I know I will get a mixed response on this question, but this is my first time posting so be nice.<BR><BR>We will be in Italy for 11 days for our honeymoon. Does this itenerary sound too strenuous - we would love to see it all. <BR>Do you think that 2 days and nights in each of these cities is okay? Rome, Amalfi Coast, Florence, Tuscan towns, Venice.<BR><BR>Originally, we were going to skip the coast since we don't have a ton of time, but I've heard from a couple people that it's a must do. Any recommendations on the itenerary? What's the nicest city on the Amalfi coast?

Personally, I think it's too much. I would pick two or three of the five listed. I actually did a trip to Rome, Florence, and Tuscany last year so that's what I'd recommend. Rome and Florence are both very urban, so it really just depends on what you like. Another consideration is time of year. When are you going?<BR><BR>There are so many must-dos in Italy, it's mind boggling, and it's all in the eye of the beholder anyway.

I have been to Italy 2 times.<BR>Personally I would not do this. You will be run ragged and not really get to enjoy any place. If I had 11 days I would....<BR>Venice 3 days<BR>Florence 2 days<BR>Rome 3 days<BR>Amalfi 3 days.<BR>Save Tuscany for another time. That is a place where you would want to stay in a central location and just take day trips. You could easily spend 4-7 days there alone. There is so much to see. Dont stretch yourself so thin. Stop and smell the roses.

We are going in mid-October... so would it be worth it to go to the coast at this time of year? We definitely want to do some of Tuscany, as one of our honeymoon must-do's is take a 1.5 early morning hot air baloon ride across the Crete region. If we cut the trip down to 3 days Rome, 1 day Florence, 3 days Tuscany, 3 days Venice, would that be better?

I know I will probably get creamed for saying this, but I would actually skip Venice. I studied in Italy and ventured up to Venice for a weekend trip and was prepared to be enthralled. It just didn't quite hit me the way I thought it would. Several people have spoken before of Venice with such love for the city, and I just didn't feel it, I chalked it up to the fact that I was there with a group of 12 American students who were, for lack of a better description, less than desirable traveling companions (e.g. quite loud, often rude). <BR><BR>I also spent three weeks in Italy for my honeymoon, back in 1998. I felt that perhaps the allure of the city would sweep over me, with it being such a romantic trip and all. Alas, I left again feeling as though I had missed something. <BR><BR>I planned the honeymoon in such a way that we would be spending some time in a city where we could be busy simply checking out the city (e.g. going to museums, taking tours, etc) followed by some time in a much more quiet setting, where we could just really play it easy (e.g. strolling about town, having leisurely lunches, followed by leisurely dinners, followed by a leisurely after-dinner drink!!!) This ended up being ideal. I really enjoyed the quiet time and felt ready and excited to tour the next city. It was also made possible by our 3 week stay, although it may also be possible for you to plan something like this for your 11 day stay.<BR><BR>Tuscany is truly heaven on earth. I happen to be reading "Under the Tuscan Sun" while on my honeymoon. You may have read the book by Frances Mayes, which discusses her experience living in a farmhouse in Cortona, in the heart of Tuscany. It was truly wonderful to be reading a few chapters on the train ride and to be introduced about "Giorgio the butcher on Via Appia and his amazing prosciutto," and then to walk about town and see 'ol Giorgio standing by his prized flanks of beef. I was especially fond of Cortona. It is quiet, peaceful, and yet so full of life. We ended up staying there many days longer than expected. The day we left we felt we were leaving friends. The old man who served us amazing pastries at the Pasticerria every night was waving us goodbye. As we walked by a favorite eating establishment, the waitress who we had come to know ran out and gave us both hugs along with her address, asking us to write. Most Tuscan towns are like little gems: Montepulciano, Siena, Assisi... I would highly recommend at least a 3 night stay there, where you can just completely relax.<BR><BR>Both Rome and Florence are also recommended.<BR><BR>I also would not miss the Amalfi Coast. I had an opportunity to spend some time in Sorrento during my studies and it was just breathtaking. I agree with they people who have told you it is a "must do."<BR><BR>Best of luck to you and congratulations on your upcoming nuptials! <BR>

Yes, I would stick to that northern area if I were you or on the honeymoon with you ;&gt;.<BR><BR>You don't want to do so much traveling that you don't have time to enjoy the cities or areas you have chosen to visit.<BR><BR>Remember travel in car or train, check-in, check-out procedures, all will tap into your time and it will start getting dark earlier in Oct. <BR><BR>Save Almafi area for another whole trip.

Dont listen to Bella. Missing Venice would be a terrible. <BR>

Hi Nicole,<BR><BR>Maybe I can describe my first trip & it will give you an idea of how short a time you will have in each area. We did this trip knowing that we would see very little, but there were other considerations not worth going into here.<BR>I call it a "drive by" of Italy.<BR><BR>group ski trip ended in Venice<BR>1 1/2 days in Venice, 2 nights<BR>we saw: St. Marks, Doge Palace, Rialto Bridge, wandered,lovely dinner with departing friends<BR><BR>we did not: gondola ride, shop, any museums or churches or other islands<BR><BR>train to Florence<BR>1 1/2 days Florence, 2 nights<BR>we saw: Duomo, Santa Maria Croce (SP?), Pitti Palace & Boboli Gardens, Ponte Vecchio, Piazza Michaelangelo<BR><BR>train to Salerno, bus to Praiano (Amalfi Coast)- LONG DAY!<BR>2 1/2 days, 3 nights<BR>we saw: Pompeii, entire coast, relatives cooked for us!<BR><BR>train to Rome<BR>2 days Rome, 2 nights<BR>we saw everything from the outside due to short winter hours!<BR>all we saw from the inside was: Colloseum (SP?), St. Peters, Castello San Angelo, saw all the fountains too<BR><BR>did not see: Vatican & Sistene Chapel, the Forum, any museums, Pantheon, etc. etc. etc.<BR><BR><BR>I would recommend limiting yourself to 2 or 3 locations at the most.<BR>Maybe Venice & Rome<BR>Maybe Rome, Tuscan countryside, Florence<BR>Maybe Rome & Amalfi Coast<BR><BR>You will just want to return anyway! So don't try to cram it all in on the first trip.<BR><BR>Congrats & have a wonderful time!<BR><BR>

Nicole, I understand the idea of wanting to do it all but trust me that you will be back to Italy. I went once four years ago and have gone back three of the past four years. So I would group cities together. One thing you are forgetting is the travel time between cities which is at least half a day by the time you get to a train station, travel and find your next hotel.<BR><BR>I LOVE Venice so I would recommend doing either Venice, Florence,Tuscany or Rome, Amalfi Coast. I did not love Rome but others do so I would lean towards the more northern cities. If you are sure you want to do Tuscany then just group the other cities you want to see around that-maybe Rome, Tuscany, Florence leaving out the Amalfi Coast and Venice but since they aren't close together your next trip will be a little more scattered geographically but that is not a big deal.<BR><BR>Tuscany if fabulous but you will probably want to see at least three or four towns in Tuscany and that is definately more than two days worth of travel.<BR><BR>I enjoyed the Amalfi coast very much and it would be a great honeymoon spot but do some more reading, decide what calls you and plan your trip knowing that you will go back to see other places later.

Thanks everyone for your input. It is such a hard decision to make! I really wish that we had more time to spend there. I do feel that we should probably limit it though, and I know we will have a spectacular time regardless of how many cities we get to see. We probably will stick with N. Italy and save the coast and southern Italy for a next trip in the spring, when we could also dive and swim comfortably. Thanks again!

I think you made a good decision, stay in the north this time and go to the south next time. You won't regret it and your honeymoon won't be a mixedup blur in your memories. Pick out a few places and make memories that matter.

Good decision Nicole. I was going to suggest doing either the north or the south. I personally prefer the north. My husband is from Tuscany and that is where we spend most of our time. Venice & Florence are my 2 favorite cities. With 11 days, I'd suggest 3 in Venice and 3 in Florence, and then maybe 2 in the Cinque Terre, and 3 down in some of the hilltowns, San G. Volterra, etc. You could sneak down and see Montepulcian and Pienza. Do you like wine? October is the best month for travel in Italy in my opinion. Tuscany is glorius. You might also think about the Lakes (Como & Maggiore) there are others, but those are the big ones. Both are spectacular. Let me know if you have any further questions.

nicole: your second itinery is much more manageable and you will have a better time. Don't forget, Florence is in Tuscany. So, you are looking at three days in Rome, four days in Tuscany (with the last night, at least, in Florence) and three days in Venice, although, perhaps, in reverse order. Sounds like a great Honeymoon to me. Best wishes and enjoy.

Do you like to explore and see different things, even at the expense of lots of moving around and packing/unpacking? If so, your itinerary is fine. I like to move around a lot, too, so I wouldn't dismiss your idea. <BR><BR>On the other hand, this is a honeymoon, and perhaps you would like to take it a bit easier. If so, my advice is to narrow your trip down to one of the following choices:<BR>-Rome and Florence/Tuscany<BR>-Rome and the Amalfi Coast<BR>-Tuscany and Venice<BR><BR>Your choices might also depend on where your arrival and departure points are located. Obviously, if you arrive in Rome and leave from Venice, for instance, you will at least include those in your itinerary. If that is the case, you should limit your tour to those two places and perhaps a stop between. Since you keep including Venice as the last in your list, I get the idea that perhaps you are flying out of there.<BR><BR>As for nice cities along the Amalfi coast, it's all in the eye of the beholder. Personally, I love the charm and the beautiful views around the town of Amalfi. Regardless of what you choose, I'm sure you'll enjoy your trip.