Hi there... I am planning a fleeting visit to Italy..and wish to see Rome ,Florence and Venice. however I can only stay 3 days in each and plan to use the train between.. could you please advise me:...... will that be enough for the highlights ..???.. or should I divide the stays up differently.. also how have people found the trains , can I arrive and get a ticket or is it better to pre-book ??? I will be travelling on a budget and use hostels and my feet.!!!! <BR>Thanks for reading this.... <BR> <BR>Leah......

Leah <BR>Dividing up your time depends on your interests. If you are an art and architecture aficionado, then Rome and Florence will hardly have their surfaces scratched in 3 days. And I absolutely LOVE Venice. <BR>Still if 9 days net is what you have, then I would reluctantly say... <BR>2 days Venice, 3 days Florence, 4 days Rome. Or, 3, 3, and 3 if covering most of the museums is less important to you. <BR>Put Venice at the end perhaps, it's less museum-hopping and more experiencing <BR>the unique charm and ambiance. Might make a nice relaxing finish. <BR>I have files on all 3 cities; if you'd like to see them, email me. <BR>With limited time, I think you should take the evening trains so as to not lose much sightseeing time. Rome to Venice is the longest train trip, about 5 hours. Just for fun, inquire about a plane ticket between those two, the cost might not be prohibitive. <BR>In high season, that is now through mid-Oct or so, these popular train routes can be quite busy, and if you can't buy a ticket and seat reservation in advance there is a chance you might have to stand for all or part of your trip. Seat reservations cost extra and I understand $ is a concern. <BR>Perhaps someone can chime in as to whether the evening trains are any less crowded? <BR>

Leah, <BR> <BR>I would go for the 3/3/3 scenario. This will give you 2 full days in each city, plus a the partial days at the beginning and end of the travel days. <BR> <BR>The Eurostar from Rome to Florence takes 2:39 and from Florence to Venice is about 2:06. I would not bother with flying between cities, but if you can, fly into Rome and out of Venice, or vise-versa, to make the most of your time. Have fun!

When it comes to quantity (and quality in my opinion) you can't equate Florence or Venice with Rome. <BR> <BR>I would recommend 5 days Rome, 2 each Florence & Venice. <BR> <BR>You will only get a whirlwind tour of each, but your time will be more closely divided according to the volume of things to do and see. <BR> <BR> <BR>These are 3 fantastic cities. <BR>Have a great trip, <BR>j.

Of course everyone has their favorites. I'd stay 4 in Rome, 2 in Florence and 3 in Venice. <BR> <BR>You can get your ticket when you arrive, that way you're not on a timetable in case you want to stay longer in one city. Try to get your hands on a train schedule before you go, however. <BR> <BR>I have lots of Italy photos on my website if you'd like to have a look. Go here: http://www.jimtardio.com/italy.html <BR> <BR>Have a great trip! <BR> <BR>

Such a great trip! If you go to Rome & want to see the Vatican you might as well see the Pope! He has a Wed & Sunday appearances-check the guide books.The #9 bus is the "pickpocket bus" because it goes to most tourist sights. Be careful. Even w/my strong security guard husband by my side I had 3 attempts. There is a great,reasonable hotel on Via Cavour 1/2 block (within sight of the train/bus station & w/in 3 blocks of the Coloseum. I'll try to think of the name & get back w/you. Nice breakfast bar, huge room & bathrooms. <BR>Florence is gorgeous! the train ride through Tuscany is too pretty to read through. Go to Il Latini for a real Tuscan dinner experience! Rent a moped---my 29 yo dtr did this & thrilled/frightened me with a brisk ride to the top of the hill overlooking the Arno @ night! I held my breath, squeezed my fat butt into place, held on for dear life & was energized!!!A night & sights I'll never forget! <BR>In Venice---no matter how expensive ---you must go on a gondola. don't go if they won't sing, though. That's 1/2 the fun. You'll regret it, if you don't do this. It took me 28 years to go back & do it right, but now, I feel like I really "saw" Venice. 2 days there is enough because there are so many more important things to see in Rome & <BR>Florence. <BR>Have a wonderful time! I'm jealous.

You are in both a can't win and can't lose situation! <BR>You can't win, because no matter what you decide, you won't have enough time in at least one--probably all three--of your destinations. <BR>You can't lose, because no matter what you decide, you're going to have a great time! <BR>If you asked 100 people on this forum, you'll get 100 different answers or variations on the answers. And, none of us really know you or what your interests are. Therefore, I would suggest you do some research on the forum, read some guidebooks, etc., to get a feel of what each city is like and which you are likely to enjoy the most, relatively speaking. <BR>And, no matter what you decide, I guarantee you two things: <BR>1. You'll feel there wasn't nearly enough time in all three cities. <BR>2. You'll vow to return!

Have only done Rome and Florence. Going to Venice in October. Rome and Florence are completely different, but both great. Rome is massive and awe inspiring. Vatican is a must. Florence much smaller and full of great stuff. Both on the touristy side. I wouldnt prebook anything train wise. That's the beauty of taking them. You wake up in the morning and think "hmm, have I seen enough here? Ok, let's get on and go somewhere else!" Loved the trains. Train people were extremely helpful. You really cant screw it up. Wouldnt consider any other means of transport. Also dont rule out other "day trip" type cities. The smaller out of the way towns are just as cool, but different. Good luck.

Just to say thanks very much.....<BR>I appreciate all your advice and suggestions, realising that it gives me hardly any time in these interesting cities.. however I hope to get a taster of the history,art and cuisine during this time !!! I shall definitely use the trains this will at least give me a glimpse of the countryside....<BR>Thanks.. and the replies were so prompt!!! lol...... Leah....

My son and I traveled to each of those cities last November, after traveling through France and Switzerland. I would only spend two days in Venice and the rest of the time in Florence and Rome. I found the people frienldly in Florence and Rome and their was so much more to see. The trains were smelly and crowded each time we rode one, especially compared to France and Switzerland, but I wouldn't have traded the experience for anything. We stayed near the Colliseum, but we could walk to any other place we wanted to see except Vatican City. We were able to walk to everything in Florence. The "David" is at least twice the size I thought it was. I could go on forever, but I'll just end by saying we had a great experience with the Italian people for the small amount of time we could afford to spend there.

Dear Leah,<BR>9 days is better than nothing and if you are organised you can certainly see and do quite a lot of things.<BR><BR>I think at least 4 days in Rome would be better as there is so much to see and do here. Then perhaps 3 days in Florence and 2 days in Venice.<BR><BR>Train service between these cities is excellent and depending on time of year it is not too hard to get a seat at short notice. I personally travelled from Rome to Florence only 3 weeks ago. I arrived at the station at 9.30am and bought a ticket on the train leaving at 11.10am on the same day. I recommend that you book the EuroStar as it is much faster and much cleaner.<BR><BR>I am a tour guide here in Rome and Leah let me tell you this is a fascinating city. The historical centre of Rome is quite small so it is easy to see many things in a short time. However not much of what you are looking at has signs and if they do usually they are in Italian. <BR>So I do recommend that you take a guided tour (be that one of mine or someone else). My tours cover all the main sights such as the Vatican, Ancient City (forums) things like Trevi, Pantheon, Piazza Navona and famous Spanish Steps etc.<BR>If you would like more information on tour times and costs please feel free to email me at<BR>[email protected]<BR><BR>Also if I can help you in any other way.<BR><BR>Enjoy bella Italia <BR>If you would like more in

Leah:<BR><BR>Great way to start with a taste of the big three --- if that's all the time you have, you can make it work. Many folks are only able to give a day to Venice (the multitudes of day-trippers) or even those who are docking off a cruise ship and wanting to get from Civitecchia to Rome. SO, you're actually doing pretty good. I'm a lover of Rome; and here's some good websites that you may find helpful. <BR><BR><BR><BR>Through Eternity C.A. Cultural association with friendly English-speaking "storytellers" who lead fun and interesting walking tours through the classical ruins, historical center and more. Tel: 06-7009336 <BR><BR>http://www.througheternity.com<BR>[email protected] m <BR><BR>Rome (ing) Tours Fun and casual walking tours for larger groups led by American residents in Rome. Tel: 06-49380534 <BR><BR>http://www.romeingtours.com<BR>[email protected] <BR><BR>Centro Guide Roma Individual travellers, families and groups can hire licensed tour guides through this organization. Via S. Maria delle Fornaci, 8 <BR>Tel: 06-6390409 <BR><BR>http://www.centroguideroma.org/inglese/ind_ing.htm<BR><BR>Rome, Made to Measure Sergio Caggia offers custom travel planning and private tours. <BR>Lungotevere dell'acqua acetosa, 55 <BR>Tel: 06.808.12.50 <BR><BR>Rome Insight Italian gentleman (speaks fluent English) offers private walking and driving tours for small groups. Tel: 06-482 5678 <BR>http://[email protected] <BR><BR>Scale Reale (EXCELLENT company providing small tours of Rome)<BR>http://www.scalareale.org/<BR> <BR>“Traveling with Ed and Julie” has great info on Rome. <BR>http://www.twenj.com/romevisit.htm And Ed also hangs out on the ‘Forum’ and is a frequent poster. Ed &amp; Julie’s link to other useful European sites - http://www.twenj.com/usefulsites.htm -<BR><BR>Nerone: the insider’s guide to Rome.<BR>http://www.nerone.cc/<BR><BR>