Restaurant recommendation updates?

We will be in Milan for 6 nights over Christmas (and one night in Verona). We will spend a full 4 days in Milan (Tuesday through Friday (also Saturday but that is Christmas so do not expect to do any tourist stuff) and spend 1 day in Bergamo. I have a good idea of the sites in Milan that are a priority for me and quite honestly there are too many. I don't want to be on a bus schedule but don't mind being busy. We arrive from the US around noon on a Monday ( I am not counting Monday as a day in Milan since its a travel day) and plan to just go to the Rinascente Department store for a drink/snack so I get the view of the Duomo and walk around the Christmas Market outside the Duomo and hopefully eat there before we crash back at the hotel. I will split my other days in Milan around the museums and churches I want to see (we will get tickets in advance to see the Last Supper (last time I saw it was 1976 which was the last time I was in Milan)). I plan to use the metro to get around (we are staying near Centrale).

My ask of this forum is if you could only go to 5 museums in Milan (see subject line above) which would they be? My list of must see museums as it stands is:

Pinacoteca Ambrosiana; Gallerie d'Italia; Pinacoteca di Brera; Castel Sforza;Palazzo Morando; Triennale Design and Armani Silos. Yes this is 7 museums so trying to cut 2 and also check to make sure I am not leaving off a wonderful place (like Foundation Prada, for example). My list of churches including the Duomo rooftop is manageable (though my husband will complain).

I am also having trouble limiting my list of potential places to eat and drink--thinking we need one place for drinks each night and another for food. I am not looking for fancy or Michelin rated places (not in the budget) but just great meals (we eat everything except escargot (allergy). Milan has too many places to choose from. I am trying to pick lunch spots near the attractions with amazing food/sandwiches and places to stop for a coffee/pastry.

Please understand, I am a planner but I do go off script and wonder around and deviate if something catches my eye and I always have a couple of options in the area/section of Milan we are visiting that day. For example, my plan may say wine tasting@Cantine Isola and food at La Ravioleria or Bosco Verticle and Osteria del Treno.

Ok it is all about the food. So second ask of this forum--if you were limited to 5 places for dinner (Osteria, Restaurant, Cafe, Deli or Enoteca) where would you go? No 100 euro a person places--top price around 75 euro a person but hopefully less. My ever growing list: All’Antico Vinaio; GB Bar,Panzerotti Luni ; Panarello; Boccondivino ;Cova Montenpoleone ; Caffe Leonardo;Il Secco , Rita, vinoir& Mag cafe in Navigli; Nebbia; Bele Ristorant; 28 Posti; Vino & Saporri Enoteca; Napiz Milano Pizzeria; A’Riccione ;Gelateria Antica Santori ;Casa /fontana 23 risotto; Olio Cucina Fresca ;La Dogana del Buongust; Delfino ; Ratana; Trattoria Milanese

So you see the issue, too many options--everytime I read about a place I add it to the list. Looking for advice --not comments just go with the flow and stumble upon a place and try it; not me. like to know my options and pick that day but from a list of places that will not disappoint. thanks in advance for suggestions and any help to "skinny" down the list.

We’ve got one booked for first week of July in the North near Santa Theresa. Looks like Sardinia will still be on the UK’s amber list by then. Can’t decide whether to go anyway and pay for all the covid tests or to abandon this year. Any thoughts? Anyone been from the UK recently and if so what was your experience?

I’m considering a week in Sicily in August. I’m a 34 year old single female traveler and would like to stay in one place the entire time as I’ll have to be working some during the day - I’ll be staying in an Airbnb. I love the ocean and love being by the coast, would like somewhere walkable and not too remote, and somewhere with enough restaurants, cafes, and people to keep me entertained for a week. Any suggestions are appreciated!

We had a short stay in Modena a few years ago, and we (American couple in their 60’s) decided we wanted to go back and stay a month.

We plan to rent an apartment and spend our days exploring. Hoping to find a nice market and buy fresh food to make some of our own meals, but want to try a lot of restaurants, bars and coffee shops.

We could rent a car, but haven’t decided on that - we’re thinking bicycles and walking and busses or trains for most of the stay.

Any advice? We’re thinking May/June, but are flexible.

Hello! Flying into Rome (no other option) and trying to figure out a couple of challenges:

1. Do we stay in Sorrento and launch tours of Capri and the AC from there or do we stay in Positano? (We won’t have a car)

2. What’s the best way to get to either city from Rome? I’ve heard take a train to Naples but from there I have no clue. I’ve also heard to take the train to Salerno but they would require a connection in Naples and tbh I’m nervous about public transport from there.

Suggestions? TIA!

Hi Everyone,

We need some advice. I’ll try and fill in as many gaps so this won’t be painful. My family loves to travel and Italy has been our favorite destination. On multiple longer trips..and some shorter..we’ve hit Rome, A little of Umbria, a lot of Tuscany, Cinque Terre, Amalfi Coast, Lakes Como and Maggiore and Venice. We had the kids for 2 weeks on one of these. We planned to hit Sicily the last 2 Summers but it was not to be and had to cancel. We are now coming end of November now..Thanksgiving week..and are flying into Rome.

With all that laid out we are driving from Rome so we don’t want to go too far..maybe 3 hours any direction. That gives us really regions of Lazio, Tuscany, Umbria, parts of Campania, Abruzzo and Molise. I’m guessing on some. I know it’s rainy season and is chilly. We are fine with as our honeymoon there was in October.

So with all that said and where we’ve been what would be a beautiful area for that time of year where we can see midieval villages, maybe some leftover Fall colors, great food/wine vineyards? I’ve thought about going off script with Abruzzo or Le Marche but we love Tuscany so much. I know there are pros here. Appreciate y’all!

Chris

I’ve asked a lot of questions and everyone has provided great recommendations on things to do and their favorite spots or places to eat. We’ve got the majority of our trip planned.

However….we read that Venetians have been leaving and that many shops and restaurants are run by foreigners / companies coming from the mainland.

We’d like, as much as possible to support Venetian owned businesses and restaurants. Do you have recommendations for restaurants or shops? We are staying in San Polo and will primarily be there, Dorsodouro and San Marco.

It is just our preference to support locals if we can.

Hi, I’ve sorted out my Palermo stay, and thanks to help on TripAdvisor. Now I need to find the best stopover to visit Siracusa , Catania, Taormina staying in one place. I would like to do my sightseeing with some quality beach time in between visits. I don’t want more than two hotel stops in total so it’s a laid back trip. Thanks.

I’m thinking of Sicily for a September holiday. I would choose two different places. Don’t have a particular time limit. I would like to see the main historical sites, but I don’t particularly want to hire a car alone. Are join day trips available , or can I get to these sites on my own( public transport) ?

I would certainly like to stay in Palermo, the second place? I have heard that Palermo has many beggars and wandering migrants sleeping rough. As a single lady, where would be the best area to stay but not be secluded/ cut off , as I love trying out restaurants. I love a nice pool too.

A lot of questions, sorry. Thank you.

Greetings

I’m seeking recommendation for my last 2 nights which will be in Catania. Unfortunately my flight was already canceled once by Delta. Therefore the only flight out to Rome is KLM, ticket already purchased.

I’m looking for an accommodation that would be feasible to explore Catania historic city center as well as be able to get to airport in time fir 6:35 departure. In USA it’s recommended to be at airport now 3 hrs preflight. I’m not sure how it works in Sicily? So any hotel resources or airport support direction greatly appreciated .

ThankYou for any feedback in advance.