bluedingo

Hi all,

my very first post - my very first trip to Europe!!! My partner and I are planning our trip beginning in early September 2005 and so far it looks like this;

(day not listed in between each city to allow for travel)

4 days London (visiting friends)
3 days Paris
2 days Venice
2 days Florence
4 days Rome

we have a few extra days and would really like to make the trip with something a bit away from the cities as we are outdoorsy people. We have looked into Cinque terre but it looks to be very crowded even though we would be there midweek. The dolomites look beautiful but a bit tricky to get to......any other ideas for places that are beautiful, easily accessible by public transport and not too crowded?

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

TransitBuddie

I once drove through the Dolomites and remember my sister getting really car-sick. I don't believe it's very accessible by public transportation, and most of the scenery would probably be seen in the car, driving through. Cinque Terre is a bit crowded, but very easy to get to by train. Near the Dolomites, there is a small city called Merano (Meran-->german name), in the Sud Tirol area of Italy. People there speak German, but you can do some nice hiking in the hills. There are a few castles and forts around which you can hike to. I am sure there is a train station, and there are chairlifts and gondolas to get up some hills (it's very close to some ski towns). Hope this helps.

Steve_James

Bluedingo - First of all - welcome

I wouldn't discount the Dolomites if I were you - for outdoorsy people, they're paradise! They're actually quite easy to get to from Venice - either by public transport or by car.

Better still, if you're flying from Paris, the budget airline RyanAir (ryanair.com) flies Beauvais to TREVISO - from where it's only about 2.5 hrs up to Cortina, for example, by train and/or bus.

Hope this helps ...

Steve

motor_city_girl

You can spend the day in Orvieto on your way from Florence to Rome. It is a beautiful cliff town in Umbria. Wonderful views, wine and food. If you type Orvieto in the search engine, you will find more to read!

TuckH

Two questions for you...

1) Where did you get the idea that the "Cinque terre...looks to be very crowded"? I think you're wrong about that and, even so, connecting between the towns by hiking or by boat, is a lot of fun (without 'crowds').

2) Why would you rely on public transport and not rent a car for a few days? You say you "would really like to make the trip with something a bit away from the cities as we are outdoorsy people." I suggest you rent a car in Florence and explore Tuscany on the way to Rome, where you'd return the car.

kfusto

I found the CT to be totally overrun with tourists last September and left hours after I arrived. I was very disappointed.

I think the Dolomites are beatiful and that this is a wonderful area of Italy. While not the church-musuem-a-minute type of environment, there are lots of options for those who enjoy te outdoors and want a break from the big cities.

IMHO, your schedule is pretty agressive and you are going to spend more actual time than you realize travelling. You have to factor in check out/tranport to station/train or plane time/transport to hotel and check in. For instance, you will chew up quite a bit of your first day in Venice just getting there!

If it were me, I would add a day to Venice and two to Florence. From Florence it is easy to day trip to Tuscany and there are lots of options. And, you will not have be in constant motion, which I think is detrimental to the enjoyment of your trip.

If you are set on another spot, one that I enjoy and would work well with your itineray would be a couple of days on the Italian Riviera, either in Rapallo or Santa Margherita Ligure. Lovely spost and a break from the heavy sightseeing.

ira

Hi Blue,

Since you are visiting friends, London is a must.

I suggest leaving Paris for another visit and adding 1 day to Venice and 1 to Florence.

See www.whichbudget.com for flights from LGW or LHR to Venice and Rome.

Add the third day to your motor trip through Tuscany.

If you want to go to Paris, use http://web4.myair.com/docs/cust/en/index.shtml
for ORLY to Marco Polo.

Enjoy your visit.

degas

I agree with ira.

adamdj

I too, along with my wife are planning a trip to Italy, spending 3 nights in Florence and are looking to do a day-trip (possibly an overnight) to the Tuscany wine-region.

Wondering if anyone can suggest the best way to get there via public transit, as we will not be renting a car.

Any suggestions of specific places to go in Tuscany?

Thanks,
Adam