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16 day Italy itinerary in early April 2013

16 day Italy itinerary in early April 2013

Old Mar 3rd, 2012, 12:37 PM
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16 day Italy itinerary in early April 2013

I am planning a 15 year anniversary to Italy from Colorado. We plan to fly into Venice and out of Rome. We will lose most to two days traveling to/from Italy. This is our first trip. We definitely want to visit Florence in addition to Rome and Italy. We want a good mix of a hectic sightseeing schedule, with some time for downtime.

We are not opposed to renting a car. We love scenic coastlines and were considering Cinque Terre or the Amalfi Coast. We have heard great things about Sienna and other Tuscan towns. We would love to see Pisa. Too much to choose from with so little time. Any suggestions?
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Old Mar 3rd, 2012, 12:59 PM
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Such a great trip! I did this in December. I would suggest spending no more then 2 days in Venice, it can be done in a short amount of time. Go to Murano Island, glass blowing.

Florence is my favorite, cant spend too much time here. Do a day trip from here, Siena, San Gimignano, Tuscan Countryside and Pisa, we did it all in one day, it was a lot but can be done!

We didn't make it to Cinque Terra, they had some flooding, but heard great things.

Let me know if you have more specific questions, I am also happy to send my itinerary.
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Old Mar 3rd, 2012, 02:07 PM
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There are tourists that are Florence people, and there are tourists that are Venice people. I personally prefer Venice, and would allot more than 2 days. Florence, to me, is so-so.

That being said, yes, go to Siena. It's well worth it.

I would stick with public transportation as driving in Italy is a trip unto itself. If nothing else, don't drive in Rome. It's really not possible.
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Old Mar 3rd, 2012, 02:46 PM
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For starters, your plan to fly into Venice and out of Rome is great.

How you divide the time depends on your interests. I might give Venice most of three days because you will be jet lagged the first day and there is a lot more to Venice than most people see. With such a short time, unless you have an intense interest in Italian glass blowing (you can see glass blowing lots of other places in the US), there is so much in Venice that you can't see other places, don't bother with Murano. If you want to go to one of the islands, Burano is really pretty, but it takes longer to get to it. The Ghetto is very interesting. The thing is: you don't have to decide ahead of time. If you suddenly want a change or feel finished with major attractions in Venice, you can do any of these things at the last minute. You could even do a day trip to Padua, Vicenza or Verona (though a bit far for me) from Venice.

Allow a half day of travel between Venice and Florence.

If you are very much into Art, then you could spend weeks in Florence. For you, I would give Florence three days if possible so you can do a day trip to Siena and/or a tour in Tuscany. A lot of people rave about Fiesole (just above Florence), but it took more time than you would think, and doesn't offer as much as other places for the time spent.

From Florence head straight to the Amalfi Coast. Allow a good part of the day for travel.

I am saying the AC, and giving it more time on the itinerary than Florence and Tuscany, because you said you love scenic coast lines and the Amalfi Coast gives you that in spades. It is the most stunning place you can imagine. How much time you spend and where you stay depends on what you want to see.

Putting Rome at the end so you don't have to stay there twice and will be there for your last night before flight home. If you have even a minimal interest in sculpture and an interest in an amazing Gallery space, put the Borghese Gallery on your itinerary. You have to reserve ahead, but it is limited to two hours, so it won't take up a whole day.

Starter itinerary: Tried to give a mix of relaxing time beginning and middle (Venice and the AC) and active sightseeing: (Florence and Rome) middle and end. Some people will say you are doing too much (all the way from NE Italy to the AC in two weeks), but others would add more. After you think about your own preferences, you will know what to add/remove: perhaps less time in Venice or AC and more in Tuscany, etc. Have fun planning.

Day: 1 Depart US
Day: 2 Arrive Venice
Nts: 2-4 Venice (2&1/2 days)
Day: 5 Travel Venice - Florence (1/2 day)
Nts: 5-7 Florence and Tuscany (2&1/2 days)
Day: 8 Travel Florence - Amalfi Coast (2/3 of day)
Nts: 8-11 Amalfi Coast (3 days)
Day: 12 Travel AC - Rome (1/2 day)
Nts: 12-15 Rome (3&1/2 days)
Day: 16 Depart Rome
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Old Mar 4th, 2012, 05:51 AM
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Should we add a night or two in Siena?
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Old Mar 4th, 2012, 06:07 AM
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Teri,

Do you have 2 additional nights? If not, your trip is very busy as it is. You should choose between staying in Florence and staying in Siena. A bus day trip between the two is simple.

With only 2 days in Tuscany, no time to make a car rental cost effective anyway.

Depending on what you want to see, spend 1 day in Florence, the either a day trip to Siena or a guided tour to hilltowns and wineries the other.

You will fall in love with Italy and return. Most people do! You could do a more leisurely trip next time. Driving in the countryside is a breeze, just don't try it in the major cities.
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Old Mar 4th, 2012, 06:18 AM
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Teri,

Sorry, I was going by sassafrass' proposed itinerary above.

With two weeks, and balancing sightseeing and downtime -

Venice 4 nts
Florence 2 nts
car rental for hilltown base 4 nts
Rome 4 or 5 nts

You don't say when you are going. It does make a big difference.

For your downtime - I would choose between the Amalfi Coast and Tuscan countryside. It takes a bit of travel time to get down to the Amalfi Coast and there is much to see and do there in addition to relaxing.

Tuscany is more geographically efficient use of time on this trip.

If you choose to visit the AC, then perhaps fly between Venice and Naples. Save Florence and Tuscany/Umbria/Le March for another trip.

Buon viaggio!
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Old Mar 4th, 2012, 12:19 PM
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You would be crazy to spend only two nights in Florence, too much to do. One of my favorite cities in the world. Public transportation is so easy and the way to go.
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Old Mar 4th, 2012, 12:29 PM
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I like Dayle's plan.
Venice deserves that time, but do not waste it at Murano.
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Old Mar 4th, 2012, 12:57 PM
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Thanks for all of your advice. I have the feeling that we can't go wrong...it is Italy after all.

We are going in early April. Would that sway an itinerary? In 2013, that will be the Friday after Easter.
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Old Mar 4th, 2012, 01:39 PM
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Florence seems to be high on your list of priorities so I wouldn't limit it to two nights. It's easy to do day trips from Florence. Pisa is an hour by train (about 6€ each way). Siena is an hour by bus (about 7€ each way). You can also bus/train to other nearby towns (Greve is about an hour as are other towns such as San G.). You could also take one of the many day tours from Florence that would take you to a couple of towns and a vineyard.

This brochure lists a lot of smaller towns around Florence and what transport you need to take.
http://www.firenzeturismo.it/images/...a%201bassa.pdf

CAF offers quite a few tours in the countryside.
http://www.caftours.com/

A lot of people seem to go from Venice to CT and then Florence. It's a long travel day from Venice to CT, perhaps longer than Florence/Amalfi. If coastal scenery is a must, choose one. Most people think two nights for CT is enough, but Amalfi coast needs at least three especially if you want to visit Pompeii or Capri.
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