Will have about 12 "real days" in Italy first two weeks of June, not counting travel days on either end.<BR><BR>First off, we're definitely not art lovers (I know what a sacrilege that is), so we do not want to spend a lot of time looking at art in museums, but we love food, meeting people, churches, sightseeing, etc.<BR><BR>We would like to visit the following cities, in order of importance: Rome, Venice, Pisa, Sorrento, Sienna (Chianti), and Florence. <BR>

No worries, Jim. There's plenty to do in Italy even if you're not an art lover. With 12 days, I think I would stay in Rome (5 days), either Florence or somewhere in Tuscany (4 days), and Venice (3 days). Since Siena and Chianti were higher on your list, you might want to stay in the countryside and do day trips to Florence and Pisa. However, I personally enjoyed Florence more and it's a great walking city. Tuscany is most easily explored by car. Will you be driving? If not, either Siena or Florence would be the best base for public transportation.

What cities are you flying into and out of? If you haven't yet made that decision, it might be wise to fly into Rome and out of Venice, or vice versa. If you do, you can at least get a taste of all of these places. And if you rent a car, you can see and do a lot in between. I'd suggest 2 nights in Sorrento, 3 nights in Rome, 3 nights in the area around Florence but not in the city (from there you can go to Florence, Pisa and Siena on day trips), and 3 nights in Venice. That leaves one night to spare(if you don't consider 12 days to be equivalent to 11 nights). Traveling between spots, you will see and enjoy other villages. Have a good trip.

With the places you mentioned, you're trying to fit an awful lot into 12 days (plus travel days on each end), even if you skip all the art stuff. <BR><BR>Rome usually deserves at least 3 days, let's say one day for the Vatican area (though less time if you skip the Vatican Museum & Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel), one day for the ancient stuff (Forum, Coliseum), plus all the other stuff you want to sightsee, the Trevi Fountain, the piazzas, churches, etc. Even though you're not art-lovers, look at a description of the Borghese Museum. It's in the Borghese Park area (might be called something else), and has lots of beautiful statues (in addition to paintings). It's a small museum, in an old mansion; you might decide to spend an hour or so there. <BR><BR>Venice, I think, is magic. There's no other city like it, and it's a great place for people-watching and just walking around. We've used a series of books, "Venicewalks," "Romewalks," and "Florencewalks." It helped us to get into parts of the city that we wouldn't have known about otherwise. You should plan two or so days in Venice. <BR><BR>There's really not much of interest in Pisa other than the tower, and you may decide it's not worth your limited time to get there - I don't know how much time it'll take, but it's at least a half-day round trip from Florence. If you have to drop something, this might be it. <BR><BR>Sorrento - We went here for only one night, as a place to stay to visit Pompeii (I really love ancient history, so that was a must for me). I didn't think it was worth more time than that, but neither my husband nor I are "lounge-in-the-sun" types; lots of people just love that area. From Sorrento, the view of Vesuvius, across the Bay of Naples, is specatular. <BR><BR>Siena is a great place - the first time we went there, we sat in the Campo people-watching, and immediately changed our travel plans and spent the night there. Nice for walking around, people-watching, not a huge amount of art stuff, some nice churches. If you plan to drive around Tuscany (which I definitely suggest, even though I know your list of "to-dos" is full already), you can do that from Siena. <BR><BR>Florence is obviously a great center for art, which you're not into. But it's also another great place for roaming around, drinking wine in lovely piazzas, and people-watching. Consider making a short trip to the Bargello - another small-sized museum in a beautiful building, it's a statue museum only. I think I like it more than the Uffizi! I would spend 3 days in Florence, but then, I like all that art stuff too.<BR><BR>Hope this helps. <BR><BR>

Jim, Hard to do in 12 days, but if you must then drop Pisa and do Siena as a day trip from Florence. Sorrento will be the tough logistic--your call.

The most magnificant time of my life was in Italy. We spent three days in Rome running around and looking at everything - we aren't big art people either. We then took the train up to Milan and looked at everything. One day we took the train to Como and took a boat up the lake for lunch at Bellagio. Highly recommend that! It's a day trip from Milan easily. Then we took the train to Venice and you cannot miss that. It's pricey but what a magical place. Finally we took the train to Florence and looked at everything. We had no firm plans and just enjoyed ourselves looking and eating. Gelato every day is a must. One last train ride back to Rome to catch our plane. All total it was 10 days and we could have spent more time in each city for sure. All train tickets were purchased on the Internet and it was smooth going.<BR><BR>The great thing about Italian cities is that there is something to see wherever you walk so even if you don't have a planned itinerary, you will have a great time. We stumbled upon the Fountain of Trevi - what a sight!

Oh, one more thing. We aren't into art either, but you cannot help but marvel at the interior of the churches in Italy. Skip the museums if you must but go into every church you come across on your walks. St. Peter's for sure - the shear size of the architecture is breath-taking.

Tell me you're not art lovers all you want - - but take 45 minutes and go to the Accademia in Florence and see David and the Slaves. And if you can come back and honestly tell me you didn't care for it, write me, and I'll send you the cost of admission.<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR>

Jim, <BR>do you love food ?!?<BR>So, Sorrento is a must for you.<BR>I'd like, if you wish, to suggest you the best places for unforgettable dinners, wine trip, and pizza.<BR>Feel free e-mail me, I live nearby Sorrento.<BR>Ciao.<BR>

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