I am planning an early September trip to Italy for the first time. My boyfriend and I have 10 days - here is my plan so far, please let me know what you think of this itinerary...and any advice on the best way to actually accomplish it all.<BR><BR>Fly in to Nice, France - 2 nights<BR>rent a car?<BR>drive the coast to Vernazza in the Cinque Terre - 2 nights<BR>drive to Verona - 2 nights<BR>drive to Venice, drop off the car<BR>4 nights <BR>Fly out of Venice<BR><BR>Any suggestions, things to see &amp; do. We love to drive and see a lot of the country but maybe the train is better? <BR><BR><BR>

Looks like a nice trip to me, assuming that you enjoy cruising in a car. Some people do, some don't.<BR><BR>In Venice, besides the usual stuff in every guidebook, stop by the gondola yard if you are interested in skilled crafts, how things are built, etc. If you like glassblowing, don't miss Murano--I've always been facinated by glassblowing and just can't pass a glass factory up wherever I am. You can get free rides to Murano to see the glass factories--they want you to buy some glass after you get there, but you are under no obligation to do so. But you'll probably buy a vaporetto pass anyway, so a trip to Murano and some of the other islands (e.g., Burano and the Lido) would be included in that. For less expensive meals, stores, etc., just walk a bit away from the most heavily touristed areas and you'll see prices plunge and quality climb.

That sounds great! I just came back from 9 days in Italy. Rome, Florence, and Venice. Venice was my favorite place by far. Your driving the coast sounds great. Verona is a lovely area. We got to see it too. Great intro to Venice. Just watch your purses and wallets. Have a great time!!

sounds lovely as long as you don't mind driving. Perhaps drop off the car in Verona. The train from there to Venice is easy, and you can't drive all the way into Venice anyway. Arriving in Venice at the train station and stepping outside for the first time is a memorable experience in itself. <BR>I have a file on Venice; if you'd like to see it, email me at<BR>[email protected]

YOu've got a long drive from CT to Verona. Consider stopping a night or 2 somewhere in between. Florence, Bologna, Parma? Others on here can give you better suggestions on great stop over points. I think you can easily day trip to VErona from Venice so why spend 6 days in one area when there is so much to see on your drive across? If you're not stopping in the smaller towns the train may be the way to go. Good luck!

I like your itinerary, but you do not want to stay in Vernazza with a car. You will need to park in Monterosso, Levanto or Riomaggiore. Frankly, I would stay in one of those--Vernazza can be a zoo. Your drive to Verona is not hard at all. Just be sure to run it thru viamichelin.com for the best route. I have before and was surprised.<BR>Have lunch in Portofino as you drive to the CT, and in Sirmione enroute to Verona. You will have fun !