I am going to Italy for three weeks, starting in mid March and ending about end 1st week in April. Would anyone (ridiculous question) have ideas where to stay cheaply to moderately in my major cities of Milano, Venizia, Firenze, Roma, and Napoli that I will use as bases of which to take side trips from. <BR> <BR>Although flying in to Paris and flying out as well on return. I'm thinking of taking night train to either Milano or Venizia to start my trip. From there I will either train to Napoli and rent auto eventually dropping off in Roma, and train back to Paris. I really haven't made up my mind as yet, however I don't know whether to start in the south and work my way up or vice versa. Suggestions are trully welcomed. <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>Aside from itinerary, lodgings are most important. I would like to make final reservations by middle of December, so please reply as soon as psoosible. I thank all who will reply, in advance. Thank you.

If you don't mind spartan rooms, many with private baths ( think dorm room), try the convents. Check out romeguide. or look at this through this Forum for more information. We stayed in one in Venice and enjoyed it...food article in the Travel Section of the LA Times in <BR>October 0f '97 ( I think)

i'm also beginning to plan a trip to paris/italy in end of april/may. my parents and i are probably going to fly to paris, train to florence, then rome, and then fly out of rome. you should consider that, since you waste a whole day on the train between paris and florence/rome. another fodors writer alerted me to www.eurorail.com, which can get you the rail schedules. the fastest way i believe to italy from france is via milan, which is i believe about an 7-8 hour trip, TGV. alternatively, you can take the TGV via nice (6 1/2 hours), but it's another 6 hours via a slower train to florence. <BR>from what i've gathered from others on this web site, you DON'T want to be driving in paris or rome. some people have suggested getting your car at, for example, the airport outside of the cities. <BR> <BR>you also might check www.france-hotel-guide for french hotels, and www.venere.it for italian hotels. i'm also looking into bed and breakfasts. there's a great site with pictures at www.parisbandb.com and www.romebandb.com (1-800-872-2632) that i found last night. there are some listed there that appear to be unhosted studio apartments too. (lastly, years ago i stayed for a month in a dormitory near the sorbonne that was dirt cheap $11/night and it was a modern facility (painted concrete walls) with a shower in the room! i got in as the students were leaving in early june. it doesn't appear that this would fit your requirements, but i thought i'd mention it). good luck.

I strongly suggest buying Rick Steves guide for these cities. Another good guide is The Rough Guide for Italy. <BR> <BR>In Florence try getting something south of the river. It is charming with good cheap restaurants, and convenient enough. Try the Rough Guide for listings. Venice is the same way.

Oh, yes. I strongly suggest that you look for lodging in Sorrento instead of Napoli. Cheap lodgings in Napoli are in a very bad looking part of town near the train station. Sorrento is equally convenient to Pompeii and Herculaneum, and you can train in to Napoli to see the Archeological Museum and other walking-about sites. And you'll be close to Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello, which ought to be on your Napoli list of sites if they are not already.....

Norman, Given 3 weeks and a train pass I <BR>would not miss the best of Europe just <BR>to get to the next big city. Here are some of my thoughts about itinerary. <BR>Get to Venice thru Milan from Paris. That is about 12 hours versus 15 to Rome <BR>Then, hit Florence and Rome, drop Naples,and on the way home give yourself <BR>a shot at some real beauty. From Rome you have 2 choices heading north. Either <BR>go thru Milan---do not stop---and then <BR>up to Interlaken for the best of the Alps---OR, take the route thru Genoa and <BR>wind up at the French riviera for 3 days <BR>of fun. From there, it is an easy route <BR>thru Avignon and the TGV to Paris. <BR>Try not to spend all of your time in big <BR>cities. I would include the Cinque terre <BR>and riviera on my way home or hang out <BR>in Murren and Grindelwald. You will get <BR>sick of art and culture.

Thanks all who have given opinions and sugestions so far.... <BR> <BR>Q: for Bob... So, do I rent an auto mobile where? Ofr just do the train thing? All the way around? The route you suggest sounds good to me. I was thinking of Cique Terre, since I do like to hike somewhat. TGV? Is this the French system of rail transportation? <BR> <BR>The reason I mention Naples is that I thought we could come up from Amalfi then to Herculaneum & Pompeii. And then speed thru Napoli. <BR> <BR>To be truthful, I hadn't even thought of Switzerland but...it's a thought! <BR> <BR>So, my interpretation of you itinerary is start North head south and back up along the coast into France. and then up into Paris. <BR> <BR>Again, by car or train? Any other suggestions are again welcomed. Thanks. <BR> <BR>

Norman, I am a trip planner and any trip <BR>like this starts with 3 variables: <BR>TIME---MONEY---TRANSPORT OPTIONS <BR>You have defined the time and the start and finish point---I assume you have a <BR>good reason for Paris---but the rest is <BR>a function of your travel style and budget. My favorite destinations in all <BR>of Italy are THE LAKES, TUSCANY, AND EIHER THE AMALFI OR LIGURIAN COAST. Any <BR>trip like this should include these stops. The Swiss Alps and French coast <BR>are also a bonus since you insist on the Paris ingress. I always prefer a car to best see the country, but if you <BR>spend 3 weeks in cities then a train route will suffice. Why not contact me <BR>directly if you want to chat more.

Thanks Bob, <BR> <BR>I will contact you via email as soon as I get back to NY from CA. Holidays and all. So, Enjoy YOUR Thanksgiving and don't get too stuffed. <BR> <BR>norman <BR>

Does bob the navigator live in the states? does he celebrate thanksgiving? Just a thought.