Looking for advice to spend 7-10 days in Italy on the end of May into June. We'll be on our honeymoon.

where in Italy?

Mike, I would suggest you do a little reading first and then ask a little more specific questions because we don't know what you enjoy. Museums, beaches, architecture, wine etc? Look into Florence, Tuscany (small towns), venice, Lake Como. I would suggest Frommers or Fodors Italy book for the best information. Along with reading previous posts on this board.

Congratulations Mike! <BR> Like yourself, we're going to Italy on our honeymoon for the first two weeks of June. We will be spending 5 nights in Tuscany, 2 nights in Venice and 4 nights in the Lake Como area (Lake Orta to be specific). <BR> Here are my thoughts: <BR> Do you have a budget? We didn't start out with one and when I put my "wish list" together, my fiance nearly had a heart attack. I managed to trim it down without much sacrifice, so now we're both really happy. <BR> Better get going on the decision making - a lot of places are booking up very quickly. We got the last room in La Suvera, the place we've decided upon for Tuscany. <BR> I used travelocity to check fares - travel to Italy that time of year is pretty expensive. Their results weren't always the best, so I recommend checking out Airlines web pages directly We are paying $875pp. That was the cheapest I could find and it's on Air France on their new 777's. The planes are supposed to be great, and the configuration is 3-3-3. Depending on your itinerary, remember that you can fly in and out of different cites and the prices should be the same. We are flying into Florence and out of Milan. It saves a lot on driving time. <BR> Avis has the best rates for car rentals. We've booked an Alfa Romeo for $650 for two weeks - that's pretty good for Europe. <BR> Getting back to accomodations - two great websites - venere.it and Tuscany.net. However, I don't trust their results when checking for availability. Venere.it told us the hotel we wanted to stay at in Italy was sold out. I called the hotel directly and they had rooms available. My advice - use these sites to search for properties and just call the hotel directly. At every place I called, they spoke English and were able to give me room descriptions. Also, please note that the prices quoted usually include the VAT, but read the fine print just in case. If you want the absolute best, check out Relais and Chateaux on-line. They have beautiful properties. <BR> <BR>Happy Planning!

Nancy, <BR>Like you, we are going on our honeymoon <BR>in Italy in July. We are not planning <BR>to rent a car, so do you have any advice <BR>on the accomodations in Venice, Tuscany <BR>and Lake Como area that would not require us to have a car. For example, I looked at La Suvera and the place looks astonishing but I don't think we'll manage to get there without a car. <BR> <BR>Thanks, <BR>Igor.

If you are into sports at all, the 2001 Giro D'italia bicycle race will overlap with your trip. It's the biggest event in Italy with the possible exception of the world cup in soccer. For details of the route and schedule, see this internet site: "www.sportingtours.co.uk/giro/giroroute.html" Even if you're not interested in seeing it, you should be aware of it because hotels, etc. may be booked up as the Giro passes through an area.

I'll be in Italy during the same time period this year! (But I don't think you'd want to go where I'm going.) If you want helpful specific suggestions, you need to be more specific about WHERE in Italy you plan to be, e.g., what region(s), or will you do a fast rushed "highlights" tour? But if the real problem is that you have not the slightest idea where you want to go and just want someone else to choose FOR you, here's my suggestion: Tuscany, including a few days in Florence and a few days in the countryside or in smaller Tuscan town(s). I don't know anyone who hates Tuscany, and most people love it. It is beautiful, historic (many other parts of Italy are as well), and also happens to be exceptionally easy, safe and comfortable to travel in.

Igor, Cortona is very easily accessible from Florence by train and would be a lovely place to stay for a few days. the train station is in the valley, the town on the hill, so don't count on walking up there with luggage. But there are taxis. Many wonderful towns are accessible from Florence by bus. The problem with not having a car is that if you want to stay in several small towns, you'd have to return to Florence between towns in order to get to the next town. I mention Corton because you can go by train and because i love it. (Try a serach for Cortona -- I know I've commented on it on various Tuscany threads so won't take up space repeating myself here--unless you can't find the old posts-- and others have as well).

cmt, <BR>could you give me some advice as far <BR>as accomodations in Florence and Cortona. <BR> <BR>Thanks. <BR>Igor.