Sherry

Does anyone have a suggested intinerary for about 10 days in Italy that would include not only the usual attractions in Rome & Florence, but countryside hiking or leisurely walks as well? We'd like to end our trip in Northern Italy because two of our group are meeting a tour group in Lucerne. Some travel by train would be a plus. We are a group of 6 active indivduals, ages 15-50, a student, two medical professionals and 3 environmentalists. Intimate accommodations are preferred over glitz, however, comfort, cleanliness and bathrooms with tubs are a must.

Shahram

Hi Sherry, <BR>There are many ways to divide up your ten days in Italy. I would start things off in Rome and work my way up north. Spend three nights in Rome and then take a train and go straight up to Siena. Stay here for three nights and use the days to go up to Florence for sightseeing (not everyone would agree with me on this, but I prefer to station in Siena rather than Florence). From Siena you can then go to any number of small wine-country towns with plenty of hiking and leisurely walking opportunities (there are too many of these hilltowns to mention but try Arezzo or Cortona). I would use two more nights for these smaller places and then head up north to Parma by train. Stay a night or two in Parma (or Bologna) and eat the best food in Italy. Then head up north to meet with your groups. <BR>A quick word about accomodations. There are not that many intimate and cheap hotels in Italy that provide a bathtub. The pricier hotels do but you'd have to look carefully to find one with reasonable prices and a tub. In general in the more rural regions you can't be too picky about the accommmodations. But you can easily find cheap, comfortable, and clean rooms pretty much anywhere in Italy. You didn't mention when you were going. A small fact that could change the availability and price of your accommodations drastically. <BR>I hope this is helpful. Good luck. <BR>

Sherry

Shahram, thank you for replying. We will decide our final itinerary after gathering additional information. I'm looking forward to reading about the towns you recommended and sharing the information with others in our group. After Italy, my son & I will join a group of students in Lucerne. We'll spend 2 days there and then go to Salzburg, concluding the trip in Munich.

elaine

Sherry <BR>Here are just a few websites that may help you start your research <BR>www.travel-italy.com <BR>www.italyguide.com/ <BR>www.hotelguide.ch/ <BR>www.venere.it/firenze/firenze_Z5.html hotels, very good site <BR>www.italyhotel.com <BR>www.italiantourism.com/ Italian Govt Tourist Board <BR>www.traveleurope.it/ <BR>www.itwg.com hotels by city and area <BR>www.ciaoitaly.net network of B&Bs <BR>www.arca.net/florence.htm <BR>Florence walking tours: www.enjoyflorence.it <BR>www.wherenext.com <BR>www.initaly.com/ <BR>www.livingguidebook.com info. on Florence and Italian culture <BR>www.ricksteves.com <BR>www.roughguides.com <BR> <BR>The two best places on the web that I know of for information on the <BR> Italian rail system are: <BR> www.itwg.com/trains/trains.asp <BR> and <BR> www.fs-on-line.com/ <BR>Someone recently recommended this one as well <BR>www.railsaver.com <BR> <BR>Walking tours: www.scalareale.org (Rome). Also, <BR>www.initaly.com. has walking tour info for many cities <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>

Shahram

Hi again Sherry. <BR>I would add the following to Elaine's excellent list of web sites. <BR>www.agriturismo.com <BR>www.itwg.com <BR>The second is also on Elaine's list. Both are good places to start looking for accommodations in the Tuscan country side. They also give you details on what kinds of activities are possible (e.g. hiking, biking, etc.) <BR>

federico

As a local I highly reccomend Cinque Terre and the Italian riviera. <BR>Visit the following bed and breakfast: <BR>www.ciaotraveler.com <BR>www.villamargherita.net <BR>www.cinqueterreonline.com <BR> <BR>Ciao