natasha

Hello, <BR> <BR>I am planning a trip to italy with my mother and sister. We are flying out Sept 14 and flying home Sept 30. <BR> <BR>Our rough itinerary is: <BR>Sept 14 Fly out <BR>Sept 15 arrive in Rome <BR>Sept 15-18 explore Rome <BR>Sept 18 travel to Sorrento <BR>Sept 18-21 explore Capri/Sorrento/Pompeii <BR>Sept 21 travel to Montepulciano <BR>Sept 21-22 explore Montepulciano <BR>Sept 22 travel to Florence <BR>Sept 22-24 explore Florence and visit Pisa <BR>Sept 24 travel to Bellagio <BR>Sept 24-27 explore Lac Como region <BR>Sept 27 travel to Siena <BR>Sept 27-29 explore Siena <BR>Sept 29 to Rome <BR>Sept 30 Fly out of Rome <BR> <BR>We are going to keep everything semi-flexible so we can rearrange our itinerary as we see fit as we go. <BR> <BR>This involves about 23 hours of driving. With this plan we would rent a car when we leave Rome. <BR> <BR>I am hoping for suggestions /comments on this itinerary. It is my mother and sister's first time to Europe and my first time to Italy. We are interested in seeing the architecture, some historically significant sight, and some beautiful scenery. <BR> <BR>We could also rearrange the trip so we got from Rome to Bellagio by train (only 5hrs35min!). Then to Florence by train and then rent from there. However, we would be returning the car to Rome instead of Florence, I don't know if that is a problem. With this schedule we could see Rome then Bellagio then Florence then Siena then Montepulciano then Sorrento then back to Rome. <BR> <BR>Also does anyone have hotel suggestions for these places? We are looking for accommodations less than <BR>200 000 L per night for a triple with bathroom. We would prefer staying at quaint places rather than big modern hotels. <BR> <BR>I feel like I am way behind in my planning. If anyone can help get me back on track I would appreciate it. <BR> <BR>Thanks, <BR> <BR>Natasha <BR>

Diane

Your itinerary is busy but do-able. There is no problem if you book your car before you leave so that you can pick it up leaving Florence and return it to Rome (and that is the option I would suggest). If you haven't made hotel reservations yet, you may be in trouble finding something in Rome and in Florence, so I wouldn't try the "most recommended" from this forum because they've probably been booked for a couple of months already. See what's available through venere.it and then call the hotels directly and you may get a good rate. In the other locations, hit the official tourist info office asap when you reach the town. They will be able to direct you somewhere with availability. Good luck. We started with a similar itinerary over 3 weeks, and dropped Bellagio/Lake Como from the mix, never considered Pisa, and wish we'd had built in some more time around Siena. If you go with your itinerary as first outlined, you might consider replacing Bellagio with one of the beach towns in Western Tuscany. There was a good discussion of several on the board a couple weeks ago.

Jane

Natasha, for a two week trip I'd cut it down a little. Cut out Lake District, as it's quite a drive from Florence. You won't see anywhere near what you should see in Rome in 11/2 days! You're itinerary is quite rushed. Pick three places (Rome, Amalphi Coast, Tuscany) and make the best of those areas. Don't try to do too much, as packing up every day or other day can get to be a bit much. You didn't say how old your mother was, but if she's older she'll feel the pace faster than you or your sister. Slow it down and promise yourself you'll go back again. Best of luck, and have a great trip!

Dale

Natasha: <BR>You will need a vacatoin when you get home. Please follow Jane's advice and broom half of what you have scheduled. You'll meet yourself coming and going! The more I visit Italy, the fewer stops I make. The Italian life is so close to the earth. Don't stretch. Ciao.

BOB THE NAVIGATOR

Natasha, To travel in Italy in Sep you really need hotel reservations at least 4 months in advance. You seem to have 14 nites in Italy--that suggests no more than 5 destinations. I would change the sequence to fit the car rental. This trip will kill you the way it is now. You need to rethink it.

grasshopper

Natasha, <BR> <BR>What some of these people aren't considering is that sometimes travelling from place to place can be part of the fun. When you do so you are seeing Italy, other than the towns you go to! I can easily imagine doing your itinerary. My concern would be in bothering with a car in some of the places you're going. You really don't need it so many of the places you will be. In fact, you won't WANT it in Rome, Sorrento, Florence, Siena. You can take the train or busses to all those places rather easily. Even at Como it's fun to take ferries from town to town. I would reconsider driving. <BR> <BR>Personally, I love staying on the move and have a nagging feeling that I'm missing too much if I don't see enough places. But you know your preferred travel style best.

Rex

I think the itinerary is fine, but assuming you mean Sptember of THIS year, you may be dreadfully disappointed at the selection of hotel availability you find (or more to the point, will NOT find). I would take one (or more) day(s) off work immediately, and start calling and/or sending e-mails. I'm not saying you won't find ANY place, but the selection may be much more limited (especially, in Rome in the Centro Storico - - and maybe in ALL your destinations)! <BR> <BR>Best wishes, <BR> <BR>Rex <BR>

Janda

I would give up Montepulciano in a heartbeat for Venice. Not going to Venice while you are in Italy is some type of a sin, isnt it.

CC

We just came home 2 days ago, so wonderful memories are fresh in my mind. <BR> <BR>If you will have a vehicle, I strongly recommend staying in the Casole d'Elsa/Colle di Val d'Elsa region, either at Hotel Gemini or Il Colombie, both have websites. Both are extremely clean, quiet, picturesque, with parking and pools, and have great dining rooms overlooking Tuscan hills. They are within 1 km of each other, and only a 1-hour drive to Florence. Not wanting to fight traffic and search for parking in Florence, we drove to the town of Colle di Val d'Elsa and took air-conditioned, Rapido bus: 8500 ItL return, as I recall (a bargain, even with Canadian dollars). Both hotels are also within easy access to Siena, Volterra, and San Gimignano, as well: less than 45 to drive to each! Il Colombie features a Michelin-rated restaurant at non-Michelin prices: THE find of our entire trip! In Florence, suggest lunch on Via Leoni right behind the Uffizi; small restaurant called Montecantina (Montecantino??) features delicious steak Florentine, homemade pastries by the owner himself, and very affordable daily specials.

Lindsey

Two years ago, my wife and I drove through Italy. I agree with the others on cutting back on the number of stops. Vacations are meant to be enjoyed. Our rule of thumb is never drive more than four hours to any stopover. <BR> <BR>The number of stops and the places you want to see seem fine, but I would reorganize your trip by landing in Milan and returning from Rome, or the other way arouond. It is easy to book, and no additional charge. That way you can cut out the rush back to Rome to catch your flight. <BR> <BR>I am not a big fan of Rome. I find it to be dirty and loud. Others love it, the heart of civilization. My wife, who had never been there and made us go to Rome, was ready to leave after the second full day. Fortunately, it was easy to pick up our car early. You definitiely want to minimize the amount of time you spend driving there. <BR> <BR>Sienna is only 1 hour south of Florence. If coming from Southern Italy, I suggest going to Pisa, then east to Sienna, then onto Florence. Although, supposedly not much in Pisa except the tower. You might consider skipping. <BR> <BR>I understand Sienna is supposed to be wonderful. Unfortunately, my wife and I got lost in the circles around the city and never found a place to park. Did get to visit San Gimignano, and loved the village. At night, when the tour buses leave it is very quaint. If you saw Tea with Mussolini, it is the village the women lived in during the war. <BR> <BR>Why not get an open jaw ticket, land in Rome and leave from Milan. Actually, since the cool weather will be rolling in, land in Milan, and head south. <BR> <BR>If you do decide to arrive or leave from Milan, might refocus your attention to the Tuscan coast southeast of Milan. I have many friends who swear it is the most romantic area in the world. I know others who swear the Amalfi coast south of Rome is the place wehere romance lives. My guess is that there have been plenty of threads here on which is more romantic. <BR> <BR>Of course, I must point out you left out Venice, which my wife absolutely loves. <BR> <BR>Enjoy your trip. We think the planning is as much fun as the actual vacation.

Natasha

Thanks everyone for your replies so far. I am going to consider taking Lindsey's advice, only fly into Milan and out of Naples. Or I will take almost everyone else's advice and cut out the Lakes. <BR> <BR>CC thanks for the hotel advice, it sounds like that would be a convienient location to visit Florence, Siena and San Gimignano. That would save a lot of unpacking/repacking. I am a little worried that everyone thinks I will have a hard time finding hotels. I knew I was behind, but not that far behind!! <BR>I went to Paris, Brugge, Colmar and Bacharach the last two weeks of September last year and didn't seem to have a hard time finding places without too much advance reservation. I had thought I could do the same thing again. Once I (quickly) firm up our locations I will start making reservations. <BR> <BR>Grasshopper mentioned I won't want a car in some of these places. I read a few more posts about the Almafi Coast and florence and am a bit afraid of having a car. Would it really be better to take the train? On my vacation last year I found that one our our trains might be a bit late and then we would miss our connection and spend a lot longer than planned travelling. However it was a good opportunity to relax and catch up on my trip journal and postcard writing. I thought a car might be better because my Mom will not be able to carry a backpack, she will be taking a pullman suitcase. I also thought it would give a lot more freedom. However I do admit the ferry rides sound good. <BR> <BR>Thanks again for your help, <BR> <BR>Natasha <BR>

Dawn

Your itinerary is busy but it can be done. Are these the places yu positively have your heart set on? I didn't see Venice. First thing I would do is look into flying into one city and out of another. Can you fly into Rome and out of Milan? The car is great for seeing the small towns but will be a huge liability in any city. You have no time set aside for Naples. Is this on purpose? I absolutely love the Lakes Region. Me personally, I wouldn't give that up. First thing though, i'd check on flying into say Milan and out of Rome, and then start re-planning a bit.