First Trip to Italy
 

My husband and I are planning our first trip to Italy in May/June for 10 days. We are very excited, but a bit overwhelmed with the planning!

We are flying overnight from New Jersey to Rome (arriving around 9:30 AM) and wondering how best to split our time between Rome, Florence, and Venice. Also wondering how many day trips are feasible from each of these cities without spending too much time on a train or missing out on the sights within the cities themselves. Finally, which sights would be enhanced by a tour and which would we be better off exploring on our own?

We're not sure when we might get back to Italy, so we want to see as much as possible, but we know we can't do it all (or even come close) in only 10 days. Here is what we are thinking so far. Any advice would be much appreciated!

Day 1 - Rome - Probably want to take it easy and just get settled in (anticipating a little bit of jet lag from NJ). Some light exploring around the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, etc. Maybe take the open bus tour to get our bearings? Have an early dinner and early to bed!

Day 2 - Ancient Rome (Forum, Colosseum, Palatine Hill)

Day 3 - Vatican/St. Peters (waiting to hear back regarding Scavi Tour)

Day 4 - Should we spend one more day exploring Rome or should we head to Florence??? Could we do a day trip from Rome to Pompeii or would that be too much for this trip?

Day 5 - Florence - Duomo, Ponte Vecchio

Is it possible to cover the Uffizi and Accademia on the same day?

Day 6 - Day Trip from Florence to Chianti region (looking for a small group tour to include Siena and San Gimignano)

Day 7 - Another day in Florence or if we head to Florence on Day 4 instead of Day 5, possibly spend this day visiting Pisa and Lucca

Day 8 - AM Train to Venice

Day 9 - Venice

Day 10 - Another day in Venice - is it worth taking a day trip to Murano? I have seen mixed reviews about getting pressured to buy at the glass factory and not being able to really enjoy the visit.

Day 11 - AM flight home from Venice

Any other thoughts/suggestions? Are we trying to accomplish too much in one trip?

Also, we are considering the following hotels. Any recommendations?

Rome - Domus Praetoria
Florence - Porta Faenza, Caravaggio, Europa
Venice - Rio Alto

I personally would add the extra day to Rome. There is so much to see! We are going back in March for our third trip and still won't get to everything.

I would plan the daytrips loosely, as you will probably find out when you get there that there is so much to see. Otherwise I think your itinerary looks pretty good and I'm sure you will have a wonderful trip.

Tracy

I agree with Tracy. The longer you're in Rome, the more you'll feel comfortable there. And you certainly won't run out of things to see.

I always flake out on my daytrips because I find too much to keep me occupied where I am. 4 nights Rome, 2 or 3 nights Florence and 3 nights Venice is a good start.

Congratulations!

gstove - My parents and I went to Italy for Christmas. The Rome/Florence part may be relevant to you:

Day 1 - arrive. Short rest at hotel, late lunch, the walk around Central Rome. (Just like your plan)

Day 2 - Get up late, daytrip to Tivoli to visit Villa d'Este. Come back early evening. Walk some more in town.

Day 3 - Vatican Museum & St. Peter's (including going up the dome). We did it on our own, but by the time we were done, it was already like 4pm. More night walking.

Day 4 - Borghese Gallery (need advanced reservation) in morning. Colosseum, Palatine Hill, Roman Forum afternoon.

Day 5 - Morning train to Florence. Visit Medici Chapel, San Lorenzo, Duomo (including climbing to the top). Walk around town in evening.

Day 6 - Uffizi all morning. After lunch, Academia. We spent about 3.5 hours in Uffizi, and had lunch inside. That's about the maximum time I felt one could be in a museum - fatigue if longer. Visit of Academia took about an hour. There's not that much to see there, other than the Michaelangelo's pieces.

Day 7 - Head up to Milan...

So, we stayed 4 nights in Rome and two in Florence. I found that to be pretty good. 3/4 of one day is to Tivoli, so if you're not going, you can probably cut a day off Rome. But there are still plenty of stuff we didn't see - like the catacombes.

I think you may be trying to tackle too much but of course that depends on what you are trying to accomplish. If you are looking for a vacation fashion in the mode of "The Amazing Race" then you are right on track. If you want to truly experience the culture, relax, and have an actual vacation, I would say concentrate on two cities like just Rome and Florence with a couple of side-trip-tours to places like San Gimignano, Pisa, and Pompei.

If you still want to try to see everthing you've listed do not to l'Accademia and the Ufuzi on the same day. You will be Renaissance Arted out!

Day 1 is good. Doing light walking will get the blood flowing after the flight and limber you up. With an easy afternoon, you can see the pantheon, trevi, Piaza Navonna, castle San Angelo, and the Steps. Try to "sleep" on the plane before landing.

Day 2. In the afternoon, you may consider see the Galleria Borghesse.

Day 5. Early AM EuroStar to Florence. Start sight-seeing after check in.

Uffizi and Accademia can be seen in one afternoon. Personally, I think David is the only thing to see at the Accademia. Make reservastion at the Uffizi. This will keep you wasting time in line. Just show up 15-20 minutes early and walk in the reservation door.

I have not been to Venice, but from other post, 1 1/2 day is nowhere near enough. Based on that, I would add this day to Rome. Possibly take an afternoon tour to Hadriana's Villa and Tivoli Fountains.

Thanks everyone!!!

Check out Francesca Caruso as a tour guide of the Roman Forum, Palatine Hill and the Colosseum. She is awesome. Her e-mail address is: [email protected] She is recommended on this forum as well as Rick Steves. We took a tour with her in Sept. and I still think about it every day. She has even answered my questions after our return.

Hi gs,

Good itinerary.

I suggest that you do the extra day in Rome and use it to take a daytrip to Orvieto.

See http://www.italyheaven.co.uk/orvieto.html

I highly recommend lunch in the garden at I Sette Consoli (40E fixed price)
Pzza Sant’Angelo 1A
phone/fax 011 39 0763 343911

Secret Itineraries tour of Doge’s palace Phone number is 011 39 041 520 9070. English-speaking operator.

You will not be charged for your tickets if you don't go on the tour.


Uffizi and Academia Museum Reservations
The easiest and cheapest way is to call Florence 1016868 (dial around number), 011 (U.S. international access code) 39 (Italy's country code) then 055-294-883 8:30-18:30 M-F and 8:30-12:00 Sat. Florence time. You will get an English speaking operator and in 2-3 minutes YOU CAN RESERVE FOR BOTH. This is through the reservation service at the Uffizi and costs beyond the normal entry fee only about 3 euro for the service. This is MUCH cheaper than the commercial booking services.

You will not be charged for the reservations unless you use them.

>...is it worth taking a day trip to Murano?

Not with the short time you have.

>Could we do a day trip from Rome to Pompeii or would that be too much for this trip?

Too much for this trip.

Have a great visit.

((I))

Your trip is doable, but I would spend at least one night in the beautiful Tuscan countryside or a small hill town, to unwind after Rome, then do a night or two in Florence.

May I just second Ira's advise to call the Florence number directly to reserve Uffizi and Accademia. This was the easiest part of planning my trip for next month!

I called this morning, asked the Italian-speaking woman who answered the phone if she spoke English - which she did, of course! She asked which museum, what day and time I wanted to reserve and how many persons and that was it. All finished in under 3 minutes! And you don't pay until you show up.

I haven't reserved the Borghese Gallery in Rome yet, but I plan to do that online.

Since time on vacation is precious, why waste it unnecessarily waiting in line?