1st trip ever, 11-day Italy itinerary ideas?

Maria,

Here are my 2 cents. If you want to just get a feel and want more of a relaxing vacation I would suggest going down to Sorrento and exploring the Amalfi Coast. However I assume you are flying into Rome and out of Milan, so this would take some valuable time away from your already busy schedule.

In Rome I would suggest getting to Trastevere, seeing the Palatine Hill, the Forum, and the Colosseum, and St. Peters.

In Florence I would def. suggest Uffizi, piazzale michelangelo (great view, music etc.).

I would probably skip Pisa unless you really want to see the Leaning tower (not that impressive). It is very touristry and not much there, but it is a quick stop.

I would suggest spending the later part of a day and staying overnight in Siena.

I would also suggest Lucca, if you are driving. It is a great town where you can relax and enjoy the city by either walking or biking.

Venice - just walk the back streets and walk late at night and early in the morning, visit the Frari church.

Hi Maria,

Congratulations on your upcoming wedding and the trip!

San Gimignano was the most tourist place on our recent trip. It is so small and so crowded. I would definitely skip that and pick another hill town like Montalcino, Castellina or Pienza. I would also recommend skipping Pisa.

If you really want to relax I would also recommend saving Venice for another trip. It's way out of the way up to Milan. Your time would be better spent in the Tuscan countryside touring vineyards, relaxing my a pool at an agriturismo, hiking, and mingling with the locals.

You will love it no matter what you do. Have fun!

Yep. Too ambitious.

Leave out Pisa to begin with. Spend 3 nights in Rome for two good days there. Train to Orvieto for 2 nights and rent car there to do a day trip (I think Siena is a day trip but enjoy spending the night). 2 nights in Bologna (skipping Florence because you're not into crowds or "must sees") and, also, having left your car in Orvieto. 2 nights in Venice and then, quick as a bunny, to a airport hotel near Malpensa (Kent can post the links, I can't) for your likely early morning out.

I think its defiently too ambitious - sorry to say because I love Italy. I think you should focus on 3 main areas Rome, Tuscany, and Venice. Rome can easily be done in a day and as Rick says Italy is much nicer elsewhere so I would spend as little time as possible in Rome. From Rome I would head up to Florence spending the biggest chunk of time there, skip Pisa but visit the hill towns like Siena. Do not miss out on Venice spend at least 2 nights there, its perfect for a honeymoon. Its pretty pointless to go to Cinque Terre for one night you will be spending more time on the train than seeing the towns, save it for another trip!

If your still set on Cinque Terre, heres what I recommend for an itineray, 2 nights Rome fly to Venice with Air One (it's 90 euro) flight is only an hour, maximizes sightseeing by getting in to Venice by 9:30am 2 nights, train to hill towns like Siena 2 nights 1 night Florence, train to Cinque Terr 2 nights and then fly home. If you do take the flight you could spend one very full day in Venice and add another on too Florence, if you want something more relaxed stay in Venice ro the hill towns, Florence is more caotic.

Hope that doesn't confuse you, have a wonderful trip.

Definitely too ambitious. That's too much travelling in too little time. I would say 3 nights in Rome, 3 nights in Florence (with possible day trips to Siena and/or San Gimignano), 3 nights in Venice, and 1 night in Milan. Keep in mind that travelling, finding your hotel, checking in and out, packing and unpacking, etc. all take time. And stress. Finding a home base and doing day trips is far better. Don't even think about taking a night train into Milan and "arriving just in time for your flight". If anything goes wrong, you've missed your flight. ALWAYS spend your last night in the city you fly out of. Even if you have to spend $50 on a taxi to the airport, it's better than missing your flight. And the Duomo in Milan is magnificent. It's a must-see.

Maria,

I have to agree with the others - your proposed Itinerary is far too ambitious! Is there any possibility you could extend the trip, perhaps to 14 days?

To begin with, you'll lose the first day due to flight times and time zone changes. You'll need one night in Milan prior to your flight home so that leaves nine nights for the trip.

I would definitely drop Pisa - the travel time there to spend just a few hours would be a waste of time. I'd also drop the Cinque Terre - as Rick says "assume you will return". However, if you were able to add a few days, it might be possible to get to the C.T. but plan to spend at least two days.

Venice is definitely a great location for a honeymoon, but keep in mind that it's likely going to be VERY crowded in July. One alternative you might consider is Lago di Como. It's only an hour from Milano, so would be easy to get back for your flight. If you based in Varenna, you could do day trips to Bellagio or other points on the lake.

One Itinerary you might consider:

Rome - 3 nights (too short, but under the circumstances....)

Orvieto or Siena - 2 nights (perhaps one night each? I don't normally like one night stops, but might be necessary with such a short time frame - if you decided on 2 days in Orvieto, a day trip to Civita di Bagnoregio should be possible)

Florence - 3 nights (if you have reservations for the Museums, access should be fairly easy, even in July)

Venice - 2 nights

Milan - 1 night

IMHO, I wouldn't bother with a rental car. Using public transportation (train) would be easier and less complicated.

It's great that you're getting an early start on the planning. Congratualtions and happy travels!!!

Congratulations on the trip. Less is more on your first trip as travelling in a country can take up lots of valuable time. I'm still planning my trip so I'm always interested in other people's feedback. I realise you're not into accommodation right now but a website I found which might be useful is www.monasterystays.com. Yes a bit more of Italy away from the tourists - staying in a real convent. certainly different and they look like good value.

I like Northern Italy more than Southern, especially in the hot part of the summer. There will be crowds everywhere that time of year, as Rick says, "Accept that there will be crowds."

I tend to like the same kinds of things you do so here's my advice. Get a comprehensive guidebook. Rick's tend to be "greatest hits". No recommendation of Rick's will fail to produce a crowd. With your comprehensive book (perhaps Michelin green guide, Rough guide or lonely planet) you can avoid "popular" spots, walk into any little church and read about what makes that church special. There is so much in situ art available that almost everyone misses brilliant masterpieces (no crowds, no admisson fee, seen as the artist intended).

Even with crowds, you don't want to miss Venice. See the Duomo when the lights are on. The gold glass tiles make the entire place seem to be made of gold. Wander the streets after dark. It won't be empty but gets much quieter and more romantic after the daily crowds leave.

Vicenza is another great place for architechture.

Verona was a pleasant surprise. It has some great Roman ruins including an ampitheater that is still in use for operas (and Romeo and Juliet if you like).

Orvieto was another pleasant surprise. It's on cliffs rather than a hill, has a major Cathedral and Etruscan tunnels.

We enjoyed Siena and really liked San Gimignano even though it is touristy. San Gimignano is very medieval and captures the imagination.

If you really don't like long lines or spending hours in museums, you may want to skip Florence. It has some of the great must sees, but seems to know it and is expensive and unfriendly by Italian standards. If you go, Santa Croce for the tombs of famous people and Piazza MicaelAngelo to escape the crowds were good.

It's impossible to "do" Rome in two days. You will get a taste but will have to go back, preferably in October or November when the weather is better and the crowds are smaller.

Have a great trip.

We did this trip, our first to Italy, and it was perfect for us (sounds like we have similar interests, too):

--Fly into Milan early morning; take bus to Centrale Stazzione; check bags; take metro to Piazza Duomo: visit Duomo di Milano and Galleria Vittorio Emanuele; eat lunch; take metro back to Centrale
--Collect bags from storage at Centrale, board train to Venice (about 3 hours)
--3 nights in Venice
--Train from Venice to Florence (about 3 hours)
--3 nights in Florence
--Bus Florence to Siena (about 1 hour)
--2 nights in Siena
--Bus Siena to Roma (about 3 hours, but much of it scenic through Tuscany)
--3 nights in Rome
-Fly home from Rome

Hope this helps! GIO

I think you would be quite happy with a lot of time in the Orvieto - Siena areas, a visit to Venice is a must and a couple of days in Rome. Skip CT - wa too crowded for someone who wants to avoid the crowds.

Like all first timers you are trying to do it all. Seeing as you are on your honeymoon I am guessing that you are young and will be able to return to Italy. Rome should really be at least a week but if you are not interested in the Vatican, etc you can spend 2 or 3 days there and roam the Trastevere area. Far less tourists there and more of the flavor of Italy. Take the train out to Orvieto and rent a car there. Find a home base to spend about 5 days and drive to a new town or two every day. Then take the train to Venice for the remainder of your trip (spend the night preceding your flight home in Milano). Daytrippers will crowd the main attractions (Piazza San Marco and the Rialto bridge areas) so wander the back streets and the islands (Pellastrina is great if you want to avoid tourists) from 9:00 t0 5:00; then you will have the city to yourselves for the evening.