We are planning a trip to Italy.It is our first time in Europe.We like to start with Italy and like to add one more country for our 9 days trip.we like to see Rome,Venice and Florence in Italy. Should we go north to France or Switzerland or south to Greece for a day or two?My husband and I are traveling with our 3 daughters:8,13,18.Any advice will be appreciated.

If you have only 9 days and want to see Rome, Venice, and Florence, you don't have time for another country.

I would highly recommend Switzerland for a contrast to the cities of Italy. The scenery is absolutely breathtaking-what can beat the Alps? You can go to Zermatt and take the Gornergratt train 6 miles to an observation terrace (still several feet deep in snow when we were there in May) for a fabulous panoramic view-you'll feel like you're on top of the world-with hopefully a peak at the Matterhorn. We stayed in the mountain village of Grachen-much cheaper than Zermatt and just as beautiful. Another cool natural site is the Trummelbachfalle, waterfalls inside a mountain which you access by funicular, near Lauterbrunen. Bern and Interlaken are great towns; Lucerne seemed nice also (we were only there a couple of hours so I can't really comment on it). Really, everywhere you look in Switzerland seems to be a photo opportunity. I would definitely return given the opportunity.

I concur. 9 days isn't nearly enough time for Italy alone. Save the travel money and the hassles, stay in Italy.

too much - too much. You're not allowing sufficient travel time to get from point A to point B. If you want to see Rome, Venice & Florence, that's your vacation --- do-able for a 9 day trip. <BR> <BR>BUT if you really want to include another country, drop Rome from your itinerary. Keep Venice & Florence and then head north to Switzerland.

9 days barely covers the 3 cities. Rome is one of my favorate cities in the world. ( spend 10 days there alone, but you can get the highlights in 5, therefore 2 days in Venice 2 or 3 in Florance and the rest in Rome. Save Switzerland, Germany etc for another trip. <BR>

With 9 days, I would divide the trip equally with 3 in Rome, 3 in Venice, and 3 in Florence. You will hardly skim the surface of Rome in 3 days though.

First, I would not divide time evenly between Roma, Florence and Venice; you need at list 4-5 days in Roma. If you want to see more then you planed, you can stop in Pisa for a few hours on your way to Florence. Try to purchase tickets to Roma, but flying out of Milan (they normally at the same price as round trip flights) - this can help you to see at bit more. Also, traveling with kids can slow you down a bit (we had this experience with 8 and 11 years old last summer, completing only about 80% of our plans, by ourselves we go for 120%).

stick with italy. as the other posters have already said, there is so much there. don't rush through these great places. go north or greece next time. your family will love italy. rent some movies with italy setting before hand for all of you to watch. there are many posts here with movie suggestions. I'm taking my 10 & 12 yr old in a few days. Enjoy planning and enjoy your trip.