My husband and I are 25 and planning our first trip to Italy for September of this year. We are planning to stay for about 8 nights and definetly want to go to ROME. Do you suggest that we stay in Rome the entire time or split our time with another city? Also, how far is it to Sicily from Rome?

I'd split it between Rome and either Florence or Venice. You can take the train to either one.

Sicily is quite far from Rome. A six hour car ride, and then a ferry to get to the island. Trains are longer (generally overnight-type long). I am assuming this second question is not related to the first - Sicily is a pretty big island, and is really a trip unto itself.

Hope this helps.

Karen

If you do the Rome/Venice trip (which is a great one!), make sure you book an open-jaw flight (arriving at Rome and leaving from Venice, or vica versa).

If you want to stay put, you can find more than enough to do in Rome for 8 days, and that leaves time for some nice day trips.

If you want to spend time on the beach, you may consider the Amalfi coast and Rome.

I would also suggest Rome and Venice. 5 nights in Rome, 3 nights in Venice. Really a great combo for your first Italian trip. How exciting! It's been 5 years since I was there and I'm anxious to get back

Obviously, it depends on what kind of travelers you are, but I agree with kaudrey. For a first trip, I think you can do 5 or 6 nights in Rome and see the major things you'd like to see without being rushed, and then do 2-3 days in another locale.

However, if you decide on Florence, I'd recommend you go see Florence FIRST, then Rome. Rome is such a grand place--larger than life--that Florence would be a little anticlimatic after that. I did Rome, then Florence, on my first trip to Italy, and when I was in Florence, I thought to myself: "gee, this can't beat Rome." I'm revealing my bias, of course--I'm definitely a Rome person. Florence is lovely, but I'd see it first!

Regarding post above: This is personal preference.

Rome is great, but very busy, very hectic and a lot of traffic. Lots of tours to take and things to get crammed in to see.

Florence and Venice are busy also but also more laid back. You can stroll more and enjoy the atmosphere.

If you want to end your trip on a quiet, less hectic pace, do Rome first and then one of the other cities. If you don't care, it does not make any difference. My preference would be Venice over Florence but both a great to visit. And Rome?....you gotta see that one!

Thank you for the ideas. I had thought that Rome and Venice were too far away from each other to see both in one trip. I am delighted to hear that we can do both!
I would think that air fare would be much more expensive if i fly into rome and out of venice (rather than round trip to rome). I will have to look in to that.
As I am looking for hotels in either place - are there any "unsafe" areas that we should avoid?

thanks!

Hi ep

I think that this thread will be helpful to you

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

From my experience with open jaw tickets in Europe (I've done it twice in Italy), it doesn't affect the price all that much if at all. You can go on expedia or any booking sight and try different combos of dates and locations to get an idea.

Always fly into one city and out of another. This safes so much time. I have done this 4 times going to Europe and it has been the right choice.