Need Advice on our First Visit to Italy/Nov 2016
Jun 21st, 2016, 06:18 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Need Advice on our First Visit to Italy/Nov 2016
Hi everyone,
Me and my wife are planning our first trip to Italy in November 2016.Fly into venice on 21st and fly out of rome on 2nd dec or vice versa....
We are not very found of museums,we love to enjoy the outdoors,roman architecture,gondola rides in venice and maybe explore the country side a bit.
We have 10 days in italy apart from the travelling days.We would like to visit rome and venice for sure but also would love to include either Cinque terre or amalfi coast or any coatal town into to the plan.
I would like to spend 3-4 nights each in rome and venice and if possible make a day trip to florence,(Just to see the highlights).I wish to include cinque tere into the itinerary but im confused as to were to set as base and how the travelling would be to rome or venice.
I would love if someone could help us with this itinerary.
Thankyou
Albert from Dubai.
Me and my wife are planning our first trip to Italy in November 2016.Fly into venice on 21st and fly out of rome on 2nd dec or vice versa....
We are not very found of museums,we love to enjoy the outdoors,roman architecture,gondola rides in venice and maybe explore the country side a bit.
We have 10 days in italy apart from the travelling days.We would like to visit rome and venice for sure but also would love to include either Cinque terre or amalfi coast or any coatal town into to the plan.
I would like to spend 3-4 nights each in rome and venice and if possible make a day trip to florence,(Just to see the highlights).I wish to include cinque tere into the itinerary but im confused as to were to set as base and how the travelling would be to rome or venice.
I would love if someone could help us with this itinerary.
Thankyou
Albert from Dubai.
Jun 21st, 2016, 06:40 AM
#2
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 11,737
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Are you familiar with the weather in different parts of Italy in late November, early December? It can range from just comfortable to quite cold to rainy and chilly. Much of the Amalfi Coast will be closed and ferries not running because it is a summer resort kind of place. The Cinque Terre may also be bleak at that time of year. Some people like the off season, just be prepared with jackets, and know it will not be weather for sitting out on a balcony enjoying the view.
Jun 21st, 2016, 07:18 AM
#3
I assume you are already familiar with the geography of the country. That said, my recommendation would be to spend a full day, or as much as possible of a "full day" in Florence.
I would take an early train from Venice to Florence and plan to stay overnight at least for one night. You could spend the remainder of the arrival day and as much as you want of the second day before you take a train to Rome. If you plan it right you can arrive in Rome at a time which might ensure that the room is, in fact, ready, too.
I would take an early train from Venice to Florence and plan to stay overnight at least for one night. You could spend the remainder of the arrival day and as much as you want of the second day before you take a train to Rome. If you plan it right you can arrive in Rome at a time which might ensure that the room is, in fact, ready, too.
Jun 21st, 2016, 07:31 AM
#4
i have to agree with Sassafrass that November may not be the best time to be spending time in the Italian countryside and the weather in the CT could be very dodgy - I would forget about it.
However, do not despair - there is at least one garden in Venice, the island of Torcello in the lagoon is pretty green [and has a Basilica with 1000+ old mosaics that you shouldn't miss] - and from Rome you can do a day trip to Tivoli and see the wonderful garden there if the weather co-operates.
Given the lack of day light and the fact that it's on the way between Venice and Rome, IMO the best way to see Florence would be to stay at least one night - if you got an early train from Venice the day you leave, and a late train on the day you travel onto Rome, you could have almost 2 days there. Alternatively, stay 2 nights and take the early train to Rome on the morning of the third.
it is often said that flight times out of Rome are better than those out of venice so on that assumption, I suggest:
21 Nov - arrive Venice. Stay 4 nights.
25 Nov - train to Florence. Stay 2 nights.
27 Nov - train to Rome. Stay 5 nights
2 Dec - fly home.
However, do not despair - there is at least one garden in Venice, the island of Torcello in the lagoon is pretty green [and has a Basilica with 1000+ old mosaics that you shouldn't miss] - and from Rome you can do a day trip to Tivoli and see the wonderful garden there if the weather co-operates.
Given the lack of day light and the fact that it's on the way between Venice and Rome, IMO the best way to see Florence would be to stay at least one night - if you got an early train from Venice the day you leave, and a late train on the day you travel onto Rome, you could have almost 2 days there. Alternatively, stay 2 nights and take the early train to Rome on the morning of the third.
it is often said that flight times out of Rome are better than those out of venice so on that assumption, I suggest:
21 Nov - arrive Venice. Stay 4 nights.
25 Nov - train to Florence. Stay 2 nights.
27 Nov - train to Rome. Stay 5 nights
2 Dec - fly home.
Jun 21st, 2016, 08:01 AM
#5
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 7,160
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
In November Venice is prone to Aqua Alta, in which high tides flood the low lying parts of the city. Like the main square. Platform walkways are set up there, but not everywhere.
Also it is not the best time to tour the countryside. The usual advice is to stay in cities and hit the museums. But that's not your interests.
Consider farther south in Italy, maybe even Sicily. As for the Amalfi coast, many hotels and restaurants are closed, but it's easier to get around than in the high and shoulder seasons.
Also it is not the best time to tour the countryside. The usual advice is to stay in cities and hit the museums. But that's not your interests.
Consider farther south in Italy, maybe even Sicily. As for the Amalfi coast, many hotels and restaurants are closed, but it's easier to get around than in the high and shoulder seasons.
Jun 21st, 2016, 11:00 AM
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thankyou Sassafrass,Mimar,Dukey1 and Annhig for your replies.
Certainly need to consider the weather in these coastal towns.
So as Annhig says we have roughly decided on the following itinerary-
Fly into Venice-4 nights
travel to Florence by rail and spend 3 nights there,
and wrap it up in Rome with 5 nights.
I would like to know if there are good day trips to the country side villages or towns from Rome or Florence, in case if we decide to skip the coastal towns due to bad weather.
During this time of the year do the restaurants and other shops close early,hows the night life,are the visiting hours are short for the major attractions......
Certainly need to consider the weather in these coastal towns.
So as Annhig says we have roughly decided on the following itinerary-
Fly into Venice-4 nights
travel to Florence by rail and spend 3 nights there,
and wrap it up in Rome with 5 nights.
I would like to know if there are good day trips to the country side villages or towns from Rome or Florence, in case if we decide to skip the coastal towns due to bad weather.
During this time of the year do the restaurants and other shops close early,hows the night life,are the visiting hours are short for the major attractions......
Jun 21st, 2016, 11:45 AM
#7
Hi Albi,
in Florence, you could look at the TA page for things to do - loads there - or ask someone like Hills and Roads to do a trip for you. [I've not used them but they get lots of good reviews including from people here].
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attrac...e_Tuscany.html
hillsandroads.com
In Florence itself it's a nice walk up over the Piazzale michelangelo up to San Miniato and then back down through Oltrarno. Also you can catch a bus up to Fiesole and go for walk up the hill to the Monastery of San Francesco - and there are great views over Florence from the terrace opposite the bus stop.
In Rome, as well as Tivoli, there is of course the Borghese Park, and some others as well.
These are all major tourist cities so restaurants etc will be open well into the evening and museums etc. will keep normal hours. Shops still tend to shut over lunch time and open again in the evening, so you won't lack things to do.
in Florence, you could look at the TA page for things to do - loads there - or ask someone like Hills and Roads to do a trip for you. [I've not used them but they get lots of good reviews including from people here].
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attrac...e_Tuscany.html
hillsandroads.com
In Florence itself it's a nice walk up over the Piazzale michelangelo up to San Miniato and then back down through Oltrarno. Also you can catch a bus up to Fiesole and go for walk up the hill to the Monastery of San Francesco - and there are great views over Florence from the terrace opposite the bus stop.
In Rome, as well as Tivoli, there is of course the Borghese Park, and some others as well.
These are all major tourist cities so restaurants etc will be open well into the evening and museums etc. will keep normal hours. Shops still tend to shut over lunch time and open again in the evening, so you won't lack things to do.
Jun 21st, 2016, 02:48 PM
#11
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 14,748
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sassafrass gave you good day trip possibilities.
Since you like Roman ruins, I would highly recommend Ostia Antica.
We haven't mentioned Naples, which is on the sea. One can never predict weather, but it would probably be warmer. A day or two in Naples and Pompeii and Herculaneum might be nice.
Since you like Roman ruins, I would highly recommend Ostia Antica.
We haven't mentioned Naples, which is on the sea. One can never predict weather, but it would probably be warmer. A day or two in Naples and Pompeii and Herculaneum might be nice.
Jun 21st, 2016, 10:24 PM
#12
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
ONly the boats are closed in the amalfi coast in november, but the rest is all open! The weather can also be very nice, the last few years people go to the sea until the end of november! But it also can be raining, that's true! As alternative you can visit some museum or Naples or Salerno! I think the weather is absoluterly nicer than in the North of Italy...
Jun 21st, 2016, 10:27 PM
#13
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Then I forgot, Salerno is famous for it's christmas lights through the whole city!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EPtJ9bJKZto
Then there are a lot of nativies (typical for the south of Italy) to visit in Salerno and Naples, it's really beautifull and you have to see it onces!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EPtJ9bJKZto
Then there are a lot of nativies (typical for the south of Italy) to visit in Salerno and Naples, it's really beautifull and you have to see it onces!
