and I am suffering from withdrawal.

I would be happy to suggest places to go and things to do, as would many others on the board, I'm sure.
 
go to italy!...make sure to include Florance...take the bus tour to tucany area and leaning tower with wine country and lunch at winery...blows napa out of the park..


Bob
 
Another vote for Italy :)
 
Italy is fun, maybe go when it isn't summer? You should be able to find cheaper airfare.

My son's first trip to Europe (Sweden) was at 1 year. He's now 3.5 with 8 stamps in his passport.

You can travel with kids.
 
I have been to Italy four times and loved each trip. Go for it. Then next year try Sonoma. Nicer than Napa. ;) And take bikes.
 
Go to Italy! We went last year, the trip to Pompeii alone will blow any memories of Napa ;)
 
I've been to Napa and had a wonderful time.

My j*b sent me to Naples last summer and I must say I loved it even more. I really want to go back when I don't have to be in m**tings all day and can take DW with me. I also want to see more of the country.
 
Italy

I've traveled ALOT - all over the world. ! But have one favorite trip of our lifetime and that was our "Free at last" bike tour in Italy. Dropped off our youngest at college and got on the plane. I'm not a big city fan, so went spent most of our days biking the hills of Tuscany. Flew into Venice ( stay at a Best Western right outside and take the train in, much cheaper) and flew out of Florence - you could stay weeks there. Sienna, Lucca, Montepulciano, all of them outstanding. And the wine and food will make you weep! May need to plan another trip......
 
Italy. Definitely. I've lived there off and on (teaching) for two years. . .always fabulous. Too much to see; art, landscape, charm overload. Do your homework before you go to decide what to do and see, because you will be back for more.
 
+5 for Italy. :)

Just like with any other trips, it depends on particulars. There are ways to cut the airfare if your schedule is somewhat flexible. Same with lodging. And as others have suggested, it's easier to schedule a 10+ hr total one-way airplane ride when single as opposed to when you have kids in the picture.
 
Another vote for Italy. I'm going for 3 weeks in September of this year, it will be my 4th trip. I'm renting apartments in Rome, Florence, and Cinque Terre.

Having lived in the SF Bay area for most of my adult life, I actually find that, for me, Italy is "easier" / less foreign feeling, than many other places overseas. Northern California has a kind of Italian vibe, especially Napa and Sonoma.
 
I've seen both, loved both, but we prefer to see as many places as possible (vs going back to the same places over and over). So you should see Italy, but do your homework, north and south are very different. My favorites are Milan/Lake Como (fashion, architecture, industrial), Venice (no place like it anywhere else), Rome (history) and Florence (art, architecure) - and food everywhere. I've been to most of the northern cities (Pisa, Genoa, Modena, Parma, Bologna, Verona), haven't been south of Naples/Pompei - so others would have to comment on Sicily etc.

And if I was already that close to Monaco, especially in good weather, IMO it's worth a visit while you're in the "neighborhood" if you don't expect to go back (soon).
 
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I've been to Italy (Rome is really interesting). Was worth the time and money to me.
 
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