Hi -
We're planning our first trip (honeymoon) to Italy Oct 24-Nov 6, and so far have booked hotels for the first 3 nts in Venice and the last 4 nts in Rome. We're planning to travel by train. From there on I'm open & hoping for suggestions - we plan to see Florence and the important art, etc. (not really really into the Renaissance so that shouldn't take us too long) guessing a day or so. It seems from reading here on the boards there are those who love Florence and would spend the whole 5 days there & those who get through it pretty quickly... I don't really want to whirlwind through anywhere in a day, so I'd guess a min of two in the city with plans to explore outside...

OK - So the question(s) - what to do with the rest of our days (4-5) - spend a few in Florence? rent a car & head out to the hilltowns? Spend a couple nights in the Cinque Terre? What's realistic? If we did the Cinque Terre would we do Ven-Florence-CT-Rome?

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated... TIA...

Hi Tams,
I would rent a car in Florence and spend a few days in Tuscany, drinking wine and exploring the hill towns. We loved the Cinque Terre also, but for a first trip to Italy, Tuscany is a must. Find a quaint hotel in the hills as your base and then just drive around the countryside, it's beautiful. We stayed in Radda in Chianti, which I think is one of the more charming hill towns.

Hi tams,

A motor tour through Tuscany can be very nice, if you and your hubby are used to driving together, one of you is a good navigator, you have researched your trip carefully, have good maps and can handle getting lost.

I do suggest at least an overnight in Florence.

You might also want to Overnight in Orvieto, drop the car off and take the train into Rome after you see Tuscany.

Hi owlwoman & ira - Thanks to both of you - we do love to drive (and hanging out drinking wine), and when we've got nowhere to be getting lost is usually pretty fun We were concerned CT would be a little out of the way to make it worth it... would you say that's true?

Would you go with 2 days of Florence & 3 of driving or 3/2?

Thanks again!

Florence for two nights and no car, and then Tuscany for three nights with a car sounds perfect.

However, keep in mind traveling time. By the time you have breakfast in Venice, get to the train station, the train ride, arrive in Florence and check into your hotel, more than half the day could be gone...unless you have an early start. You really must plan your days well so that you will have enough time to see the art that is important to you.

If you plan to drop off the car in Rome, a very nice lunch spot would be Orvieto.

tams:

The other posters have provided some good suggestions. Not into art? (you may change your mind after you see David) Nonetheless, the charming character of Florence is how manageable it is. You can walk from one side of the historical center to the other in a relatively short time, shopping (if you wish) at some designer outlet stores, after which you can cross onto the Ponte Vecchio and sample the wares of the various craftsmen whose shops hang over the Arno. Saunter back at a leisurely pace and grab some gellato before you pause at one of the spacious piazzas. Not enough? Take a bus ride up into the hills for a romantic view of Florence, stop for lunch at a hilltop restaurant and later dine in the evening at one of the city's wonderful restaurants which feature grilled meats; try the rabbit, a regional and historical specialty. I recommend two nights minimum within the walls of the home of the Medici, and dare you to say it wasn't magical. You may find that you'll want to stay longer.

For the balance of your time, rent a car (or take a train) through the Tuscan hillside. Head for the village of Figline Valdarno, and, if you are without direction, get one of the locals to point you toward the singer Sting's villa. Enjoy a glass or two of Chianti wine, brewed from the grapes growing in this region, with a loaf of some freshly baked bread and stay at one of the local villas yourself (if Sting fails to invite you in, that is).

Then, set out for Rome in no particular hurry..

I would add a night to Venice.

Hi tams,

I go with Lorac.

If you decide to drop the car off in Orvieto, I strongly urge you to have lunch or dinner at I Sette Consoli Pzza Sant?Angelo 1A
phone/fax 011 39 0763 343911

One of the best restaurants in Italy, especially if it is warm enough to eat in the garden. Fixed price menu - 40E pp.

Zola -
What a poetic description of Florence. I'm going in October and after reading your post -- I'm in love with it already!