mgiuff01

Graduating my masters program and want to try to pay my parents back for everything they've done for me for the past 29 years by taking them to Italy. I'll be taking them in about a year, thinking October 2015, with my girlfriend as well. We all get along really well. My parents are about 55 and we're 29. Thinking of going for about two weeks but not sure what itinerary to take across Italy and/or Italy/Croatia for two weeks. They don't have much money and have always wanted to got to Italy and I really want to make this the best trip for them. My gf and I have traveled quite extensively across the world. Just trying to give you all of the details I can. I have been to Hvar/Split Croatia and LOVED Hvar but my parents really haven't been outside the U.S. and really dream of Italy. Any Italian itineraries you can recommend for two weeks just after/before tourist season (May or October 2015) would be extremely helpful. I see airfares are about $1,500 per person which is a lot but I'm ready to do it for the four of us anyway. Thanks in advance for any input!

greg

If this trip is for your parents, and they are interested in Italy, and you really don't have time to visit both, is Croatia relevant for the discussion? And you have traveled extensively, but not in Italy? Even a small fraction of Italy can easily consume 2 weeks.

First thing you can do, is to collect relevant data right now. You can look at how flight and accommodation prices vary across different weeks from mid September to late October 2014 at various target destinations. When you do the same next year around the same time, you will have some basis to forecast prices in 2015. What you want to grasp is if you waited until April 2015, which elements would be too late (coveted accommodations already booked up, etc), so you will know which component you have to act on earlier come next year, and what you can probably wait.

I think the expectation matching is the most critical item at this point over specific itineraries.

In my experience, the biggest issue when traveling with others, especially the ones who have never traveled in Europe, is the mismatch in expectations. This has nothing to do with getting along well. Even the ones who I thought got involved extensively in planning really did not think hard enough if the itinerary made sense to them. Are your parents comfortable in saying what they really think about the itinerary? You rather want heated discussions during planning and not after you get there. You would like to avoid flying into a city assuming they might like to see the city only to find out later than they would rather wanted to have visited somewhere else. This would be a costly foul up. There are no shortage of travel horror stories with friends in this forum. With you parents, you would probably do much better as you are more familiar with how they think. Are they willing to say what they would not like or don't care to do or will they keep them to themselves not wanting to offend you the gift giver?

Are they expecting you to lay out the itinerary totally by yourself? Are they willing to look at guidebooks to see what the country has to offer, and not just some well known catch phrase destinations often mentioned in travel articles?

Sassafrass

If they have dreamed of Italy, then make it Italy. Nothing else would replace that.

Since Italy is their dream, they surely have places in mind or experiences they have dreamed. Talk with them. Find out if they have visions of themselves tasting wines in Tuscany, taking a cooking class, hiking in hill towns, being awestruck by St Peter's, strolling in romantic Venice, touring the ruins of Pompeii or eating pizza in Naples? Many people who have never been to Italy do want to see the major tourist sights, but maybe they want to rent a sports car and drive one of the beautiful coastal areas. Are they into food, art, etc? When you find out what their vision of Italy is, your itinerary will come together.

socaltraveler

First off, what a treasure you are in giving them this gift. But if it has been their dream to see Italy, then do ask them what they would like to see. Perhaps it is as simple as the classic first trip - Rome, Florence, Venice and a dash of Tuscany. Start there.

cathies

And keep in mind that as a fit mid 50's myself I would not thank you if the two weeks involved multiple 2 night stays. After a while my feet hurt and my hips hurt, so slow it down and let them relax and absorb what they are seeing. You are very kind to treat them to this trip.

Perhaps buy them an Italy guide and encourage them to read up on what they are interested in seeing.

bilboburgler

Great advice above and a very kind plan. I'd look at just Italy and I'd look at something like 4 sites though September is better than October (and off high season). Ask them what they want to do. If it were me I'd do

1) Rome, ancient rome, possibly Vatican and art
2) Venice for the water experience and maybe a day in Padua (by boat or train) or similar
3) Cooking in Puglia, with days to Lecce or the real base of the heel
4) Florence and Tuscany, art and the countryside

4 very different places, all easy to access by train or plane

mamcalice

What a lovely gift!

I agree that, since this is a gift to your parents, you should visit just Italy this trip. And I also agree that your parents will enjoy the trip so much more if they are involved in the planning so that they see and do the things they have dreamed of.

For a first trip, I would consider Venice, Florence with some time in the Tuscan countryside and Rome. After 8 trips to Italy, those are still our favorite places and the destinations we return to most often.

Enjoy the planning and make good use of the experience on this forum. Have a wonderful trip - it is sure to be something your parents will never forget.

TDudette

Rome, Florence and Venice are the usual first 3 on many "canned" tours. Indeed, I checked guided tour itineraries before my husband and I took our first Italy trip.

We went for 10 days and went 4, 4, and 3 respectively to those cities. It wasn't enough time since day one is lost to overnight travel and day 10 we left very early.

I agree that you should query your parents' desires. Most people on Fodor's are DIY travelers but you might want to consider a tour or cruise for your parents. At least look into them.

We loved Perugia, Orvieto and Montepulciano as well. Taste is very personal though.

Congrats on your degree and kudos for your kind gift.