A

knowing how knowledgeable this group is, i'd love some suggestions on this rough itinerary. our flights in and out are inflexible as is the week in florence, but other than that, would love any and all feedback. do let us know what you think and any faves not already highlighted on the board. much obliged...<BR><BR>Dec. 7 Fly into Milan (p.m.)<BR>Dec. 8-10 Milan/Lombardy<BR>Dec. 11-18 Florence (at a conference so only daytrips to Siena, Pisa for one of us!)<BR>Dec. 18-23 Tuscan countryside<BR>Dec. 23-27 Rome at Xmas<BR>Dec. 27-30 Naples Bay/Coastline<BR>Dec. 30-Jan. 2 Naples at New Year's<BR>Jan. 2-4 Amalfi Islands<BR>Jan. 5 Fly out of Naples (a.m.)<BR>

Rex

It looks generally great to me. Most people here (myself included) are probably too dumbstruck with envy - - at 4 full weeks in Italy - - to comment.<BR><BR>I have never been away from family at the Christmas/New Year holiday time, but this looks like a heck of a plan to me!<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR>

Karen

A - I agree with Rex! 4 weeks in Italy - I am jealous! Sounds like a fabulous trip. I loved Florence - a week there will be great. You are getting a great taste of Italy by spending time in Tuscany as well as the southern part in Naples and Amalfi. <BR><BR>I have two possible suggestions. Take a trip to San Gimignano from Florence. It is a quaint little town on a hill that doesn't allow cars (you park at the bottom and walk up to town). It is very picturesque. I also really liked Sorrento, which you can visit during the Naples part of the trip.<BR><BR>Hope this helps! <BR><BR>Happy travels,<BR>Karen

Bill

Although often full, there is car parking at the top of the hill, not 100 yards from (one of?) the main gate(s) into the town.<BR>

Alice Twain

Karen:<BR><BR>I totallyu disagree with yout San Gimignano sugestion. San Gimignano is no more quanit, maybe it was the first time I went there (I was a 4th grader!) but it has not been for a long time, now it is just one of the largest tourist traps in Italy. If you are really after quaint little towns, you should better head for Santa Fiora in the Amiata area of Tuscany. If A is going to rent a car for the Leaving Florence-Tuscany coutryside_ arriving in Rome part of his trip (the only part that really requires a car!) he might hit Santa Fiora on his way to Rome. I promise it is really gorgeous. Another such place is Pitigliano, a lovely village perched on top of a rock pinnacle, slightly more touristy than Santa Fiora but still lovely and with a kasher bakery still working and producing sfratti, a delicious cake made of a thin unlevened bread crust filled with nuts and honey.

ttt

to the top for A<BR>

Nancy

Dear A:<BR><BR>I would suggest that you look closely at the Amalfi coast portion of your trip. I suspect many of the best trestaurants will be closed, as it is not only Christams/New Year's but it is the low season there. Many shops may also be closed. It will be cold and probably rainy. Capri will be basically shut down. If you go to the Rants and Raves section of this site and check on restaurants in the Amalfi coast, you may see that many are closed all of January/February. <BR><BR>My suggestion would be to either go way south to Sicily, or stay in northern Italy and see Lake Como. Venice would probably even be bettr than the Amafli coast. I would save that for spring, summer or fall.