My husband & i are planning our first trip to Europe together and are trying to decided where to go. We plan on going for 10-14 days. Right now we are thinking that our main focus will be Italy - Rome, Florence, Venice. How many days would you recommend in each of these cities? Are there any other places in Italy that we should consider? Or are there other cities such as Paris or Prague that we should go to?

Without a compelling interest in a second country (family ties, interest in the language, professional or studies connection), I'd recommend keeping your entire trip in Italy. 11-14 nights, in Italy (sleeping there; don't count the day zero when you sleep on the plane) gives you just enough to add some small-town or rural Italy to complement your three major cities. For only ten, you might still day trip once or twice. I would allocate no fewer than four nights to Rome, two to Florence alone or 3-6 to Florence and other Tuscany), two days minimum to Venice, and preferably more if you are coming from or leaving to more than 2 or 3 hours away (i.e., give yourself two FULL days minimum, and preferably wake up two or even three mornings there). The two best hours of the day in Venice are the first hour when you wake up (even before shower or breakfast - - get out there and see Vencei wake up) and the last hour before you go to bed - - when you understand why it is La Serenissima.

I recommend the seemingly illogical order of Florence, then Venice, then Rome - - a little more travel time this way, but it saves Venice until you are recovered from your loss-of-sleep transatlantic flight, and it saves Rome until you are more acclimated to "the way things are" in Italy - - then you can better handle the much revved up, highly intense form of Italian life that is Rome.

You really owe it to yourself to get thee to yon large public library or bookstore (or both) and obtain one or more comprehensive guidebook(s) about all of Italy, and then read, like a novel, from cover to cover. You'll be much better prepared to think about basic itinerary choices.

<<Are there any other places in Italy that we should consider?>>

Only about a hundred, for starters...

Best wishes,

Rex

i contemplated mixing italy w/ prague (eastern europe) and in the end went against it simply because of the wasted time traveling as opposed to vacationing somewhere. i opted for the tour of italy (florence, venice, rome, naples). i did learn that keeping a trip in a geographically similar area is not a bad thing. but to each there own i guess.

Hi jam,

14 days is just perfect for Rome/Florence/Venice.

I agree with Rex to save Rome for last.

Open jaw flights into Venice and out of Rome cost about the same as RT to Rome for most US cities.

I suggest 3 days Venice, 5 days Florence with day trips to Siena and Bologna and the rest of your time in Rome.

>Are there any other places in Italy that we should consider?<

O course, but The Big Three is the best way to start with fewer than 3 weeks.

>are there other cities such as Paris or Prague that we should go to?

Do you mean in addition to or instead of Italy?

If the former, No.

If the latter, I suggest London and Paris for a week each.

I agree with Ira. 14 days is almost ideal for a good trip to Venice, Florence and Rome. We have done this trip a couple of times and last trip spent 4 days in Venice, 4 in Florence, 2 in the Tuscan countryside and 4 days in Rome. It was a good mix of city and countryside and allowed for a good overview of the cities.

Definately do Rome first! Rome is great but it quite a grind and wears you down. You need all your strength there. Do it at the start while you are fresh, not at the end when you are dragging. It is far bigger and more chaotic than Florence and Venice and and is a lot more difficult and wearying to navigate. Just crossing the street in Rome can be an adventure.

Personally, I think that you are not being wise in making your first trip to Europe in Italy. I realize that is the most obbvious place and probably has more overall than any other country. But The place is not for European beginners. I'd recommend Spain, it is much more manageable, and the sights and culture are just as great for a two week trip. It is not as hectic, a lot cheaper, driving is a lot easier, etc. (If you haven't driven in Europe before, nothing can prepare you for the aggrevation.)

2 days in Florence is way sufficient as is two days in Venice and I would also start your trip in Rome

"Where to go in Europe?" I think Europeans call is "washroom".

As absolutely compelling as it will seem to go to yet another city or country outside Italy while you are, after all, already in Eruope, I would resist that temptation. I think you'll appreciate being able to do parts of Italy in some "depth" as it were.

I think it is harder to accurately answer your question about how much tiome to spend in each place because I presonally feel that depends a lot on your own interests. Some would say if you aren't focused on art and architecture you could easily blow through cities like Florence in a day.
Others enjoy just BEING in the Tuscan countryside whether it involves Siena or other popular destinations.

It might be helpful to tell us what your interests are and, for that matter, why you decided on Italy in the first place, so we might give even better advice.

If you aren't sure if Italy should take your whole time abroad I would suggest that you stop by a travel agent's office and pick up some guided tour books from the big bus tours. Read through them and see what places spark your interest. You may decide there is some place you just have to go.

Another good place to start your planning is on the RyanAir.com web site. Click on their destinations and see what other places are open to you. When you think of jumping on a plane to skip off to another city you don't have to think in straight lines.

I really enjoy the planning part of the trip beacuse this is the place where I can really dream. There are lots of magical places in Europe and we keep planning trip after trip to get to (or get back to) all or them

For me, I would do Paris and Venice only, with an overnight train in private sleeper in between. Fly open jaw into Paris and stay a week, then by train on to Venice for 3-7 days and fly home from there.

I would not choose Rome for myself or stay entirely in Italy, on a first trip because it is more intimidating to me. I found both Paris and Venice which I've visited twice, incredibly interesting, romantic, exotic, yet not overwhelming even for a first timer and assuming no second language skills.

For a trip of that duration, you can't go wrong with Italy, Spain or England/UK. England/UK, focusing on London, its outlying areas (Canterbury, Bath, Oxford, etc), and possibly Wales or Ireland if you spend 2 weeks, is a great introduction to European travel. Language and customs are pretty similar to US, making for a nice transition, and the people are real friendly. Five days alone in London would probably let you cover most of the A list things to see and do. Italy is great but driving there takes some cahonnes. If one of you gets stressed out by madcap drivers, I'd strongly recommend using their train system, which is excellant, or hire private drivers. Spain has a lot to offer as already noted above. Paris is a week by itself. But, for my first trip abroad, I'd go elsewhere. Beautiful, romantic city but not the friendliest place unless one of you speaks excellant french. If you were wanting a more relaxing type trip, then Athens for a couple of days before heading out to the islands would be an alternative. Good luck!

Dave

We spent 14 days in just North/Central italy. Don't over do it, stick with your Italy plan and save Paris for another trip and Prague/Budapest for yet another!

www.varenna.net
and rent a car for at least a few days and visit the small towns of Tuscany!
I thought Rick Steves guidebook gave a good overview of the areas to help you pick what you want to do/see.