Don't know where to begin. Hoping for some advice on a first visit to Italy. We are 2 couples considering a week in Tuscany in October. Is this a good "intro" to Italy? What is the weather like in October? How comfortable would we be not knowing how to speak Italian? Would the Amalfi coast be a "safer" bet? Could you recommend a better itinerary? Is it crazy to think about spending only one week -- should we wait until we can go for longer? Thanks for any help.

Since the biggest single expense of a transatlantic trip is the airfare, yes it might be best to plan this when can stay longer than a week. Though, this depends alot on how long you think it might be before you get that kind of time and how good a price you get. Since I'm a west-coaster and you appear to be from Maine, this airfare expense might not be a big deal. Fares are looking higher than typical right now, but you might find better deals holding out a bit, as October is not peak season, but very definitely a reasonable weather month.<BR><BR>Either the Amalfi Coast or Tuscany would be lovely destinations, though hard to imagine that on a first trip you wouldn't want to at least spend a few nights in your gateway city (Rome or Florence) which would leave you less than a week on the Amalfi Coast or Tuscany. However, don't know your interests. Personally, the notable well-known sights of Rome or Florence would be 'must-sees' for me if on a first trip to Italy. I also like to balance the urban experience out with more rural which these two areas do offer.<BR><BR>Summary - these are great places to begin. Don't think weather would be a big factor in deciding between the two areas unless Florence is of more interest to you than Rome. (I like Rome best)..If Florence is your preference, then this combines more easily w/ Tuscany. Rome could be seen in combination with either Tuscany and the Amalfi Coast. If you were to spend 3 days or so in a city and leave yourself only 4 in Tuscany, just bare in mind you still will have to be selective and will likely want to return for more on a future trip.<BR><BR>

I would rent travel videos or guide books of the different area you mentioned so you can get a feel of what it's really like and see what appeals to you all. My first intro to Italy (in Oct. '99) was Tuscany/Umbria areas. You will not be disappointed. Beautiful rolling hills with vineyards, olive groves and villas. Amalfi is totally different but equally striking. If you can only spare a week, I'd rent a villa in a central location w/ a car and take day trips throughout Tuscany...but a longer stay is better.

I spent four days in Tuscany last October. The weather was great - warm during the day and cool in the morning and evening. The only down side was seeing the fields of dead sunflowers. <BR><BR>Compared to the larger cities, you'll come across more people who know no english. Just bring a phrase book and learn some key phrases - please, thank you, etc - and you should be fine.<BR><BR>So far as it's being a good intro to Italy, no one area will show you all that Italy has to offer. Tuscany will be good for the countryside, food and wine, and Etruscan ruins. If you like art and architecture, including a couple of days in nearby Florence will round out your trip quite nicely.<BR><BR>Also, someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe October is after the harvest so there should be a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables.

The suggestions you've received so far are good, solid advice. Only you can decide whether you want to wait for a longer visit. If a longer visit doesn't come for another year, I guess I'd opt for using the available week. And with only a week, I would seriously consider Rome and the countryside outside (east) of Naples, rather than going north to Tuscany and back to Rome (I assume) to leave. The countryside of Campania has its own charm, every bit as much as Tuscany, and is generally less touristy. The people in that area are absolutely wonderful. And in October it will be a bit warmer than Tuscany, with less likelihood of rain. (though Tuscany in October isn't really bad weather, either.) Try a place like Montecorvino Ravella as a base and explore from there.<BR><BR>Another alternative, if you aren't focused on the countryside, is to visit Rome and Venice. That makes a wonderful combination and will be a good sampling for a one-week visit.

October is a GREAT time to visit Italy. I've been there twice during the month of October; one time early in Oct and another, during the latter portion of month. For a week's stay, I'd stick with one of the major cities for a couple days (pick either Rome/Florence/Venice) and then get thee to Tuscany for a short road trip in the region. <BR><BR>

I have a prejudice for staying in farmhouses or on agritourismo. Most offer a week stay from Saturday to saturday. So if that fits your travel plans, I would say go to Toscana. Pick an area such as Castellina or the surroundins of San Gim and you are close enough to Siena and Firenze to make day trips to those two locations possible. You are not too far from anything from Montalcino or San Galgano to Firenze. Please see my Toscana Suggestions for some more detailed ideas.

Thanks for the feedback. I hadn't thought about just doing a couple major cities (e.g., Rome and Florence), but am intrigued. What would be a good amount to stay in each if we went that route? If we did one city and one "country region" (e.g., Rome & Amalfi or Florence and Tuscany), is either a better "itinerary" for the month of October? I've heard about "high water" and wondered about rain. Thanks again everyone.

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We were in Tuscany in late Sept 94 and the weather was fabulous. We stayed in a villa in Marina di Pietrasanta for a week, had a car, and did trips from there: Portofino, Santa Marguerita, Cinque Terre, Pisa, Florence, Siena, San Gigminano - it was all gorgeous. <BR><BR>We did, however, take a 2 day jaunt to Rome by train, so with all of that, we were exhausted by the time our trip was done. If you even had 9 or 10 days, that might be better.<BR><BR>I think the Tuscany area would be wonderful to share with another couple, and I guess I'd recommend concentrating on the countryside, with Florence as your "urban experience." The caveats to this suggestion would be 1) if you are flying into and out of Rome, or 2) if you have never been to Rome and think you might never go back to Italy -- in either case I'd do 2 days in Rome. It's an absolute must-see.<BR><BR>Italians are incredibly friendly and accomodating for the most part, and they REALLY appreciate you trying to use their language and adapt to their customs (i.e. languishing over a 4 course meal instead of getting salad, pasta and the check), but you probably won't really need to speak much Italian.

Hello,<BR> I have been to Italy 2 times at the end of Sept. into early Oct. On our first trip we had 2 weeks and hit the big three.. Venice, Florence, and Rome. All were fabulous and I wouldnt trade a moment. I do think that going to Italy and not seeing Michaelangelo's David or Venice would be a tragedy. <BR>Another thing I loved was when we stayed at a "farm holiday" at a working winery and vineyard. It is about an hour outside of Milan. Staying there showed a rural side of Italy that we came to love. It was named the Castell di Luzzano. They have a webpage if you want to check it out.<BR> Wherever you end up going I know you will have a wonderful time.<BR> Janda<BR>

Laura:<BR><BR>Doesn't matter if you pick Rome/Amalfi or Florence/Tuscany. I've found that October is a good month for just about anywhere in Italy. During the latter part of the month, you may run into a few raindrops. You're more likely to see rainy weather in November (or early springtime).<BR><BR>

Thank you all. I do not have a good sense about driving "distances" in Italy. Would it be possible to stay in Tuscany and do a day trip to Venice? I could envision flying into Florence and spending a couple days there. How far is it to Venice from there, and then could you drive to Tuscany, or are we better to pick one or the other (Florence or Venice). Thanks.

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