Advice on travel to Italy in September?
May 16th, 2002, 09:58 AM
#1
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Advice on travel to Italy in September?
My wife and I are traveling to/in Italy for about a month next September. My wife visited there on a brief tour once, but this is my first trip to Europe. Ideally we would like to fly into Venice and out of Rome although I don't know if this is realistic. I guess that would also depend on what 'airfare deals' are available. We plan to visit Venice, Florence, & Rome and probably Livorno, and San Carlo di Cese(where my mother's family is from) - and then wherever we have time & inclination. We most enjoy local atmosphere rather than 'jet set things'. I'd appreciate hearing from anyone who has any tips or advice on what to do, where to stay, etc. <BR>Many thanks,<BR>Tony
May 16th, 2002, 01:41 PM
#2
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I too am going to Italy for the first time in September. I am flying into Rome, and out of Venice and staying for 2 weeks.<BR>Obviously, I can't advise you on where to go as I have never been there. But I am pleased with the price of my airline tickets which I got from the travel team (they have a website, I think it is travel-select.com). They beat any price I could find on expedia, travelocity, etc. I received my tickets within a week. Ask for Trisha.<BR>Flying into Venice and out of Rome is not only realistic, but in my opinion smart (no back tracking)<BR><BR>Safe travels to you...
May 16th, 2002, 03:29 PM
#4
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Only suggestion I can give you is the way we enjoy seeing Italy and that is by car. If you are arriving in Venice, do that city then rent a car to visit the spots you want to see on the way to Rome. Once in Rome, dump the car as you do not need nor want a car in Rome.<BR><BR>We enjoyed renting a villa, not expensive, in Siena for one week and used that as our base to explore different parts of Tuscany each day. It was a very relaxing, non-pressured way to see this great area. You can find some of these villas on the web with pictures.<BR><BR>In Rome you don't want a car as the traffic is heavy. You need to take a good tour one day to get the lay of the land and then return later to any area where you want to spend more time.You could spend a few years in the Vatican alone so there is plenty to see in Rome.<BR><BR>In Florence try to plan when you will be there and book your tour of the Accademia (David) and Uffizzi ahead of time to avoid the lines. You will be glad you took this simple step.<BR><BR>In Venice stay in the city itself as the city is very nice in the evening after the day trippers and boat cruise people depart. Walking and exploring the small streets and alleys in the evening is a lot of the fun in Venice.<BR><BR>Have a great time!
May 16th, 2002, 07:30 PM
#5
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Hi there, i as well will be in italy in september and i will be going on a art tour, which starts from rome and ends in venice. The tour, I beleive is offered by world of vacations and it is 5 days and 4 nights, it includes your meals and hotels. I thought maybe you would like to chech it out.
May 17th, 2002, 10:59 AM
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Buon giorno Tony, With a month you can be creative. Do not spend more than half of your time in the major cites. Italy has so much to offer--The Lakes, the Ligurain coast, and Tuscany hill towns are my favorite venues. Here are some sample itineraires that you can mix and match. I would suggest a car for about half of your trip, but not in the art cities. Into Rome and out of Venice makes a great itinerary. We will be in Venice for a week in Oct. It will be our 10th trip to Bella Italia.<BR><BR> BOB the NAVIGATORS’ FAVORITE ITINERARIES<BR>___________________________________ _____<BR><BR>MAGICAL FAIRYLANDS:<BR> * Arrive and depart from Munich--14 nites--May thru Sep.--car travel<BR> * ITINERARY: Salzburg, Dolomites, Venice, Lake Garda, Bavaria<BR>======================================= =====<BR>BELLA ITALIA:<BR> * Arrive Milan, depart Venice--15 nites--car & train travel--April thru Oct.<BR> * ITINERARY: The Lakes, Ligurian coast, Tuscany, Florence, Venice<BR>======================================== ====<BR>CLASSIC ITALIA:<BR> * Arrive & depart Rome--12 to 14 nites--car & train travel, all year<BR> * ITINERARY: Florence, Tuscan & Umbrian hilltowns, Rome<BR>========================================== ==<BR>LA DOLCE VITA:<BR> * Arrive & depart Rome--12 nites--car & train travel--March thru Oct.<BR> * ITINERARY: Amalfi coast, Tuscan/Umbrian hilltowns, Rome<BR>========================================== ==<BR>OF ALPS & LAKES:<BR> * Arrive and depart Zurich--12 nites--train travel--June thru Sep.<BR> * ITINERARY: Berner Oberland, Lugano, Lake Como, Luzern<BR>======================================== ====<BR>THE VILLAGE SAMPLER: [my off-the-path personal favorites]<BR> * Arrive Milan & depart Rome--12 to 15 nites---car travel--April thru Oct.<BR> * Small quaint villages to include: Lake Orta, Portovenere, Montalcino,<BR> Spello, Orvieto, Sperlonga, Ravello, Castelrotto [ pick four of above]<BR>============================================ <BR>These are merely intended to be sample itineraries. Every TRIP PLAN is unique<BR>and is designed to meet your personal travel style, budget, and preferences.<BR>__________________________________ ______
May 18th, 2002, 05:15 AM
#8
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Last Sept. we flew into Venice and out of Rome and spent 2 weeks there. After Venice we rented a car and drove to the Cinque Terre which I would highly recommend and then to Siena and Tuscany. After that, we drove to Rome and left the car there as you do not need a car in Rome. Even though we had about 3 days in each area, I felt we had enough time to appreciate each and did not feel rushed. With one month, you could surely add in Florence on the way to Siena/Tuscany and probably another stop, as well. I liked flying into Venice because it is less intimidating than Rome and it was my first time to Europe. By the time we reached Rome I was more acclimated and ready for the faster pace.
May 18th, 2002, 05:27 AM
#9
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Hi Tony<BR>If you search on this message board on the 3 major cities you are planning on<BR>you will find tons of good information and advice. Maybe on Livorno too.<BR><BR>I have files on those 3 cities; if you'd like to see them, email me.<BR><BR>I too think that Rome is the most taxing and demanding, and I would schedule it first, ending the trip with a more relaxed feeling.<BR><BR>You don't say what your budget for hotels is, but many of the small popular budget-minded ones fill up months in advance, even the moderately-priced ones, so for the cities don't wait any longer to line up some hotels.<BR>good luck<BR><BR>
May 19th, 2002, 05:28 AM
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Suggest you visit the charming walled city of Lucca--best driving from Florence. From Lucca it is possible to drive up the Italian Riviera to Torre Del Lago, Viareggio etc. Don't miss Puccini's Villa. Don't think you want to drive in Rome, not for the faint of heart. Great casual dining in the Campo dei Fiori area at night with a walk to Piazza Navona! If at all possible try to get to Pompeii (or take day trip) from Rome, it was the highlight of our trip.
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