hh1234

We are 2 first-time travellers in our 20s who will be travelling to Italy in the summer. We would like to make the most of our 9 day Italian experience: sight-seeing, culture, people and relaxation without only hopping from church to museum to ruin. We would apprieciate any thoughts, suggestions and ideas on the itinerary we've come up with:

Day 1 &2 : Land in Rome - Train to Florence (we will arrive around noon) (*1)
Duomo/ Gitto's Bell Tower
San Lorenzo Market
Museo Nazionale Alinari della Fotografia
Uffizi
SHOPPING
Mercato del Porcellino
Central Market
Jewish Museum
Baptistry of S. Giovanni (from outside)

Day 3:
Day trip to Lucca (*2)

Day 4:
Pitti Palace & Boboli Gardens
Oltrarno
San Miniato al Monte
Piazza Michaelangelo

Day 5:
Train to Rome (arrive around noon)
Spanish Steps
Villa Borghese
Trevi Fountain
Pincio Gardens & Piazza del Popolo

Day 6:
Colosseum
Palatine Hill
Capitol
Panthenon
Piazza Navona

Day 7:
Vatican & Sistine Chapel
St Peter's Basilica
Campo de Fiori
Jewish Ghetto
Isle of Tiber
Trastevere

Day 8: (*3)
Lake Bracciano
Odescalchi Castle

Day 9:
Early flight home

(*1) We are still not sure how it will be best to schedule the 1st 2 days as day 1 is a half day-please advise. The sites we listed are the ones which we plan on entering, all the others will be seen from the outside.

(*2) We thought that Lucca would make a good day trip, but I have heard some mixed opinions. Do you have any other suggestions for a day trip? Or some ideas for what we can do in Lucca?

(*3) Does anyone know how much it costs to rent a paddle boat/ water sport equipment at the lake?

Again, we'd love to hear any tips or suggestions on what we have put together, as well as any recommendations of cheap, authentic local restaurants in these areas.

THANKS!

ira

Hi hh,

With a short time in Florence, I would skip daytrips (except for 1/2 day in Siena).

Is there a reason for not visiting "David" at the Accademia?

HowardR

In general, it's a good itinerary. The only question is Day 7. I think you've scheduled too much, considering that just the Vatican Museum and St. Peter's can take a good part of the day.
And, like the previous poster, I ask, "Why not David?"

dfr4848

In addition to the above, do you already have your air tickets? With only 8 real days, I'd consider flying into Rome and out of Florence or vice versa. Would save you about 1/2 a day of travel to enjoy either city.

ellenem

Congratulations on creating a comprehensive, carefully arranged itinerary. You've done an excellent job of grouping sights by geographical location.

It's difficult to know how Days 1 and 2 will work without knowing the actual day of the week. Many museums are closed on Monday, although some are closed other days--check schedules carefully, noting closing days for the places that you really want to go inside.

I think a daytrip from Florence is perfectly fine with the amount of time you have there. You're younger than many of the regulars here, and your interests may differ.

Think of your time in Florence as "Days 1-4." When you are there, watch the weather reports and choose the day with the best weather for you daytrip. Much of the charm of Lucca or Siena is wandering the streets, and in Lucca's case walking the walls, so you want to be sure of having the best day. I think Siena is probably more "hilltowny" picturesque than Lucca.

Finally, it's a great idea to have a plan so you don't miss the things you really want to see, BUT be prepared to throw all your plans into the breeze and just sit in a cafe and relax. Don't feel guilty when it happens--it's part of the experience.

bobthenavigator

What Ellen said !

Good job.

Cries_Van_Notebook

David David David. To skip the Accademia would be a major faux pas.

If you are going to the Boboli Gardens, there is really no need to visit the Piazzale Michaelangelo because the view of Florence is better from the gardens.

Thin

ellenem

However, San Miniato al Monte is well worth the trip and it is next to Piazzale Michaelangelo.

Cries_Van_Notebook

Well, ellen, there are a lot of things not on OP's itin. that are worth visiting--Brancacci Chapel, Medici Chapel, Bargello Museum, Santa Croce, Santo Spirito, Farmacia Santa Maria Novella, etc.

I am trying to help OP make better use of short time in Firenze.

Thin

ellenem

Thin--I understand. It's a tough call. I was unimpressed by the Boboli Gardens. And I would probably skip the Pitti Palace entirely in favor of Santa Croce. But, for me, San Miniato al Monte was one of my first stops on my first trip to Florence, because I'd studied it, which would not be the case for most visitors.

The OP personal interests expressed NOT seeing every church and museum, so it's difficult to judge -- but it'sgood, as Thin says, for them to know that they will get a good view of Florence from the gardens if they must choose one or the other.