Linda

My husband and I want to take a trip to Italy in late May for about 10 days. I had thought we would hit Rome as a base and take 1/2 and whole day excursions from there. I get the impression most of you season travelers tote your baggage with you on the trains and buses from city to city. Isn't it just so tiring to lug your gear around and pack and unpack in different places every few days? Is there enough to see and do in Rome and the outlying areas to occupy our 10 days or should I consider a different itenerary all together?

elaine

Linda<BR>there is no one impresssion to get from travelers. Some like to spend more time in one place and really get to know it; others want to hop to as many places as they can in the time they have.<BR>Based on my Rome trip last fall, I can tell you that in 10 days you won't run out of things to do and see, at least I didn't and I found myself disappointed only by how much I didn't have time for.<BR>A few daytrips should make for a nice break here and there--Rome is a busy, large,and sometimes noisy city.<BR>If for some reason you really wanted to venture further, you could always go to Florence for a couple of days; it's not far. But other locations like<BR>Orvieto, Pompeii, etc can also make for good daytrips from Rome.<BR>I have a file on Rome; if you'd like to see it, email me<BR>

Rex

Actually one of the commonest themes expounded by "us regulars" (if there is such a club) - -is to urge people to NOT move around so much. You already seem to have that wisdom.<BR><BR>But I might suggest that you try to break out of that mold just a little bit. There are a couple of reasons.<BR><BR>First and foremost, there really IS a ton to see IN Rome. Three days is a reasonable bare minimum. Five is more like it - - and that's without every day-tripping out.<BR><BR>But Rome is not a good cross-section of Italy, just as New York is not a good cross-section of the US. You do have to get away from Rome.<BR><BR>Now here's the rub - - with the exception of a few choice destinations, I don't think Rome is such a great place to base to see places outside Rome. Yes, plenty of people will disagree with this - - and I actually COULD defend day-tripping from Rome too.<BR><BR>Having a car to do your escaping is no joy - - hard to get out of, and back into the city - - and expensive and inconvenient to store the car somewhere at night. And why pay for Rome's (more) expensive lodging to see the countryside? - - stay OUT IN the countryside (and get more bang for your lodging bucks).<BR><BR>So I recommend one other principal detination, or maybe two (perhaps a two-night stay in some destination "B" - - on your way to a four night stay in destination "C"). Maybe "B" is Florence - - though you could stay a good deal more than two nights and not tire of the possibilities IN Florence and its "suburbs" (i.e., still within the range of "city buses"). Fiesole would be one such example. You could postpone having a car until you leave Florence to head to "C".<BR><BR>Or maybe "B" is truly in the country and you have a car from the time you leave Rome until you get to "C" (or maybe there never is a "C").<BR><BR>Do you have your air travel planned (or more specifically, purchased) yet? This will influence a lot. If not, you would do yourself a big favor to get thee to a bookstore or large public library and spend 2, 4, maybe more hours in each of multiple settings - - as quick as you can. This is not like studying algebra - - get big coffee-table sized books with big beautiful pictures.<BR><BR>The main reason to hurry is that there are some sale fares soon to expire, and the closer May gets, the poorer your chance of getting any such fares.<BR><BR>Choose an area of Italy - - not necessarily close to Lazio (Rome) that makes your mouth salivate the most - - and come back here and tell us what it is. There are many of "us" who can offer ideas on how to make it plus Rome (plus one other "lesser destination"?) fit together into a great itinerary.<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex Bickers<BR>Westerville, Ohio<BR>

M&S

I disagree with comments about staying put in one place for an extended period. Nights are part of your trip too. Places are often very different, especially more touristy small towns. <BR><BR>Day trips double your travel time. You go and then return. If you want to go to, say Assisi, you are going to spend 5 hours traveling ro spend 5 hours there. It's crazy. If you travel around in a circuit, you don't waste near as much time and effort on travel. <BR><BR>Extended stay in Rome is also a bad because hotels are expensive. For what it cost to get a so-so place in Rome, you could have a nice place in Florence and a very nice place in a smaller city or town. <BR><BR>In sum, why spend time datripping, spending a lot of money in Rome and seeing the same nightlight and sights day after day.<BR><BR>Yes checking in and out is a pain.

Lexma90

I join the bandwagon in saying that staying in Rome for the entire 10 days might not be the best use of your time.<BR><BR>Maybe 5 days there, and 5 days at another location (or as Rex said, you could have 3 base locations, with 3 or 4 days at each). That way, you're not schlepping your stuff around too much, but you do have more variety.<BR><BR>Going in and out of a big city for day trip can take a lot of time & be a hassle. More rural lodging can be less expensive. IMO, for my vacation enjoyment, I like to experience both city and country locales. I love strolling through some quiet country town in the evening (and even San Gimignano is quiety at nighttime, after the daytrippers have left). And lastly, the countryside of Italy is just as wonderful, in a different way, as Rome!

Vita

Hi, Linda. There's absolutely nothing wrong with staying in Rome for 10 days and doing some excursions, but if you were planning on taking longer exursions, I think you might find it less tiring to stay in couple of different places. Think about where you want to go in Italy and how long it will take you to get there from Rome. I would say, try to keep the travel time one-way to an hour or an hour and a half. Perhaps do 5 days in Rome and 5 in Florence, if you are interested in seeing Florence and Tuscany. Just a suggestion. Heck you could spend all 10 days in Rome.

Sophia

Linda,<BR>I have been to Rome many times. It is a fascinating city! There is so much to do that ten days is not enough. However, do you want to stay in a busy city the entire ten days? Doubtful, based on your post. I would encourage you to stay in Rome for 5 days, go to Florence. The city center (which is tiny!) is located near the train station and there are loads of hotels near that are very nice. It is one of the easiest cities to nestle into. <BR>It has a lot to see as well. Yet, it very much has a small town feel. It's very nice to walk the streets at night. There are loads of great restaurants. It is a very easy to manage city. <BR>You can also take day trips from Florence. You could take a vineyard trip, see lovely Siena...lots of choices. <BR>Depending on the time of your departure flight, you may be able to leave Florence and train directly to the airport.<BR>I would do these two cities and no more.<BR>Good luck, and have a wonderful trip!<BR>

rb

I agree with the previous comment. There is so much to see in Rome but day trips can be exhausting. Going to Florence and maybe doing a day trip to Siena or San Gigmanano is very nice. Plus, Florence is wonderful. Or go south to Naples, Pompeii, and Capri or Sorrento.

ron

yes getting your luggage on and off of trains is not simple. Suggestions. Pack lightly.when your on the train move your luggage to the exit door one stop before you arrive,and don't wait for othere, move fast or you may not get off or on. Also most trains doors are opened by you.

Dawn

Linda. My two cents.<BR><BR>Could I spend 10 days in Rome? Absolutely. Would I stray to another city? No. Please let me explain.<BR><BR>It depends on what type of traveller you are and what you want to take away from the experience. I personally feel to do a city justice, you must become intimate with it. I can still close my eyes and remember subway stops, avenues, street signs and various other landmarks of every place I have travelled around this world. I'm a walker and a New Yorker and I need to walk a city to feel like I know it. <BR><BR>People feel compelled to see just the few typical tourist attractions and then move on. Yes it is a pain to lug your luggage around but I don't when I am in a fabulous country such as Italy. I also have the pact with my husband that when we travel, we do a country at a time - no matter how small and spend 2-3 weeks exploring. Italy in my opinion needs to be split into a minimum of 3 separate trips (north, south and Rome).<BR> <BR>I am a city person and could spend the time easily. If you are not, then you might suggest throwing another city in such as Florence. (I could do 10 days in Florence but now we are getting off the topic!)<BR><BR>Please do Rome justice. You can easily spend 10 days there. It's a glorious city - a city necessary to learn about culture and the passing of daily Roman life.