atcmanad

I've got a question for ya. I'm working for the government in Afghanistan right now and am planning on coming back to the states in Nov. This is probably the last time I'll be traveling through Europe for a quite a while. Anyway, on the way home I was thinking of flying to Rome and taking a train up to Zurich, then catching my flight to the states from there. I'm gonna try to do this in 5 days. So the question is this...is it even worth it? I know I could spend a week in Rome, or Florence and not even scratch the surface. Is it possible to enjoy myself and soak up some culture in that time frame?

knickerbocker

Do you have to leave from Zurich? And if so, why not fly? If not, more's the better.

Certainly it's worth it! Enjoy one place and let it get into your veins. In 5 days, will you have absorbed everything that's worthwhile? Not a hope. But you'll have had something approaching a vacation instead of a race around the countryside.

Personally, I'd spend the whole shot in Florence but that's just me.

Lavradio

5 days will be plenty of time to enjoy your time until the next trip to Europe! I would spend all 5 days in Rome. There's so much to see and do in Rome, that you will never be bored. How many people in your group? If you want, I can give you the company we used to fullfill our accommodation stay in Rome: thekeytoitaly.com
We have also been to Florence, but i would leave that open for your next trip to Europe. Rome to me is more exciting!

atcmanad

The reason for Zurich is just because I think a train ride through the Alps would be really amazing (train running during the day obviously). I really have no set plans at this point. I've been working overseas for 3 years and have spend quite a bit of time in Europe. So i'm just looking for something fun and different.

ira

HI A,

You can look up the train route at www.bahn.de, and plot the course at www.viamichelin.com or www.maps.google.com.

It looks like a nice ride.
I wouldn't try to see more of Italy than Rome and environs with only 4 nights.

Enjoy your visit.

ira

PS,

You could fly into Milan and spend your time in Venice before taking the train to Zurich.

There is a direct train from Venice.

It would be the same route, since the route is through Milan whether you leave from Rome or Venice.

franco

Lavradio: I already told you last week to keep out of here with your ill-disguised ads.
Everybody else: please note that Lavradio is abusing Fodor's for advertising. There's already a thread on him/her: http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35149476

adrienne

Franco - have you reported this person? If the editors deem his comments to be advertising they will remove his postings and block his access. This is the easiest and best way.

franco

adrienne, you're most certainly right. It's my habit to tell the advertisers first that they've been uncovered and to give their intelligence a try - maybe they'd quit voluntarily? But of course you're right, I don't normally succeed, and reporting to the editors proves indispensable...