Driving Trip In Italy
 

We are planning a two week trip to Italy. We want to fly into the north (probably Milan) and then travel through and see as many of the "must sees" as possible, Venice, Florence, Pisa, Siena, Rome, Naples, Pompei, Sorrento and Capri. We really want to spend some time in smaller places...not all of our time in cities. Aren't sure how to plan the route. Any ideas of picturesque little places we should see? Do we need to prebook hotels or will we manage as we go? We usually prebook everything but this can make for a slightly rigid structure. If anyone has suggestions or web-sites I should see or a company that can help arrange this please advise. Any advice would be appreciated. We are not planning to go until next April

About 4 years ago, we drove basically the same route as you are planning. We still talk about our great Italy trip. Arrived in Milan, picked up the car and drove to Bellagio (2 nites), Venice (2 nites), Florence (3). A long drive to Positano (3), then to Rome (4), Portofino (2), Stressa, (1) before 1PM departure from Milan. We booked ahead Bellagio, Venice and Positano. Traveled in May. Summer would have to book more in advance, I think. <BR>To do over, would try to get at least one nite in Siena or San Gimignano. <BR>Driving in Italy was really not a problem. Roads signed very well. Rome and Florence were - - - well, exciting to drive in, but just to get in and out. Once your in, park it. <BR>Mary, I planned all of this from Fodor's book, and the Michelin green guide, making reservations via internet or fax. Used Avis for the car. Also prowled the internet for info about places I found interesting or recommended in Fodor/Michelin. I did not have this site to help at the time, but there is a wealth of info here, just stay tuned. <BR>I'd be glad to answer anything specific, email direct if you wish. <BR>Have a great trip, ours was wonderful.

Make sure you go to the chianti region which is just east of the Siena-Florence superstrada highway. Also try to get to Asissi and Montepulciano (the latter for a fantastic sunset). I would NOT recommend Lucca.

Welcome to the Fodors Travel Talk europe forum. <BR> <BR>You're going to get a ton of good advice here. One problem is that with your mention of "Venice, Florence, Pisa, Siena, Rome, Naples, Pompei, Sorrento and Capri" and the desire (which many of "us" strongly applaud) to "spend some time in smaller places...not all of our time in cities" - - you're going to want a trip of 4 to 8 weeks, not TWO. <BR> <BR>With 10 months of planning time, you have the opportunity to enjoy Italy almost for a whole year, while you do the research. The Internet - - and this board, in particular - - is so SO rich with information that you really can "tour" Italy (from your keyboard) from now until next February, and then really set a fantastic plan. <BR> <BR>I personally DO recommend that you reserve ALL your lodging in advance. Why waste even one minute looking for a place while you are traveling - - and possibly miss that much BETTER place just around the bend, simply because you didn't take the time (a wonderful fun PAStime) to look into your many options in the vicinity of things you want to see and visit. <BR> <BR>That doesn't mean you can't explore - - but you have all the more time to dawdle in a market, take a hike or a swim, sit in a cafe and sip wine - - with the peace of mind that you know where you'll be sleeping, how much it will cost, and that you don't have to worry if the one daughter that speaks English is there when you need to check in or not - - since they're expecting you. <BR> <BR>So come back often, with more specific questions as your plans evolve. There are a lot of us here who love to write answers. <BR> <BR>Best wishes, <BR> <BR>Rex Bickers <BR>Westerville, Ohio <BR>http://communities.msn.com/RexBickers/messageboard.msnw <BR>

Buon giorno Mary, Two weeks is not very much time--you will need to plan well. Here are some ideas for you to ponder. I would plan 6 destinations or less, and that will be tough to decide. <BR> <BR>SO, YOU WANT TO SEE ITALY ! <BR>FIRST, GET A GOOD MAP ! Having planned more than fifty personalized itineraries to southern Europe and Italy, I have learned that the best trip plans start with a good map. It takes about six weeks to see most of Italy, and that does not include Sicily. <BR>So, any typical two week sojourn requires a geographic orientation and thoughtful planning to optimize the total experience. The temptation is to try to see too much,and that is a big mistake. My advice is to limit yourself to FIVE DESTINATIONS OR LESS for any two week itinerary. Perceive Italy as geographic regions and plan accordingly. Here is a menu to help you to plan well. Let your total time <BR>in Italy, and a good map, determine your feasible choices ! <BR> <BR>THE BEST DESTINATIONS IN ITALY---BY CATEGORY---NORTH TO SOUTH <BR> <BR>REGIONS OF NATURAL SPLENDOR: <BR>1. The Lakes of Lombardy/Piedmonte [ Maggiore, Como, Lugano, Orta] <BR>2. The Dolomites/Lake Garda [ Cortina, Ortisei, Merano, Riva del Garda] <BR>3. The Ligurian Coast [ Portofino, Cinque Terre, Portovenere] <BR>4. Tuscany/ Umbria [ quaint and historic hill towns] <BR>5. The Amalfi Coast [ Sorrento, Positano, Ravello, Capri] <BR>THE HISTORICAL ART CITIES: <BR>1. Venice & Veneto [ allow 3 days---more if you include Vicenza, Verona et al] <BR>2. Florence [ it all happened here--plan for 3 days just in Florence] <BR>3. Siena [ deserves a full day, perhaps as a day trip from Florence] <BR>4. Rome [ the Eternal City demands 5 days---some would say two weeks] <BR>UP-SCALE RESORT DESTINATIONS: <BR>1. Bellagio [ the best of Lago Como] <BR>2. Cortina [ the Vail of Italy--ski resort in heart of the Dolomites] <BR>3. Portofino/ Santa Margherita [ splendid sea-side venue] <BR> 4. Positano [ the best location to explore the Amalfi coast] <BR> 5. Taormina [ fabulous sea-side location in Sicily] <BR> ROMANTIC HIDE-AWAY DESTINATIONS: <BR> 1. Asolo [ charming village in the hills of Veneto] <BR> 2. Orta San Giulio [ on mystical Lago Orta] <BR> 3. Ravello [ la dolce vita above the Amalfi coast] <BR> <BR>

We just completed a similar trip of three weeks. Had to do some shifting when we ended up flying USAirways both in and out of Rome instead of the openjaws flight into Milan and out of Rome, but that meant a revision that turned out for the best. I highly recommend looking for ways to alternate city destinations with towns/countryside, and it's nice to get rid of the jetlag in a small town instead of a busy city. Start collecting maps, and really reading them. With two weeks, I'd suggest the big three: Rome, Florence and Venice, and build around those based on what else you want to see, and on where your flights end up scheduled. <BR>We flew into Rome, picked up our car at the airport and drove to Chiusi in Tuscany for 2 nights. A great, laid-back introduction to Italy and its wonderful people. Then we drove to Verona for 2 nights (terrific little city) and took a day-long drive north up through the Dolomites (Bolzano to Cortina) before arriving in Venice for 3 nights. Next Florence for 2 nights, out in the countryside (Strove/Monteriggioni) for 2 nights, Orvieto for 1 night (We had to pick up my sister at FCO the next AM. We really liked Orvieto. It is a terrific place for an overnight stop.) and then Frascati (outside of Rome) for one night, on to the Amalfi coast for 3 nights, then we dumped off the car at FCO and spent our final 3 nights in Rome. With only two weeks you could follow a similar schedule, although after the 2 nights in Florence, head to Orvieto or Assisi for 2 nights, and head for Rome for your last 3. What a trip like this does, is give you a great taste of Italy. The downside is you have to pack light and it gets tiresome moving around so much. But driving was great, we were always seeing something fantastic, and we know what we have to go back to see more of!

Hello. We are going to Italy at the end of June and like yourself have 2 weeks to spend. We are flying into Venice where we will stay for 3 nights then to Lucca for another 3 nights- we did this so we would have a relaxed place to explore the region-Pisa, Florence etc. A bit north of Lucca is an amazing place called Cinque Terre. They are five little towns that you hike through along the coastline. Really looking forward to that. Then we will spend one night in Sienna and head down to Positano for 6 nights. Our last destination is Rome where we will spend two nights. If you want you can email me mid-July after I return and I could let you know how it went.

so much of italy is a 'must-see' that even in two weeks you'd be pushing it to cover all of what you wish. Some of the smaller places a night or even an afternoon stop is enough but the main cities need more time. if you've never been to italy, you can easily do at least 3 days in each of the larger cities and still not see everything. We did a 10 day trip, my kids wanted to see Pisa but we decided that if we made the trip there (on our way from Venice to Florence, it would be at least a 1/2 day away from Florence (and that would be a very quick pisa visit). We were only spening 1 night in florence so decided to skip pisa altogether just to have more florence time. I do think it's nice to stop in some of the smaller towns and spend a night in 1 or 2 if you can. I would first come up with how much time you want to spend in the major places (figuring time you need for sites you really want to see) and then look at a map and plan a route with some stops in between that are along the way. The highway drving is very good there and trips seem to go by very fast (except when you're in the heart of a bigger city). Don't rush throught the bigger places like Rome, florence and Venice. There is so much in those 3 places alone.

Just got back from the Amalfi Coast and Rome. If you want quite and pretty stay in Ravello rather than Positano. I wasn't impressed with Positano at all. Ravello was far more tasteful. They're both equally expensive. You can get to the A3 from Ravello if you want to go to Pompei and you can take the Amalfi drive and go to Amalfi (you can get a ferry to Capri here or go to Sorrento), Positano, Sorrento, Vietri. Don't bother trying to find a free parking space. Just pay for it and park your car and go exploring. Parking was very inexpensive compared to the US. <BR> <BR>We met a couple of people who only made reservations for the first few nights of their trips and managed to actually do better accommodation wise than if they had called in advance. April is just the beginning of the high season unless you're going at Easter. <BR> <BR>I would have to agree with the fact that you're really pushing the amount of places you want to visit in two weeks. I'd do the Amalfi Coast and Rome or Venice, Florence, Rome. I wouldn't try to drag from Milan to Naples in only two weeks. You'll get back home and say, "All I did on my vacation was drive". <BR> <BR>Have a great trip whatever you decide on. <BR> <BR>Brad <BR>

Mary: <BR> <BR>I'm another one who will agree that you'd be best served by trimming your proposed itinerary. And as you'll be traveling to Italy in April, I'd suggest that you drop the Milan/Venice options from your list. Rather I'd work with the other cities that you've identified. Start out by flying into Rome --- 3 days there, there take train up to Florence for a 4 day visit (stay in Florence w/side trips to Pisa & Siena) --- rent a car & drive south to Amalfi Coast (Sorrento/Pompei/Capri)--- and while you have the convenience of a car, you should consider a stop in one of Tuscany's smaller towns before you get to Amalfi area. Spend your last day/night in Naples & fly out from there. <BR> <BR>