My husband and I are headed to Italy in Sept. First visit to Europe ever. I am not fond of touring old buildings but I love the sea and romantic places. Any suggestions? We have 2 weeks and are considerring a car instead of rail. We would like to see it all since I know we will never be able to go back. Thanks for any advice.

At the risk of over-simplifying, and stating the obvious, start with BOOKS. Big coffee-table sized books with lots of pictures. Your local public library probably has one or even several. See what chords they strike with you, what makes you swoon, what makes you say "Oh God yes!"<BR><BR>Then this is a great place to come back to - - to ask about "how you do it". How you get there, how you choose hotels, book them, get from place to place and so on.<BR><BR>As another regular here - - Bob the Navigator - - is fond of saying, you are in the happiest phase of your trip right now - - the discovery phase. Share it with "us". We'll reward you with good and practical advice.<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR>

Rex is correct. You have to find what in Italy interests you and go see that. Everyone is different here.<BR><BR>Car is best in my opinion. You can see the small out of the way places that may never be listed in any book but will generate some great fun and memories.<BR><BR>Two weeks? One bit of advice here. Do not try to do all of Italy in 2 weeks. You will spend all your time in the car and do very litle real relaxing. Pick a few key areas to see and really enjoy those areas. Your vacation will be much more fun that way. We run into Americans in Europe that are moving so fast and are so hectic they worry more about their "schedule" than really enjoying the area they are in. Just tell yourself you will be back so enjoy where you are and save some for the next trip.<BR><BR>Bob the Navigator is a great source for Italy. Contact him for advice.

Why would you think you would never be able to go back? Early in our marriage, my husband and I tried to go to Europe every other year, opting for an inexpensive camping vacation in the off year so we could save our money. We did that in 1977, 1979 and 1981. In 1982, we were fortunate enough to move to the UK and then to Vienna for several years. After moving back to the States, I waited 15 years to go back to Europe and now I'm hooked again! One of the unique things about Europe to someone from the US is the age of the buildings. Being able to walk through a house where Shakespeare or Beethoven once lived or see the remnants of an ancient castle only whetted my appetite for more! I know that many on this board will give you wonderful advice for your trip, but try to enjoy the entire experience of the country and it's people, including some of those "old buildings".

Betty K,<BR><BR>I couldn't have said it better about the old buildings. I get totally amazed being around them. : )

NEVER SAY NEVER... you go once then you WILL be back... why ever would you say that???????????????????

I think the point, demi, is that once you've been and you realize how easy it is to do (that you could forego some pleasures throughout the year or save up for a couple of years to go) then you tend to make plans to go again.<BR>SOOOOO many people I've talked to have the same travelin' jones once they've made the big plunge to go to Europe. People that I know who have never been always have some excuses not to go (we just don't have the $$, we have kids, I don't know the language, etc, etc). I point out that many of them make more $$ than I do, I also have kids, I didn't know the language before I went (although I made an effort to learn SOME key phrases). And then I think in the back of my mind, "I can't wait 'til you go JUST ONCE, it will become a priority after that". IMHO : )

My husband and I toured Northern Italy last May and our favorite places involved water. We flew into Milan, rented a car and headed to Bellagio on Lake Como. Our next stop was Sirmione on Lake Garda - a small town surrounded by a moat. On to Venice for a few days, down to Rimini and San Marino, over to Florence and Siena, over to Pisa, then up the coast to Cirque Terre, Portofino and Santa Margherita. <BR>Bellagio andSanta Margherita were our<BR>favorite spots. I highly recommend renting a car - it's very easy to drive and why miss all the stops along the way. In fact, the 1st week of our trip, we didn't even have a map! An adventure, right?<BR>Have fun and when you come back, you'll start planning your next trip to beautiful Italy.

It's a little bit sad that those who post here insist on the timeless tradition of challenging what a newbie has to say about THEIR situation in life. Maybe Georgann really means it when she says they will never be back. Maybe she and her husband are 70 years old and it has taken them decades to save up several thousand dollars that they can afford to spend and not worry about it. Maybe she or her husband have health reasons to believe that they will not be able to do this again. Not every one is 30 something and willing to spend on credit cards as if there is tomorrow.<BR>

Well said, xxx. You seem to post here a lot (LOL) and that is probably the wisest thing you have ever posted. <BR><BR>Sort of like a similar post now where a couple say they are making their very first trip to Europe and only have a week, but people say you can't do more than one city in a week. Hey 3 or 4 nights in each of two cities makes a whole lot of sense for someone who wants to experience a lot, not necessarily to explore in depth.<BR>

Thanks, Patrick.<BR><BR>And obviously I meant NO tomorrow, in my last line of the previous post.<BR>

You don't want to drive while in Rome! We were so glad we didn't try! It's very busy and the drivers are fast! And of course you can't drive in Venice. Rome, Venice and Florence have been some of my favorite places in the world! Enjoy!

Mmmmm - and I love how people judge other people's economic situations or when they nothing about it.<BR><BR>Yes, some of us are thirtysomethings but not all of rely on that future credit card debt to fuel our way around Europe.<BR><BR>This has been discussed before on this forum on what people do to make the trip to Europe.<BR><BR>For me, I have a middle-range income, but expect to use part of my income-tax return for the trip. In the past, I used the return for things that were needed around the house/family such as new furniture or more clothes for the kids or a down-payment for a used car. But have reached a level now where I know longer have to make those sacrifices. I realized last year that, hey, I really have all the furniture I need, my car will last many more years, and the kids have enough clothes. I can use this money to fulfill a dream! And so I did.<BR><BR>This year I go with a best friend to fulfill her dream. In a couple of years I plan to take the kids to Ireland and possible France to let them broaden their horizons.<BR><BR>So yes, there probably are people who truly can go only one time to Europe. I understand. And I applaud those people for going on that ONE trip. But I was speaking to others who put limitations on themselves, just letting them know that it is possible.

Georgann, Here is a start to get your juices flowing. In 2 weeks do not try to do more than 5 destinations and keep each no more than 4 hours distant. Let me know if you need more help.<BR><BR>SO, YOU WANT TO SEE ITALY !<BR>FIRST, GET A GOOD MAP ! Having planned more then sixty personalized itineraries to southern Europe and Italy, I have learned that the best trip plans start with a good map. It takes about six weeks to see most of Italy, and that does not include Sicily.<BR>So, any typical two week sojourn requires a geographic orientation and thoughtful planning to optimize the total experience. The temptation is to try to see too much,and that is a big mistake. My advice is to limit yourself to FIVE DESTINATIONS OR LESS for any two week itinerary. Perceive Italy as geographic regions and plan accordingly. Here is a menu to help you to plan well. Let your total time<BR>in Italy, and a good map, determine your feasible choices !<BR><BR> THE BEST DESTINATIONS IN ITALY---BY CATEGORY---NORTH TO SOUTH<BR><BR>REGIONS OF NATURAL SPLENDOR:<BR>1. The Lakes of Lombardy/Piedmonte [ Maggiore, Como, Lugano, Orta]<BR>2. The Dolomites/Lake Garda [ Cortina, Ortisei, Merano, Riva del Garda]<BR>3. The Ligurian Coast [ Portofino, Cinque Terre, Portovenere]<BR>4. Tuscany/ Umbria [ quaint and historic hill towns]<BR>5. The Amalfi Coast [ Sorrento, Positano, Ravello, Capri] <BR><BR>THE HISTORICAL ART CITIES:<BR>1. Venice & Veneto [ allow 3 days---more if you include Vicenza, Verona et al]<BR>2. Florence [ it all happened here--plan for 2 days just in Florence]<BR>3. Siena [ deserves a full day, perhaps as a day trip from Florence]<BR>4. Rome [ the Eternal City demands 5 days---some would say two weeks]<BR><BR>ROMANTIC RESORT DESTINATIONS:<BR>1. Bellagio [ the best of Lago Como]<BR>2. Cortina [ the Vail of Italy--ski resort in heart of the Dolomites]<BR>3. Portofino/ Santa Margherita [ splendid sea-side venue]<BR> 4. Positano [ the best location to explore the Amalfi coast] <BR> 5. Taormina [ fabulous sea-side location in Sicily]<BR> 6. Ravello [ la dolce vita above the Amalfi coast]<BR> <BR> <BR><BR>