jent103 thanks that is the one

The website above should be www.seat61.com

Kay

I just love one repliers standard, one size fits all answer. Same answer every time, every situation.

Newbie:
We are so worried about the cost what would be the least costly way to go?

Answer:
Travel by 1st class train.

Newbie, if some of the concerns are around cost and "getting around" try limiting yourslef in terms of location. This will minimize the time/effort/cost of getting from one place to another as well as allow you to really experience one location in more depth. You will have a much more relazing trip.

You can generally rent apartments for one week at a time for less than a hotel and with much more space. Your going to be in Italy for over 4 weeks (lucky you). Maybe pick four places and spend a week in each, renting an apartment in each location to keep down costs. Spend a week in Venice, Florence, Tuscany (or Umbria) and a week in Rome, flying out of there. Be aware that you wil be much better suited to explore the more rural regions of Tuscany and Umbria with a car. I wouldn't be afraid of driving in the countryside, it's no different than driving at home. Also, even thogh three of those weeks are in "cities" know that you can find many enjoyable day trips outside of each that will provide different experiences.

Travel is fun. Yes there will be moments of confusion and/or frustration here and there, but this is certainly no reason not to experience a trip such as you're going to take. I envy you and your ability to take 30+ days for a trip like this.

anyway check out these fantastic sources IMO for info about Italian trains - www.seat62.com - check this site's commercial link to Rail Europe (U S) for current prices of Italian railpasses;

OOPS _SITE SHOULD BE www.seat61.com and not www.seat62.com - sorry for typo.

Oops did not see Kay's note to what I posted just above. Sorry for my negligence.

Apparently newbie has not returned. Did we scare her off? If you are there, newbie, please say so!!

Sorry about not replying for so long,all of this has helped a lot. We are flying to Venice Marco polo because our friend lives in Treviso and we will do day trips in to Venice and Dolomites from there. We have been told by lots to skip Milan as a sleep over and just stop in to see the Duomo and carry on. I would like to take everyones advice and stay a week at a place instead of traveling. My friend said that a week in Cinque 5 would be too long so I am thinking only 3 nights there and then off to Florence.but I have read don't drive in Florence so where do you recommend we stay for a good spot to see Luca,Pisa,Siena,and the art and wine tours? Then we would got to Rome and stay there for 3 or 4 days....not sure how many nights we need there.We also are concerned where to stay in the Naples area, We were told not to stay right in Naples.Crime and garbage issue right now.We would like to see Naples but is it easy to get from the Amalfi coast as a day trip and we would stay at the coast for a week? Then off to Sicily again not sure where to stay...I know some of you said skip Sicily but I think it would be beautiful to go down there.Should we go to the Capri island instead??? still a wee bit stressed thank you all for your suggestions.

Newbie - Breathe deep and break up your paragraphs ... your stress is palpable!

One of the first things we're going to need to know to help you is where does your flight depart from? Back in Venice or did you book an open jaw?

I'm by no means an Italy expert, but I have done quite a bit of trip planning.

Couple of thoughts:
- I've never been, but I don't think it would be worth the effort of storing luggage to see Milan's Duomo. IMO in the time you will have in Italy you will see your share, without making a special pit stop. Others might disagee.
- Florence is a good base to see Tuscany by public transport. I would give 2 days to Florence and then a day for each Tuscan town you want to see
- Rome IMO deserves 4 full days.
- Why are you looking to stay in Naples? I personally liked it, but it is a rather intense city. I'm not sure if I would recomend it for you.
- Capri and Sicily are entirely different.
- From everything I've heard 3 nights in CT should be about right.

I really think it helps to breakout your trip by days.

9/18 Arrive
9/19 Trevino
9/20 Trevino
9/21 Trevino
9/22 CT
9/23 CT
9/24 CT
9/25 Florence
9/26 Florence
9/27 Florence - day trip
9/28 Florence - day trip
9/29 Florence - day trip
9/30 Florence - day trip
10/1 Rome
10/2 Rome
10/3 Rome
10/4 Rome
10/5 AC
10/6 AC
10/7 AC
10/8 AC
10/9 AC
10/10 Sicily
10/11 Sicily
10/12 Sicily
10/13 Sicily
10/14 Sicily
10/15 Sicily
10/16 Sicily
10/17
10/18
10/19
10/20 Depart

I left a little wiggle room at the end if you want to add more days to a desination of add an additional one.

You don't need to drive for most of your trip. Take the train/bus tour until you go to Sicily. Considering what newbies you are, don't take on the added stress of driving until the end, when I think you will need a car, and will be more used to your environment.

to be clear, take the train and/or bus tours until you go to Sicily.

"We were told not to stay right in Naples.Crime and garbage issue right now."

"Right now"? no for about the last 3000 years.

Actually I have a soft spot for Naples ( the deepest part of the atlantic). No, jokes over.

It is a very old city, any crime will only be of the street robbery type and you get that all over the world if you go into dark alleyways late at night but the rest of the time the place is ok. You may want to use it as a place to pass through either a ferry trip or a trip to Herculaneum etc.

I would skip Milan all together, there are magnificent cathedrals all over Italy and you will see others. Go to St Peters in Rome.

I'd say 3 nights in the Cinque Terre sounds good. There is not a lot of accommodation as the villages are very small so make sure you book ahead.

In Sicily I'd suggest staying in Taormina and maybe get the ferry to Lipari for a few days.

Instead of staying in Naples, you could stay in Sorrento which we really liked. From there it's an easy bus or train ride to Naples, Pompeii, Amalfi, Positano and Ravello.

I wouldn't get a car at all, it will just add to your stress levels. Public transport in Italy is good and if you research timetables before you go, you should be fine.

Kay

This is no help to the OP, but might influence others who are first time travellers to Europe.

I am always surprised at the length of time people propose to be away from home, especially when they are concerned about the expense. If you have never travelled before, you may find that it is not as much fun as you hoped. You may get home-sick. You may find being in a country where you are not fluent in the language is more of a struggle than you thought. You may find that the different food and lifestyle is not as agreeable as you expected.

It would be easier if you restricted your travel to one or two weeks. I know the airfare is a significant cost, but there are many people who cross the Atlantic frequently at their own expense because they think it's worth it. If you find you like travelling, then you can plan your next visit with a greater appreciation of what to expect and what you actually like doing while away. Too many museums and cathedrals cane easily dull the appetite.

3 nights in Cinque Terre IMO could be fab or for some it could be boring as Hades - it depends on your outlook - if you love just lazing around then fine but for folks who like to have things to do like sightsee then a day could be enough - especially if you do not like hiking between the 5 Lands it could be little to do otherwise - there are relativeluy few beaches with sand anywhere and the towns are rather tiny - sidewalks are rolled up at night in the middle 3 at least.

anyway plan Cinque Terre according to what you like to do - laze around or hike - some of the hikes are rather strenuous then fine.