Cigar smoking in Florence, Rome, and Positano Italy.

[Slyclient]

In two weeks I will embark on my first trip to Europe. It will be my honeymoon and I will be visiting Florence, Rome, and Positano. Is there anywhere I should definitely go in these cities to enjoy a cigar? Any other advice about visiting Italy is welcomed too.

[GasGuy82]

My last cigar in Florence while while having a nightcap at Harry's Bar along the Arno. If I remember correctly it's on Lungarno Vespucci. I was staying at the Westin Excelsior. Harry's is halfway between the hotel and the Ponte Vecchio. Have lunch at Zaza's one day. Order the house wine, the truffle pasta and the tripe in tomato. Have a PC on your walk home for before a nap.

[GasGuy82]

BTW, my favorite meal in Florence was at La Giostra. Caveat Emptor, it's been 6 years since I've been there and recent reviews have been mixed.

[Jager223]

You should definitely hire a car for the Amalfi coast part of your trip. Positano is very nice, there is a part of the SS163 road overlooking Positano from the West. Really amazing view of the town and coastline, plus there is a place there that serves a really great lemon granita. Ravello is also very nice, as is Amalfi. You can pick almost any cafe in those towns with a view that pleases you and have a really great moment with some good Italian coffee. Try to avoid the obvious tourist traps, a busy place does not necessarily mean a good place to eat the best authentic food. Oh, and as it's your first time in Europe you will find the roads and the driving absolutely bat **** crazy! But if you like driving, then the Amalfi coast has some of the best roads and scenery you could wish for. Especially as it's your honeymoon

In Rome... porchetta and ice cold beer! As a BBQ guy, you'll appreciate how sublime the meat is. Er Burchetto by the Termini metro is really great for porchetta, but not somewhere for a romantic meal, it is real though. There's a lot to see and all the obvious attractions will be busy, but hey, it's Rome! Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, Pantheon, Colosseum, they are all worth visiting. Don't be afraid to use the public water fountains too, they are perfectly safe to use and the water is cool and refreshing. It's a great city, espescially at night. I can't offer too much advice on Florence, all I remember is shitloads of queues so I saw most things from the outside and went around eating and drinking.

Whatever you do, i'm sure you'll have a good time. It's such a rich and interesting place in terms of culture and history. The food and the drink... man, don't even get me started. One last tip, don't feel obliged to pay for the more expensive bottles of wine in a restaurant, try the house wine first as it is usually pretty damn good. Enjoy!

[GasGuy82]

In Rome, definitely have the Porchetta with a cold beer. Take a long walk along Tiber and enjoy a stick. Accidentally came across a film festival near the Ponte Rotto last time we were there, fun times.

Had a nice late dinner at Obika/Obica (?), a mozzarella bar located on the Campo dei Fiori. Rome lends itself to strolling about during the evening. No one at the Campo dei Fiori seemed to mind my cigar smoke nor much of anywhere else. This was in summer of 2013. Many hotels have rooftop terraces. I'd frequently have a stick and a coffee/drink during the early evening in relatively peaceful solitude.

Also, as Jäger recommends, most times, the house wine is quite good and a great value. Enjoy it and don't get too caught up in the "best of the best", just enjoy life.

[SparklePony]

I recommend a visit to Fincato in Rome. It's a Casa del Habano run by a father and son. The son is very good with his cigars. They have the most amazing pipe collection I've ever seen, also. Well worth a few minutes.

I also highly recommend getting a granita di caffe at Tazza d'Oro right across from the Pantheon. Just delightful.

It's a lot of fun to have a cigar out on Piazza Navona and inspect the great fountains.

[Slyclient]

In Rome, definitely have the Porchetta with a cold beer. Take a long walk along Tiber and enjoy a stick. Accidentally came across a film festival near the Ponte Rotto last time we were there, fun times.

Had a nice late dinner at Obika/Obica (?), a mozzarella bar located on the Campo dei Fiori. Rome lends itself to strolling about during the evening. No one at the Campo dei Fiori seemed to mind my cigar smoke nor much of anywhere else. This was in summer of 2013. Many hotels have rooftop terraces. I'd frequently have a stick and a coffee/drink during the early evening in relatively peaceful solitude.

Also, as Jäger recommends, most times, the house wine is quite good and a great value. Enjoy it and don't get too caught up in the "best of the best", just enjoy life.

Thank you so much. I appreciate the recomendations.

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[Slyclient]

My last cigar in Florence while while having a nightcap at Harry's Bar along the Arno. If I remember correctly it's on Lungarno Vespucci. I was staying at the Westin Excelsior. Harry's is halfway between the hotel and the Ponte Vecchio. Have lunch at Zaza's one day. Order the house wine, the truffle pasta and the tripe in tomato. Have a PC on your walk home for before a nap.

That sounds splendid. I will be sure to try to make this happen.

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[Puros Y Vino]

I recommend a visit to Fincato in Rome. It's a Casa del Habano run by a father and son. The son is very good with his cigars. They have the most amazing pipe collection I've ever seen, also. Well worth a few minutes.

Just make sure to call ahead to ensure they're there. I've missed out on them twice due to them being on holiday for three weeks or closing impromptu. The third time was kinda the charm as I got to go in and grab some La Escepcions. Though they were on their way to a 3 hour lunch and had to rush me so I really couldn't enjoy the atmosphere.

[Slyclient]

Just make sure to call ahead to ensure they're there. I've missed out on them twice due to them being on holiday for three weeks or closing impromptu. The third time was kinda the charm as I got to go in and grab some La Escepcions. Though they were on their way to a 3 hour lunch and had to rush me so I really couldn't enjoy the atmosphere.

Good tip! I'll be sure call ahead. I'm so excited to visit my first la casa.

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[First Lady]

Thanks guys I will in Rome in 3 and half weeks , so excited and I will be seeing my darling Gino in Naples so it is going to be amazing

[SparklePony]

Thanks guys I will in Rome in 3 and half weeks , so excited and I will be seeing my darling Gino in Naples so it is going to be amazing

Oh, lovely! A great, GREAT little spot for lunch is the Taverna dei Fore Imperali on Via della Madonna dei Monti. It's right behind Trajan's Forum. They have 12 tables or so, and it's always packed. It's right near the tourists, but they don't know it's there.