one week in Italy
 

I'm going to Italy in May part of a 3 week European trip. My last big trip before graduation next year. Yes I know some wait until graduation for the big trip but next year I might be changing jobs cities who knows? What I do know is that I can take 3 weeks off to travel this year. It's a low budget trip. I've got the hotels figured out. But any tips are appreciated.

Has anyone tried to squeeze the highlights of Italy into one week before? I'm thinking Venice and Rome. Here's the plan I'll fly into Venice and leave out of Rome. It'll be from one Saturday to the next Saturday.

The idea is 2 nights in Venice with a stop in Florence for one night. With enough time to see Academia and the Duomo. Then the rest of the week in Rome. So that's 2 nights Venice, one night Florence, and 4 nights Rome.

I think it's a good schedule but wanted a second opinion. Anybody have any suggestions? I was thinking of Milan instead of Florence. Flying into Milan that Saturday then Venice then Rome.

Or Naples instead of Florence.

Or two nights in Florence leaving 3 nights 2 full days in Rome.

Anybody have any other suggestions about my itenirary or about places to see restaurants anything? This is my first trip to Europe.

Thanks

Terrence

Terrence
Don't change Milan for Firenze. There is much less to visit in Milan, so keep heading towards Florence.

Ditto for Naples. I worked in Naples and I kind of like this city but it's dangerous, dirty, smelly, and it's the opposite of Florence. Don't swap for this beautiful city.

Rome could spend weeks and still not see everything. Get as much time as you can in Rome. Yet, your intinerary is okay.

Have a good vacation.

Blackduff

Terrence - I'd probably make it 3 nights in Venice and 4 in Rome.

If you leave Venice early you could spend a full day sightseeing in Florence en route to Rome.

Hope this helps ...

Steve

Hi V,

I also suggest one more night in Venice.

The 06:32 will get you to Florence by 9:30. (Later trains take longer and require a change in Bologna)

You can leave your things at the left luggage office in Florence, see the town and take the 17:29 to Rome in time for dinner.

See www.trenitalia.com for schedules and tickets.

((I))

I think that plan is doable. It would be nice to spend more time in Venice, but it would also be nice to spend more time in Rome, and if you really want to stop in FLorence to see the Academia I think it's worthwhile.

We actually did something similar but had a few more days. We spent 3 nights in Venice, then rented a car. We spent only 1 night in Florence, primarily to visit a friend staying there, not to site-see, but we did walk around and visited the History of Science Museum (we were with our kids who needed a break from art museums). My husband and I had been to the major art museums years ago on our own, and knew there was no way we could fit it all in at a pace that we could enjoy it.

After the night in FLorence we spent a night in Orvieto. I thought my kids would enjoy staying in a medieval town (and they did!).

The last 4 nights we spent in Rome.

We could have easily spent more time in any of those places, but our schedule didn't allow.

Given you only have a week, and these are the places you'd like to see, I'd say go for it!

Thanks yall.

Yeah I think that I will just spend the night in Florence. I'll catch the 12:32 train get there around 3:30 check into a hotel go see the Duomo. wander around a bit have dinner. The next day see Academia catch the 5:30 train to Rome. That gives me about 24 hours in the city.

Thanks again yall

Terrence

I think your original itinerary is perfect. Although it'd be nice to add a night to Venice, I would not do it if it meant sacraficing a night in Rome. I was in Rome for 5 weeks taking italian, and i didn't see anywhere near everything. And Florence is a must in my opinion. It's gorgeous, and much nicer than Milan or Naples. A trip to Naples would only be justified if you were going to check out Pompeii, i think you should save Naples for your next trip....always have the mentality that you will get back, so you don't short change yourself and try to cram things in too quickly! enjoy what you can see, and get back again to see what you missed!

Thanks again yall. One thing I have not done when planning my trip is pace myself. I will have to come back. But because of the cost this will be my last vacation for at least 2 years so it's harder to have that I'll see it next time mentality. I want to have a fast paced vacation without exhausting myself too much. I'll talk more about that in another post. Looks like Italy will be left as is with me spending the night in Florence. I'll fly into Rome take the train to Florence and end it all in Venice then onto the next country. Thanks yall.

Terrence

Me and my mom went to italy for 9 days last february...we spent 4 nights in rome, 2 in florence, and 2 in venice....which we thought worked out perfectly.....the only regret we had was we would have liked one more night in florence .....definetely dont skp this city and give yourself enough time in rome.....good luck and have fun =)

I know a lot of people here will disagree with me, but I liked Florence much more than Venice (it's cheaper for one thing). :-) Venice was just too touristy and expensive for me. I'd do 1 in Venice, 2 in Florence, 4 in Rome. Definitely skip Milan.

Bottom line, though, is that with only 1 week, whatever you choose won't be enough. But--some time in Italy is way better than none!