Expert: Gabriele Dal Moro - 5/19/2009

Question
QUESTION: Would like to base in a smaller town adjacent to Med. for about 8 or 9 days and venture out on various day trips.  Would like the day trips to be along the Med. also (or at least a short distance inland   I am considering Fregena due to its proximity to Rome in the event we decide that we want to do big city at some point.  This is an advance discovery trip in that we want to learn areas to comfortably bring our grandchildren next trip.  Your thoughts please.

Thank you in advance

ANSWER: Dear sir/ Masdam,

my name is Gabriele and I am the president of an important tour operator based here in Italy.
I would be glad to help you with some suggestions. We run several tours for individual and families and I think I can give you some good tips and help.
before doing that I need to clarify that Fregene (it is a summer crowded beach area located close to Rome) is situated on the Tyrrenian Sea (please have a look at this map to get a better idea: http://www.worldatlas.com/aatlas/infopage/medsea.htm). The Mediterranean Sea is very wide and many countries are facing it. So, if I were you I would pick Italy and its coast...
The treasures of the small villages and the typicality of its people would make your trip the memory of a lifetime.

So, please, before I can go on with a possible trip to suggest you I need to know the following info:
1) Which time of the year you would like to travel
2) How many of you would travel
3) How many cities you would like to visit in total
4) Would you like to have a quote of a possible tour (please, only if really interested)

I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Thanks for the question

Gabriele Dal Moro
President
Italy Europe Tours - Tour Operator
Via Roma, 47 - 30172 - Mestre (VE)
www.italyeuropetours.com
Skype: italy.europe.tours
Tel.: +39 041 8628374 - Fax: +39 041 8620263
Cell. +39 33554870

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Gabriele, thank you for your quick response and also pointing out the the distinction between the Mediterranean and the Tyrrenian, I had never noticed the name change before.  We're not really considering a tour for this trip, want a really unstructured layed back time, however that being said we will consider when we bring the family over.  This trip just my wife and I.  We don't really have expectations as to number of cities; the question is more "is Fregene a good central spot go to north and south along the coast on day trips or even into the mountains.  i.e., travel out to a village or town and return home at night or for that matter spend the day in Fregene biking or walking around."  Sorry, I'm not much good for your business this trip but maybe in the future so I really appreciate the fact that you would volunteer guidance.  By the way I am trying to arrange something immediately, like the end of June.  Where are you located Gabriele?

Thank you again.

ANSWER: Hi Roger,

no problem if you do not need a tour!
I will be happy to answer you with the same enthusism as I alwasy do with friends!
I am from Venice and I live there.

I do not suggest Fregene but istead if you want to stay on the beach I would suggest you the following beach areas:

Sperlonga
Terracina

They are located between Naples and Rome and they are lovely places. A train can take you both to the South (Amalfi or Naples) easily and safely all day long. The same up to the North to Rome or Florence (This one would be a little bit too far).

If you really want to stay closer to Rome you could stay in Sabaudia, a beach resort where the Italian VIPs spend their summer vacations.

If I had to decide for a vacation for myself I would stay in 5 Terre (Portofino) or Sardinia. The water is like the Carribeans and the hotels are super! 5 terre is located North West and Sardinia is an Italian Island East of Italy. Both sites are connected with the rest of Italy in a perfect way.

I hope I answered your question and if you could review my answer.... I would love it!

Thanks

Gabriele

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Gabriele, I have rated you the best.  Just out of curiosity, why not Fregene?

Answer
Hi Roger,

Thanks for the rating!
Because it is very crowded from Friday to Sunday. The beach is not very clean and there are a lot of crimes and gipsies.
Some discos in the night so it means load music from the cars and so on...

Sorry to say that but I lived in Rome and I know that.

Thanks again Roger!