Hi Everyone,

After considering your advice, I'm going to try to plan a trip to Italy the last week of May 2007, thru part of June for 10 days.

I'm hoping you could give me advice on visiting three cities. Last May for our honeymoon I spent 4 glorious days in Rome, took "day" trips to Positano, Capri, Almafi, Ravello, Pompeii, Sorrento, Florence, Monte Carlo & Greece.

For our 2nd trip with a limited time of 10 days, I'm tempted to return to Positano and Rome. But I'm also really considering Venice and Tuscany. Any help would be appreciated in narrowing down my cities. My husband and I have an open budget ($500-700 daily hotel), so money shouldnt limit our travel. We want to site see, but ALSO relax enjoying nice dinners...

Thanks in advance,
Natalie

Hi - we're doing a 10 day trip to Venice in October and plan to spend 4 days there and the remainder in the Venetian Arc - Asolo, Verona, Bolzano. We spent just under two weeks last August - flew into Florence, spent 3 days there, drove to Tuscany and spent 4 days there and took the train to Venice for the last few days of the trip. If you spend some nights in Florence, try Hotel Lungarno or the Westin. In Venice, we're staying at the Westin Europa but the Danieli and Gritti Palace are also beautiful and well within your budget.

cmeyer54 thank you!

What did you think of the weather conditions in August? I ask because I was intially considering travel in August since its easier for my hubby and I to take MORE time off then.

ttt

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It was warm but not unbearable - actually needed a light jacket in the evenings (Venice for sure). We have not had terribly warm weather during any of our three trips over the pond in August.

I'm new to this posting...what does ttt mean?

ttt = to the top. It brings a post that has fallen down to say #121 back up to the top of the list. Gets some much needed attention for HELP!!!

ttt means to the top, so a post doesn't get lost in the queue.

Since you seem really good at "day trips" (me too!) I might throw in a vote for a 1/2 day to see the Tower in Pisa, it really was something. And a day trip to Siena. You could do both of these based out of Florence.

Hi Natalie,
For a second trip, and until you have explored more of Italy, I would suggest that you do Venice, one of the lakes (Como would be great), and, if there is possibly any time left, touch on the Dolomites.
For the third trip, focus on Tuscany and Umbria.
For the fourth, go back to trip one and start to revisit the places you liked the most.
I'm teasing, but do consider Venice and the north. You'll be touching on Switzerland - you won't regret it.

GBC my husband and I have confirmed our the Danieli in Venice for 3 nights,f ollowed by 2 nights at Villa feltrinelli, then we are doing 5 more nights in Tuscany this trip. We are going back to see Rome (again) and Positano later this year. So for my 5 nights, where should I stay now?

Natalie...Is a car rental OK? If so, I would consider two nights in Umbria. There are many great places to stay but consider staying at Villa di Montesolare. One day to visit the countryside which is beautiful and includes little walled villages. The second day to visit Assisi which is nearby. Alternately, you could stay right in Assisi.

That leaves three days for Tuscany.