Hi everyone, sorry for the urgent message, but my husband and I are heading to Italy for about 8 days (+ 2 travel days) in mid-October. Typically, I am WAY more organized with Itineraries and the whole nine yards. The good news is I've been offered a new fantastic job! The bad news is I'm in training for 6 weeks and don't have time to plan.

Since I haven't been good about planning I'm thinking we may just wing it (unless you advise me not to). I'm guessing it's off season, so hotels should be available/resonable - SO, we're thinking about renting a car and just driving...
- Mon/Tuesday/Wed. in Florence (or somewhere along the way)
- Thursday/Friday/Sat. in Le Marche (My husband has family here somewhere - Monte Fortino maybe - this is the easy part!)
- Sun/Mon/Tues in Rome.

So a few questions:
1. Any suggestions on how to go about mapping this out
2. Any suggestions on places to stay along (or somewhat along the way). Our first 3 days are probably the most flexible.
3. Anyone have a clue how long it will take us to drive from Le Marches back to Rome?

My husband saw a special on the Almafi Coast in High Def. and now wants to visit there as well - I'm thinking it'll have to be another day.

Any help would be appreciated. In the meantime I'll be surfing through all your wonderful trip reports and tips! Thanks so much!

Mapquest.com now has maps and driving directions for Europe.

Lots depends on how you see this trip; once in a lifetime (mad dashes everywhere) or the first of many. If the latter, I suggest you consider your personal interests and then see how you can cater to them in Italy.

Do you need to see the 'usual sights' or is seeing them in a book or video sufficient? If the latter, look for some off the beaten path adventures.

-Blaine

I'm very much the wing it type - my husband and I just jump in the car and go, stop and look at whatever looks interesting, find a hotel when we get tired, take our time. I think this is Enrico's reaction to his own father, who was the "you've got to see everything in the guidebook" type when his family travelled together.

You are correct that in October you shouldn't have trouble finding accomodation, but the weather will probably still be good, possibly rainy.

Many places, even small towns, have tourist offices, so you could just stop in any random town and look for the office, you'll find lots of brochures on what there is to do locally. Look out for sagre and feste - local festivals, often involving local specialty and seasonal foods.

Driving from Le Marche to Rome can take anywhere from a few hours to several days, depending on the roads you choose. Basically, you have to cross the spine of the Apennines, which means either the tunnel under Gran Sasso, or lots of twisty, tiny but very beautiful roads.

best regards,
Deirdré Straughan

http://www.straughan.com

Hi Gop,

>1. Any suggestions on how to go about mapping this out

See www.mappy.com or www.viamichelin.com for driving suggestions.

Three days in Florence is just about right.

I suggest that you leave the Amalfi Coast for another trip.

Thanks all! I did check out mappy.com that is a VERY helpful guide! I sat up for hours last night doing a bit of homework and will do so again now before i have to leave.

Ira - I knew I could count on you for a response - I told my husband I bet you'd respond. You were a huge help for us when we planned our trip to Costa Rica! Thanks again!

Good B&B in Florence is Tourist House Ghirberti (www.touristhouseghirberti.com)
Good hotel in Rome (new as of May) is Hotel Teatro Pace Roma (www.hotelteatropaceroma.com) Good B&B in Sorrento (Amalfi coast) is Casa Astarita (www.casastarita.com)

From Cagli to Rome it's around 3.5 hours. Add half hour from Urbino. Around 4 hours from Ancona. If you are going back from Urbino or Cagli area then you can break it up with a stopover in Spoleto, Assisi, Perugia or Trevi. A great inexpensive place with fantastic food is Dell'Ulivo right outside of Trevi. We had a 23 course meal there for 25 euro. Spectacular over the top meal. Great rooms and pool too.

Happy to help, Goppers.

A very inexpensive, basic and clean B&B not far from the train station in Florence is the B&B Peterson.

See www.bedinflorence.it.

Further info in my trip report
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34451044