Mutti

I agree with the poster who said why are you staying outside of Florence? Staying on a vineyard sounds wonderful, but have you given thought to the travel into Flo? The meal preparation and availability of groceries? If the apartment has a staff, then wonderful, because you'll be tired from all the touring in Florence. The Uffizi was wonderful and a tour is a must so you can be know what you are looking at and how the art progressed over the years. Since you are new to this type of travel, perhaps the "one big thing and one small thing a day" would be of use. Remember you will may be tired from the walking, you'll want to sit and rest occasionally, you'll need to decide on meals, etc. This often feels draining in another language and a new country. Don't over do it. The Academie was wonderful for the David, but you'll need an advance ticket and you'll feel so smart when you sail past all the people who didn't get an advance! Our hotel was able to procure the tix for us. Don't forget the wonderful churches, the Duomo and squares in Florence. Dei Fratelli (my spelling may be off) down a side street serves stand up sandwiches that are to die for. It's near the Palazzo dei Cerchi--my son studied there and it was a lunch fave. The older part is a great place to wander and explore. Sienna is a wonderful day trip from Florence. Pisa is neat too, but a walk from the train to the tower.

Rome--again, I'm recommending splitting the big two. Go to Vatican City one day. It is so large and wonderful and you don't want to shortchange yourself. The Sistine Chapel is amazing and St. Peter's is awe inspiring. Again, we took a tour to get the most out of the excursion. We booked a private tour of the Vatican Museum and then did a headphone tour of St. Peter's. The next day, do the Col, Forum and that tour. We took a group tour of these, booked ahead. Beware! There are sometimes strikes which can affect transit, ticket takers, etc. Remember that the Spanish Steps and the Trevi are good stops, but they don't take up much time at all. Wander away from the main drags to the side streets, eat gelato and venture into a small restaurant for some house red. Man! I love Rome!

Barcelona--Another city I adore! Don't forget the Sagrada de Familia and all the other Gaudi buildings if you love architecture. Don't miss the church even if you don't love architecture. It is so interesting and the headphone tour helped us see things we may not have noticed. We were able to walk up and purchase our tickets right there in early May. Wasn't too crowded. Las Ramblas is the main drag and interesting to see the vendors and the buildings. We ate at two places near the university district. "Not Just A Tourist" was the company we used for a food tour one night and we were so happy we did. We debated about the Dali Museum, but vetoed it because of the time it took to get there. We rented a car in Spain and would not repeat the experience. The add on charges for GPS, etc, didn't justify the driving, but my DH wanted to do it. We did find an abandoned castle on a back road which was fun, but the train would have been more relaxing and probably less expensive.

I would have preferred to stay longer in Granada. We just scraped the surface of this charming town. Loved the Alhambra. Being in a group tour didn't bother us. Wish we would have stopped in Malaga. Met a couple from there and they were so charming and loved their city so much, we knew we must be missing something special.

In summary, don't try to do too much, but don't miss the joy of wandering and enjoying a sidewalk cafe. For us, tours of specific sites make some sense in some locations where we would like to learn, such as the Uffizi.

Enjoy your travels!

Sassafrass

If you can possibly change your dates, stay another day in Venice. People who do a quick drive by kind of visit to Venice are often very disappointed. Plus you are arriving after a long flight, so may be jet-lagged. Walking is a great way to really see a lot of Venice, also a trip at night down the Grand Canal is mysterious and lovely. Taking an expensive water taxi tour directly on arrival when you are travel weary is not the best time to do it and the next day you will not have time. So, again, please consider at least one whole day there - two nights. That gives you time to see San Marco, walk across Rialto, etc. You won't regret it.

No need for a car on this trip unless you want to spend a few days driving around Tuscany. If you are mainly going into Florence, then don't rent a car at all. Trains in Europe, especially in Italy, are easy, comfortable and cost effective. Besides, trains go city center to city center, no need to find and pay for parking, then get taxis or bus into city.

kja

"Taking an expensive water taxi tour..."

Taking a vaporetto -- a public ferry service -- might be a better way to get a glimpse of Venice.

Chris_Cutler

Steve,
I agree with what most of the above people said, but let me add a few things:

Consider taking the train from Venice to Florence. Florence, like most of Italy, has a very strict limited traffic zone, and you can end up with some stiff fines for driving in the area. If you are taking the train from your apt. to the city anyway, why waste the money on a car? Same thing with Florence to Rome. Save yourselves the $$ and hassle and take the train. If you need help with the trenitalia site, I can help you.

While Venice, Rome, and Florence are not my favorite places, I know you want to see them. Consider time in Bologna. It's a beautiful city and only 26 min. by train from Florence. Lucca, like others have said, is wonderful.

The other thing I'm going to tell you comes from a lot of experience traveling to Europe. Don't try to cram so much into every day. You'll end up tired and hot and disgusted. An important part of spending time in Europe is enjoying the sidewalk cafes, the quiet walks, the people, and the markets. Don't shortchange yourselves.

I hope this helps.

PalenQ

An important part of spending time in Europe is enjoying the sidewalk cafes, the quiet walks, the people, and the markets. Don't shortchange yourselves.>

could not agree more - serendipity has its merits and less stress than having a check list of things you must see in a limited time frame.

bilboburgler

hadn't spotted driving Venice, Florence, Rome. Not a great idea, cars are so last century. I've driven in the last two (not my decision) and not a good idea.

PalenQ

Florence for example - so so many complain here of getting tickets once back home for violating the NO GO Zone for private vehicles in Florence without knowing it - and caught on camera their license plate and months later the rental agency forwards an expensive ticket.

If driving be cognizant of the no-drive zones now endemic in large Italian towns!

dwdvagamundo

Concur with all who are saying it would be better to take trains rather than a car, and that it would be better to stay in Florence rather than outside it.

Pal--we (or rather I) got a very expensive citation for driving in a no-drive zone in Rome. Couldn't get close enough to Florence with the car to even be in a position to drive illegally.

Do yourselves a favor--you are not going anywhere where you need a car and many places where you will wish you didn't have one. Instead, check this site out re trains http://www.seat61.com/Italy-trains.htm#.VcIeY7eD7cs

PalenQ

dwdvagamundo - It seems car rental agencies should go out of their way to alert folks about how to recongize these joins and even give out city maps outlining in red where they are = so sp many naively violate laws they would not normally do.

dwdvagamundo

Pal--I agree, and also inform us about other pitfalls of driving in the country(ies) where the rental vehicle will be taken: need for IDPs and presence of speed cameras in France, for instance.

But it also seems to me that the cities in Italy and elsewhere should make the no-drive zones more conspicuous as to when you're in them and out of them (at least if the purpose is to keep drivers out rather than to boost revenue by catching drivers within them). A small sign in Italian doesn't do much good for those who don't speak it.

PalenQ

and in many countries like France road checks of all vehicles for drinking and driving with a near zero tolerance now - WAY different from several years back and I think along with vigorous enforcement of speed laws much safer roads - or so my French friends tell me.

I'll never forget some years ago driving on an autoroute at way over the speed limit with the flow of traffic and everyone barrelling by a police convoy! I guess the two-hour with wine French lunch hour was hurt by the vigorous drinks/driving laws too.

IMDonehere

I think people like the OP are looking for affirmation not advice.

kimhe

<walking / sight seeing in Rome, Barcelona, and Paris. Here we are looking for ideas.>

As many have said, the Sagrada familia is a must in Barcelona. Awsome building, ditto history and could alone give food for thought for the rest of the trip... http://www.sagradafamilia.org/en/

I very much recommend the mediaval and bustling Born disitrict for a great Barcelona walk. Narrow streets, great sights, the most important part of the city from back in the 13th century, and some of the finest tapas bars and cafes/terraces in town. http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.c...s/el-born.html

Here you'll find the 14th Century Santa Maria del Mar Church, one of the fienst Gothic buildings anywhere: http://www.barcelonaturisme.com/wv3/en/page/423/.html

The Catalan culture center with 17th century excavations and a vivid display of the dramatic Catalan history: http://www.barcelonaturisme.com/wv3/...-cultural.html

The beautiful Passeig del Born: http://www.barcelonaturisme.com/wv3/...-del-born.html

Here you also have the Picasso museum and top of the shelf tapas bars like Cal Pep and Tapeo and dozens more fine places. Barcelona classic 7 Portes is also right around the corner, an institution in town.

- Cal Pep (get in line 15-20 mins before opening to get a seat, no reservations and always jam packed. People who show up at opening time stand along the walls in the bar with a drink and wait for their turn to get the Cal Pep treatment: http://www.calpep.com/Ingles/index_ing.html
- Tapeo:A bit the same concept as Cal Pep, fabulous food and they take reservations: http://www.tapeoborn.cat/home-page.html
- 7 Portes, I never leave Barcelona without a meal here: http://www.7portes.com/angles/index.php

And El Born is close to "everything; the Gothic quarter, the Cathedral, the Palau de la Musica, heart of the city Placa de Catalunya, Las Ramblas, the Boqueria food market, the beach, the Ciutadella park etc. etc.

PalenQ

I really enjoyed a day trip from Barcelona to nearby Montserrat, a thriving pilgrimage mecca in the mountains just out of town - take a suburban train to its station then a cable car up to the perched high city. Awesome church housing the holy relic - Black Madonna is I recall correctly.

PalenQ

"Taking an expensive water taxi tour..."

Taking a vaporetto -- a public ferry service -- might be a better way to get a glimpse of Venice.>

Yes why spend lots of coin on a water taxi when public boats go everywhere - well a taxi may take you right to your hotel dock but it also can't be more than a few steps from a vaporetto stop.

a cheap gondola ride - public gondolas cross the Grand Canal near its nerger with the lagoon - a real gondola with gondaleer - takes the place of a bridge there. Sorry can't give exact location.

I've been to Venice many times and have never taken a private gondola nor do I care to - but I love the public boats - get a boat pass and explore by water.