If you could only go to three cities in Italy which would they be and what specific spots would you not miss?

Well, the big three are Rome, Florence and Venice. That would be my choice.

Venice, anywhere in the city

Any place who's name (when spelled in Italian) ends in a vowel. Can't lose.

Venice (purely magical), small Tuscany town (Montalcino, Montepulciano, etc.) and Rome (for the history and culture.)

Rome, Florence and Venice.

Rome, rome, and rome!!!

Rome
Venice
Rome

Only 3 ??? Well then...

I would do Venice, Florence and then Positano...I just have to go the Almafi coast whenever I go to Italy.

The Almafi Coast, Tuscany & Venice (Rome & Florence if I could pick 5)

Well, don't feel you're choosing between Florence and Tuscany as Adnil was encouraging you to do: Florence is in Tuscany, so depending on how many days you have allotted to that area, you can see some of the Tuscan hill towns, too of which there are so many, such as Siena, San Gimignano, Chianti in Radda, Mantalcino, Montepulciano, Piensa, Lucignano, Cortona, Arezzo and many more. Florence needs at least 4 days to do it justice, the same for Venice and Rome. You won't need to drive in Rome, and the train is an easy ride to Florence. Should you decide to do any of the Tuscan hilltowns, rent a car in Florence and spend a few days driving around, staying in a central area to those towns you choose to visit. From there, it's an easy drive to Venice, as well where you can leave the car at Piazzale Roma. Or if you prefer, you can leave the car in Tuscany, at one of the major rail stations such as Arezzo, and take the train to Venice at Piazzale Roma. Porters will haul your luggage across to the water station where you catch whatever sort of boat you would like: public transport Vaporetto or hire a private water taxi.

Venice, Florence, and Cinque Terre

Rome, Cinque Terre and Florence

Hi Mom,

How long will you have?

Two weeks. I'm looking at Rome to Florence/Tuscany to Asolo/Venice to Porto Cervo.

Which is better Porto Cervo or Cinque Terre?

After 13 trips to Italy spanning 25 weeks, I have no idea how to answer that question. What appeals to you from your reading?

Portofino and Santa Margarita

1) Venice in the Autumn or Winter, magical
2) Bellagio in the summer with the Alps across the lake and a day trip to Zermatt
3) Positano in the Summer to get a tan, eat great food and swim in the sea!

islandmom,

Wish you told us how long you're planning on travelling for and if this is your first trip -- when we travelled to Italy for two weeks and tried to get a 'taste' of the various cities/regions - we did the following:

- 3 nights Venice
- 4 nights Tuscany (visiting Siena, San Gimignano, Castellina in Chianti, Monterrigioni to name just a few, and even did a trip to Pisa purely to see the Leaning Tower - something my husband has always wanted to see)
- 3 nights Rome
- 4 nights Positano - with a day trip to Pompei and planned on doing more but fell in love with Positano and just relaxed and took it all in there - perfect ending to our first trip to Italy - the first of many I hope!

If it's your first trip - would have to say - Venice, Rome and possibly Florence. If it was me returning again, I'd have to say I'd love a week in Tuscany to explore further and a week in the Amalfi Coast.

Hi Islandmom. IM(not)HO: NOT FLORENCE (except to see David and then you're done). I will never like that place. Sorrento. Rome. Venice. But Venice is not for being a tourist, it's for being in some other place - maybe another dimension - emotionally, spiritually, psychically, intellectually. It's truly unusual and wonderful, and even a bit bizarre. I felt like I was someone else. Tuscan towns are a treat but not necessarily places you can get wrapped up in for more than a day - although Sienna I LOVED - small but I think I could live there. I want to spend a week in Pompeii but that's the history nut in me. Identify what attracts you and find it. Then you'll find your destinations.