First time journey. 13 days. 3 nights Rome, 3 nights Florence, 6 nights Tuscany. Any advice on where to eat and what to see? Not doing a tour. Have a car for Tuscany (staying at Montecatini), but on foot balance of trip. Thanks.

Hi Abby! You will have fun & get lots of help planning your trip from contributors here. <BR><BR>First, start by doing a search using the little box at the top of the Europse page. Type in "Rome" or "Florence" or "Tuscany", etc.<BR><BR>You will get zillions of posts discussing these cities & areas in detail. There are also many, many recommendations for restaurants, sights, shopping, wine, etc. It's a great way to get some ideas of where to go & what to see. Studying guidebooks is also very helpful.<BR><BR>Happy planning!

Good advice above.<BR><BR>Florence: Book your visit to the Accademia and the Uffizi before you get to Florence. The lines can be long and a reservation for a specific time will let you right in. Really saves time.<BR><BR>Have a meal in the main square sitting outside.<BR><BR>Tuscany: Driving is a wise decision. We enjoyed just driving and visiting the small towns. They have many toll roads and one lane will take VISA cards. I think it is labeled VIN or something similiar. Learn to use this and swipe your VISA card and go on. The tolls are not too much and this will save you digging for the correct money to give the toll guard plus waiting in a longer line.<BR><BR>Rome: Do a Grayline or American Express bus tour of the city first. The traffic is horrible so the bus tour will give you a good overview of the sites and you can return later to visit some you did not get enough time to see. The tours are well laid out and cover different things. You may want to do more than one or the all day tour that includes lunch. It is worth it.<BR><BR>If you are young climb to the very top of the Vatican....the very top. View is great. Photos will be outstanding and you need to do it at least once. The last few yards going up inside the dome are tricky, but go for it.<BR><BR>Pickpockets: Watch out! They are alive and working the streets of Rome. You cannot be too careful. Women carrying nursing babies and asking for money are pickpockets. If they have a newspaper in their hand it is 100% guaranteed they are pickpockets. Just be very careful and watch your surroundings and you will be okay.<BR><BR>Learn to use the subway in Rome. Best way to get around and many Americans avoid it.<BR><BR>Car parking: Lock your car and don't leave anything out in the car when touring. Just put it all in the trunk including maps which will show you are a tourist. We never made it tempting for anyone and never had any problems.

I iwll top 3 postings for you on Toscana, Firenze and Rome suggestions.<BR><BR>Some general tips--<BR>Meal times are very important especially as you get out into the countryside. Plan on lunch between 12:30 and 1:30 or you may not get into a restaurant. Dinner is usually 8:30 or later.<BR><BR>Cappuccino is a breakfast drink. The folks at the bar will smile at you indulgently if you order this drink after 11 am. A great tip is to learn how to order your cafe in Italian. "Prendo un caffe" means I'll take an espresso. <BR><BR>Stop for Gelato often.<BR><BR>We love the following restaurants:<BR>Florence<BR>Cibreo or Trattoria Cibreo<BR>Casalinga in Oltra'Arno (across the arno)<BR><BR>In Toscana<BR>Il Pino (San Gimignano)<BR>Il Pestello (between Poggibonsi and Castellina- good basic food, great grilled porcini and lamb)<BR>Il Legendi di Sogno di Frati (Isole di Abbadia)<BR>La Chiusa- Montefolonico near Montepulciano<BR>Enoteca Forteza in Montalcino<BR><BR>Roma<BR><BR>La Rosetta for incredible seafood<BR>Checco er Carterria in Trastevere<BR>Agata e Romeo for Nuova Cucina<BR>Chcchino dal 1887 for deconstructed beef<BR><BR>Must see stuff that you mighnt not hear about otherwise<BR><BR>Florence<BR><BR>Santa Maria Maddalena dei Pazzi<BR>Brancacci Chapel<BR><BR><BR>Toscana<BR><BR>Montalcino<BR>Mon te Oliveto Maggiore<BR>San Galgano<BR>VOltera

In Florence have dinner at Dino Restaurant and Omera's. Omera's is a cab ride to the top of the hill and is totally worth it. They also have a little shop in front so buy your olive oil and mushrooms there. Very yummy and cheap. Also, Osteria Numero Uno is very good for a nice dinner. Have a great time.

You'll love Italy. Rome is my favorite city. I've enjoyed the Vatican Museum, the Coloseum, Capitoline Museum, Via Condotti, and so much more. We like to have pizza at Baffetos and have Tartufo ice cream at Tre Scalini in Piazza Navona (another area you'll enjoy). In Florence be sure to see The David and get your reservations. Our favorite eating place there is LaMaremma on Via Verde off the Santa Croce square, one block, order the ravioli with walnut sauce (it's a killer). In Siena if you want an expensive meal that is a treat of a lifetime eat at the Cane E Gatto. They are only open in the evening and the meal is set, goes from 8 a.m. to ll p.m. in courses and it will be like no place you've ever eaten. Enjoy yourself. Marilyn

Thank you all so much for the insightful and wonderful advice.

Hi Abbey,<BR>My husband and I are doing the south of Italy this year. We have fond memories of staying in Monticatini and using it as our base in Tuscany. It is small and quiet and nice to come home to at night. We stayed at a non- typical Best Western called Hotel Cappelli Croce di Savoia, a lovely family run hotel with a kind concierge who helped us plan our day trips. One tip, Montecatini is a spa town we had trouble finding good restaurants. We realized the second year, everyone eats in their hotel. Classy elaborate dining!!! Enjoy. <BR>Judy

I HAVE BEEN TO ROME NUMEROUS TIMES. I TRAVEL BY LOCAL BUSES TO THE SIGHTS WITH NO PROBLEMS. JUST REMEMBER WHEN ON A BUS PICK POCKETS ARE ACTIVE.

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Dayle gave you some great advice, but if you are leaving anytime soon, I would not get on a tour bus, especially one promoted by American Express.

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In Tuscany, make sure to go to Siena! <BR><BR>The Canon de Orr (sp?) was a great little hotel. Not too $$$<BR><BR>If you like authentic Tuscan cuisine, go to Gallo Nero for dinner one night. During the day, it's nice to have lunch on the Campo, but it can be pricey, as it's a big tourist draw- better off just having an esspresso and exploring some more. <BR><BR>Take a day trip to Motalcino or Motepulciano if you like wine, especially amazing reds.<BR><BR>I also suggest picking up Rick Steve's Italy 2002, or his books on the individual regions.<BR><BR>Ciao!

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topping for you, Abby!