Help plan 1 week in Italy
 

We're 3 in the family, including a teenage daughter and plan to spend 7 days in Italy. What cities and how many days make sense? We've decided on 2 full days in Rome but beyond that very confused!

PS: This is our first REAL vacation abroad and I'd appreciate any help

My first thought would be to give Rome at least another day.

But the rest would depend on what time of year will you be going and your personal preferences: do you want to drive, are you interested in the countryside or cities? How much time do you want to spend in museums--or not?

I would suggest four days in Rome and three in Florence. Florence is wonderful, and very different from Rome. Also, it is close so you won't have to waste too much time travelling.

Thanks Lorac1127 & Amanda23.

We were not planning to drive and I was thinking we'll get the Trenitalia 4 day pass and add 2 additional days to it. Unless you think it's not the thing to do?

We do like to see the work of great masters but not art connossiuers.

For staying, since we have a teenager, thought we'd play it safe and stay in hotels but reading the detailed report filed in by Amanda, looks like B&B type apartments/rooms may be much much better(?) - wonder if this is doable.

What about Venice & Pompei?

I too am planning a 7-night vacation in Italy. We're flying into Rome and out of Venice - here's our itinerary: 3 nights in Rome staying at the Morgana Royal Gardens near the Termini, taking a train to Florence for 2 nights staying at the Residenza il Villino near the Duomo, and then a train to Venice for 2 nights staying at the Hotel Saturnia near St. Marks's Square. I gave the extra day to Rome, because I felt that jetlag would make us too cranky and disoriented to enjoy the city in just 2 days plus the fact that many Roman museums are closed Mondays. I agree it IS very confusing... so little time... so much to see.

Hi KS,

>I was thinking we'll get the Trenitalia 4 day pass and add 2 additional days to it...<

My first suggestion is to NOT get a pass. It is much too expensive.

Train schedules and prices are at www.trenitalia.com/en.

My second suggestion is to look at this thread
Helpful Information: Italy http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34443340

My third is to decide on which two of the Big Three (Rome, Florence, Venice)you would like to visit.

Enjoy your trip.

I agree with Amanda. Just do Rome and Florence for a first visit. Split your time between the two cities. You can always do a day trip if the mood strikes, i.e., Pompeii.

The only way I would consider doing Rome with Venice in 7 days would be if you fly in Rome and out of Venice.

I also agree with the 2 city plan (4 rome, 2 venice or florence). You could also just spend the week in Rome and do some day trips (Pompeii, Orvieto, etc.). If you do the 2 city itinerary, you should get open-jaw tickets so you don't have to backtrack.

You also have to consider, you'll be tired upon arrival so you first day's activities will be limited. You can easily keep busy for an entire week in Rome alone wihtou even taking a day trip.

I meant to say 4 rome, 3 (not 2) venice or florence.

I think you CAN do "the big three" even if you have only seven nights; it would be best if you could fly into Rome (or even better Florence - - for example, connecting via Paris, London, Frankfurt, etc) and then out of Venice.

I agree on the need for three nights in Rome minimum, and ideally four. Three in Rome and two in Florence would make sense if Florence is the <i>arrival</i> city (i.e., the &quot;<i>jet lag</i>&quot; city).

I think that the first 24 hours in Italy is mentally challenging if you arrive in Rome and thus, Florence might make more sense for most/many first-time travelers to Italy.

An alternative to Rome-Florence-Venice would be Rome-Verona-Venice (4-1-2 in either scenario).

Best wishes,

Rex

Hi
I normally feel that &quot;fewer is more&quot; but in your case I'll make an exception, I agree with rex. You say you haven't done much traveling, and you might as well get a taste of each of the Big Three, and plan to go back some day to one or all.

Have you booked your air fare yet? If not, fly into Rome and out of Venice, or vice versa. If you already are booked round trip to Rome, then try this:

Arrive in Rome, you will be tired if you are arriving from an overnight flight. Take the train connection from Rome airport to Rome Termini train station in the heart of Rome. From there it's either an approx 90 minute ride to Florence, or about 4.5 hours to Venice. It will be a hard day, but the first day is always a tough one, and at last you'll be using it to get to a farther point. If your're going to include Venice, spend the rest of that arrival day, plus two more days there. Evening of Day 3, take train to Florence. Spend day 4 and 5 in Florence, daytrip one day if you like.
Then last two days in Rome. It's hectic, but many people do it.
If you're going to skip Venice and include Florence only, which is less rushed and less time wasted on going from one place to another, add one more day to F, and do a daytrip into Tuscany (bus tours available, or on your own.)
Then remainder of vacation in Rome.

I have files on these cities; once you decide, if you'd like to see any of my files, email me at
[email protected]

Everyone is so helpful! Thanks so much everybody. We got the tickets now and started hotel shopping.

Taking everyone's advise, we decided to increase the trip from 7 to 10 days and do all 3 (Rome Florence &amp; Venice).

Thanks again