Where to spend an "extra" 2-3 October days in Italy
 

I'm flying into Pisa and headed to the Cinque Terre for two nights (wish it were more but the Tuscany rental limits those days). A week in Tuscany, on to Venice for 3 nights and a few nights in Rome.

Because of the Tuscany rental requirements my original plan has to change, and I need to decide where to spend the "extra" 2 or 3 nights?

Up to Lake Como between Tuscany and Venice?
Move the schedule up and spend 2-3 nights in and around Capri?
Another "absolute favorite" that I'm not listing yet?

I have some hotel reservations but they can change.

It would help to know where you have previously visited in Italy. I love Rome and would add more days there if you have not already spent much time there.

I've never been to Italy. I have 21 days total - well, 20 counting the travel time.

yes, more time in Rome!

Hi starrs, are you saying you have never been in Italy, and that you are going
2 nights in Cinque Terre
7 Tuscany
3 Venice
and some nights in ROme, but you wish to add two nights elsewhere.... total: I am guessing, 15 nights, in my humble opinion you are going to more than enough places,I would simple add the extra nights to Rome or Tuscany, to go to Lake Como that is to go to another totally different destination seems, to me, a little over the top. Good luck.

As of right now -
fly out the 1st
arrive the 2nd
2 nights in CT
7 nights in Tuscany
??? the "extra" 3 nights
3 nights in Venice
4 nights in Rome
fly home on the 21st

Florence

Verona, Vicenza - somewhere along there. Between Tuscany and Venice - and some wonderful places to stay / see.

Go ahead, do the Lakes (Como). It's not like you're there every year. 4 hours from Florence to Como by train, maybe see Milan instead?

MvK

Hi starrs
I travel every year in Italy and am of the firm belief that the slower you travel, the more unforgettable memories will be revealed. And Tuscany is like that.
A week is a short time there.
October is a truly wonderful time to visit Tuscany and Umbria because of the chestnut and Truffle festivals which happen then. And the wonderful Sagre del Tordo in Montalcino with its Medieval costume parades is on the last weekend of the month. (crowded yet worth it!)
Or the Fiera di San Luca in Impruneta (near Florence) which is a livestock fair with origins going back a thousand years-it takes place on the Feast of Saint Luke (Oct 18) and involves horse trading Italian style.
Because it's harvest time- there are many festivals to be found.
I spent a week last October in Tuscany and it was very hard to pull away- I felt I left there too soon.

Rome is like that too. I would give yourself more time there. From there, if you get in the mood, you can always take a quick train trip south if you must see Capri or Pompeii.

Best of luck with your plans. I may see you passing by and will wave, as I will be in Italy then as well!

Many places on Lake Como begin shutting down October 1. Suggest Florence if you'll not be there during your Tuscany stay and maybe add 1 more night in Rome.

Can you get to Venice earlier? If so, I'd add 1 night to Venice and the other 2 nights to Rome. It's easy to spend a whole week in Rome.

Maybe you can make a stop in Florence on your way to Venice. I love it there, too, but you're already staying in 4 different places, and so I wouldn't add in a 5th place.

Have you found your lodging in Rome yet? We stayed at the Residenza Canali last year and loved it. If you pay cash, the rate is less (130E for us at the end of February). Let me know if you want more info on this.

Have you already booked your Venice and Rome hotels or can these dates be moved around? Do you have to save a last night to fly out of Pisa or have you already factored that in? What time is your Pisa flight?

I wouldn't head to Como at that time of year. It's too far off your itinerary and the weather could be getting colder and rainy in mid to late Oct.

I can move anything after Tuscany around. I'm flying into Pisa and out of Rome. I want to be somewhere "special" on the 15th - so it was the midpoint of the Venice part. But, everything from the 7 days in Tuscany on are completely flexible.

Ideas of places to go, things to see, places to stay are welcomed :-) This is going to be a moderate budget with two of us traveling. I am planning to splurge a bit in Venice and stay at goddesstogo's favorite hotel, but if the dates change that could change.

The Tuscany part is definitely a "slow vacation". I don't mind moving around but I do want to do "slow" more than "fast". I'd rather experience less than see more - if that makes sense.

"Many places on Lake Como begin shutting down October 1."

I disagree. Almost nothing closes for the season in the town of Como. In the mid-lake area (Menaggio/Bellagio/Varenna), many hotels, restaurants and some shops will close after approximately the second weekend of October. But some hotels and restaurants stay open through the winter because there are winter sports (skiing in particular) in the area and many year-round residents.

Having said the above, however, with only 2-3 additional nights, I'd add them to a destination already on your itinerary. I wouldn't pack up and move to another hotel. IMO, two days in Venice three days in Rome would be very rushed.

Perhaps Assisi. We are going there for a day and a half in October. Have never been there before but hear it is a neat town to visit. Perhaps others have ideas about Assisi.

I misunderstood and thought you were flying in and out of Pisa.

It's easier (for me) if you count in nights for trying to figure places to stay.

Depart US 10/1 - arrive Pisa 10/2

Train to CT

2 nights Cinque Terre (10/2-3)
7 nights Tuscany (10/4-10)

Leaving Tuscany (early morning), stop in Florence if you haven't already visited during the previous week (check your luggage at the station and go see David and the duomo at least).

Train to Venice.

3 nights Venice (10/11-13)

Train or fly to Naples

3 nights Amalfi coast/Capri (10/14-16)

Train to Rome (early train)

4 nights Rome (10/17-20)

Depart 10/21

Ummm...kybourbon, I WAS counting in "nights". I plan that way too! :-)

Your plan is what I thought would make the most sense if I added Capri and area. My birthday is the 15th, so I want to be somewhere "special" on the 15th. Any suggestions for someplace memorable on the Amalfi Coast would be very much appreciated.

I plan to "do Florence" during one of the days at the villa in Tuscany. I thought if I went early in the week I could make the decision to go back during that week. I'll be 20km from Florence. My plan for that week is for lazy day trips (via car) out to villages, eating a big lunch and buying the makings of dinner at markets and coming back "home" to relax during the evening. It will definitely be the "slowest" part of the trip.

I may be doing the CT by myself - depending on the flights my friend can get. We'll both fly out of Rome.

Thanks so much for all the advice, everyone. It is so helpful!

Venice has an incredible amount to see and do. I would add extra time to the Venice part of your trip. It's certainly a "special" place for a birthday. I spent about a week there last year and still felt like there was a lot more to do (so I went back this year!). If you want to venture out to the other islands, you'll want the extra time. Torchello has an amazing ancient church (I believe parts of it are from the 7th century) and it doesn't seem the masses of tourists go there. Murano and Burano also warrant visits. You could easily spend a very enjoyable day just riding the canals, walking in the park (at the tail of Venice), and window shopping. There are also nice daytrips to do to the Veneto if you get bored. ...and one day is not nearly enough to enjoy Florence. Just a few thoughts. I hope you have a great trip!

Don't miss SIRMIONE in Laggo di Garda , next to Como Lake. Venice is delightful.