The husband and I are traveling to Italy for first time 5/18/05 - 5/31/05. We have the option of starting off with a few days in Florence, then a week in Montepulciano, then the last few days in Rome. I was thinking doing this vise versa (or versa vice).Any thoughts would be appreciated.

If you arrive and depart from Rome then I would start in Florence.

I would do the opposite. We did Tuscany, Florence and ended with Rome and I wish we would have gone the opposite route. To enjoy the quiet and calm of Tuscany and Florence and then jump into the quick pace of Rome kind of killed the calm of the earlier trip. Do all the hussle and bussle of Rome and then relax and take in all the other sites afterwards.
Lisa S

Why stay in Rome twice?

I agree with Bob. Florence is less hectic than Rome and it wouldbe a great starting point for your Italy visit.

End up in Rome and it makes more sense all the way around, at least to me.

I agree with Lisa. Start in Rome, spend your week in Montepulciano and end in Florence. If you don't have your airline tickets, look into an open jaw flight into Rome and out of Florence so you won't have to return to Rome. Rome is a very lively city and it would be nice to see Rome and then have a more relaxing time.

I think most of the people who say they didn't enjoy Rome saw it at the beginning of their trip to Italy. Rome is a large, noisy, and chaotic city, and it is my favorite city in the world. But after being there 30+ times, I save it for the end of my trips. I think it's better to ease into the dolce far niente way of life and then tackle Rome when you are used to the Italian way of doing things and not in a jet lagged state. Plus, I do a lot of shopping in Rome and saving it for the end means I don't have to carry my purchases around Italy with me.

To bobthenavigotor: perhaps I wasn't clear: we are not doing Rome Twice. Just have the option of starting in Rome or Florence. By the way, I have read your articles on slowtrav.com VERY HELPFUL. Your comments is why I'm planning this itnerary. Grazie!

I just did Venice, Florence, and Rome in that order and it worked out very well. But I'm not sure it would have mattered too much either way, particularly when the decision is between Florence or Rome first.

So,where do you arrive and depart?
That is the key. Would you pay more, take longer, and have more connections just to fly into Florence? That may be the case. It is not about emotions,it is about logistics.

Hi Ozone,

There aren't that many flights in/out of FLR. You might have to go to Pisa (PSA) 1 hr from Florence.

I would go directly to Florence. Relax. Get used to Italy. Rent a car for Tuscany, drop it off in Orvieto 1 night) and train to Rome in the morning.

Leave from Rome.

Have a nice visit.

to Willtravel: Thanks for input. I know, I thought I maybe deliberating this point too much. Hey, I'm going to spend two weeks in Italy, relax!!

HI Bob! I'm traveling from Boston. I could get a non- stop from flight to Rome or get a flight to Florence that makes one brief stop in Milan, Amsterdam, or Munich, etc...depending on airline. Same for traveling home. I have read opinions for both side of the coin (many thanks) Just not sure if we should throw ourselves into the atmosphere of Rome at the beginning or end.

Ira has it right. End in Rome, and include Orvieto.

Thanks everyone. I think we will do Rome last. Will look into the Orvieto idea. Any suggestions whrer to stay one night in Orvieto?

We did Rome last (one week there) and liked getting rid of the car and enjoying this great city.
We may do the opposite this year. Either way, you'll be happy.