First Time to Italy....Where to begin??

I'm sorry if this sounds like a pert question, but why are you going to Italy in the first place?

if we know that, we can give you much better comments.

Hi ds,

A lovely "open page" inquiry. Your options are many.

(Just a little note: Perhaps you can transfer your thread to the "Italy" section. Or, PM the Webmaster to do it. You most likely will get more/faster replies.) Anyway, no worries.

If you're a city person - Rome is "the" place. Besides its main attractions of course, the city is a walking museum in itself.

• Beautiful architecture, ornate sculptures, hustle bustle of people everywhere, white taxis and motor scooters whizzing by you, old locals standing on the corner or taking a cup of espresso at a little cafe while talking about the day's events - surprises around every corner, and much, much more. All the Piazzas have their own special draw and mesmerizing attributes.

Orvieto (a little city built on a rock cliff) has become the best kept secret from Rome.

• In Umbria, it's a little taste of "Tuscany," but only about one hour (by train) from Rome Termini. Florence (Firenze) is about a two-hour (speed train) ride from Termini to Santa Maria Novella (SMN) stop. Orvieto is known for its wines - Classico being popular.
  

Decide what draws you most - The excitement and craziness of city life (Rome) or the more easy going, beautiful existence of Tuscany - kicking back and staring at the rolling hills sipping that special glass of wine.

If you're a reader, check out some guide books - either purchase new ones or perhaps visit your library. Or, start to view some videos on Italy - Rome, Orvieto, Florence or other towns in Tuscany.

Rick Steves has done a YT series to give you a nice, informative introduction into cities and towns of Italy.

The Roman Guy.com has a YT channel https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=the+roman+guy that has a lot of videos on Italy - some "teaching videos" for the new traveler, a "neighborhood series" introducing the travelers into different parts of Rome and other helpful things. They are an official tour guide company, but their free YT videos are very good. They also do (local) tours in Florence and Venice (double check) but they posted videos to get a glimpse.

I always like to suggest to view the below skywebcams of regions (get a bird's eye, fun view of what to expect)

https://www.skylinewebcams.com/en/webcam/italia/lazio.html (Roma)

https://www.skylinewebcams.com/en/webcam/italia/lazio/roma/piazza-venezia.html (Altare della Patria)

https://www.skylinewebcams.com/en/webcam/italia/toscana.html (Tuscany)

https://www.skylinewebcams.com/en/webcam/italia/umbria.html (Orvieto and Assisi & other towns)

They have other Italian regions up to view too. https://www.skylinewebcams.com/en/webcam/italia.html (Choose your region/destination of interest)

Have fun planning!

Adding: Keep in mind, whatever you choose or split up your trip with a little bit of city and a little bit of country, modes of transportation will vary.

ds,

Your first thought was "Tuscany." If you're leaning toward staying on a Farm or at an Inn, it would be more helpful to others if you can share a bit more of info - i.e. Would you be okay driving around Italy (you need an IDL, familiarize yourself with and watch out for certain restricted zones (ZTL) that would get you a ticket. You won't see it until about a year later.

https://www.discovertuscany.com/ > According to the website, there is a lot to do, many variances that would appeal to anyone.

https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/italy/tuscany > Read through RS' itinerary to get some ideas; customize it to your own.

https://search.ricksteves.com/?button=&date_range=6m&filter=Travel+Forum&query=Tuscany&utf8=%E2%9C%93 < link is from the last 6 months or so with threads about Tuscany. You can put key word, "Tuscany" in the search box, and many threads will come up. I narrowed down the filter to fairly present day.

There are probably a lot of suggestions and useful tips you can read through. Yes, you may have other questions, but at least you have a heads up.

Make a list(s).

• Pros vs. cons of your travel likes and dislikes.
  
• Do your own bit of research first (reading a few threads, materials, watching videos)
• Draft a list of questions to ask on the forum under your OP thread.

Adding:

RJean of NY, NY gave these recommendations to another traveler on a recent thread:

"Here are two agriturismos you might like in Val D'orcia region of Tuscany:"

https://www.bonello.eu/en/
https://www.agriturismoilmacchione.it/?lang=en

https://mytravelintuscany.com/summer-festivals-in-tuscany/

valadelphia posted this recently.

https://www.visittuscany.com/en/ideas/top-annual-events-in-tuscany/

Okay, I started your homework, lol.

Thank you to all!!!

Great tips and research ahead for us!