Italy - 6-day/7night Itinerary
 

My wife and I, along with one other couple will be traveling by train from Paris to Italy with 6 days/7 nights to explore. We have divided opinions on the agenda, so I figured I'd get some suggestions.

My plan is to stay mostly in Rome, with a couple nights in Florence, and leave everything else for another trip.

My wife wanted to see Almalfi Coast, but since it's so far south, I'm not sure we have the time for it. She was in between that and Cinque Terre, which I heard is undergoing construction? The other couple really wanted to do a day in Venice, which we were okay with skipping.

What would you recommend to do/see in an itinerary in Italy?

Also, we are staying at BnB's (airbnb.com), and we also have need to select a neighborhood when searching, so any neighborhood specifics are welcome as well.

Our trip will be during late May 2012.

How are you travelling from Paris to 'Italy'?

Where do you need/want to depart at the end of your time in Italy?

I like your idea of Rome plus Florence, but keep in mind that two nights in Florence is only one full day. If you wanted to make at least one day-trip into the Tuscan countryside, you should stay in Florence three nights. Or consider spending one night in a smaller town on your way from Rome to Florence, say, Orvieto or Siena.

It's nearly 4 hours by train each way from Rome to Venice and about 2 hours each way from Florence to Venice. The last good return trains back to either Rome or Florence depart at 7:30 p.m. So, it's not 'a day in Venice' but rather several hours on trains and several hours in Venice. Only the four of you can decide if that's what you want to do.

I agree with sticking to Florence and Rome for your 6 nights. I would go with 2 nights Florence and 4 nights Rome. With only 6 nights, IMO you don't have time for CT or the A/C.
Where you start and end depends on where you are flying into/out of.

You definitely do not have time for anything except Rome plus one more town.. Whether the other one is Venice or Florence depends on your interests. Venice is of course a unique sight to see, and is beautiful. Florence is full of wonderful art. Both are good small walking towns. I think the food is a bit better in Florence.

To answer a few questions -- we would be heading to Barcelona from Italy before flying home to San Francisco. Barcelona will be 3 nights.

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I often get mixed feedback from others... but I'm told the Tuscany region is a must if we are visiting...

We are coming from Paris, so an afternoon and evening, and 1 overnight there seems possible before heading on to Florence. Our trip from our last stop to Barceona will be a very long train ride. Looking at overnight options with our Eurail Global pass.

Any recommendations about Italian neighborhoods in the cities we want to stay?

You guys must really like long train rides. Have you purchased the Eurail Global pass? I would look to see if there are cheap flights from Pisa or Rome to Barcelona.

You could spend your nights Rome and take a day trip to Orvieto. That would give you the country feel and would be different from the big city atmosphere of Rome. You really have little time, don't waste it moving around and relocating. Just my opinion.
Diane

I'd stay in the Vatican region of Rome but near an underground station. That way you are near everything in the day but in a more civilised region in the evening.

Florence is pretty small and you have so little time I'd probably end up in the tourist area between the station and the Duomo. If I had more time I'd look across the river as the prices drop and the italians have more time to talk and explain (in the centre it is very busy, busy)

I would FLY from Paris to Venice (easyjet has one to two flights per day - prices vary depending on which day of the week, time of the day but will certainly be cheaper and faster than a train) and spend two nights, then train to Rome for the rest. Four full days is nothing in Rome but if people want a change a day trip to Orvieto is the answer - quick to get to and a totally different feel from Rome. Then FLY back to Barcelona.

Have you already bought that pass? Can you return it? Given the places you want to go, it looks like cheap flights are a better choice. Paris to Venice or Florence (or Pisa, which is close to Florence), and then another cheap flight Rome to Barcelona.

If you must use the pass, skip Italy this trip and explore France and Spain, not that you'll have much time for that either.

Otherwise you're going to spend an awful lot of time on trains.

Hey guys... even if I do a night train coming in? Venice and Florence are only 2 hours by train. Rome to Florence under 2 hours. My only rough patch is heading to Spain... that's my snag. Such a long train ride... and I think i have to patch it together by connections.

Have you ever tried to get a good night's sleep on a train? Well, I have. Not so wonderful. We were happy our hotel let us check in at 8:00 am so we could grab a few hours of sleep before heading out for adventure. Look at this as your first trip to Italy (assuming it is your first) and go at a slow pace. That's the beauty of the Italian countryside. Give yourself time to sit at a cafe and watch the world go by. Try a bit less moving about and more of actually experiencing the country/culture. Just believe that you'll be returning. Italy is magical (and the food is amazing!).