Shrink

Of all the luck -- I just discovered this chat board. Unfortunately I have just finished arranging (and for the most part booking) 8 days in Italy in July. Never having been there I pretty much did it blind. With a great deal of trepidation, let me outline my itinerary and ask for any comments or suggestions or things to watch out for.
First -- Daughter is getting married in Venice and there are 8 of us going. Lets bypass the logistical nightmare involved in a US citizen getting married in Italy. That has been handled. We land in Rome, spend one night there -- hopefully to relax. Board the ES train at 6:55 AM to Venice. Staying at the Concordia for two nights (sat and sun) in Venice. Wedding on Sunday. Leaving Monday morning for 3 days in Florence. Staying at Pitti Palace. Planning on one day for a train trip to Piza & back. Following day is a train to Rome for a couple of days before returning home.
Hotel in Rome is Regent. A little out of the way - but seems to be affordable. I realize that this is a bunch for 7 or 8 days, and that one could not hope to see very much in that length of time -- but its the best we can afford time-wise at the moment. Any suggestions, warnings, tips etc. will be appreciated.
As I said I really love this chat board and will follow it closely.

Grasshopper

It's quick but doesn't seem so awful. Many here will tell you too much time in Florence, not enough Venice. Others will say, not enough time in Rome. You will have to decide where you want to spend your time. You can always come back. For my part, I'm not sure how much relaxation you will get with jet lag and a 6:55 am departure!

It sounds like an unforgettable event.

marty

I think it all sounds reasonable. You will want to return to Venice, because I doubt you will take in much of the city on that wedding weekend. I wouldn't take a day trip to Pisa, because there is so much to see in Florence, but if you really want to go there a half day would probably do. A bus trip for half a day to Sienna might be more enjoyable. I never want to leave Florence when I am there, but my husband went to Sienna for part of a day and loved it.

David

Dear Shrink: For "blind" planning to a destination you've never before visited, I'd say you did a pretty good job. Of your suggested itinerary, I would advise dropping your plans to spend a day in Pisa from Florence. Florence offers plenty to do and see in three days and, frankly, Pisa (in my estimation) is not worth a full day's committment. While it is certainly interesting to see the Leaning Tower, it simply doesn't compare to what Florence has to offer the first-time visitor. In order to save time (waiting in line for museum admittance) while in Florence, I might suggest you attempt to pre-book admission tickets to the Uffizi Galleries and to the Accadamia (where Michaelangelo's "David" is located). Pre-booking these admission tickets (while it costs a bit more) guarantees you an admission spot at a designated time, thus avoiding what can often be hours and hours of waiting in line. As a final suggestion, if your budget permits, I might suggest attempting to find a more centrally located hotel in Rome. In my estimation, since you have already committed to a (likely) very expensive trip to Italy, you probably don't want to risk killing alot of your valuable, and limited, time commuting between a hotel on the outskirts of town and the sites in the city center, especially when you might find something more centrally located for only $20 to $50 more per night. In any event, have a great trip. Italy is a real treat, especially for a first-timer such as yourself!

ira

Hi Shrink,

You did pretty good.

If you haven't bought airline tickets yet, you might want to consider flying into Venice and out of Rome.

Also, my wife and I found that the adrenalin high from landing in Italy allowed us to keep on going. We didn't stay in Rome, but kept on.

Of course, there were only 2 of us.

Margie

That's not so bad! Although I understand wanting to see the tower (and don't miss the baptistery) I would save Pisa for another trip. I went 15 years ago and enjoyed it, went back with my husband 5 years ago and we couldn't get out of there fast enough -the area leading up to the tower was filled with tacky souvenir stands, it was very disappointing to see it so commercialized.

Have a wonderful time and let us know about your trip when you get back!

ChatNoir

I'd land in Rome and press ahead to Venice. IMHO, adding a jetlagged one day stop and then leaving early the next morning leaves you worse off energy wise and also cuts short your time in Venice.

I'd also drop Pisa and go to Siena.

yipper

Hi,
You did a great job planning this trip and you are getting such good advise. I agree if you can fly into Venice and out of Rome that would be best. Otherwise, I would go right to Venice the first day. Getting reservations for the art galleries in Florence is a must, and lastly Siena over Pisa any day. It sounds so exciting. My son is getting married in Santorini next spring. I love the idea. I am thrilled but I have to wait a year. Enjoy!!!!!!!!!

marty

Even if you already have tickets putting you in Rome on the first day, could you go ahead and take the train to Venice on that day? It would give you full days in Venice rather than taking part for that 6 AM ride.

mjs

I agree with others that this is not a bad itinerary. Would have flown into Venice and out of Rome but if you cannot do that I would take the train or plane to go to Venice on your first day while you are still jet lagged and crash in Venice.

Lady

I think what you've got sounds good and I have to agree with the others about Pisa. We hopped off the train between Rome and Cinque Terre to see it, have lunch and hop back on the train. Pretty cool, but really glad we hadn't used any more than a couple of hours on it. We were fascinated by Siena and it's an easy day-trip from Florence.

Maybe someone else could comment on Lucca. I haven't been yet (planning to see it this trip) but I've heard it's great and maybe someone thinks Lucca/Pisa is worth the time.

mclaurie

I agree with the advice to either try to fly into Venice or just continue on there when arriving in Rome. I've never been to Pisa but it often appears on threads of most overrated sites.

In the almost 2 years I've been reading this board (which I found plannign a trip to Venice)I haven't seen anyone else who's stayed at the Concordia but it seems to get decent reviews on tripadvisor. I hope you'll post back & tell us how it is.

Meanwhile, all the best of luck on your daughter's wedding & marriage. You might enjoy reading "A Thousand Days in Venice" by Maria de Blasi-an autobiographical account of an American woman who meets & marries a Venetian. She goes into great detail about the problems of arranging the legalities of her wedding.