We will be traveling to Italy in October for 3 weeks. We're going to <BR>start in Orvieta then off to Venice, a side trip to Cinque Terre, next <BR>Florence and last but not least Rome. For those who have traveled these <BR>areas, how would you break it up, in other words where would you spend the <BR>most time, and where would you spend the least? We're also interested in <BR>day trips all around those areas expecially Tuscany. We would love to hear <BR>your recommendations. Grazie! <BR> <BR>P.S. Hotel Recommendations always welcome (does anyone know about Locanda Fiorita <BR>in Venice, we're booked in their annex) <BR> <BR>Lori <BR>[email protected]

Orvieto is good for a full day, take the walk down the well. Make a side trip to Civita di Bagnoregio.En route from Venice to Cinque Terre, stop in Pisa. Cinque Terre, 2 days. From Rome, make a side trip to Hadrian's villa. Cities, I would rate from most to least time Rome, Florence, Venice. <BR>

My ranking would be Florence, Rome, Venice. I must state that I did not have a particularly good time in Venice, but I was there at the time all the guide books advice you not to go! (August) <BR> <BR>Spend more time in Florence if you intend to hire a car or find some other means of getting about Tuscany. <BR> <BR>My feelings: Florence is beautiful, refreshing and romantic;, Rome is fascinating but I felt I was fighting for survival; Venice is unique but overpriced. <BR>

I would rate the cities a little differently than the first two replies. We spent 5 days in Rome, 4 in Florence, 2 in Venice, 1 in Rimini. Done again, we'd spend less time in Florence, more in Venice, and skip Rimini. Rome was just right. <BR> <BR>We'd always heard that Venice was a "love it or hate it" type of place, and we loved it. We were there in October, like you, and the weather was great. (October weather was great in all the cities we visited). Crowds had diminished somewhat, and if you felt it was too crowded in a particular spot, just wander around a corner or two and you'll have a street or a piazza to yourself. Tour the Doge's Palace and the Bridge of Sighs. Skip the overpriced gondola rides (watch them go by from a canal-side cafe). Just walk around - Venice is a GREAT city to get lost in. <BR> <BR>In Florence, visit Fort Belvedere on the hill overlooking the city. Well worth the walk - the fort is fascinating and the view of the city was spectacular. <BR> <BR>In Rome, we took a 1-day side trip by train down to Pompeii - well worth the effort. Also really enjoyed visiting Castelle St. Angelo (excuse the spelling), home of the popes before the Vatican. <BR> <BR>I also agree with stopping in Pisa on the way from Rome to Florence. <BR> <BR>Have a wonderful trip!!

Don't let people bad mouth Venice. It is a lot of fun, but expensive. The day crowds leave at night and the city is much less crowded. Buy a 3 day pass on the Vaparettos. You can move around the city and get on and off at will. Go to Murano. I know a good glass man there. Email if interested. Rome is one of the great cities. You can never see it all. We are heading back in 6 days to try again. have a great trip. <BR>

If in Florence don't forget to spend a day in Sienna. From Florence, take the bus, it is faster than the train. If you are going to Cinque Terre, you should also go and see Porto San Margherita/Portofino. <BR> <BR>A good book to buy for Italy would be Rick Steves book on Italy.

Lori, It takes about 6 weeks to see all of Italy, so <BR>you will get to do half this trip. My opinion, although not always shared, is that you should not <BR>think of your itinerary by cities, but by regions. <BR>My favorite REGIONS, in rank order,are these: <BR>THE LAKE REGION----the best of Italy <BR>TUSCANY AND UMBRIAN HILL TOWNS----allow 3+ days <BR>THE LIGURIAN COAST---to include Cinque Terre <BR>THE AMALFI COAST---also worth 3 days <BR>I would plan my trip around these destinations, and then visit the adjacent cities as time allowed. Given the time, I would add Veneto, as a region, <BR>and do Venice as a day trip. As you can guess, I <BR>am not a fan of big cities. The crowds and hassle <BR>will astound in in the BIG THREE--even in Oct.

Lori, <BR> <BR>We've been to Italy in both the spring and the fall and both seasons are great but very different. Our favorite area is the Tuscan hill towns (Pienza, Montepulciano, San Gimignano, Siena, Orvieto)however, you must rent a car to fully enjoy since trains do not provide adequate service. Not many crowds or tour buses (except Siena), the people are very friendly and the prices are more relaxed. Tuscan food is excellent and the selection of wines is incredible. <BR> <BR>Florence is tremendous for the arts and shopping (leather, gold, clothes). A must to visit. Orvieto has some excellent ceramics and an impressive duomo. <BR> <BR>Cinque Terre was so-so. Fun to hike but not worth more than an overnight stay. The pesto and white wine are highly recommended. <BR> <BR>Venice is great to explore and get lost (since it's an island, you really can't ever get lost). After you follow the main tourist routes and see the major sites, be sure to get off the beaten path and go down the side streets. You can find the best ristorantes and neighborhood osterias "off the path". The hotel prices are extremely high in Venice so be prepared. <BR> <BR>The boat ride to Bellagio on Lake Como is also well worth the effort. A great town to visit if you are north in the Lombardy district. We also like Bologna (great food town). <BR> <BR>We didn't care for Milan---too congested, too much graffitti. Have never been to Rome so I don't know what we're missing. <BR>

Cinque Terre has more tourists than Epcot Center--and gives you exactly the same experience. I suggest choosing a town that appears in the guidebooks, but is not prominently touted. If you find a good hotel room with people who have at least a passing knowledge of English, you will have enjoyed a much more 'Italian' experience than a 'tourista' one.

It's amazing how different experiences can be! We were in Italy the last two weeks of March. One week skiing in the Coritina area -- not crowded at all since it was late season. Then a whirlwind tour: 1 1/2 days in Venice, 2 days Florence, 2 1/2 days con familia on the Amalfi Coast (including Pompeii) and 2 days in Rome. Not at all enough, but we had a great time. Venice was all but deserted -- everywhere, even St. Mark's. Rome on Palm Sunday was busy, but to a native New York City guy and a native Southern California lady -- we found nothing we couldn't handle. We found the energy of Florence and Rome exciting and we didn't feel crowded at all. Guess I'll stick with spring when it comes to Europe. <BR>

Hi Lori, <BR>why to start from Orvieto? I would think about landing in Venice south, in this <BR>way you could save a lot of time. <BR> It's true,Venice is wonderful but expensive. I'm Italian and I have the impression that in Venice to ask you a large amount of money is a national sport. Anyway, if you are on a budget basis, I would consider sleeping in Mestre (Venezia-Mestre). It's a modern city 10 minutes of train away from Venice. Much cheaper; furthermore it's nice to go to Venice by train because the station is in the center and you arrive from the water (an experience in itself). <BR>I would cut the 5 terre; from Venice it's almost a day by train and I don't think it's worth (old little villages on the sea, but packed with tourists). <BR>Spend more time in Tuscany; as someone told you, go to Siena and the other villages around. South of Siena there is a region called "le crete senesi", suggestive panorama, the best thing would be to travel in the crete with the little train that goes to Buonconvento. Ask the tourism office while in Siena. Then I would stop over in Umbria. <BR>Assisi and Norcia are so beautiful. The place seems to have been forgotten by the tourists after the earthquake... On your way to Rome you might stop in Orvieto and, if you feel like experimenting a less touristic area go to the Marche region. I would suggest you to visit Urbino and spend 2 days in the riviera del Conero, wonderful sea. Rome, of course and then, if you have any time left, consider going to the South. The South is really another Italy - sometimes a jump in the past. I would suggest to you, and the other lovers of Italy not to visit only the Venice-Florence-Rome trio. <BR>Abruzzi, Molise, Basilicata, Puglia, Sicily are a wonderful piece of Italy and Autumn, as well as Spring, are the best period to see these regions. I hope you'll enjoy my country. <BR>Anna <BR>

Agree with why start in Orvieto??? It's very close to Rome and can be done from or before Rome.Is this your first trip to Italy? I too would start in Venice (assuming you're landing in Milan, take the train to Venice--no car! or you can fly to Venice from other European cities, it's just expensive), then Florence but I would substitute Lucca for Pisa anyday--but one can spend the whole time in Florence alone so why add anything else, and then down to Rome via Orvieto. In Florence, we like the Lungarno Hotel, in Venice either the Cigahotel Europa or less expensive Do Pozzi, and in Rome La Residensa. I would split the time equally between Rome and Florence and give Venice 2 days max. You'll still not see everything you want to see, so plan to go back soon! <BR>

Just reread your post and reallized you have 3 weeks!! I would kill for that much time. Therefore, on the train route to Venice, consider the beautiful walking city of Verona for a day---just wallk from the train or short taxi ride. After Florence, rent car and drive through Chiianti and over to Siena and San Gimignano then Orvieto then Rome. I would skip the Cinque Terre--it's not the best time of year and they're so small and difficult to find hotels etc. Very isolated area---if you must, try booking in Lerici at the Doria Hotel--Fax 011-39-187-966-459, but do it now!! I don't think the Cinque Terre are as bad a Disneyland, but they're getting pretty crowded for the minimal accomodations they offer. If you'd like any more info, email me directly. Have a great trip. I do envy you the time to do it! <BR>

All, I visited Italy last October. I loved Cinque <BR>Terre. It wasn't crowded at all. Definitely rent <BR>a car and drive through Tuscany. Great hotel to <BR>try in Florence: Hotel Mari Luisa de Medici. <BR>Hope you ahve agreat trip. Jennifer <BR>

We're starting in Orvieta, because the reason we're going to Italy in the first place is that my husband has a photography assignment there. So we will actually be spending four days Orvieta alone. My daughter (13 years old) and I might take some day trips around that area while he is shooting. So, in theory we only have about two weeks when you consider the two flight days. <BR>Thank you so much for all your replies, it's been great help. Keep 'em coming. And any other advice for travel in Italy (hotels, restaurants, must sees....) I will gladly listen to. <BR> <BR>Lori <BR>[email protected] <BR> <BR> <BR>

A wonderful but very expensive restaurant is La Chiusa in Montefollonico -about 15 miles from Chianciano Terme in Tuscany. We stayed at the Pallazzo Bandino -a villa and winery near Chianciano T, Beautiful scenery swimming pool -several types of accomodations. The town of Chiusi has a good Etruscan museum. <BR>

Dear Lori-- <BR>Orvieto is a magnificent town so you'll be happy to be located there. You should check all the guide books about UMBRIA since you're in Orvieto. You must visit Assisi-it's a beautiful medieval city and you will never see anything quite like the Giotto frescos in the cathedral--also Spoleto, Todi, Perugia...If you love art, you'll think you died and went to heaven. I'd also say skip Cinque Terre and concentrate on Venice, Rome and Florence as far as major cities are concerned. If art is not your passion, spend more of your time in Rome and Venice. Florence is truly the city of art and not much else. Rome and Venice are much more beautiful and fascinating cities qua cities. I too envy you your three weeks. Buon Viaggio.

All: I got on here to ask which 2 cities you would choose if you only had 10 days and not sure whether you could get back for a while. Then I noticed this posting, and from what I've read Florence and Rome would be the choice. Or is it the Tuscany and Umbria regions? Venice and the Lakes? I'm so confused!!! Think I've got the idea though! Thanks.

I wouldn't miss the following for all the money in the world..Pienza/Montefollinco (LaChiusa is fabulous)/Montelcino/Greve/Castellina in Chianti/Rada in Chianti/Monterrigione!!!and of course Siena..In Umbria you must go to Todi/Assisi/Deruta/Gubbio/Orvieto...check out the Fodor's pictorial guide to fine Inns and Hotels ..it has great places to stay. <BR> <BR>Places to avoid..Spoleto/Montelpuciano/ ..by all means go to San Gimignano but expect huge throngs of tourists. Good luck <BR>Miles Dinner <BR>[email protected]

restaurants in Florence: <BR>if you want to taste great food, try one of the best restaurants in Florence: il Cibreo, in the S. Ambrogio market square. A reservation is necessary, it would cost 40-50 dollars per person (wine included); it's a great experience. <BR>If you like a great panoramic restaurant reserve a table at la Loggia, in piazzale Michelangelo, from its windows you will see all Florence. Very good food and the same price of il Cibreo. <BR>A cheap place, where you can eat genuine Italian food is Le palle d'oro, in via S. Antonino, not far from the railway station. Il closes quite early at night, and I would prefer to go there for lunch. Another special restaurant on the hills around Florence, is La Capponcina, in Settignano, 20 minutes by bus from Florence. Very good and innovative food. Ask to eat in the terrace. Very pleasant, a reservation is needed (prices around 20-25 dollars depending of what you eat). <BR>Buon appetito! <BR>Anna <BR>