Need help with Rome, Almalfi, Tuscany, Florence itinerary!
 

I've received such great advice from some of you regarding visiting Pompeii but now need a good 2-week itinerary. My husband and I plan on flying into Rome and out of Milan and would like to spend 7 days in Tuscany. Any suggestions on an itinerary that won't be exhausting? <BR><BR>I love this website!!

Didi:<BR><BR>I just posted an itinery on your other thread. Hope it helps.

Flying into Rome and out of Milan dictates that you begin your itinerary in Pompeii as you already desire to do. Other than that, a few days in Rome will leave you only the final 7 days, which you want to spend in Tuscany. It also appears you don't want to see a lot of different towns, but I draw that conclusion because you have mentioned not wanting to be exhausted. It's hard to get around the country and see lots of villages, especially in Tuscany, without a car. You haven't mentioned how you plan to travel. However, I will assume you can visit a few towns along the way. Here's what I'd do:<BR>-fly into Rome; next day visit Pompeii.<BR>-spend 4 more nights in Rome.<BR>-travel north and spend 1 or 2 nights in Orvieto.<BR>-proceed to Tuscany, somewhere around Montalcino, Montepulciano, or Pienza, and spend about 4-5 days there if you like small villages. Take a day trip or two to Florence, Pisa, and Siena.<BR>-go to some place on the southern part of Lake Como or on Lake Orta for the last few days. See Milan for no more than a day unless you have some specific interests there.<BR><BR>That's what I'd do. Your own interests could take you elsewhere. For more art, you'll want more time in Rome and Florence. For small villages, you'll want a car to wander around Tuscany. There is so much to choose from in Italy; you just have to decide what is important to you. Good Luck.

Like I posted before, there's no reason to fly into Rome and out of Milan. Florence to Milan is a 3.5 hour train ride, Florence to Rome is only 1.5 hours. Plus your tickets will cost more since you're flying out of a different city than you flew into. I'd save your money and time and fly out of Rome.<BR><BR>Itinerary is fairly simple:<BR><BR>Rome<BR>Rome<BR>Rome<BR>Rome<BR>Sor rento<BR>Sorrento/Pompei<BR>Florence<BR>Florence<BR>Florence<BR>Sien a<BR>Siena<BR>Cortona (daytrip from Siena)<BR>Montepulciano (daytrip from Siena)<BR>Back to Rome, fly out<BR><BR>Cortona and Montepulciano are two favorite hilltowns

I've rarely paid more for an open jaw ticket than a roundtrip in and out of the same major city. However, if you don't want to see anything in or near Milan, Rome is closer.<BR><BR>Florence has a tiny airport, and Bologna and Pisa have mid-sized ones - all much closer to Tuscany. However airfare including one of these cities might well be more expensive, and the question is whether the convenience and time savings would be worth the additional cost.

RAR, you are incorrect about the plane fares. I've flown open jaw internationally and the tickets DO NOT cost more. Sometimes, they're cheaper.<BR><BR>In the states, that is a different story entirely.

I've never found an open jaws ticket that was the same price.. usually $50 more in my experience. Maybe I wasn't looking in the right places.

We plan on going late September/early October and as I search for airfare I notice that open jaw is cheaper depending on what airline you use. I also read in a couple of books that it will be, unlike in the U.S. <BR><BR>We definitely are planning on renting a car for Tuscany region since we would like to spend time in the beautiful countryside at least 5-7 days. On your suggestions, I really want to spend a night or two in Orvieto now. <BR><BR>I'm thinking of not doing Venice this trip and adding a day to the other areas, Almalfi, Rome, or countryside. <BR><BR>You have no idea how much all of you are helping with our plans. My husband also thanks you. <BR><BR>You'll be hearing from me again for more help. :)

Orvieto is great :)