Italy Trip 14-15 nights
 

Hello,

I will be traveling to Italy for the first time either by myself or with my best friend (not sure if she can do it) in early April 2014 or late April 2014. Nothing has been booked yet but here is my tentative schedule:

Fly into Bologna or another city (Milan, Venice or Rome) and take the train into Bologna. Relax and recoup from jet lag.

2 nights in Bologna. Take the train from Bologna to Venice.

3 nights in Venice. Take the train from Venice to Florence.

3 nights in Florence. Thinking about taking the train from Florence to Orvieto/Narni before heading to Rome for some relaxation.

2 or 3 nights in Orvieto/Narni Region. Train from Orvieto to Rome.

4 nights in Rome. Fly home from Rome to Chicago, I have researched places to stay at and sites to see in each major city but nothing is set in stone yet.

Should I add another night in Bologna and only stay in Orvieto/Narni for 2 nights? Any suggestions on places to see, eat, stay in Bologna and/or Orvieto/Narni? Is my schedule for the main cities enough for the first time visiting or should I add more time there?

Never traveled to Europe and/or by myself more than a day. Very excited about this trip as well as nervous if I have to travel alone.

Thanks in advance for any comments/suggestions :)

It would make more sense to fly into Venice, and head south from there. That would avoid heading north, then backtracking 3 days later. Other than that adjustment, I think your itinerary looks fine to get a taste of those different regions.

As pointed out Bologna is between Venice and Florence. To avoid backtracking (wastes time), start in Venice.

If money is a factor, it might be cheaper to fly into Milan and then train to Venice.

I would add any extra days to either Florence (day trip by bus to Siena or add a day tour to some vineyards) or Rome (plenty to do in Rome).

What was your plan for "the Orvieto/Narni Region"? These two towns are more than 40 miles apart. Although you can train between the two in about an hour, the infrequency of train service and the limited number of stops on this route makes it fairly inconvenient for exploring the area.

Starting in Venice would be good.

I really like Orvieto, but without a car, it might be difficult to see any of the surrounding area. Spend one night in Orvieto on your way to Rome and add the extra nights somewhere else.

Bologna makes a nice base to visit nearby cities by train. An extra night there would allow you to do a day trip to Parma or Ravenna or Modena.

I didn't have a set plan for Orvieto/Narni. Just thought it might be relaxing before heading to Rome. Ok, starting in Venice it is. I will take into consideration either adding another night to Bologna do to a day trip to one of the cities mentioned above or fit in a wine tour somewhere.

Thank you for your comments/suggestions.

>>>2 nights in Bologna.<<<

>>>I will take into consideration either adding another night to Bologna I will take into consideration either adding another night to Bologna<<<

I don't see where anyone suggested adding night to Bologna. You need to look at each of the cities and make a list of what you want to see in each one before adding days to a particular city.