Here is my itinerary, give me your thoughts! <BR>Day 1 Fly London to Venice, arrive 12:40pm � Hotel Ala<BR>Day 2-3 Venice � <BR>Day 4 Train to SML � Hotel Laurin<BR>Day 5-6 SML<BR>Day 7 Train to Florence � Hotel Tornabuoni Beacci<BR>Day 8 Florence<BR>Day 9 Train to Cortona � Bicycle Tour<BR>Day 10 �15 Umbria Bicycle Tour <BR>Day 16 Train from Foligno to Rome � Hotel Santa Chiara<BR>Day 17-18 Rome<BR>Day 19 Train to Venice � Hotel Ala<BR>Day 20 Depart 10:25 am <BR>Only unchangeable time is the 7 nights with the bicycle tour, I am open to suggestions. I know I put some long train times in there, I don�t know how to avoid them, after planning the trip, the airline told me they can�t allow open jaw with a stopover, so I must back track to Venice. The trip starts June 7, so I�m getting into high season. I am open to suggestions after Foligno (instead of Rome) before going to Venice to depart. I thought of Lake Como, but it doesn't appear closer. Thanks alot!<BR>Cindy<BR>

Cindy,<BR><BR>I think your trip sounds great and well planned even if you do have to return from Venice. If you havent been to Rome before, don't skip it!<BR><BR>Buon viaggio!

Sorry, but I don't think that two days in Rome is worth it, especially if you have to end up back in Venice. You have a busy trip, ending it with a rushed two days in hectic Rome will not leave you time to appreciate its calmer charms, imo.<BR>I'd go straight from Venice airport to train to SML. I'd end up the trip with 3-4 days in Venice. At least you will have been more relaxed, being in one place for the last few days, and Venice is not hectic in the way Rome is (though it can be crowded.)<BR><BR>I have a file on Venice; if you'd like to see it, email me at<BR>[email protected]

I think Elaine's idea of ENDING the trip with a couple of days in Venice is a good one. I can't suggest how to reorganize the beginning though. Maybe Elaine can help. The other alternative would be to keep your plan but stay on one of the islands of Venice (Lido or Murano)on your return on day 19 for a different experience. The alilaguna (waterbus)to the airport stops at both these islands &amp; is actually a bit closer.<BR><BR>While the Ala is considered a good hotel &amp; well located on the Grand Canal, I think in June I might prefer being a bit &quot;away&quot; from the tourist center (like La Calcina in Dorsudoro) but that's an entirely personal decision. Have a great trip.

Thanks for your imput, Dayle I haven't been to Rome, but I'm sure I'll go back. Elaine, that is a good idea. Since I arrive in Venice at 6:25p, I could train to Verona or Milan for on night. Verona looks more interesting to me. What do you think?

I spent 2.5 days in Rome and I really needed 3 days to see gloss over the sites (not talking in depth stuff). I would highly recommend at least 3 days in Rome.

I already changed my last four nights to stay in Venice. I will skip Rome on this trip. I'm thinking of going directly to Verona on my way to SML, staying one or two nights do you think I have time to see Lake Garda before training to SML on day 4? I'm liking this itinerary better already. Thank you again Elaine. BTW, I like being in the middle of action in Venice. Keep the suggestions coming, I'm listening (looking)<BR>Cindy

Hi<BR>I don't know anything about SML though would like to see it some day, and I haven't been to Verona or the Lakes yet.<BR>If you train to Verona, you can stay there, or go on to one of the Lakes.<BR>Don't have my map in front of me, I forget which one is closest to Verona.<BR>Or you can go on to Milan and even daytrip to Lake Como.<BR>If I were choosing betw Milan and Verona, I'd pick Verona, but only for a day, unless you are daytripping from there.

My advise is totally different from the above. Itineraries are meant to be broken. Plan on not following your itinerary, even if it is the last one you come up with.

jor, your are right about the flexibilty. I am just afraid of finding nice hotels on the fly in June. I don't want to spend my time checking out hotels while I travel. <BR>I'd like to see the Lakes region so maybe I'll do something close and easy.<BR>I'm still researching the area.