My wife and I are going to Italy for our first time in January. We will be there two weeks. My wife has been to Florence before and very much wants to go back, I want to go to Rome. We are flying in and out of Florence. Any suggestions on what else to hit? Any tips on the weather? Thanks.

Hi Dan <BR> <BR>I've not been to Rome, and your wife already knows how wonderful Florence is, so I'll put in my plug for Venice. <BR>It's magical, unique, unforgettable. <BR>At least 3 days, four would be better. <BR>If you want hotel,restaurant, train, museum,driving and other suggestions on any part of Italy, try doing a Search on this forum for past postings on each topic, or else just gather your thoughts and ask away.

I agree - with 2 weeks, Rome, Florence and Venice (my particular favorite) would be great. I love them all...

Dan, <BR>I would recommend a day trip by train to Siena from Florence. A local described Siena as a jewel, and it is. The shopping there is better and cheaper than in Florence or Rome. If you can, go on a Wednesday morning and catch the market at the soccer stadium (not sure how far it is from the train station.) It runs from 8-1, but the earlier you get there the better. It was a feast for the senses and there were some great bargains to be found (I was in shoe heaven.) Definitely check out the Cathedral, especially the Piccolomini Library, off to the side. My husband & I ranked this equal in beauty to the David and the Sistine Chapel. Breathtaking! There is a wonderful, inexpensive restuarant, Taverna del Capitano, right down the street from the Cathedral. The best brushetta we had in Italy was there. The Piazza del Campo is not to be missed. If you are energetic (or insane) climb up the Torre del Mangia to get a spectacular view of the Tuscan countryside. But if you can't handle tight spaces, skip it. (It's funny that in America you can take an elevator up the Washington Monument for free, while in Italy you willingly pay around $5 per person to climb hundreds of stairs in the towers, cathedrals, etc.)I could go on forever about Siena...We have been back from Italy for a little over a month now, but we still think about it a lot. Enjoy your trip!

Dan, <BR>I would recommend a day trip by train to Siena from Florence. A local described Siena as a jewel, and it is. We were there in July and while there were tourists in Siena there were a lot less than in Florence and Rome. The shopping there is better and cheaper than in Florence or Rome. If you can, go on a Wednesday morning and catch the market at the soccer stadium (not sure how far it is from the train station.) It runs from 8-1, but the earlier you get there the better. It was a feast for the senses and there were some great bargains to be found (I was in shoe heaven.) Definitely check out the Cathedral, especially the Piccolomini Library, off to the side. My husband & I ranked this equal in beauty to the David and the Sistine Chapel. Breathtaking! There is a wonderful, inexpensive restuarant, Taverna del Capitano, right down the street from the Cathedral. The best brushetta we had in Italy was there. The Piazza del Campo is not to be missed. If you are energetic (or insane) climb up the Torre del Mangia to get a spectacular view of the Tuscan countryside. But if you can't handle tight spaces, skip it. (It's funny that in America you can take an elevator up the Washington Monument for free, while in Italy you willingly pay around $5 per person to climb hundreds of stairs in the towers, cathedrals, etc.)I could go on forever about Siena...We have been back from Italy for a little over a month now, but we still think about it a lot. Enjoy your trip!

Sorry for the double post. I added an extra sentence in the top part and didn't realized it had already gone through...

Thanks, everbody for the input. Any suggestions on where to stay in any of the "Big Three"? I am a relatively cheap guy (although I perfer "frugal") and would like to stay in the $100 per night range.

Dan, there have been many postings on this Forum for hotels all over Italy. If you try doing a Search here by city you will get lots of info, and of course people may respond to you right here. <BR>Here are some web sites <BR> <BR> Venice Hotels <BR>www.ve.flashnet.it <BR>www.hotelguide.ch/ <BR>www.venicehotel.com/ <BR> www.venere.it/ <BR> <BR>Italy sites <BR>www.italyguide.com/ <BR>www.hotelguide.ch/ hotels <BR>www.italyhotel.com hotels by city <BR>www.italiantourism.com/ Italian Govt Tourist Board <BR> <BR>There is a good website about Siena http://www.turismoverde.com/english/ <BR>enhome.htm <BR> <BR>Florence hotels that have been recommended in this Forum include <BR>La Residenza, the Brunelleschi, <BR>Il Bargellino (more of a B & B) <BR>Kraft Hotel <BR>Morandi alla Crocetti <BR>You can also Search on this Forum by hotel name for the details <BR> <BR>good luck <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>

In Venice, the Hotel Bisanzio is a very clean and nicely situated hotel. The rates are very good and the staff was VERY helpful with restaurants etc. I would definately stay there again. I actually got the hotel from a posting on this site and was extremely happy with it. Have Fun!

I traveled to Italy 2 years ago and relied on "Rick Steeve's" guide to find good, inexpensive hotels. The book was pretty much "right on" in its descriptions and i was never unhappy with my accomodations.

Dan, <BR>I agree with Dawn's earlier post - if you are going to be in Florence, Siena is not to be missed. If you are really ambitious, rent a car in Florence and drive to Siena. Its an easy trip and there are a number of well known hill towns in between which can be seen easily in a full day. I've been to Florence, Venice, and Rome and I definitely put Siena in the same category.... <BR>

Don't forget the region of Umbria--neighboring Tuscany, but less traveled. There you'll find Assisi. Also, Perugia (stay, and at least have lunch in the courtyard of La Rosetta. Was there when Wynton Marsalis played an impromptu riff from his balcony above.) Orvieto not only has great wine, but a wonderful cathedral. And numerous small towns, such as Todi, retain a medieval feel. The region is less expensive and less touristed than Tuscany, but has the same charm, much art, and great food and wine.

Hi, <BR>I would suggest a visit to Pisa, the tower is amazing to see in 'real life' but also it has a wonderful University building and area as well. I would suggest eating pizza from the stall near the church at the tower just as is gets dark - a lifelong memory. <BR> <BR>I am also returning to Italy in a few weeks - to rimini and San Marino - do you know of any information for these areas? <BR> <BR>Have a great trip! <BR>Maddy

Maddy--was in San Marino and Rimini on a quick overnight trip from Perugia. Found San Marino prettier from afar than upclose. Lots of tacky stalls and exploitation over its smallness has robbed it of charm. Rimini was a "real place," not at all as dramatic or pretty as the other coast; good seafood, long beach. Fellini, who was from the town, shot many parts of his movies there, including "81/2," which might be fun to watch to give you glimpses of it from the past.

hi dan--my wife and i went two years ago for two weeks and did venice (3 days) florence (3 days) and rome (7 days). i would do venice last because it was so tranquil with no cars that we found it disconcerting to then go to florence and rome where the traffic and the vespas are crazy. i would like to have had more time in venice just to wander. from rome i would recommend a day trip to pompeii and capri (which was beautiful) my guess is that weather wise venice will be cool and damp in january. rome should be very comfortable. if you like fettucine alfredo don't miss Alfredo's restaurant in rome. <BR>