Recommendations please regarding trip to Italy
Jul 2nd, 2012, 06:09 AM
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Recommendations please regarding trip to Italy
My husband and I are wanting to spend approximately 10 to 12 days (maybe 14) in Italy.
1. We do not want to drive; and prefer not to be constantly be changing hotels (would like to relax and not come back feeling like we've been thru a whirlwind - LOL)
2. We definitely want to see Rome.
3. We love art. (someone told me Florence is great for that?)
4. We love the Ocean. ( we have met several people who said the Amalfi Coast is a must-see if we ever visit Italy?)
5. We love wine and visiting vineyards and seeing the countryside.
I know all of these things probably can't be met in this timeframe, but I would love suggestions.
(I have looked at some bus packages thru http//www.goaheadtours.com but that is really the only one I've looked at so far.)
Help Please regarding itinerary and tour company to use! Thank you!
1. We do not want to drive; and prefer not to be constantly be changing hotels (would like to relax and not come back feeling like we've been thru a whirlwind - LOL)
2. We definitely want to see Rome.
3. We love art. (someone told me Florence is great for that?)
4. We love the Ocean. ( we have met several people who said the Amalfi Coast is a must-see if we ever visit Italy?)
5. We love wine and visiting vineyards and seeing the countryside.
I know all of these things probably can't be met in this timeframe, but I would love suggestions.
(I have looked at some bus packages thru http//www.goaheadtours.com but that is really the only one I've looked at so far.)
Help Please regarding itinerary and tour company to use! Thank you!
Jul 2nd, 2012, 06:31 AM
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If you want to relax then you need an upscale tour company that won't do 1 and 2 night stays. Try Tauck, A&K, Collette.
2. If you definitely want to see Rome you won't need an escorted tour for that. You can book private/walking tours yourself and see what you want to see. So that's 5 days taken care of.
3. << We love art. (someone told me Florence is great for that?) >>
This statement leads me to believe that you've not read anything about Florence (and possibly Italy). If you had looked at any guide book or any internet site that includes Florence you would know that there's tons of art in Florence.
It's very important to know something about the country you're planning to visit to get the most from your vacation. You really can't make decisions on where to go in Italy unless you know something about the country.
4. I would give Venice priority over the AC. And it's on the water and full of art.
If you're really set on doing a tour then compare all the tour companies that have Italy only tours. That's the only way to figure out which tour company to use.
2. If you definitely want to see Rome you won't need an escorted tour for that. You can book private/walking tours yourself and see what you want to see. So that's 5 days taken care of.
3. << We love art. (someone told me Florence is great for that?) >>
This statement leads me to believe that you've not read anything about Florence (and possibly Italy). If you had looked at any guide book or any internet site that includes Florence you would know that there's tons of art in Florence.
It's very important to know something about the country you're planning to visit to get the most from your vacation. You really can't make decisions on where to go in Italy unless you know something about the country.
4. I would give Venice priority over the AC. And it's on the water and full of art.
If you're really set on doing a tour then compare all the tour companies that have Italy only tours. That's the only way to figure out which tour company to use.
Jul 2nd, 2012, 06:51 AM
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It looks like you have heard someone elses' snippets of this and that about Italy. How about getting a guidebook? Rick Steves's Italy has a section for first timers noting what he thinks are key destinations in few pages.
1. no driving=train, long distance bus, flying.
Bus tour=constantly changing hotels.
4. Ocean. Italy is surrounded by Ocean... What do you want to do at Ocean?
1. no driving=train, long distance bus, flying.
Bus tour=constantly changing hotels.
4. Ocean. Italy is surrounded by Ocean... What do you want to do at Ocean?
Jul 2nd, 2012, 06:56 AM
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Hi eb,
>We love art. (someone told me Florence is great for that?)<
They are correct. You can say the same about Venice.
You might like to look them up at "Destinations".
Were I doing 12-14 days in Italy, I would
fly into Venice Marco Polo - 3-4 nights
train to Florence - 4-5 nights (daytrip to Siena, daytrip Lucca and Pisa)
train to Rome, daytrips to Orvieto and Ostia Antica.
Enjoy your research.
>We love art. (someone told me Florence is great for that?)<
They are correct. You can say the same about Venice.
You might like to look them up at "Destinations".
Were I doing 12-14 days in Italy, I would
fly into Venice Marco Polo - 3-4 nights
train to Florence - 4-5 nights (daytrip to Siena, daytrip Lucca and Pisa)
train to Rome, daytrips to Orvieto and Ostia Antica.
Enjoy your research.
Jul 2nd, 2012, 07:26 AM
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To add a bit to Adrienne's vital suggestions(pay heed, folks), I suggest buying an M.A.P. of Italy. Get the feel for the country, distances, time frame for traveling whether by auto, bus or train.
Ira's suggested itinerary above is very do-able. Like most of us here had at one time or another realized...you can't do it all in 14 days (or 14 months, for that matter).
You'll love it!
Bobthe navigator
Ira's suggested itinerary above is very do-able. Like most of us here had at one time or another realized...you can't do it all in 14 days (or 14 months, for that matter).
You'll love it!
Bobthe navigator
Jul 2nd, 2012, 07:58 AM
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Last check, there is absolutely NO ocean near or around Italy. Italy is on the Mediterranean, Adriatic, Tyrrhenian, Ionian and Ligurian Seas. You will not have surf, waves, etc. European beaches cannot compete against those in California, Florida or the Caribbean.
If you "prefer not to be constantly be changing hotels" then you do NOT prefer a tour.
Ira's suggested itinerary is good for a first-timer.
If you "prefer not to be constantly be changing hotels" then you do NOT prefer a tour.
Ira's suggested itinerary is good for a first-timer.
Jul 2nd, 2012, 04:13 PM
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Thanks everybody! Guess I got a little overly-zealous in posting so soon! Just very excited about going to Italy for the first time!
All the above comments are much appreciated!
My husband and I are in our early to mid-sixties, live in Texas and travel a lot to the Caribbean and a lot to Mexico beach resorts. We have only been to Europe once (4 days in London and 4 in Paris, but due to time limitations, never traveled thru the countryside).
We are not really experienced in traveling in foreign countries, so thus the reason for considering a bus tour.
Ordered travel books and received Rick Steves' Europe last week and Eyewitness Travel books on Europe and Italy this week so have started researching!
Hope we can travel this year in September or November (if can get it booked).
Maybe I need to post something later after I've done more research.......
Thanks again!!!!!
All the above comments are much appreciated!
My husband and I are in our early to mid-sixties, live in Texas and travel a lot to the Caribbean and a lot to Mexico beach resorts. We have only been to Europe once (4 days in London and 4 in Paris, but due to time limitations, never traveled thru the countryside).
We are not really experienced in traveling in foreign countries, so thus the reason for considering a bus tour.
Ordered travel books and received Rick Steves' Europe last week and Eyewitness Travel books on Europe and Italy this week so have started researching!
Hope we can travel this year in September or November (if can get it booked).
Maybe I need to post something later after I've done more research.......
Thanks again!!!!!
Jul 2nd, 2012, 04:52 PM
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Italy is great for art - all of Italy except the smallest villages.
Do you want Etruscan? Roman? midieval? Renaissance? Later?
Ifyou want ocean - as in beach - November and probably most of October is too late in the year. Also most beaches in Italy are not very pleasant - tend torocks or peblles, narrow, in town with lots of small boats and other paraphernalia - nothing like the broad white sane beaches of the Carib - or the US.
Also in Nov the countryside will not be very attractive - mostly brown and crunchy (remember this is a temperate clmate and way far north of Texas). Also in Nov many sihts will be swithcing to off season hours - which may mean being open 9 am to 1 or 2 pm - rather than 5 or 6 pm.
IMHO late Sept is a much better choice. And to see at leasat part of what yuo want - you will need at lest 14 days.
Do you want Etruscan? Roman? midieval? Renaissance? Later?
Ifyou want ocean - as in beach - November and probably most of October is too late in the year. Also most beaches in Italy are not very pleasant - tend torocks or peblles, narrow, in town with lots of small boats and other paraphernalia - nothing like the broad white sane beaches of the Carib - or the US.
Also in Nov the countryside will not be very attractive - mostly brown and crunchy (remember this is a temperate clmate and way far north of Texas). Also in Nov many sihts will be swithcing to off season hours - which may mean being open 9 am to 1 or 2 pm - rather than 5 or 6 pm.
IMHO late Sept is a much better choice. And to see at leasat part of what yuo want - you will need at lest 14 days.
Jul 2nd, 2012, 05:14 PM
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eb!
I am SO excited you are going to bella Italia! I have much to tell you. Do you still have my email?
You can absolutely do this on your own and you will enjoy it much more if you do. You will find that even 14 days will go by in a flash because there is just SO MUCH to see and enjoy.
If you want to enjoy some seaside time and vineyards, definitely go for Sept rather than Nov.
I have some recommendations for you!
Dayle in Park City
I am SO excited you are going to bella Italia! I have much to tell you. Do you still have my email?
You can absolutely do this on your own and you will enjoy it much more if you do. You will find that even 14 days will go by in a flash because there is just SO MUCH to see and enjoy.
If you want to enjoy some seaside time and vineyards, definitely go for Sept rather than Nov.
I have some recommendations for you!
Dayle in Park City
Jul 2nd, 2012, 05:18 PM
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I don't know if you have spent much time on Fodors, but it is a great resource.
We have been to Italy 8 times in the past 12 years -- went in April/May of this year and are going again in Feb of 2013. Ira's suggestion makes a lot of sense for a "first-timer" in Italy. It is a fascinating country with wonderful scenery, friendly people and fabulous food, so plan to make this not only a "first-time" trip, but consider it to be the first of many.
As you solidify your ideas, look at the many trip reports on Italian vacations that Fordorites have offered. These are wonderful resources for trip planning.
We have been to Italy 8 times in the past 12 years -- went in April/May of this year and are going again in Feb of 2013. Ira's suggestion makes a lot of sense for a "first-timer" in Italy. It is a fascinating country with wonderful scenery, friendly people and fabulous food, so plan to make this not only a "first-time" trip, but consider it to be the first of many.
As you solidify your ideas, look at the many trip reports on Italian vacations that Fordorites have offered. These are wonderful resources for trip planning.
Jul 6th, 2012, 02:02 PM
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Dayle, I was so excited to see your post!
I still have your email and will be contacting you!!!!!
And thanks again to everyone for your advice and input!!!!!
Love this Fodors' website!
I still have your email and will be contacting you!!!!!
And thanks again to everyone for your advice and input!!!!!
Love this Fodors' website!
Jul 7th, 2012, 11:11 AM
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Dayle, I emailed you and it appeared to go thru, but not so sure it's the email address you are using now.
We would Love to have you help us with our September Italy trip! Especially since you absolutely MADE our trip to Park City and the surrounding areas a few years back! Best and most relaxing trip ever!
Since my original post, I have been reading some of my travel books and the input to my post (thanks Everyone!) and better utilized some of the previous reports on this website - Including some of your recent tips.
Thank you for your offer to give us suggestions for our trip!
We would Love to have you help us with our September Italy trip! Especially since you absolutely MADE our trip to Park City and the surrounding areas a few years back! Best and most relaxing trip ever!
Since my original post, I have been reading some of my travel books and the input to my post (thanks Everyone!) and better utilized some of the previous reports on this website - Including some of your recent tips.
Thank you for your offer to give us suggestions for our trip!
Jul 7th, 2012, 01:26 PM
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ira has the ideal itinerary for you.
We have been to Italy more than a dozen times since the mid-1980s. From our experience I would just add that those three cities are wonderful for art. Don't try to do Rome in a couple of days. Four nights would be best. Fly into Venice and out of Rome. Take the train between the three cities. it's easy to do. If you want to have more roomy accommodations without paying a fortune, rent an apartment through sleepinitaly.com or VRBO.com. There are a gazillion of them out there.
Get going on this fast!! You only have a couple of months and lots of places will be booked up already. (We got our rentals for October back in April!!)
We have been to Italy more than a dozen times since the mid-1980s. From our experience I would just add that those three cities are wonderful for art. Don't try to do Rome in a couple of days. Four nights would be best. Fly into Venice and out of Rome. Take the train between the three cities. it's easy to do. If you want to have more roomy accommodations without paying a fortune, rent an apartment through sleepinitaly.com or VRBO.com. There are a gazillion of them out there.
Get going on this fast!! You only have a couple of months and lots of places will be booked up already. (We got our rentals for October back in April!!)
Jul 7th, 2012, 01:52 PM
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Hi eb,
Yes, I did get your e mail, still the same address. Had some obligations last night!
Anyway, since we have a good discussion going here, I'll offer a couple options. If you must limit to 14 days, you could easily do Ira's suggested itinerary. It's a great plan for first time visitors.
I'm one of those people who really like to mix the major cities with the beautiful Italian countryside. Since I've met you and your husband, I think you would enjoy a mix too!
Just know in advance that you will return! Probably soon. You might consider:
1. flying in to Venice 4 nts
2. train to Florence 2 nts
3. train to Santa Margherita Ligure 3 nts
4. train to Rome 5 nts
We visited Santa Margherita Ligure on my second trip and just loved the Ligurian coast. Great food! We trained to the Cinque Terre town of Riomaggiore and hiked back to Vernazza. It's about an hour by train from SML to Riomaggiore, the further south of the Cinque Terre villages. We also did a day trip to Portofino, which I know you would enjoy. It's just 15 min by boat and fun to stroll around and window shop. have lunch by the tiny marina and watch the giant yachts wiggle into the harbor. SML is a lovely, small town Italian resort town. Just big enough to have several good restaurants.
Or, you could:
1. Venice 4 nts
2. Florence 4 nts
3. Orvieto 1 nt
4. Rome 5 nts
Do a couple day trips out of Florence, maybe a wine tasting tour with Lucca Garrapa of Hills and Roads one day, bus to Siena another, and Lucca and Pisa if you choose.
Orvieto would give you a chance to visit a much smaller hilltown with a very interesting history easily by train. You must stay at least 1 night to fully appreciate Orvieto.
Another option would be to completely skip Florence this trip (heresy, I know) and do:
1. Venice 4 nts
2. fly to Naples and do Amalfi Coast 5 nts
3. train to Rome 5 nts
Florence makes a nice trip in combination with the Tuscan/Umbrian countryside. Once you have visited, you might be more open to the idea of driving in the countryside on your next trip.
Not to confuse the issue, but there is so much great art in Venice and Rome and in so many churchs/abbeys in small towns that you don't have to just see the biggies in Florence (although David will take your breath away).
So many possibilities! How does any of this sound?
Yes, I did get your e mail, still the same address. Had some obligations last night!
Anyway, since we have a good discussion going here, I'll offer a couple options. If you must limit to 14 days, you could easily do Ira's suggested itinerary. It's a great plan for first time visitors.
I'm one of those people who really like to mix the major cities with the beautiful Italian countryside. Since I've met you and your husband, I think you would enjoy a mix too!
Just know in advance that you will return! Probably soon. You might consider:
1. flying in to Venice 4 nts
2. train to Florence 2 nts
3. train to Santa Margherita Ligure 3 nts
4. train to Rome 5 nts
We visited Santa Margherita Ligure on my second trip and just loved the Ligurian coast. Great food! We trained to the Cinque Terre town of Riomaggiore and hiked back to Vernazza. It's about an hour by train from SML to Riomaggiore, the further south of the Cinque Terre villages. We also did a day trip to Portofino, which I know you would enjoy. It's just 15 min by boat and fun to stroll around and window shop. have lunch by the tiny marina and watch the giant yachts wiggle into the harbor. SML is a lovely, small town Italian resort town. Just big enough to have several good restaurants.
Or, you could:
1. Venice 4 nts
2. Florence 4 nts
3. Orvieto 1 nt
4. Rome 5 nts
Do a couple day trips out of Florence, maybe a wine tasting tour with Lucca Garrapa of Hills and Roads one day, bus to Siena another, and Lucca and Pisa if you choose.
Orvieto would give you a chance to visit a much smaller hilltown with a very interesting history easily by train. You must stay at least 1 night to fully appreciate Orvieto.
Another option would be to completely skip Florence this trip (heresy, I know) and do:
1. Venice 4 nts
2. fly to Naples and do Amalfi Coast 5 nts
3. train to Rome 5 nts
Florence makes a nice trip in combination with the Tuscan/Umbrian countryside. Once you have visited, you might be more open to the idea of driving in the countryside on your next trip.
Not to confuse the issue, but there is so much great art in Venice and Rome and in so many churchs/abbeys in small towns that you don't have to just see the biggies in Florence (although David will take your breath away).
So many possibilities! How does any of this sound?
Jul 7th, 2012, 05:47 PM
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Not to be argumentative, but to skip Florence would indeed be heretical. When you returned home, you would probably get tired of explaining why you skipped it. Just MHO!
I have been to the Amalfi Coast several times and Florence many times, and while the AC is beautiful and deserves a visit, I would perhaps leave it for another trip.
I have been to the Amalfi Coast several times and Florence many times, and while the AC is beautiful and deserves a visit, I would perhaps leave it for another trip.
Jul 7th, 2012, 07:32 PM
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PCTraveler,
You KNOW that once they get to Italy, they will come again. I've never met a person who would turn down a second trip to Italy. Never complain, never explain (to your friends who would demand why you skipped Florence).
You KNOW that once they get to Italy, they will come again. I've never met a person who would turn down a second trip to Italy. Never complain, never explain (to your friends who would demand why you skipped Florence).
