doug

will be arriving in rome on the 20th of dec. and leaving rome on the 7th jan. never been to italy what would you recommend as as iternary? thanks doug

doug

may add flexible travel car train options

elaine

Doug
I think you should provide more information.
What interests you?
What have you always wanted to see?
Cities vs countryside?
Museums, historical sites?
Traveling alone or not?

doug

thank you elaine,
for this trip i think more of an urban setting. i am an architect so you know where my interests lie. need to see major sights of rome, but what's next?traveling with wife who has similiar interest. she wants to see pompei. museums also of interest. other than that wide open for suggestions.

kam

Doug, Keep in mind that Christmas is a pretty serious religious holiday in Italy and plan accordingly. If you go to Pompeii, as an architect, you should also see Herculaneum (in the modern city of Ercolano) and think about a hydrofoil trip to Capri to see Hadrian's Villa there.At that time of the year I would stay Rome and to the south, although I'm tempted to suggest Assisi for the basilica and the Rocca there as well as Spoleto for the beautiful medieval bridge of towers. And, then there's Gubbio that has the distinctive "devil doors"--certainly architecturally unique. All three of these can be reached from Rome for a daytrip by car or train, although Gubbio would be easier by car. You might want to think about Sicily where there are very interesting Roman and Greek ruins.Ostia Antica, another Roman ruin, is an easy daytrip from Rome via train and I would suggest Tivoli as well except someone recently said it was in terrible shape lately. Anyone know?? My brother-in-law is an architect and travels at a snail's pace through Italy since there's so much that interests him there.

nancy

ttt

howard

Italy to an architect has got to be like Toyland is to a child! Kam has given some solid suggestions (though the boat to Capri may not run in the winter). I would recommend you take a a trip to your local library and/or bookstore and do some research on the archtectural treasures of Italy (and there are many). No matter where you go, you are sure discover treasures in Italy.

charlie

My wife and I were in Rome last year at Christmas and we both wish we were going this year. We attended a beatutiful x-mas eve mass at Santa Maria d,Aracoeli, which overlooks the ruins of the Forum. I am not a christian but I felt very much at ease & welcomed during the joyous & moving ceremony.
Many restaurants were open on the 24th & 25th, much to our surprise & delight. As for sights, whatever we did, where ever we were, was magnificent (we've been to Italy 3 times, spending a month each each of the last 3 years). The Pantheon, the forum, campidoglio,coliseum, piazza navona, the vatican and sistine chapel, santa maria maggiore, St. clemens -- should be on your must-see list. You will often walk the same streets Michelangelo walked (and see the same sights & buildings ... one of the reasons it's called the Eternal City)
Florence has almost as many architectural wonders as Rome. Pisa & Lucca (a gem) are not too far from Florence.
As in a previous post, get a guide book, do a little research & you're sure to discover everything you're looking for.
Lastly, not a day went by on all our trips in which some Italian did show us a kindness. They are a very warm & friendly people. You'll love it!

Nancy

Read the article from todays New York Times called "What's doing in Rome". Visit www.nytimes.com , click travel. It lists all the wonderful activities planned for the holidays. Enjoy