We're planning to have our honeymoon in Italy mid-September 2007 for two full weeks. We know the places we want to visit, mostly in central Italy. We're flying into Rome and spending a few days there. From there we'd like to go to Cinque Terre, Florence, and Sienna. We've never been to central Italy before - we have only visited Venice in Italy. I need help with the following:

1.) How many days do we really need to spend in the 4 places I mentioned and is 2 weeks realistic to do all 4?
2.) Which town in CT would you recommend to visit that is non-touristy and more village life
3.) We're thinking of taking the train from Rome to CT, CT to Florence, then renting a car in Florence to drive down to Tuscany/Sienna, and returning it in Rome. Does this sound good?

Looking forward to your thoughts!

Since you will probably need to spend your last night in Rome, I would suggest heading directly to Florence or Cinque Terre upon arrival, saving all your days in Rome for the end of the trip.

Is 'two full weeks' 14 days, 12 nights?

How about
Cinque Terre 3 nights
Florence 3 nights
Tuscany 2 nights
Rome 4 nights

hi, october -

congrats on your nuptials and on being such a good planner. no "if it's tuesday it must be Venice" for you.

I really like your plan, just as it is. assuming you're coming from the US, don't forget to factor in a day or so for jet-lag.

contrary to what ellenem says, I'd stick to the current plan, but possibly allow one day/night in rome before going home - that means you can return car at your leisure, then spend your time shopping/revisiting highlights before going home.

and/or you might like a night in Orvieto - return your car there, then train to Rome and home.

best wishes,

regards, ann

Thanks for your responses. Anne, thanks for the Orvieto suggestion. We may make it one of our destination stops. And yes, we are flying from the east coast of the US and because of jetlag, I wouldn't want to hop-off the plane in Rome and do more traveling to get to another town the same day. We don't function too well on little sleep! Although I do see your point Ellenem. Also, I take the two "full" weeks back, we are going for 12 days, 13 nights. That being said, are our plans still doable?

Also, how is the driving in there? Is it easy to pick-up/drop-off rental cars anywhere in the towns I mentioned?

I'm not seeing much chance of finding a "non-touristy" town in CT, but maybe others can help. We liked Monterosso for the diversity of the Old Town and New Town, but that's just an opinion. I can recommend taking the ferry that stops at the towns and end in Portovenere. It's a relaxing way to see the coastline and the major towns, plus Portovenere is worth a visit.

I'd agree with ellenem on itinerary. You're probably doing well to spend the 1st few days in Rome. It can be a bit hectic, so anything after that, especially CT, will seem laid back.

Cinque Terre is in the North. Why not fly into Milan--train to Monterosso in Cinque Terre.You will not need a car in that area.Shuttle between local towns using a train or ferry
*Stay 3 days in Monterosso
*train to Florence,-stay 3 nights
*take a bus or train to Siena,or better, pick up a car in Florence at the end of the stay in Florence and drive South thru Tuscany to a small town outside of Siena (Castellina,Greve,Montelcino ). Base yourselves there and do day trips in the Tuscan countryside, walled towns,and Siena for 3-4 days.You will find this to be one of the most enchanting areas you visit.


*Depart Tuscany,drive South thru Orvieto to Rome. Drop the car. Stay and tour there the remainder of your trip.
This way you fly into the North and travel always in a Southerly direction from there after you get to Cinque Terre

GTG

You really want the new flight into Pisa from JFK.

I agree with the suggestion made of dropping the car in Orvieto,stay the night or not,and on to Rome.

Keep it as simple as possible and try not driving in the cities.

GTG

Ah! I didn't think about flying into Milan then back from Rome, GTG. Good thing we haven't booked our plane tix yet. Then I think we'll definitely take the train the same day to CT as we arrive earlier on the Milan flight and it'll only take 3hrs vs. 5/6hrs from Rome. Excellent.

This is my first posting and it's been a great help so far. Keep the suggestions coming!

When researching flights, use the 'multi-city' option to find combinations into Milan and out of Rome. (As Bob mentioned, if you are flying out of JFK, there is now a direct flight to Pisa.)

Some additional information. In Florence, on the Piazza Republica there are a couple of restaurants. One especially, and I can't come up with the name though we have been ther several times---but has a Polish sounding name-----is great!!!

The food is good and the ambiance is outstanding---outdoor dining and a live band.

The square is downtown not far from the Duomo.Once there you should easily be able to identify it, with the great clues I have provided.
Last time there we danced until 2:00 AM and made a 6:00 AM flight.Maybe that's why my memory is still a bit hazy.

You will have a fantastic trip.

GTG

A flight into Pisa and train to Monterosso would also work very well,in fact overall better than into Milan if you can work it.

There is a train from Pisa Centrale station at 11:44 AM arriving Monterosso 12:54PM, only 1 hour and 10 minutes with no changes. There are earlier trains but all require changes, and are a longer ride overall. There is station at the airport but no trains from there to Monterosso.

The trip from Malpensa ( Milan's International Airport )into the city is long ---45 minutes plus.There are trains at 9:10 and 11:10 AM arriving Monterosso 3 hours and 44 minute later , each with 2 changes. Also one at 12:10 PM with no changes,taking 3 hours.

You have choices,pick the best for you.By the way I suggest you ask the hotel you choose the best means of transport to them. They may come to pick you up.

What is "GTG?"

What is wliwl ??

GTG

As we are flying out of Philadelphia using USAir(we want to use up our points), we could not fly to Pisa. Thanks for the suggestion.

For those who have driven in the places I mentioned, what is the deal with parking? Specifically, in towns like Siena and Montalcino.

Can you also recommend a place to stay in Monterosso and Vernazza for CT, Florence, Siena and/or Montalcino and Orvieto? Say less than $200/night, if that's doable. We only want it to be clean, quiet, and have a private bath. We have Rome covered, just need some accommodation options in the other towns. Thanks!!!