Italy in the summer
Dec 9th, 2005 | 08:32 PM
#7
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 13,194
Likes: 0
It is quite possibly, one of the most simple and straightforward things a traveler (especially a novice) will encounter about Italy - - not that Itaky is difficult, mind you.
But the trains work, the way they are supposed to, and generally right on time... not everything in Italy does that.
Best wishes,
Rex
But the trains work, the way they are supposed to, and generally right on time... not everything in Italy does that.
Best wishes,
Rex
Trending Topics
Dec 10th, 2005 | 04:30 AM
#8
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 74,699
Likes: 0
Hi S,
The Big Three are the standard route for 1st-time visitors.
I would fly into Venice (3-4 days), train to Florence (4-5 days, with a daytrip to Siena and one to Bologna), train to Rome (4-5 days, with a daytrip to Orvieto).
Enjoy your visit.
The Big Three are the standard route for 1st-time visitors.
I would fly into Venice (3-4 days), train to Florence (4-5 days, with a daytrip to Siena and one to Bologna), train to Rome (4-5 days, with a daytrip to Orvieto).
Enjoy your visit.
Dec 11th, 2005 | 05:58 PM
#13
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 4,717
Likes: 0
OK. I presume you are not only flying to Italy from New York but also flying back to New York.
From a practical point of view, Rome is the easiest to fly into.
And if you only do two cities, you want to save time and not backtrack, so you should buy an open jaw ticket (into one city, out of another). They normally cost only a tiny bit more than regular return tickets, but they save you time and energy. (If the second city is Florence, you can buy a return ticket to Rome; it's only 1.5 hours with a fast Eurostar train between the two cities.)
At this point, you should probably beg, borrow or buy a few guidebooks about Rome, Florence and Venice to see which two appeal to you most.
There are two camps. One camp says fly into Rome, get the intense, busy city out of the way, then relax in Florence or, even more so, in Venice. The other camp says fly into Venice or Florence, taking it slowly at the beginning and working up to Rome. You probably know best which would suit you personally. (I personally find Florence as intense as Rome, if not even more intense: It's smaller, it's more crowded, and in the summer it even seems hotter.)
Possible day trips:
From Rome, Orvieto;
from Florence, Siena;
from Venice, Padua or Verona;
all by train, except Florence to Siena by bus, because it takes you right into the city and the train station is far below the town.
I suggest you go do a bit of homework, and when you have a clearer idea of what you want to do and more specific questions, come back and ask.
From a practical point of view, Rome is the easiest to fly into.
And if you only do two cities, you want to save time and not backtrack, so you should buy an open jaw ticket (into one city, out of another). They normally cost only a tiny bit more than regular return tickets, but they save you time and energy. (If the second city is Florence, you can buy a return ticket to Rome; it's only 1.5 hours with a fast Eurostar train between the two cities.)
At this point, you should probably beg, borrow or buy a few guidebooks about Rome, Florence and Venice to see which two appeal to you most.
There are two camps. One camp says fly into Rome, get the intense, busy city out of the way, then relax in Florence or, even more so, in Venice. The other camp says fly into Venice or Florence, taking it slowly at the beginning and working up to Rome. You probably know best which would suit you personally. (I personally find Florence as intense as Rome, if not even more intense: It's smaller, it's more crowded, and in the summer it even seems hotter.)
Possible day trips:
From Rome, Orvieto;
from Florence, Siena;
from Venice, Padua or Verona;
all by train, except Florence to Siena by bus, because it takes you right into the city and the train station is far below the town.
I suggest you go do a bit of homework, and when you have a clearer idea of what you want to do and more specific questions, come back and ask.
Dec 14th, 2005 | 02:20 PM
#15
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 173
Likes: 0
Be aware, (not afraid), of occasional random daily strikes. The locals know about them from the news but not speaking or really reading Italian, I didn't know until we were waiting for the long since late train/bus that something was amiss. I remember that they lasted only 8 hours so we didn't miss any accomodations but it did mess up some day trips. Be flexible.
I took the train on the same itinerary and it was pretty easy.
I took the train on the same itinerary and it was pretty easy.
Dec 16th, 2005 | 04:44 PM
#16
Original Poster
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
all of your advice has been very helpful. My husband and I are going to fly into Milan, perhaps take another plane to Venice as per advice from my sister in-law, then go to Florence, and Rome. I have to price everything out. We will hopefully stay at the Metropole in Venice, the Plaza Luchesse in Florence, and the Intercontinental in Rome. I am using mostly American points. How does this sound? Any other suggestions?
Dec 17th, 2005 | 08:09 AM
#17
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 801
Likes: 0
In addition to the myriad of info on this travel forum, also check "Slow Travel", which is very good for info on Italy > > > www.slowtrav.com/italy
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
ElminefromRSA
Europe
11
Apr 2nd, 2012 10:03 PM
