Our first trip to Europe
 

We are flying into Rome in Sept. and will have about 11 nights to stay, and then flying out of Milan. We would like to stay in Rome, 2 nights, Sorrento 3 nights, Florence 3 nights, and Venice 3 nights. What are going to be the best way to do this trip, most cost effective and time traveled?

No chance to fly out of Venice instead? Airfare already booked? Better yet, can you fly into Venice and out of Rome (or Naples)?

Otherwise, you're going to be backtracking, and to fly out of Milan you're probably going to have to spend the last night there, unless your flight out is mid-afternoon or later (doubt it).

Most people would say your time in Rome is far too short. But I have no idea what your interests are or what you are hoping to see on this first trip.

Italy has a great train system, and all of these places are well connected by train.

What does " about 11 nights" mean? How many nights will you actually sleep in Italy. I assume you do not have flights booked or you would know.

I suggest you fly into VCE and home from Rome and pick only 4 destinations. If you only plan to give Rome one day then just forget it. Day one is a wipeout anyway.

It sounds to me like the time you will be spending will cut back the time you have to enjoy Italy. Traveling so much means more stress and less fun. If you take the trains, take the fast train. It is worth the money and it is very comfortable- with Internet, but no fancy cafes.
Also, if you chose to travel using the train stations, do your homework. Buy the tickets in ADVANCE online.
The train stations attract every scammer, beggar and pick pocket with professional practice.
Last week, in the Rome train station I had my I-phone stolen out of my zipped bag.
The steep, and narrow escalator was broken. I was walking up it with a roller bag that fits in an overhead on an airplane.
Still, it was a very steep and tall escalator.
Without seeing the man coming up behind me, a young Italian man wearing an expensive business suit, grabbed the bottom of my roller bag, lifting it for me to carry it much easier.
As we reached the top of the escalator, he heaved it up higher, reached under it, unzipped my small travel purse and snatched my cell.
I didn't realize it until 15 min. later, and we were on the train. So there was no way I could go back.
Anyone who approaches you at a train station wants to offer to, "Help" you, wants money. Do not allow anyone to touch your bag. Travel very light, I mean wear a back pack. seriously, you can wash out a few clothing items if you stay in one place at least a few nights for them to dry.
The Italian police do NOT care at all about American tourists. Cab drivers, restaurant owners, cashiers, you name it all tried to rip us off. We were there 17 days,and it made me sad that put a damper on our trip. SOOO much beauty to see in Italy. Learn basic Italian. Wear your back pack across the front of yourself, keep a money pouch well hidden under your bra or belt. It's all fun and games til you realize some scumbag got your money or cell phone. I used Euros I brought from the US, and avoided using debit cards, I thought I had researched all the rip offs, etc. Apparently, the thieves are very well prepared. Be safe, have fun and don't let them get your hard earned money. Jana

Do you realize you have to stay someplace three nights just to get two useable days in a place? So two nights in Rome is just one day and you have just two days each in Sorrento, Florence and Venice. You will be spending more than a third of your days in transit. It would be wise to cut at least one destination.

jnewton7 -

I am amazed at your experiences in Italy. Granted there are often pickpockets and scammers at the largest train stations - but they can be avoided if you are careful and aware.

But for you to say that you were ripped off by cab drivers, restaurants, shops, etc is completely antithetical to the experiences I have had in my 10 plus visits to italy.

Most people are very friendly and helpful and we never had anyone try to cheat us on anything.

Are you sure that you weren't misinterpreting what was going on? (Things are often done differently in italy than in the US - and sometimes people don't fully understand these differences in system.) Or did you focus on using only the tourist trap shops and restaurants nearest the major sights?

Not sure of your experience with the police, but generally there is nothing they can do after you have been victim of a pickpocket (as in the US - police have many other things to do). You just need to be sure you have a report from them to give to your insurance company so you can recoup your loss.

Thanks for these great replies, because you all have convinced me to only choose a couple of places to stay, instead of my original plans. Yes, our flight is booked due to a great price for first class seats, so there is no changing to fly to or from Venice or Naples, due to flight does not fly to or from either place. With this information, which cities would make most sense to visit?

You haven't been clear on how many nights you have to visit Italy. If you have 11 and are landing in Rome, spend 4 nights there, 3 in Florence, 3 in Florence, 3 in Venice and the last night in Milan. If the 11 days includes your arrival and departure days, drop one city, either Florence or Venice depending on your interests.

I would do Rome, Florence, Venice only (then last night spend in Milan for your flight home since that's how you booked it). Those three cities are very easily done by train. Divide your time evenly between the three.

If I were dropping a city, for me that would be either Rome or Florence, because I'm crazy about Venice. I know it's smaller but for me would be the focus (and highlight) of the itinerary.

would like to stay in Rome, 2 nights, Sorrento 3 nights, Florence 3 nights, and Venice 3 nights.>

Trains:

Rome to Naples - the CircumVesuviana commuter train to Sorrento - base for Amalfi, Pompeii and Capri and Ischia islands.

Sorrento-Naples-Florence - direct train to Florence from Naples

Florence to Venice

Venice to Milan - i suggest staying in Milan or at the airport always rather than some remote location and depending on trains to get you a long distance to the airport - train strikes are not rare in Italy.

For lots of great info on Italian trains check www.ricksteves.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com. IME first class has definite benefits, especially for folks with luggage so on the trip of a lifetime pay extra for first class - you will find it much more relaxing - either score discounted ducats at www.trenitalia.com or if wanting flexibility to chose which trains to take once there in either class then the Italy Eurailpass may be chaper than walk-up fares for your routing - discounted tickets would be cheaper but have to be reserved weeks ahead of time to guarantee as they are issued in limited numbers and cannot be changed.

We have a B&B booked for Rome 3 nights, and the next night is available to stay somewhere else between Rome and Florence which is where we will spend the most time before going to Milan for the last 2 nights. Where would be a good place to stop on the train to stay for one night between Rome and Florence?

The trip is only 92 minutes by train. I would not book another hotel but rather day trip by bus from Florence to Siena.

<Where would be a good place to stop on the train to stay for one night between Rome and Florence?>

Because they are not far apart, I probably wouldn't make an extra night's stop between them.

<Where would be a good place to stop on the train to stay for one night between Rome and Florence?>

Assisi or Perugia would be easily done en route from Rome to Florence but as others say day tripping makes more sense than relocating for just one night.

Is it best to take US dollars or get Euro dollars at home before going to Europe to take? I see several things that want cash, and I guess that would be euros they are wanting?

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...cy-exhange.cfm

Use ATM's for cash. Read all of the posting in above thread. Some very important items to note.

(And they are just "Euros" not Euro dollars)

Madge--

I wouldn't stop between Rome and Florence either, unless you've already made reservations. I'd probably add the nite to Rome--even if you have to move.

I'd allocate eleven nites as follows:

Four to Rome

Four to Florence perhaps with a day-trip somewhere (Siena, Lucca) if you're not into Renaissance Art

Three to Venice
and one to Milan--and that one near the airport.

We love Venice but the equivalent of two and half days (if you leave Florence first thing) is enough for a first trip.

<Is it best to take US dollars or get Euro dollars at home before going to Europe to take? I see several things that want cash, and I guess that would be euros they are wanting?>

Depends how much cash you need and how much your ATM debit card will let you take out (whether you might want to purchase Euro at home before your trip).

Exchanging USD will pretty much always cost you more than using a bank ATM to get them directly (depending on arrangements with your home bank, and where you are trying to do the cash for cash exchange).

I have been to Rome 7 times the last 15 years. None of my stays were under six nights. I love the city, but tell all my friends going there for the first time: "Three nights MINIMUM."
I also think Florence needs more time. It seems you are trying to see way too much with such a short time frame. If it were me, I'd cut Sorrento off completely this trip.