I am doing what I guess could best be described as a whirlwind tour of Germany, France and Italy in 3 weeks. For Germany and France, I will be with friends who are from the respective countries. However, I will be on my own in Italy. I would really like to hit the "big three"- Rome, Florence, Venice- but I am concerned that a week may not be enough time. I am also looking at this as my first and only European trip, not because I don't want to go repeatedly, but because- let's face it- life happens and sometimes it doesn't ask what you want! So I would really like to see as much as possible. Any feedback on the feasibility of doing those 3 cities in 7 days? I would also appreciate any advice for a single girl who wants to stay in safe areas while spending only moderate amounts on lodging. Thanks in advance!

Well, yes, you already know the answer - - it is too little time to appreciate these three cities fully. but it doesn't mean that you shouldn't go to Italy.<BR><BR>Apparently you are already content with your plans for the other two weeks. Still it might be useful to know more about those - - what month(s) is this trip? Flying into where? and back out of where? And how will you get from one country to another? and how will you get around within in any one country?<BR><BR>I'll go out on a limb and assume that you're not asking whether to forego Italy and substitute some other country. So total time allocation begins with knowing more about the entire trip.<BR><BR>And if it should turn out that "life happens and sometimes it doesn't ask what you want" then your life won't be better or worse for having &lt;&lt;hit the big three&gt;&gt; - - versus spending 48 hours in Rome and the balance of the week in little towns on the island of Sicily - - just to use one example.<BR><BR>I think you SHOULD plan on making this trip the first of MANY to Europe. Sure, you don't know what tomorrow will bring. But there is no checklist of places you have to see in Europe (or any other continent) before a certain time in your life.<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR>

While I'm with most on this forum in favoring independent travel, in this case alot could be said for joining a tour for the Italian segment of your trip since you are a female traveling alone, first time in Italy, and efficiency is paramount. <BR><BR>That said, my other bit of general advice for doing the "big three" with limited time would be to not waste time retracing any steps...by flying open jaw from the US, for example into Paris or Frankfurt and home from Rome.<BR><BR>I would probably start in Venice for 2 nights, train to Florence for 3 nights (possibly doing a day trip by bus to Siena) and training to Rome for the last 3 nights.

Thanks, Rex and Leslie! Rex, to answer your questions...I am flying into Amsterdam, where my German friend will be picking me up and taking me to his home. We will be traveling through Germany by car all the way down to Munich. At that point, I will take a train to Venice. I plan to take trains to each location in Italy (from Venice to Rome, Rome to Florence) and then take an overnight train from Florence to Paris to meet up with my French friend. After traveling in France (by car, mainly), my friend will be taking me back to Amsterdam for my return flight. I am leaving for Europe in April and returning on May 4th. I really am determined to see Italy, but if I have to "cut back" in any way in order to avoid stressing myself, I can do so. Which leads me to another question....if I were to forego one of these Italian cities, which should it be? Any and all responses are appreciated!

nutney: Would more time be better? Of course. But if you have 7 days, then go for it. You could do a respectable job of seeing the major sites with two days in Venice, two days in Florence, and three days in Rome. It will be a bit hectic, but not too bad. Just have your game plan well laid out and reservations for museums, etc., where possible, before hand. You will have a good time, you will have seen what you want to see and, who knows, life might deal you a better hand than you are expecting and you will return. Don't let any "experienced travelers" talk you out of this. They don't know what is in your heart. Have a great trip.

7 days is fine.. if you have too cut one out ROME might have too be it since it's a bit out of the loop.. <BR><BR>in venice you could easaly chill out and stroll around for 1 day.. <BR><BR>make a chart/itinualry using difrent colors for difrent legs/cities.. check out the train scheduals online and pencil them in there.. remember you could always get a sleeper.. it helps cut hotel costs and it is your best bet on maximizing your stays in the cities..<BR>not some of your cheeper loding will be around the train stations.<BR><BR>Whirlwind travel is my specielty <BR><BR>if you have a more detailed itinuary poste it if you wish. we can help you out..

Jeez I really butchered that post.. Oh well.. I hope you sort of understood it..

I am usually against "rushing around" but after reading your second post with the details, it sounds like a wonderful trip.<BR><BR>I might consider dropping Rome because I LOVE Venice and have spent 4-days there twice. I am single, female, and found the trains fine to deal with even though I was inexperienced. If you can afford a private sleeper car, that is really great! I did this Geneva/Venice and Venice/Paris.<BR><BR>You are lucky to have friends in Europe (I do in Switzerland) it is the absolute BEST way to see a place!!<BR><BR>And please don't consider this your only chance to see Europe. Whatever happens in life, there is always room for travel (if you want it bad enough).