Hi all,

This is my first posting here. I will be fulfilling my dream by heading for Italy in May 2006, travelling with 3 others.

Because this may be our only visit to Italy for the near future, we are anxious to see as much as we can. Not very interested in art, love the sea and countryside, and are mad foodies.

This is our plan for now -

May 5th - Arrive Rome at 6am. Stay 2 nights.

May 7th - 8.30am train to Levanto. Stay 2 nights in Cinque Terre

May 9th - 9.30am train to Florence. Stay 3 nights. Day trip to Greve de Chianti OR Bologna.

May 12th - 11am train to Foligno, stay 5 nights in Case Gialle. Renting car. Excursions to Gubbio (for Corsa de Ceri), Spello, Assisi, Perugia and Gregorian monastary in Tuscany.

May 17th - Back to Rome, stay 2 nights. Flight departs at 1.45pm on May 19th.

Are we risking running ourselves ragged in the Rome-CT-Florence leg? It'd break our hearts to miss CT because we love the whole sea, craggy cliffs and village thing.

I'd be most grateful for some input. Thanks in advance and Happy New Year to all.

Hi S,

I think your itinerary sounds just fine. You could head straight to the Cinque Terre upon arrival and finish with 4 nights in Rome, but spliting your time in 2/2 Rome is not a big deal.

I'm jealous, I just went in Sept and am ready to go again.

Buon viaggio!

I agree with Dayle, go directly to CT upon arrival so you can have all 4 nights in Rome together. This also eliminates one hotel change, always a good thing!

Dear SPKC,
Sounds like a great itinerary! Your time in Umbria will be fun.

I don't think a day trip to Bologna will be practical with your three nights in Florence, but the Chianti region is definately doable.

May is a perfect time to travel. Hope it's a wonderful trip. SusanEva

I agree with others that you should move on as soon as you arrive in Rome. But is this your first visit to Italy, and where are you flying from?

If you're newbies coming from the West Coast (or multiple connection/long flight), you might want to put Florence ahead of Cinque Terre. This way you'd only take the shuttle train to Roma Termini, switch to a Florence-bound train and be there by lunch time. Going to Cinque Terre first would test your wakefulness and ability to navigate the train system in your first hours on the ground.

Thanks everyone for your helpful comments...it's so great to have first-hand advice from those who've been there.

We were thinking that we'd need a day at least to recover from jet-lag (flying in from Asia), hence staying put in rome for the first 2 days.

The other obstacle to going straight to CT is that our Umbrian leg needs to start from the weekend (long rental).

SusanEva - The foodies sob at the thought of missing Bologna I thought it might be doable since it's a 57 minute train ride away from Florence.

Jean -That's a good suggestion, going to Florence first. Just from the map alone, I initially thought that Florence-CT-Umbria would entail backtracking..hence the decision on CT-Florence-Umbria. But given that the trip to CT from ROme involves a change in Florence anyways...oh dear, decisions!

I agree with sticking to Rome first. After your flight, the train to CT would be rough (and about 5 hours minimum). Rome is an intense place for the first experience, but you'll be so excited you'll enjoy it. May is also a good time to be in the CT. Not quite so crowded.

I personally think Bologna is quite doable for a day from Florence, and I'm not sure what the down side would be. I've taken longer day trips, and with less convenient station to station locations. Perhaps it is just that you have such a little time in Florence?

Really, for convenience, I would choose Bologna over Chianti. You don't need a car, anyone who wants to go can, and you will be seeing plenty of lovely countryside in your Umbria sojourn.

I wouldn't let the foodies down if they have their hearts set on Bologna.

Agree with Tuscan - if the foodies want to go for it, it would be a lovely visit. Was just thinking that the time in Florence was short, but not eveyone loves the "museum" qualities of Florence. Have much fun!

SusanEva... that's what I was thinking: that SPKC and gang are "not very interested in art." Although my daughter, who is interested in art, found it hard to tear herself away from the shops in Florence.

And SPKC: don't underestimate the attraction of Florence for foodies. It is a sublime eating city. Great, great food markets and stores; great wine bars and enotecas; great restaurants.

Thanks Catbert, SusanEva and Tuscanlife!

We've decided to stay one night instead in Rome before heading out to Florence to change trains where 2 of us will head to CT and the other 2 to Venice for 2 nights.

Then all back to Florence for 3 nights where the foodies will go for Bologna (will give Chianti a miss) whilst the other two go shopping in Florence. I think the focus for the Florence leg will mostly be shopping and eating!

Then 5 nights in Umbria followed by 3 nights in Rome before flying out.

Thanks so much everybody for your comments!

That sounds like a good plan. I already like the way your group is willing to split up and be flexible - you will have a great time if everyone is happy with what they are doing. Yes, the trip sounds a little busy, but in a fun way.

Happy travels!