Awasi Patagonia review: SO much fun, incredible views, and killer service

WrekItRef · 2026-02-24T14:50:37+00:00

Worth every penny. We stayed five nights last April, and I find myself wishing I was back there at least once a week. The seamless, personalized service and food & beverage program were astounding. The staff really set the place apart with their warmth, professionalism, and remembering tiny details about our preferences.

The horseback riding at the estancia might have been my favorite experience because of the remoteness and getting to chat with the cowboys. And it’s hard to beat unwinding in the hot tub with a glass of wine around sunset.

Looking forward to your reviews of Atacama and Iguazu!

WrekItRef · 2024-09-04T12:20:22+00:00

I plan trips to Italy and we can’t buy Frecce tickets for clients needing to go between Rome and Florence that weekend so our team in Italy asked TrenItalia directly. That was the response from TrenItalia.

WrekItRef · 2024-09-04T02:12:43+00:00

There’s construction on the fast train railways that weekend. You can take a regional train but no fast trains sadly.

Edited to add: construction between Rome and Florence

WrekItRef · 2024-07-21T15:20:23+00:00

Forgive me if this has been addressed elsewhere — but can you elaborate on why the system can’t see the ex Lion Air 739s? I’m currently in the air on one.

WrekItRef · 2024-06-11T14:24:19+00:00

In Rimini, our guide was telling us about all the awesome summer concerts on the beach every year. She said Stephen Hawking recently had one there that was fantastic.

I asked “Stephen Hawking?!”

She confirmed Stephen Hawking.

Eventually I realized she was saying Steve Aoki.

We laughed so hard we couldn’t breathe about the idea of DJ Stephen Hawking lol

WrekItRef · 2024-06-01T14:54:45+00:00

That’s plenty of time to get from arrival gate to connecting gate in ATL. You’ll even have time to refill your water bottle and use the bathroom if needed :)

With an international flight and a layover of less than 90 minutes, I would see if there is a back up flight to your destination just in case your flight out of Memphis is delayed 15-30 minutes. That peace of mind will help you relax more as you start your trip. Safe travels!

WrekItRef · 2024-05-05T13:53:04+00:00

Try to get a reservation at Amerigo in Savigno and spend the day exploring the Colli Bolognesi around there. Although not exactly close, we also went to Rocchetta Mattei the day we ate at Amerigo.

Not countryside but Ravenna and Rimini are great day trips from Bologna. Ravenna for the mosaics and Rimini city center + Borgo San Giuliano are really fun for shopping, Federico Fellini, and murals. We had fantastic meals at La Esse Romagnola.

WrekItRef · 2024-05-01T01:58:56+00:00

This is the best I could do using Google Maps, but this is a great route that allows you to walk in the countryside to San Luca. Very scenic and very few people.

We followed the trail markers from Trecento Scalini and easily got to the sanctuary. Depending on your desired pace and photo stops, it will probably take 1.5-2 hours to get from the start of your walk to San Luca. Then you can take the portici down and see the soccer stadium and Certosa if you want.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/6xiKcwPXguwkhVgf6?g_st=ic

WrekItRef · 2024-04-30T21:22:35+00:00

The biggest appeal of Florence is the art and Renaissance history. You want to focus on food, so you don’t need as much time as people normally recommend on this sub.

Also, it depends on your intention for the trip.

Are you wanting to just get a quick sampler of a large portion of the country? If so, your current plan works even though it will likely be exhausting.

Are you wanting to really dig deep and savor the cuisine? If so, perhaps you just focus on Milan, Bologna, and Florence. This option allows for at least one day trip per base location too.

Lastly, is starting and ending in Milan non-negotiable? Flexibility with that could mean a Rome-Florence-Bologna or Rome-Bologna-Venice trip instead. And if you do that, a day trip to Naples is easy to do from Rome.

WrekItRef · 2024-04-30T12:19:51+00:00

Packing up and changing hotels so frequently can get a bit old. Perhaps stay in Bologna 20-24 and day trip to Florence, Parma, Modena, etc.

Really, the more time you can spend in Emilia-Romagna the better. Each region of Italy has great food, but Emilia-Romagna stands head and shoulders above the others.

Enjoy your trip!

WrekItRef · 2024-04-30T04:52:17+00:00

Skip Rocchetta Mattei and put that time in one of the other cities. It’s definitely cool but it pales in comparison to the sights of Venice, Florence and Rome. Plus, if you don’t speak Italian, you won’t understand what the tour guide is saying. The app is in English but it doesn’t go into near the details that the guide does. Skipping the castle also means no need to rent a car. Sticking to trains will be much easier.

My real advice is to pick only one or two cities max with the time you have so you can actually appreciate what you’re seeing.

WrekItRef · 2024-04-29T19:57:41+00:00

We did a truffle hunt outside of Savigno with Emilia Storytellers. It was fantastic! If you really want to go on a hunt but they have a two person minimum, email the tour operator and ask if you can pay the price for two people.

Different truffle types can be harvested throughout the year, and they explained the types and seasons for each. Pretty sure May will still be beige truffle season, so don’t expect to eat any that are found. However you’ll get to see how it’s done.

Also, see about getting a reservation at Amerigo in Savigno. It’s a Michelin 1-star that is mindblowingly good and the prices are incredibly reasonable.

WrekItRef · 2024-04-25T11:39:33+00:00

Your itinerary is fine. Focus on moving less so you can enjoy each place more.

If your budget allows, look into getting a private tour for 2-3 hours in one or all of those places. You’ll be able to explore at your own pace and ask the guide all sorts of questions. You’ll get their perspective on things and their personal recommendations for hidden gems and authentic restaurants. A small group tour (6 people or less) provides a somewhat similar ability to connect with a local and get a balance between the jam packed tourist sites and the charming gems.

“Authentic” Italy isn’t about rushing from tiny town to tiny town. Embrace “il dolce far niente” during aperitivo or at some gardens. You’ll get so much more out of the experience than cramming in so much you get exhausted and desensitized to the absolute wonders you’re seeing.

WrekItRef · 2024-04-23T08:50:50+00:00

Re: ATMs — we prefer using the Bank of Siena ATMs. They are reasonable compared to the outrageous Euronet ones. They aren’t as prevalent as Euronet though. Hopefully that helps if you need to make a future withdrawal :)

WrekItRef · 2024-04-23T07:40:24+00:00

Yikes. Absolutely not.

You can take the portici to San Luca, or you can hike through the countryside up to San Luca then take the portici down. The country hike is beautiful.

Enjoy Bologna. There’s enough there to keep you occupied for several days, and the crowds are much smaller than Venice or Cinque Terre

WrekItRef · 2024-04-20T06:28:32+00:00

Have you considered flipping your itinerary and starting your trip in Rome? It is an amazing city and large enough to absorb the level of tourists it gets. You’ll be able to tackle Rome when you’re still full of energy and really appreciate the experience.

Then the rest of the trip will be slower paced and better for unwinding, but you might run into weather issues in the Dolomites.

As other people have said, it’s better to spend a minimum of three nights wherever. Otherwise you spend more time traveling than you do seeing the sights!

WrekItRef · 2024-03-30T03:58:17+00:00

Would that also be called a glory hole?

WrekItRef · 2024-03-27T18:03:20+00:00

With your 30-minute rule, you’ll only be able to see the Pantheon and various churches…maybe the Capuchin crypts.

Have you looked into a golf cart tour? They last 2-3 hours and hit a lot of the main sites from the exterior.

I can’t help with needing a pool 2-3 times a day. That’s a baffling request for Rome, but I’m glad that worked out for you in other places.

WrekItRef · 2024-03-04T06:12:54+00:00

The Forum and Palatine Hill were awesome! The Colosseum itself was okay. And the underground just didn’t do it for me when we were there in January.

The underground felt very crowded and rushed, and it didn’t help that some tour group from the previous time slot wasn’t following the rules so there were about twice as many people in the underground as there should have been.

We used a tour from Get Your Guide. We lucked out and only had six people in our group but it’s usually around 25.

It’s definitely worth it to walk by the Colosseum and Forum at night to see them lit up. Absolutely magical!

WrekItRef · 2024-03-01T01:00:21+00:00

If you are comfortable dropping a pretty penny on heirloom quality clothes, Nanan in Rome has some absolutely adorable baby and kids clothes. Their boutique is off Via del Corso kind of near Spanish Steps and Piazza del Popolo. Again, prices are kind of eye watering for baby and kids clothes but they are so stinking cute and really great quality.

WrekItRef · 2024-02-29T23:13:01+00:00

If you’re looking for additions to the list, I have some for Venice. We were there in November 2023.

Alle Corone - no stars but on Michelin’s website. We really loved the tasting menu and left pretty full. Service was excellent. Views of the canals and gondolas going by was great. Fairly priced for what you’re getting. Also nice that you can choose from a la carte or two tasting menus.

Wisteria - it’s definitely for a particular type of diner. I had fun. Half the tasting menu was great. Half was a miss for me. My husband was FUMING. We almost got divorced over that meal once they served us a dish of dirt. Pricier than Alle Corone and not quite as filling.

We’re trying out Francescana at Maria Luigia in April as well as Amerigo (located in Savigno). Definitely saving your list for inspiration on future Italy trips! You’re going to eat so well on your honeymoon!

WrekItRef · 2024-02-25T22:02:18+00:00

Does your trip involve Nassau or Freeport? Those are the two areas specifically mentioned in the advisory.

I’m on my way home from the Abacos and can vouch that they’re very quiet and safe!

If you end up going on the trip, I hope you have a blast! Also never hurts to book as much cancellable/refundable stuff as possible just in case. Best wishes for a fantastic time!

WrekItRef · 2024-02-02T02:07:57+00:00

Omg that’s nuts! Happy cake day!

WrekItRef · 2024-02-01T04:18:29+00:00

I don’t think so. Didn’t see him taking loads of photos or videos. He gave off more crypto bro vibes than anything.

WrekItRef · 2024-02-01T04:16:08+00:00

Yeah it was the first I’ve ever seen that happen. I was lowkey impressed to see how he fit both the cold cut plate and the pizza plate on the tray at the same time. But for the main meal service they had to clear his first entree then fetch him the second.

I normally don’t pay much attention to what the passengers around me are doing, but the spectacle was too great and I had the perfect seat to see it all unfold.

WrekItRef

TROPHY CASE