Hi Everyone,

We are planning a 10-11 day trip through Italy, and would definitely welcome some suggestions for # of days in each town listed below, any must-see's/ recommendations for lodging, and the ideal way to get from city to city. Right now we're thinking of using the EuroStar Italia (is this the high-speed train?) for going from town to town... trying to stay away from car rentals. Also considering using some of the buses. Ideas / Suggestions???!!!

Thus far our itinerary looks like this:

Rome - 4 nights (side trip on day 4 to Spoleto, Assisi, Tivoli)

~train to Florence high-speed?)on Day 5

Florence - 3 nights (side trip on day 7: Vineyard {Brunello?} day 8: Pisa)

~train to/near Cinque Terre after Pisa on day 8

Cinque Terre / Monterossa - 1 night

Portofino - 2 nights


Any suggestions? We will be there the whole month of August (yes it's going to be hot!!, but we're visiting family in Southern Italy after the Central/Northern tour). Please, send ANY comments or suggestions our way!!!

BEST Wishes to all,

Steffani and Domenic

Your schedule looks do able. Although if you take so many day trips from Rome, you wont see Rome. I say see Rome for the 4 days. (you will wish there were more)

The trains in Italy are really good. You shouldnt have any trouble there. Alot of others on this site have alot more experience with them and can offer you good advice and schedules.

Have you got your airline tickets yet?You are going next month and you havent made hotel reservations? Not to rush you....but....you better do it soon for best selections.

Altogether, you seem to be cramming to much in. For example, you'll never be able to do justice to Spoleto, Assisi and Tivoli in one day! Assisi alone is worth a day.

I agree with Howard. And, where do you plan to stay in Portofino? I would spend the time in Monterosso and visit Portofino and SML on a day trip, but I am always budget sensitive.

Thanks to all for replying thus far... we are trying to see a lot - yes... but, we are most certainly able to bend one way or another in an effort to be reasonable. We have purchased airline tix and made many inquiries for hotels - seems to be a lot of availability currently. As for Portofino, we had researched the surrounding areas of Santa Margharita Ligure b/c of what seems to be very few hotels in Portofino. The days in CT / Portofino we hope are less hustle and bustle... Whew.
Thanks to all for insight thus far.

Please, more input most definitely welcomed!! Thanks!

Eurostar trains (yes, that's the fast one) run almost hourly at times between Rome and Florence. Trains from Pisa to the CT area run frwquently but I don't think you'll get Eurostar service on that route.
I agree that trying to do Assisi, AND Tivoli, AND Spoleto on one day is unrealistic if not almost impossible unless you are in a VERY FAST car and even if you were you couldn't do any of them justice. I think I'd be inclined to pick just one of those three.
If you're already thinking about the heat then with the greatest of respect I think you owe it to yourself to also think about sleeping in air conditioning.

Hi,
Portofino is actually very small, and therefore there are very few hotels. It's just one piazza at the end of a two lane narrow road. Right before one enters Portofino, they pass through Santa Margarita. I would reccommend looking at hotels there along with PF. More options and still only a 5 min bus ride to Portofino.
In Santa there are lots of nice shops and restaurants. Its a little more affordable than Portofino.
Just an F.Y.I.
Hope this helps- Melissa

One suggestion - if you want to see both Portofino and CT, they are only about 45 min away from each other by train. Instead of switching hotels, I would recommend just staying in one area and going by train or boat. We stayed in Camogli - right next to Portofino. We loved it so much, we never made it to Portofino! I highly recommend our hotel there - the Cenobio Dei Dogi. It is a 4 star and absolutely beautiful right on the water in Camogli. You can take the train to Portofino and Santa Margarita as well as to CT. I think they run boat service in the summer too. Good luck!

Your itinerary doesn't look too bad. Two train (best way between cities)shleps for an 11 day trip is should not be too stressful. You are probably already aware that to see all Rome and its environs has to offer would take a month. Really. If you go knowing in advance that you'll come back, I wouldn't change anything. Otherwise, consider more time in Rome.

Hi Steff & Domenic,

We stayed in Sestri Levante on the Bayside at a charming place, Hotel Helvetia.

One day we went North to Portofini - and the next day south to CT. Loved Vernazza, but at the time the accomodations in all the CT looked at little too basic with the exception of Porto Roco - would've loved to stay there.

Such fond memories.

Enjoy!

In Florence, other than the obvious sites to see, be sure to fit in an afternoon in Fiesole (you can go by bus or taxi), as well as an evening during sunset at Piazzale Michelangelo. Both have fabulous views over the city.

Thank you to all for your many suggestions and input. We are very quickly wrapping up the details!! Please keep up with any ideas or recommendations for sights to see and /or share experiences! It's great to read! Thanks again!