jrj50

I've spent the several hours reviewing threads discussing itineraries, but I know when I need help. My fiance and I love traveling. We've been all over the US, several spots in Mexico and are beginning to tackle Europe. We got engaged in May in Paris and want to honeymoon in Italy, but we've never been. We need recommendations for first timers in terms of itinerary.

We're planning on 10-11 days in early June 2008. What cities/areas should we visit as newbies? We are looking, like most people, for equal parts sightseeing and relaxing.

All recommendations for activities/food/lodging are appreciated, but after we figure out the itin, we'll start digging into the threads on what to do/where to eat/where to say and investigate your wonderful suggestions.

One additional question, is it possible to fly into or out of Nice/Southern France? My fiance loves it there, but we want to spend most of our time in Italy.

Thanks in advance.

jabez

Fly into Nice and leave from Venice.
Visit the Piedmont area between.
Other ideas:
Too numerous to list.
Generally,it depends. Will you rent a car? If not,pretty much cross out most hill towns.
10/11 days isn't long, but you could do 4 nights Rome, 4 in Tuscany and 3 in Venice.

baldrick

The classical trip, the trip that has worked for thousands of tourists before you, and will continue to do so;
- fly into Venice and out of Rome, or vice versa.
- Rome: 4 days, Florence 4 days including a daytrip or 2, Venice 3 days.
- Travel by train between your destinations, by bus for the daytrips.

Stay concentrated on the scheme. As you seem to have the travel bug, you'll have other occasions to see Nice.

ira

Hi jr,

Ditto Baldrick.

Lexma90

Yes, you could fly into/out of Nice, but it might add more hassle than it's worth.

If you rent a car in France, there's a hefty fee to drop it in Italy (and vice versa). Based solely on my investigations into a France-Italy itinerary about 8 years ago, taking the train between the two countries might involve several connections. Obviously, you should check that out, but if that's the case, getting between locations may eat up too much of your vacation time.

Besides, there's plenty to see in Italy with the time you have - I echo the suggestion that you save Nice for another trip.

In addition to the usual "big 3," consider (especially as it sounds like you have the travel bug, and WILL return!) visiting only northern Italy this trip, or only southern Italy. That was, you can fit in some time in the countryside as well. For example, Venice, Florence and northern Tuscany. Or Rome and the Amalfi Coast, or Rome and southern Tuscany.

And of course, does your 10-11 days include your travel time? If so, then you really only have 8-9 days on the ground.

Enjoy the planning!

jrj50

Thanks for all of your helpful comments.

Update - we're booked on Delta from JFK into Rome arriving June 11. Here's the tentative itin:

June 11-13 Hotel de Russie

June 13 - Renting a car and driving to Serre di Rapolano to stay at Castello Delle Serre for one night.

June 14-16 - Drive to Florence, stay at Hotel Savoy

June 16-21 - Train to Venice, staying at Hotel Dei Dogi Venezia and depart from Venice back to evil JFK.

I know it's a honeymoon and we're supposed to relax, but we're dying to see as much as we can. We're focused on Venice because it's unlikely we'll ever make it back there, but plan on going back to spend more time in Tuscany, Amalfi Coast, CT, etc.

Comments, suggestions, ideas? Based on the boards, I thought these were good hotel choices. I'm open to any and all suggestions, and I'm researching dinner ideas as well.