Italy. If you only had two weeks and wanted to stay 2-3 days in each place, which 4-5 cities would you recommend?
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Posted on Jul 23, 2012
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I would recommend Florence for sure. But, my question back to you is what do you enjoy and what kind of trip do you want? Do you want to see landscape, small town, museums, art? The smaller towns are far more interesting in my opinion. I actually have not been to Rome, but been to Florence and Venice and a brief overnight in Milan (i'd skip it). But, small towns in Tuscany are fab! Also a city like Vicenza, just an hour by train from Venice is so untouristed and lovely. The wine country outside of Verona is beautiful and the Dolomites of the Alpe di Siusi area are heaven. In Tuscany, Volterra, Montalcino, Montepulciano are far better than Siena (my opinion) as there aren't as many tourists. Venice is gorgeous, but overrun with people during the summer. When do you plan to go? Either way...Italy is fabulous!!!
Posted Jul 23, 2012
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start in Roma.. take the pokey train ( or drive) to Assisi ...Siena instead of Florence...back To Roma via Orvieto....
Posted Jul 24, 2012
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Start in Rome, move by train up through Umbria (hitting all the hill towns like Assisi, Perugia, Montepulciano, Narni, etc) then pass through Florence, Bologna and end in Venice.
Posted Jul 24, 2012
Add a commentSounds like a good itinerary.
Posted on Jul 24, 2012
I think this would be a great trip. Rome, Florence, and Venice are full of must-see sites (which are worth the hype) so they're great places to visit, especially if it's your first trip to Italy. Bologna and the hill towns are a little more low-key. But you really can't go wrong in Italy. You could, for example, cut out one of those stops and add one of Italy's famous coastlines (the Cinque Terre or the Amalfi Coast) at either end. I'll be interested to hear what you ultimately decide on.
Posted on Jul 25, 2012
Actually, if you're considering this itinerary, consider doing it in reverse, if you're flying in from the states. Most flights get in to Venice mid-morning, but if you want to leave from venice, you'll probably need to be at the airport at 6 or so in the morning to fly to rome for a connecting flight.
Posted on Jul 25, 2012
Thank you all. Actually we will be in Rome with 2 1/2 weeks ahead of us, need to end up back in Rome for the flight home. A big circle sounds good and I'm looking forward to seeing the countryside by bus and/or train.
Posted on Aug 08, 2012
I just returned from 18 days in Italy. I wish I could go back! If you've never been before, you may want to go to a bigger city like Rome or Florence to see some of the "obvious" sights, but I HIGHLY recommend/suggest seeing some of the smaller cities, specifically in Tuscany. Sam Giminigano, Volterra, Siena, Castellina in Chianti are all absolutely gorgeous. Skip PIsa. It's just a silly tower. But if you can, head up to Cinque Terre. It's absolutely breathtaking and will allow you to get out and "do" something (by hiking the national park) along with just sit and rest while taking in the absolutely remarkable views.
Posted Jul 30, 2012
Add a commentI may be traveling with a friend (if he can decide to come!) and if that happens we will rent a car so we could go through Tuscany. It'll be November though, so things will probably be pretty brown. Still....
Posted on Jul 31, 2012
I agree with Lynne--it depends on your interests and preferences. But for a first-timer in Italy, I would suggest that you cut down your agenda so you can relax a bit. Consider visiting three cities, perhaps Rome, Florence and Venice. Four or five days in those cities is not too much and you will get a feel for the local way of life. But these three cities are by no means representative of the entire country--you will not have seen Italy in just two weeks--but you will be able to start planning your next trip there with a better idea of what more you would like to see.
Posted Jul 24, 2012
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First timer: Rome, Florence, Venice, Siena & San GImignano. Be sure to check if you will be in Italy during the Il Palio race in Siena. It's held twice in the summer (July & Aug.) very cool medieval procession and race in the town square.
Or Lake District extravaganza: Verona (for the outdoor opera thru Sep 2), Bergamo, Lake Garda (Salo or Riva del Garda), Lake Como (Como & Bellagio), Varese, Lake Maggiore (Stresa), Milan.
Or the breadbasket of Italy: Ravenna on the coast, Bologna (+ Ducati tour), Modena (+ Ferrari tour), and Parma.
Posted Jul 24, 2012
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Spend the first week in Naples and Rome, then head up to some of the smaller towns and relax your second week. Like everyone else, I recommend Florence, Assisi, Siena, Orvieto, Balsena, etc.
Have fun!
Posted Jul 24, 2012
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I just returned from a 2-week trip in Italy. Here was my itinerary:
Venice (2 nights), Rimini (3 nights), Bologna (1 night), Florence (2 nights), Rome (5 nights).
Rome and Venice are amazing cities! Don't let people try to convince you otherwise :) I am a bit sad I missed Naples and all of southern Italy - will just have to return for another trip...
Posted Jul 29, 2012
Add a commentThank you, good itinerary.
Posted on Jul 31, 2012
I, too, with my family, just returned from an almost 2-week trip in Italy:
Santa Margherita Ligure (4 nights) as a good base for the Cinque Terre and San Fruttuoso
Florence (3 nights) with day trip to Siena
Verona (3 nights) to see an opera in the old Roman Arena
Venice (2 nights)
I would add 1 more night in Florence, so that you can visit other towns in Tuscany (San Gimignano, Pienza, Montalcino are my favorites). And, 1 more night in Venice.
We specifically skipped Rome. Saw it once a long time ago and wasn't up to the crowds and traffic. Instead, we opted for the Roman Arena in Verona and watched Carmen with the locals. We are not opera buffs, but it was Amazing and I get goosebumps every time I think back on it. Imagine the sun setting, candles lit amongst the crowd, the stars twinkling, the voices magical.
Posted Jul 30, 2012
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