NeoPatrick

"without knowing the interests/personalities of the op, who's to say which places are most "important"?"

Duh? Maybe by reading the poster's original title where she already clearly stated the three most important ones? My point is that these are the three foremost in their minds, why tell them to skip one of those because it's "too much" and then suggest substituting a couple of others instead?

singer8

Hi all. I think we would like to get a taste of all three cities. Perhaps 4 nights in Rome, 3 nights in Florence, and 3 nights in Venice. Maybe a side trip to Sienna for a few hours for a wine/ cooking tour? You guys have been great.

LucieV

Neo,
Why the hostility?
My post was not meant to be offensive to you, & I do apologize if you interpreted it as such. In fact, I am one of those people who usually says "Go for it -- visit 3 cities in 3 minutes if you want!"

Mimar

OK, since you've decided on the big 3, look into flying into Venice and out of Rome. With only 10 days you want to eliminate backtracking. Venice makes a great relaxing introduction to Italy while shedding jet lag. If you reversed the open jaws and flew into Rome and out of Venice, you have to leave Venice so early, that you're losing vacation time.

alcorjd

Singer 8, Traveling Mum DOES mean "Burano"--it is the lace island and is just wonderful. In the village square last fall an older gentleman with a great voice was singing opera and other locals were joining in..the little houses are painted different colors ..absolutely charming. Murano is fun too...restaurants along the canals are not quite as pricey as in Venice.

And you asked about Rome Walks. Check their website at www.romewalks.com. This last time because of scheduling we took a "private" walking tour of the Forum/Col area--4 of us. A little pricey but worth it. Friends have taken the group walks (less expensive) and loved them.

Joe18

Once you've been to Italy, you'll go back! At least that's been true for me. So I think it's worthwhile to visit Rome, Florence and Venice together, so you can decide which one(s) to explore in detail. I'm an art history fan, so Florence is my personal best. But all three are interesting and very different.

singer8

Has anyone used american express rewards for hotels in Italy? If so can you recommend any? Thanks so much for all your help. Singer

LucieV

Ditto Joe18, precisely.

pepoling

You will have PLENTY of time for all three cities. When I went for 9 days I did 3 days each, but Florence and Venice have nowhere near as many things to do as Rome. You can easily do a day trip from each, though. Recommend Verona from Venice, and Siena from Florence. Then use the last 4 for Rome.

Venice is much more picturesque than Florence. Plus, you can escape the heat by going to the beach. Florence, on the other hand, will be sweltering and overrun with American college students. Recommend Venice over Florence if you MUST choose.

NeoPatrick

Lucie, that wasn't hostility. When I ask someone where Main Street is and I'm standing under the Main Street sign at the time, and they answer "look above your head" -- I say DUH. You asked how we were to know what cities the poster would like when she clearly listed them in her post. So I said DUH. Sorry if that offended you, I assumed you just had missed the obvious.

LucieV

I'm not quite sure how mocking oneself compares to mocking another person. And even your "apology" has an air of condescension -- but perhaps that's just my overanalytical reading.

We've been acculturated differently, Neo. Different styles, different interpersonal "rules." Whatever.

Enjoy yourself.

NeoPatrick

Lucie, trust me, you're making way too much out of this. You asked how we could know which cities the poster wanted to see, when the poster had said which three cities she wanted to see. I said DUH. Is that so offensive? Get over it please. Sorry I didn't know you are that sensitive.

I frankly can take the kidding when someone tells me I've said something that appears obvious. I guess you can't. And that was the point of using myself as a point of reference. Now I know and will try to remember that in the future you cannot be kidded about missing the obvious. I apologize now in advance if I forget that you are one of those who can't take it. Good grief!

In fact if you really think my apology (more an explanation, actually) was condescending, then I really should probably try to refrain from ever commenting to you at all, because I have no idea how I can do that without you taking it personally -- and wrong.

LucieV

Neo, as articulate and obviously intelligent as you are, you really don't get it. We're clearly on very different wavelengths, and if that means you perceive me as hypersensitive, that's fine. But please cut out the "you've missed the obvious" line: that's beneath you.

As I said, enjoy yourself. I'm sure you do.

NeoPatrick

Wow. I tried to explain nicely, I tried to be nice. I tried to be rational. You just don't like that, do you?

What is NOT obvious about knowing which three cities a person wanted to see since she even named them right in her title? I'm sorry you think pointing out the obvious is rude. That's the end of my "apology". I don't care to stoop to your level of being mean, nasty, or vindictive when it is totally uncalled for.
Once again I AM TRULY SORRY I OFFENDED YOU BY POINTING OUT THAT YOU WERE OVERLOOKING THE OBVIOUS. I had no idea it was worth all this! It isn't to me.

LucieV

Oh, Neo, Neo, Neo! You're right. I'm wrong. Peace be with you.