I just posted this message on the general Europe forum and then I realized my fellow Italian Fodorites might not see it so here goes again: <BR> <BR>I just returned on Tuesday from 2 weeks in Italy with my husband. I decided to post a message because I received help from many Fodorites (Maddy, Paulo, Richard Vicek, etc). Thanks a lot to everyone. <BR> <BR> We flew to Rome and were there 4 nights. We stayed at the Hotel Trevi, a comfortable and charming small 3 star hotel 2 blocks from the Trevi Fountain. The staff was very friendly and helpful...though the rooms were small. In Rome, we saw the Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps and went to Piazza Navona for dinner on the first day. Day 2 was a tour of the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basillica. Day 3 was an all day tour to the island of Capri and Day 4 was spent touring Ancient Rome. The day we left by train for Florence, we saw the Pantheon and Via Veneto in the morning. Rome was awesome. It was very safe, tons of police at all the tourists sites and almost everyone spoke english and was helpful. The weather was nice and it wasn't too crowded. <BR> <BR> We took the Eurostar (1st class, though 2nd seemed fine) to Florence. There is no need to get the tickets ahead of tinme this time of year becuse the trains wre not full. We arrived in Florence and saw the Duomo, Baptistry and Bell Tower. The next day we took the train to Pisa and were back by the late afternoon. We saw the Uffizi (make reservations ahead of time...you can walk right in) with the audio guides (tapes) and shopped at Ponte Vechio. The Boboli Gardens <BR>behind the Pitti Palace are beautiful...one of my favorite lunches...overlooking the garden. The Academia was closed due to a strike so I missed it. We went to Assisi for a day...one of my favorite places and then toured the rest of the time in Florence...plenty to see. <BR> We stayed at the Hotel Unicorno...a small 3 star. It was o.k....close to the train station whick was convenient. In Florence it really doesn't matter too much where you stay because everything is so close. <BR> <BR> We were in Florence 5 nights and then took the train to Venice (3 hours on the Intercity train). We stayed at Hotel Kette...beautiful place. Our room was recently renovated and was picture perfect with all the amenities...I highly recommend this hotel. It's a few blocks from Piazza <BR>San Marco and there's a vaporetto stop very close to the hotel. We were there 2 nights. We went to the island of Murano and Burano (great seafood) and did Piazza San Marco, the Rialto bridge and of course a gondola ride. Venice was great but ridiculously expensive...be warned!! <BR> <BR> After, Venice, we took the train to Milam and were only there 1/2 day because we flew home from there the next day. Stayed at Locanda dei Mercanti...a small hotel near the duomo. Nice room but tiny hotel where the reception closes from 11PM to 7AM...so you have to use your own keys to get into the building and then into the hotel. But...it was clean and only 15 minutes from Linate Airport. <BR> <BR> The best thing besides the sites was the food! Italy has delicious food...the antipasto...the Pizz...desserts..pastries...and of course the best cappucinos. I will be glad to answer any questions. <BR> Feel free to email me of you need any other info. I think I wrote enough here! Ciao!! <BR> <BR> Roxanne <BR> <BR> P.S. Do most of the things on your own (unless you want to go to Capri for a day like we did). It's less expensive...not difficult to get around and a great experience. You don't need tours...not even at the musuems because they all have audio guides. <BR>

Roxanne, welcome back, and you thanks for your trip report. You must've had a truly scrumptious time. And when will you be returning?!?

I'm not sure when I'll return but I definately want to. I want to see the lake region and more of the Amalfi coast....and to return to Rome. Now, I'm depressed, I wish I could've traveled Italy for a month. It was great!

I just returned as well and agree with everything, with one exception. I found that getting a guide at Pompeii was one of the best ways to spend $7 USD. Without a guide it is difficult to determing which alley is which, and you may miss some of the smaller, more intimate experiences. Just my thoughts though, perhaps some would think just the opposite!!

I'm trying to convice my husband, who is Italian, to go to Florence. He thinks it will be expensive. I know you said your hotel was small in Florence... what was the price, if you don't mind my asking? <BR> <BR>Also, are you familiar with any of the cooking schools? <BR>

The Hotel Unicorno was a coupl eof blocks from the train station and was about 290,000 lire/night (approx. $130). It had a private bathroom and was clean. It was within walking distance to everything in Florence yet not located in the center of the city.

Sorry about the spelling...I typed too fast!!