tx_girl

Hi, all! I'm new to this forum.

My husband and I want to travel to Italy, but are unsure of where exactly to start. We were thinking Rome, but we're also interested in Tuscany, specifically Florence.

Any advice? Is there a difference in where one begins exploring Italy?

Patrick

OK, get ready for the messages. First of all you have to realize that many of us here like to get really specific. We have no idea what you're talking about unless you give us plenty of details. How long are you going to Italy for? By "start" do you mean start a month long trip of Italy, or do you mean your entire first trip? What sorts of things do you like? When are you going? The more specifics you give, the better advice you will receive.

tx_girl

Thanks for the tip, Patrick.

We're shooting for April or May 2006. I figured that would give me enough time to do my homework and budget accordingly.

This will be our first trip ever to Italy and we thought we'd get the "tourist" type of travelling out of the way first so we could make future trips more focused on the things we liked.

I'm not interested in spending a lot on hotels since we plan to be out and about most of the day. Really, a hotel would just be a place to sleep and shower. That's it.

The bulk of our spending will be on dining, of course. Since this will be no ordinary trip - my husband's first to Europe - good food is a must and I'm willing to pay for it.

I design jewelry, so picking up some ideas and lots of beads and components is high on my shopping list. Other things I want to bring home include the usual stuff - ready-to-wear jewelry, shoes, handbags, clothing, etc.

We like hiking, so side trips of that nature would be great.

Is that specific enough? Hope so!

Eloise

All clear, but one more little question: how long are you planning to be in Italy?

bobthenavigator

Do you plan to spend the entire month?
If so, I suggest May. If, by chance, you may want to stay less than a month, you may want to look at my sample itineraries and several other articles of mine at slowtrav.com--look under ITALY and then PLANNING.

tx_girl

We're planning on bering there two weeks.

jay

Hello,
You are certainly planning early. Other opinions may differ but I would limit your trip to 2 or 3 cities, Rome for sure, Maybe Siena, Amalfi coast or Florence. With a couple of day trips from each location. Don't try to pack in too much. You will always go back again. You can always email any of us with questions.

degas

You don't need that much time to plan a great trip to Italy - even if its your first time there. If you have the time and money now, then why not shoot for 2005? Have fun.

ira

Hi tx,

The standard beginner's trip to Italy is Rome, Florence and Venice -the Big 3.

Two weeks in the Spring would be perfect.

Fly into Rome or Venice and out the other.

Take trains between cities.

See Helpful Information: Italy http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34443340

ira

PS,

A very good, inexpensive B&B in Florence is www.bedinflorence.it.

Myer

I'm a believer in somehow getting it done.

Assuming you will be going to and leaving from Rome. That's because it's probably where most planes go. You'll probably get the best deals too.

If that's the case then:

2 Days in Rome.
Train to Florence.
2 1/2 days in Florence.
Train to Venice.
2 1/2 days in Venice.
Overnight train to Naples and commuter train to Sorrento.
4 days around Amalfi Coast (Sorrento, Capri, Positano, etc).
Train to Rome early evening of last day.
2 Days in Rome.
Return home.

You could drop one day from Sorrento and add it somewhere else as desired.

I would go end of May to mid-June. The Amalfi season (boats, etc) doesn't really begin until mid May.

tx_girl

Okay, so 2 weeks is too long to spend in any one place?

degas

I agree with the advice ira gave you.

WillTravel

I don't think two weeks is too long to spend in one place if you like to travel that way. It's just a matter of breadth vs. depth. Check out the Italy material at http://www.slowtrav.com .

Infotrack

From my own personal standpoint, I love Rome, and like Florence and Venice.

Also personally, I would not spend two weeks in one place, but it really gets down to the kind of people you are. Lots of people love slow travel (check out www.slowtrav.com ...lots of very good advice there), but I am one who loves to keep on the move and constantly see new and different things. To each his own.

I would not try to get Sorrento or southern Italy in on this trip, as you will have PLENTY to see and do in Rome, Venice, Florance (the the Tuscany region around Florence).

--Marv

Dayle

Hi Tx,

Lots of good advice to be had on this forum! May is a great time to go.

My personal preference is to mix cities and country. You get a better taste of bella Italia that way.

How about - Rome, Tuscany, Florence, Venice. REALLY try to fly in to one city and out the other - saves a lot of valuable time! With 2 weeks there is time for 2 or 3 days in the hilltowns and you'll love them! It gives you a nice break from the intensity of Rome and Florence and you could do some hiking/tasting. Venice is fairly relaxing due to no cars. Great place to end.

Travel light and stay flexible. You'll have a great time. Buon viaggio!

nanb

We have been to italy 4 times, and each time spent some of it in rome
(can you tell I love that city?!)

On our first trip we did 8 days Rome (with two side trips) then 8 days in Formia at the beach with lots of daytrips , then back to rome for 3 days.
I did not want to move around too muchas it was our first overseas and the children were young.

The 2nd trip with the kids (2 yrs later ) was 3 nights in Florence,
one week renting a place in Tuscany with car and many daytrips, then back to Rome for 5 nights.
All of us liked that itinerary alot.

Everyone has their own travel style,
ours is to plant ourselves in a spot for a bit.

Don't miss rome!!!!!!!!!!