My husband and I are going to Italy for the first time in September. We will be ataying at a Villa in Tuscany for 1 week. We purchased this 1 week trip at a Charity Auction, so it is not changable but would like to see some other parts of the country, also. Thought that maybe we would fly into Rome, spend 2-3 days there, then drive to Tuscany for the week , then drive to Milan or Venice for 2-3 days,and then fly home.

As we are "Italy Virgins" and neither of us have been to Europe for 30 years (in High School), we are looking for some recomendations from seasoned travelers.

Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Recommendations for what? Places to stay, places to see, things to eat/drink/do? Please be more specific.

Your itinerary sounds quite reasonable and makes good logistical sense. I would only rent a car for the week you're in Tuscany though. To get from Rome to Tuscany and Tuscany to Milan/Venice, it will be much simpler to take a train instead. Cars are obviously useless in Venice and major headaches in Rome or Milan.

I'm a little bit surprised that you haven't gotten any replies so far - - but then, I think it IS an interesting challenge. Can you afford 16 or 17 days? (As an aside, I would be quite curious about the terms of your auction purchase - - since I have thought about <i>offering</i> (a) trip(s) at various charity auctions I attend).

I think you would do well to get your &quot;Italy legs&quot; before the villa stay - - but I would not recommend 2-3 days in Rome to do that. You may end up hating it. Rome is very, VERY intense.

And I always think it's a shame to start a trip in Venice - - when your sleep-deprived trans-atlantic flight will blur the experience there.

So, you could start with Florence. Two nights there might be enough (Thursday and Friday night).

And thus, that leaves... what... 5 or 6 days? to split beteen Rome and Venice. You <i>could</i> leave your villa before your week is up - - if you do that, I would go to Rome first, since the Venice population of tourists can easily double on the weekend (if you try to drive yourself there from Tuscany, beware that Friday afternoons result in big traffic jams to get TO Venice).

I hope this helps. There are dozens of other possible ideas, including just staying the whole trip in Tuscany - - or going to other wonderful destinations Italy has to offer, with no regard whatsoever for the &quot;big three&quot;.

Best wishes,

Rex

You are on the right track for planning this trip.

Flying into Rome and out of Venice with a week in Tuscany sandwiched in between gives you an excellent balance of city, countryside and then city again. Both Rome and Venice really do require three nights each.

However, in order for us to give you proper advice and recommendations, it would helpful to know where in Tuscany you will be staying, whether or not you wish to drive/train as well as your interests.

I think 2-3 days in either Rome or Venice (no way would I go to Milan instead of Venice) is NOT enough time for either. I would do 4-5 days in Rome, and then Tuscany. If you can add a couple of days to your trip, then 4 in Rome, week in Tuscany, 4 days in Venice would be perfect. Remember the 1/2 days you loose going to/from and the 1/2 day lost on arrival day.

Do you have my 20+ page itinerary that I've sent to over 250 people on this &amp; the aol travel board. E-mail me at [email protected] if you want a copy.

Stu Dudley

Hi lorri,

Definitely Venice over Milan.

My choice would be Florence over Rome.

OK I've done some thinking/research since my last post...

What about this...

Fly into Rome, spend 4 nights.

Take train to Florence, rent car and drive to Villa for 1 week.

Take train to Venice, spend 3 nights

Take Orient Express from Venice to Prague - spend 2 nights

Resume Orient Express thru Germany, Paris to London - Spend 3 nights

Fly home

As this is a Celebration of our 20 Years of Marriage (14 of the best years of my life ) we want it to be SPECIAL !!!

Thanks for your input - also maybe some hotel reccomendations for Rome, Venice, Prauge, and London 5 Star preferred.

Hi lorri,

&gt;...we want it to be SPECIAL !!!&lt;

Oh, it will be.

Very good itinerary.

Please let us know about the Orient Express.