Sandralist - I just looked through Caitlyn's original post and can't see where anyone said to stay in one country for a month. I believe this was Caitlyn's idea. Many of us were explaining that it will take more money to travel to many locations in Europe and the original budget was inadequate.

Why is it that when I say she can travel well for a month on $10,000 it's bad advice but when you say the same thing it's good advice?

Caitlyn - sandralist is well known on this board for bashing other people's advice and methods of travel.

">>I'd like to know about that one.... (a secret art city that tourists unjustly ignore),<<<

Which part of Italy are you most interested in?"

sandralist: I realize we will only have time for northern Italy. I was the one asking about Ravenna on another thread. I love ancient and early medieval art and architecture. For example, in Florence Santa Reparata and the Duomo, not the Pitti Palace. Filippo Lippi, Leonardo and Michelangelo, not Caravaggio or Raphael.

Well if at all possible I'd love to do 2 countries:) but my budget cant stretch past 11,000 U.s dollars and yes that is including airfare. Yes I changed my plans because people said it was to chaotic but I'm completely happy with one maybe two countries. Ummm we were thinking maybe end of April or mid May. Are those good times of the month. I'm interested in all of Italy and I've been hoping people will give me some good cities to research and see if I want to see any.

That timeframe is not beach weather (for most people). Perhaps if you're from Maine you would think it is. You can get some warm/hot days but the water will be cold and the beaches may be breezy. Many European beaches are rock rather than sand so keep the beach as a backup if the weather turns hot.

May is a great month to travel as it's not too hot. You won't need air conditioning in hotels (this often increases the hotel cost as many budget hotels do not offer A/C).

You had a good list of places in Italy. What are you planning to do in Naples? If you're using Naples as a location to visit Pompeii & Herculaneum then you might consider Sorrento. The pretty part of Sorrento is very small and you can use the train to access the ruined sights.

Florence is a good location to visit smaller towns in Tuscany via train or bus (depending on the town). You can rent bikes and ride a couple of hours away from Florence. For ideas on this look at some of the biking tours and their itineraries.

You might want to re-think Milan. I don't think there is much of interest. If you end your trip there perhaps a day to see some of the sights.

Where you go really depends on your interests.

Caitlyn: No matter how much time you have, you cannot see everything in a month. Do you have specific interests? You say you want to see the major cities "just because". Are there things you want to see in those major cities? I promise you, you need to make a list. You are young, you'll be back.:-)