Two weeks in Italy, what would you do?

When? Who are you (number and ages? Budget? What are your interests? Where have you been before and what did you like/dislike?

I can tell you what I would do - but you might well hate it?

If you have never been there; then Florence, for the art (3 days), Rome, for the history and (4 days)and Positano (3 days) for the beauty.

What would I do? I would spend two weeks in the Region of Veneto. Or two weeks in Rome. Or time in Milan and the Region of Piedmont for the two weeks.

But what I would do, islndgrl, has nothing to do with what you should do.

Unless you provide information, as nytraveler asked, I do not know how any Fodorite could possibly offer any advice to you that would be of assistance with your trip to Italy.

Well, I have never been to Italy before, There will be 5 of us traveling, all adults. I can either fly into Rome or Naples.
Renting a car is fine if necessary. I would like to experience the beautiful coastline and art/culture. Would like nice lodging but not over the top.
I do appreciate all of your help as European travel is new to my family.

For two weeks and 5 people I would pick 2-3 locations and rent apartments. Only you can decide what areas you want to visit. Perhaps get out a guide book (or click on the destinations link above) and do some research. once you have picked 2-3 areas come back and we can provide more guidance.

Some ideas:

Combos of - Rome, Amalfi Coast, Naples, Tuscany
Venice, Lakes, Dolomites
Florence and Tuscany, Cinque Terre

or the traditional first timers - Rome, Florence, Venice

All Italy is full with art, culture, history, beautiful landscapes.
Probably when you decided to visit Italy for two weeks, made this thinking about some places.

Do you have an itinerary draft ?
I suggest you tell us what you are thinking to visit and for how many days, and then, people here will advise what to change, what to add, to skip, etc.

Funny. When I saw the heading I couldn't decide if she wanted to know if she should go because of the possible temperatures.

Then I thought it might have something to do with events in Europe.

Then I did the smart thing and read the post. I still couldn't tell what the question was.

Now the clarification eased my concerns. The op wants to know where to go.

Hello islndgrl, are you talking about June 2010 or June 2011?

Well, 5 is a difficult number since the vast majority of hotel rooms in Europe are doubles. That's why people are recommending apartments. You could get a 2-bedroom; the fifth person gets the sleep sofa.

As for coastline, the 2 most popular stretches of coast are the Amalfi coast (just south of Naples) and the Cinque Terre up north below Genoa. Neither requires a car. Fortunately June is not quite yet high season -- though the high season prices may be in effect.

Speaking of prices, everybody's idea of what is reasonable is not the same. We really need a number for all 5 per night.

To look at apartment options (and with much more valuable information), check out www.slowtrav.com. The best site for hotel reviews is www.tripadvisor.com. I highly recommend getting a place in the historic center of cities. You don't waste time going to and fro. And with five people, you can go out and come back separately.

But you really need to look at some guidebooks and/or do some research online. Hope this isn't for June this year.

Thanks for all of your input. We are planning for June 2011 so we have time to explore, research, plan. Being that this is a first for us I do value all of your tips and suggestions on the better way to travel in Italy, utilize time efficiently, etc...
I'd like to keep lodging to $150 per night if possible.

So you want to pay $30 per person per night? Really?

www.sleepinitaly.com the apartments I rented are about $140 a night with 2 bedrooms + sofa in the livingroom.
You need to speed up though, because most of them book fast for the dates you need.

Are you thinking of apartments that will accomodate 5 people and that will cost $150.00 per night, islndgrl82?

Sorry, you still have tons of time if its 2011.
I don't think the prices will be the same than this year though.

As you can see, it is hard for others to suggest your entire itinerary. I suggest that all 5 of you start researching what each wants to see/do and then narrow down your choices to a maximum of 3-4 stops. Then come back and ask some specific questions.

If it's $150 per night for all 5 of you, that is very low. You've got a year before your trip. Start saving your money so that you can afford realistic options.

Also, not sure why Rome or Naples are your only flight options. Consider multi-city options- fly into one, leave from another. It can save time and money to do so and usually does not cost much more than a roundtrip. Check kayak.com for flights, using the multi-city option.

Start looking at apartments. Search for vacation rentals - rome. or whatever location you are going to.

One agency that has lots of apartments is sleepinitaly.com

Another site is VRBO.com (Vacation Rental by Owner)

I would try to only move once or twice. Fly into one city and out of another at the other end of your itinerary. So you could do Venice, Rome, Amalfi Coast and fly out of Naples. Take the train from Venice to Rome, and then to Amalfi.