What do you think of our Italy Itinerary?
 

Hi All,

My fiancee and I are planning to elope in Italy and plan to spend about 3 weeks. Neither of us have been to Italy, let alone Europe and would like some suggestions on how to best spend our time. Since it is our first trip we expect to see most of the 'highlights' (essential churches, buildings, renaissance art and other museums) but also enjoy pissing away a few days just soaking everything in and exploring the finer details - discovering small restaurants, cafes etc. If we were to focus on the highlights, would the follow stay durations be enough? Suggestions as to where to focus more time.

Fly into Rome (1-7) - we need about 4 days here to get marriage etc, day trip to Pompeii

Florence (8-11) - day trip to Pisa

Cinque Terre (12-14) - may cut a day, depending on how much hiking we are up for

Venice (15-17) - side trips to one of the following; Murano, Verona and Vicenza

Milan (18-20) -

Rome (Last day)

There is an enourmous amount of flexibility, and we might consider hitting smaller towns inbetween, but will this give us enough time for the major cities? We might eliminate Milan or spend less time there and more either in Tuscany, or down to the Amalfi Coast. I have had suggestions that less time should be spent in Milan, but I really don't know much about the city and what it offers.

We are also trying to budget our trip. We will be staying in hostels, most often in private rooms, but as a couple, does anyone have any suggestions for accomodations for a cheaper way of staying together, I was think of mixed dorm rooms with 3-4 beds.

Cheers,
ahmei

I would fly into Rome and out Milan, I wouldn't backtrack.

I would suggest to try and find an open jaw ticket, flying into Rome, leaving from Venice.
This could give the following schedule:
- 1-7 Rome
- 8-11 Florence
- 12-14 5T
- 15-21 Venice and surroundings

The smaller towns to hit:
- while in Florence, I would daytrip to Siena, and while travelling from Florence to 5T I would try to see Pisa, if you really couldn't live without having seen Pisa...
- while in Venice: Padova, Vicenza for Palladian architecture, Verona.
If Venice seems to be to expensive, try and stay in Padova, 30 minutes by train, twice an hour, and a lot cheaper.

Hi ah,

Have you already worked out the details of your marriage ceremony? I don't think that you can just show up in Rome and ask to be married.

Have you considered a civil ceremony in the US and then going to Italy? I think that it would be much less trouble.


I also suggest flying into Romeand out of Venice.

When will you be going?

Not enough time in Venice to see the sights let alone take day trips.

Hi
This is a great resource from this forum, Helpful Information Italy

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

Also, I have files on Venice, Rome, and Florence; if you'd like to see them, email me at
[email protected]

I agree with comments above, you haven't really allowed time to 'explore the finer details'

You could fly into Rome and out of Venice. I like having Venice at the end of the trip because relative to Rome and Florence it is calmer, quieter, and unique. If you don't want to skip Milan altogether, cut it down to at most 2 days. Take a day from Rome as well, and allow for at least 4 days in Venice.

Cinque Terre is slightly out of the way as you probably know, going there after you fly into Milan (or Genoa) might work out better, but I haven't been there so don't know the transportation logistics exactly.

Thanks for the suggestions,

We will be travelling in May for those three weeks. We thought about getting married here in Canada first (or even down in the States!) but it seems the logistics are quite simple. A few forms here and there, a translator and witnesses, and there you go, but no marriages on Tuesday!

It sounds like everyone thinks we should spend quite a few more days in Venice, and skip Milan altogether. I find many posters slagging on Milan, but are the Duomo, shopping, and Lake Cumo and surrounding regions worth a couple days.

Should the big three of Rome, Florence and Venice deserve equally attention, upwards to 7 days. (sorry my question mark isnt working)

Thanks! - that string on Italy is awesome

Unless you are flying in or out of Milan, I would skip Milan and spend other days either in Rome, Florence or Venice or in between (consider Siena or Verona for example).

We spent almost 3 weeks in Italy last May - 4 days in Sorrento (you didn't mention that but it seems like a really nice place for a honeymoon and it is an easy trip to Pompei from there)

A week in ROme and even that wasn't enough but I like looking at churches

4 days Florence and don't let anyone talk you out of going to Pisa, it's a fun easy train ride and there's plenty to see and climbing the tower is a kick

3 days Venice, not nearly enough time but we did get to Murano.

I agree that you should fly in one city, fly out the last one.

Joelle

Hi ahmei,

>...big three of Rome, Florence and Venice deserve equally attention, upwards to 7 days? <

Not really.

In May, a visit to Lake district for a couple of days would be very nice.

We stayed in Florence for 11 days our last trip with visits to other towns.

I can highly recommend the B&B Peterson in Florence as superior to staying in hostels on your honeymoon - about 60E for a dbl w/ensuite bath and AC.

www.bedinflorence.it

You might find the Florence part of my trip report helpful:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34451044