My husband and I are thinking of a trip to Italy in October '05. We do not want all of the structure of a tour and we are wondering what is the best plan for a 10 day trip that is within a reasonable budget?

This will be our first trip to Europe and we want to enjoy as much of the culture as possible. We are not the party-type, enjoy the outdoors, great cuisine, and are particularly interested in seeing "Ancient Rome", Venice, and perhaps the Tuscan region.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Hi LittleBella. Well for ten days I would suggest just two areas. When you say ten days are you also referring to the day you arrive and the day you depart. If so you will actually have eight days plus.

How many nights are you planning on having in Italy?

What do you consider a reasonable budget LittleBella. Everyone's definition is so different.

When you have time post again and I am sure you will receive good ideas that you can consider.

Also, are you famaliar with an "open jaw airline ticket" That is when you fly into one city and fly out of another. It no doubt would be a good idea for you two so that you will not have to do any backtracking.

Another question, how will you travel in Italy. Are you thinking of using the trains? Or renting a car? Or a combination?

Assume you are flying from the US? Asking as where you are flying from makes a difference time wise for the flight which also makes a difference with jetlag etc.

Littlebella,
Sounds like the classic first trip circuit, and nothing wrong with that. I'd suggest fly into Rome, spend 2 or 3 nights then rent a car and see Tuscany or Umbria for 3 or 4 nights enroute to Florence, dump the rental car in Florence, Florence for 2 nights, train to Venice for 2 nights and fly home from Venice. Another alternative is to skip renting a car and train from Rome to Florence and spend 5 or so nights in Florence and make day trips to Tuscany from there. Good luck with it and happy travels.

Thanks for the reply.

We would have 10 days besides our travel days (I should have specified that).

I am sure that my husband would have no problem with driving, but I am assuming busing or taking the train would be easier.

As for budget. We are hoping to keep the trip under $4000. Is this possible or reasonable? We are not opposed to B&B's (as long as they are safe and clean) and we are not expensive eaters. However, I am sure that we would enjoy the occational splurge at a great restaurant while we are there.

We would be departing from Eastern Canada.

Littlebella,
I don't know if you have started searching in this forum but once you start you will spend countless hours reading and soaking up the great input from Fodorites.

I did the above to prepare for my first trip to France - and really felt prepared and had a great trip!

Be sure to read about the Tennessee Trio's adventures.

Stu Dudley and Bobthenavigator have excellent suggestions. So do too many posters to count.

Happy researching!

Littlebella,
Getting around the countryside of Tuscany and Umbria it is best by car, especially the smaller towns. If you are mainly just doing key towns such as Orvieto, Siena then use the train.