This has been going on for ages that my husband and I are trying to plan a trip to Italy. Well, we decided its going to be in May for 14 days. We plan on flying from Newark to Milan and flying back from Rome into Newark on Continental.

This is the plan for the itinerary:

Milan to Venice - 2 nights in Venice
5-7 days in Tuscany area (many villas only have 7 day rentals)
4-5 nights in Rome

My flight is on hold but not booked yet so things could still change. Just wanted an opinion from you Italy experts as to the itinerary and the amount of time we plan on staying.

Also, has anyone stayed in the Lucca area of Tuscany?

This will be our very first time in Italy and something I've been looking forward to for years!!!

Grazie millie!!

In 2002 we spent two nights in Venice.
So far this has been our only trip to Venice. I recommend that you consider three night/ two full days there.

Do you remember the place you stayed in Venice? That's the next thing we need to decide on - places to stay.

If you can flt into Venice, that would be better.

I would add another night to Venice.

Train to Florence. Pick up a rental car. In my opinion, Lucca is not a good base to see Tuscany.

Palazzo Ravizza in Siena and Palazzo del Capitano in St. Quirico d'Orcia are two hotels I have stayed at that I highly recommend (the latter being a bargain at 130 or 150 euros a night). St. Quirico is a great base for the Tuscany region, and is not even that far from Orvieto in Umbria.

If you get a villa, the areas near Siena or Pienza, both are nice areas to see much of Tuscany.

Have fun.

Didi, we just got back from Venice. La Calcina on Dorsoduro was terrific. We have also stayed at Penione Accademia, which we liked a lot, too.

"If you can flt into Venice.."

uh, make that FLY.

Hi Didi,

I, too, agree that you should add a night in Venice and try to fly there.

You might be able to find an apartment or villa that will take less than a week in May. It's not quite peak season and there are zillions to choose from.

If this is your first trip, a whole week in a villa might not turn out to be exactly your favorite thing. Do you want to cook for yourself? Do you want to drive back and forth every day to see other places? Will you feel limited on dining out/wine tasting if you have to drive back in the dark? Would you like to be able to walk to dinner? Consider carefully the location and remoteness of the villa.

You might like 3 days in one location and 3 days in another better!

Happy planning and buon viaggio!

What is the best way to make reservations at the hotels? Did you guys do it yourself by emailing or calling?

Thank you for the advice about Venice. I think we will add another night. Also, appreciate the comments about Tuscany as well. I will try for a villa around Siena or Pienza.

http://www.lacalcina.com/
http://www.pensioneaccademia.it/
http://www.palazzodelcapitano.com/

There are three of the hotel links you can go to. I always deal directly with the hotel by e-mail or phone, mostly e-mail.

La Calcina will probably want the first night paid by a check that you send to them. I never mind something like that because it seems cheaper once I get there (like a free night, since we paid so far in advance).

This is just a personal preference, but I'd start in Rome and end in Venice (and fly home from Venice.)
Rome is hectic and busy, stay 4 nights and get to know it a little. Then move on to Tuscany, one or two locations, that's up to you. Then end in Venice, which is unlike other cities, and it's a nice place to end a vacation.
I like Rome, but it's a demanding place and I wouldn't care to end my Italy sojourn on that note.

I think there are some opinions here as well that might be food for thought.
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34709088

You can probably tell Dayle and I just returned from Italy (not together, however). I just the response Dayle had about two bases.

If you stayed at a place like Palazzo del Capitano, check out this great base I had in Umbria in Spello, Palazzo Bocci. Terrific spot to go to places like Assisi, Spoleto, Montefalco, Bevagna, etc. Here is the cut and paste link.

http://www.palazzobocci.com/en/index.html

I highly recommend Hotel Bizanzio in Venice. Very convenient location, close to San Marco, transportation and it has balconies. We stayed here two different trips and loved it. Check out the picture http://www.hotel-rates.com/italy/ven...-bisanzio.html

didi - you'll love Italy in May! We will be going this May for our 4th year. You'll enjoy your destination choices. I agree with other posters - do you want to necessarily rent a villa in Tuscany? Personally, I wasn't interested in having a kitchen as that makes me feel like I need to cook. We stayed at La Saracina (in between Pienza & Montapulciano, also near San Quirico). Highly recommended - check out their website. (small refrigerator in the room - perfect for wine, cheeses, etc.). We've also stayed at Locanda dell Amorosa - very romantic with beautiful grounds; however, a bit less convenient to the "in" places. I know I'm in the minority here, but 3 nights was the right amount of time for our stay in Venice. maitaitom has recommended Palazzo del capitano in San Quirico which we peaked into and it is, indeed, wonderful looking if you prefer to be in a town. (We preferred to be more in the countryside). Your flight arrangements sound great! I wish we could stay 14 days at a stretch...happy planning!

Here is a nother web site for Bisanzio if you are interested http://www.bisanzio.com/

Hi didi,

You are planning to rent a car for Tuscany?

www.autoeurope.com and www.novarentacar.com
are good.

Has anyone taken Alitalia from Milan to Venice or Rome to Venice? I'm thinking Continental to Milan or Rome and then flying Alitalia to Venice instead of using the train from Milan to Venice.

I meant to add this to my last reply:

I also am thinking now of flying nonstop into Rome, spending time there and then going to Florence, Tuscany, and then flying home from Venice with a connection in Milan. How does that sound?

I would also select starting the trip with Rome. We started in Milan and worked our way down. The north of Italy is so laid back you are relaxing all the time so when you get to Rome it's like being a hampster on one of its wheels.

We stayed at Pensione Accademia and really liked it.
I agree about Lucca. A nice town, but you won't want to stay there. Siena would be good if you want to see Lucca and Florence and or the Hill Towns. We have stayed at the B&B Borgo Grondaie http://www.tuscany.net/grondaie/index.html
If you can afford a splurge for a night or two I highly recommend La Saracina near Pienza. It is my favorite hotel in Italy. http://www.lasaracina.it/menu_eng.htm