Hi everyone, I first wanted to thank all of you great people out there that have been so considerate and patient with a newbie like me.

I will be traveling from Paris to Italy on the overnight train departing on May 11, 2006. My flight home will depart out of Rome early morning on May 19, 2006. This gives me 7 days and I need to plan them thoroughly so to make the most out of it. Im debating if I should take overnight train to venice or skip venice and go directly to florence.

I know this is a very general itinerary, but I really need to fist make a plan of which cities to visit, then i can make detailed plans. I am 24/m, love to sitesee and enjoy the arts, love nighlife festivites, and will be likely staying at hostels.

May12 Spend day in venice
take train to florence
May13 Florence
May14 Naples/Amalfi coast<Pompei
May15 Naples/Amalfi coast
May16 Naples/Amalfi coast ( evening train to Rome)
May17 Rome
May18 Rome
May19 Flight home at 8:00am

Too much time in Naples. Try 3 days in Florence, Venice or Rome & 4 days in Florence, Venice or Rome.
Boun Voyage

Hi Adam,

I would recommend that you choose either the "big 3" Venice, Florence and Rome, or Rome and Pompeii/Naples. Otherwise you will be spending more time on trains than in the cities you want to see.

Are you studying in Paris? Will you be able to return soon? Nothing wrong with making a first trip a quick taste of places, but don't make the mistake of trying to go everywhere and actually seeing nothing.

buon viaggio!

No, i am not studying in Paris. I am taking a 2 week solo trip flying into Amsterdam and flying out of Rome. Also, I will leave Paris a day earlier giving me 8 full days in Italy.

I can either take night train and spend day in venice then try and take overnight train from venice to Florence in same day. Is this too much? Should i just go straight to florence for 3 days, Naples/amalfi coast 2 days, rome 3 days??

May11 either arrive in venice or florence?????
May12 florence
May13 Florence
May14 Naples/Amalfi coast<Pompei
May15 Naples/Amalfi coast
May16 Rome
May17 Rome
May18 Rome
May19 Flight home at 8:00am

Hey Adam,

I posted to your other thread about travel companions earlier . As a fellow 24 yr old who has hit most of those cities...my recommendation (just what I'd do in your shoes) is:

Skip Venice (I said this earlier)..it's much more expensive for hostels vs. the other cities, and the whole city is more expensive...I would save this for a trip when you are not traveling alone.

Take the Overnight Train to Florence. Several Days there.

Hop Over to Cinque Terre..you will enjoy the wine, hiking between the villages, the gorgeous scenery, and any other outdoor activities you'd like to get yourself into (I'm hoping to do scuba diving, snorkeling, or yachting (weather permitting))

Then do Naples (Capri) and Rome

Thats exactly what im going to do, thanks oobylicious. Any specific tips on where to stat in florence, rome. I tried making reservations at the beehive in rome but they are full.

Rome: Yellow Hostel. They even do a pub crawl. 2 of my dear friends will be staying there around the same time as you--look for Lex and Megan (gorgeous, intelligent, fun-loving blondes from UNC).

Florence: Camp Michelangelo, I can't rave enough about it, I absolutely adored it. You'll like it if you enjoy chilling outdoors on picnic tables at an outdoor bar drinking and meeting travellers, or starting your day with a view over the whole city (And then there's the price, doesn't get any cheaper)

PS. I'm tentatively planning on us running into each other in Amsterdam

:0)
Michelle

oobylicious, wen are you going tobe in Amsterdam. I forget if Ive already spoken to you, I've emailed many others and cant keep track

I fly in the 4th.. take an overnight train to Vienna the night of the 7th

IM flying out on 4th too. Cant wait! Flying directly into Amsterdam. Only wish I could stay longer, but internship starts. Well, let me know if were gonna be in same cities. You can email me at [email protected] if you like.