I just found out that we have enough miles to take our family to Italy. We will be there 11 nights starting June 27. It will be my husband and me and our 4 daughters - ages 17-21. I had to put together a quick itinerary (no reservations yet). Do you think that it is trying to do too much? I would like the family to see the major spots and I think that we will all enjoy a rest at the end. What is the best way to get from town to town?<BR><BR>Here are my initial plans:<BR>Days 1-3 Rome<BR>Days 4-5 Florence (side visits to Tuscany)<BR>Day 6 Lake Como<BR>Day 7 Venice<BR>Days 8-10 Forte dei Marmi (or nearby)<BR>Day 11 Rome<BR><BR>I would really appreciate your thoughts and any recommendations of places to stay that will accomodate our group with reasonable prices (attractive and centrally located, if possible).<BR><BR>Thanks!!!

Yes, it is a bit much for the 11 days, especially days 4-7:<BR>1. You say two days in Florence including side trips to Tuscany. Whew! Just Florence itself deserves more than two days!<BR>2. One day in Lake Como from Florence. Again, whew, especially considering that you have to drive there from Florence.<BR>3. One day in Venice. Oh, what a tease!!<BR>Next, logically, why aren't you spending the time at Forte dei Marmi when you are already in the Tuscany area? Obviously, you want to spend the relaxing time at the end of your trip. But, you've created a agenda that has you spending more time on the road than you have to. <BR>(PS: You certainly would need the relaxing time with your proposed schedule!<BR>As beautiful as it is, still save Lake Como for another time.

You're biting off more than you can chew with that itinerary. First, assume that you (like MacArthur) will return at some time. Don't try to do and see everything all at once. I'd suggest this schedule instead:<BR><BR>Day 0: USA --&gt; FCO<BR>Days 1-4: Rome<BR>Days 5-8: Forte dei Marmi/Cinque Terre<BR>Days 8-11: Florence -OR- Venice<BR>Day 12: FLR --&gt; USA or VCE --&gt; USA (fly out of Florence or Venice)<BR><BR>A few US airlines have direct flights from Venice to the US, but all flights to/from Florence will require a change a European carrier's hub.<BR><BR>This gives you a few days in each location, minimizes your schlepping, and lets you explore each area in some semblance of depth without feeling like you have to see and do everything and go everywhere in one day.<BR><BR>A vacation is supposed to be just that: a vacation. Allow yourself time to rest. Plan one or two days (one in FdM and one in Florence) where you won't see any museums or go on a tour. Just do nothing.

I would spend 3 nights in rome, 2 nights in Venice (you can take the train), then 2-3 nights in florence and 2-3 nights in Forte dei Marmi or somewhere in Tuscany and last night in Rome. You may want to rent a car for a few days and drive around tuscany basing yourself in one area. This is very ambitious but it is better to spend a minimum of 2 nights in an area. I visited Italy last summer with my 3 children and they were much happier when we spent at least 2 nights.

Spent a month at a villa near Forte dei Marme. You can see it in one day unless you want to lie around at a beach all day but why go to Italy to do that? Lake Como is wonderful but I would save it for another trip and spend more time in Florence or Venice. One day in Venice is definitely not enough time. If you are going to Forte dei Marmi, forget the side visits to Tuscany from Florence and spend the time in Florence. From Forte dei Marmi, you can see Lucca and Pisa. Outside of Forte dei Marmi, we discovered, from a guide book, a fabulous restaurant called Emilio e Bona in the town of Camaiore. It is a little difficult to find but well worth the effort. It is a charming, delicious Italian restaurant where we never saw a tourist the 4 times we went there for dinner. Also, Piestrasanta had several wonderful restaurants. Also, in Forte dei Marme do not go to Lorenzo for dinner unless you want to leave your first born behind. It is VERY expensive. Hope this helps you.

I'm curious about your saying <BR>&quot;no reservations yet&quot;. Do you mean just no hotel reservations yet? Do you actually have the mileage reward seats reserved for the dates you want? I am almost a little surprised that you are able to get what you want for summer, even now.<BR><BR>If this trip hinges on the free air travel, better be sure you have that in the bag, and THEN build your itinerary.<BR>

I think Connie has suggested a reasonable itinerary...and one you can enjoy. Now you may want to secure reservations for hotels (assuming you've just gotten the air tickets with miles, which is why you know your dates.) You can do this trip using trains between the major cities, although you might want to use a car FROM Florence to your Tuscany base (possibly staying your last night outside of Rome with easy access to the airport...Orvieto or Antica whatsits...(name just flew out of my head...) <BR><BR>

Thank you for all the replies!! This is my first trip in a long time and my family has never been so I am over enthusiastic. I will definitely save Lake Como for another date. I like Connie's itinerary also because I do have to arrive and depart from Rome. The plane tickets are confirmed. But, I do not have any other reservations. We are a big group (6 people) so any suggestions on where to stay that is reasonable would be helpful. Also, do the hotels charge by the person or the room? Do most hotels have cots to allow more people to stay in room? Do most serve breakfast? Thanks for all your help. Any other itinerary input is great also!!!

Anita, sounds like a lovely trip. Agree that you are smart to drop Como this time. As for the hotels, it would help to know your price range. You probably could get a third person into a double room, if that's what you want to do. I suspect, in summer season June, you may not be able to find an apartment for less than a week's stay. Still, some others here may have ideas if you give some idea of your budget, whether you want private baths, air conditioning, etc. In our last trip to Italy, all but one of the hotels we used served a buffet breakfast. But this can vary.

Claire, I would like to average approximately $400 per night for all of us, less if possible. We do not necessarily need a private bathroom or air conditioning. What I would like most is charm and a central location. We can spend more some nights and less others. Do you think that this price range is reasonable? I am assuming that we will need a minimum of two rooms each night.

I agree with the response about making sure you have your plane reservations nailed down before even thinking about where &amp; when. I just redeemed award miles on Alaska/American and United for 4 of us, and the availability for mid-June to early July was nearly zilch on either carrier's programs.<BR>Skip Rome and concentrate on the small towns and the coast. A car must be comfortable in the back seat for 3 or you will wish you didn't bother to try to drive. Forti Dei Marmi has some of the most expensive restaurants you will find, so go north or inland for the best value (where the locals eat).

Dear Anita,<BR><BR>I would spend 3 nights in Venice as it will be a long day getting there from Rome - ( + it's wonderful) and only 2 nights in Florence (just don't hit them on a Sunday, Monday combination, because museums close) - You MUST see the &quot;David&quot; at the Uffizi.<BR><BR>You have lucky daughters !<BR>

If you don't already have it, get Rick Steve's Italy guidebook. He has good hotel recommendations that won't break the bank and he has a lot of good travel skills tips that are great for a first time traveler (www.ricksteves.com). Saving Como for another trip is a good idea, I like how you've modified your itinerary. I think you will do fine budgeting $400 per night and could get by with a lot less if you don't need a private bath.<BR>Here are some places I stayed at in May 2002 and can recommend. All included breakfast.<BR><BR>Venice - Hotel Galleria<BR>http://www.hotelgalleria.it/hghomeen.html<BR><BR>Florence - Hotel Bellettini<BR>http://www.hotelbellettini.com/<BR><BR>Rome - Abergo del Senato<BR>http://www.albergodelsenato.it/index.htm<BR>My sister has stayed at the Oceania with her husband and daughter<BR>http://www.hoteloceania.it/