9 days in Italy- Ideal itinerary

You barely have enough time for Venice, Florence and Rome. I wouldn't even consider a trip to the CT or the see the Blue Grotto. Flying into Venice and out of Rome will give you the most time because you won't need to back track.

Get a good guide book so that you can determine what you wish to see in each city. 2.5 days in each city is not a lot of time so choose based on what is the most important to you.

donna

In nine days you have time for three places. Skip Rome and Capri this time and visit Venice, Florence, and CT. Fly home from Pisa.

It really depends on your tastes. Do you like to hike? Want to kick back and enjoy the scenery? Like art and antiquities? First time to Italy? I would limit myself to no more than 3 places with the number of days that you have. If you can provide a little more info about what you like to do on vacation, we can be more helpful.

Are those 9 days or 9 nights? I calculate by using "0" as my departure night (most flights are overnights), "1' for my arrival day/night, and don't calculate the last "day" because it is a departure day and if you are flying to the US you will most likely have a morning departure.

Assuming you have 9 nights, 3 each in Venezia, Firenze and Roma. If you want a whirlwind, take one night each from two of the cities and squeeze in Cinque Terre.

Even if you in fact have 9 nights, no doubt you're going to do a lot of running around with this itinerary. If this is your 1st time to Italy & hell-bent on seeing at least these three cities, then the experience should be pleasant overall. I would really research the logistical part--how to get from Point A to Point B, what attractions are near your hotel, so you're not on a wild goose chase much of the time. If you're taking a train, it's 2+ hours Venice/Florence, 90 minutes Florence/Rome. Real easy stuff.

Adding more onto this--I wouldn't. Cinque Terre can be done--not easily--in a day trip from Florence, but in late July it will be overrun, and could be a nightmare. And Capri is not even close to being the coolest part of the Amalfi Coast. Both of these areas are much better in shoulder season, April/May or October/November.

Personally, I would leave out Venice (except for maybe doing a day trip from Florence), and split the time between Florence/Tuscany & Rome. Make sure your hotels have air conditioning!

Enjoy your planning!

I would pick two. Rome takes 4 nights 3 days at minimum; Florence is filled with fabulous artistic treasures that take time -- you don't really scratch that in that time. If you must do all three, I would fly into Venice and spend two nights -- that gives you one full day to wander around this lovely place but not time to do things like the Doges Palace. Then I would spend 4 nights in each of Florence and Rome and fly home from Rome. If you need to cut one more night to do this, choose based on the specific things you want to do in those two cities. It takes two nights to get one day. The first and last day are wasted with logistics and every move gobbles up much of a day. You could have a rushed but decent visit to two of these cities -- with three, you don't see much more than if you just bought RS's excellent videos and watched them.

We just said good bye an hour ago to visiting friends who had 9 nights in country and we accompanied them to (hopefully) make it go more smoothly. 3 nights Venice, 2 Florence, 4 Rome. It was a whirlwind! We had a wonderful time, not overly scheduled as they like wandering more than museums, but by this afternoon we were all exhausted! Do not add anything to V-F-R (the Blue Grotto is not even worth doing if you are on Capri) and be prepared to not be able to "do" everything. In fact, as it is July, you will be slow-moving and hot. Try to find things to do in the evening, like this in Rome.

As some others have said, you don't have time for zipping down to The Amalfi Coast, especially if your main objective is to see the Blue Grotto. Even if you had all the time in the world, I will tell you that, imo, it is one the the Italy's great tourist traps, exceeded only, perhaps, by the Emerald Grotto. You pay handsomely to be ferried to the mouth of the grotto. There, surprise(!) you pay, again if you want to actually enter. What you see is a large grotto with faintly blue light (or green, as the case may be). Not in the same class as San Marco, Brunellschi's dome, or the ancient Roman Forum.

I'll also throw in that the Cinque Terre in late July will be nightmarishly crowded. 3 days for each of your stated destinations is barely sufficient. You don't want to eat up any more time than necessary traveling between places.

One more thing . . .If you haven't already bought air tickets, do go open-jaw. Again, it will save travel time, on which you are very short.

Thank you guys. I understand from your replies that the time is not enough to squeeze in everything (in this beautiful country). I will surely read up more and would prioritize stuff to do. Would show up again, if I have any doubts. Have a great day !

P.S.- I am from India and we are very much accustomed to 22 degree Celsius/ 72 Fahrenheit temperature. Do you guys still think that I need to worry about the weather? And yeah this is my first time to Europe.

we are very much accustomed to 22 degree Celsius/ 72 Fahrenheit temperature

I wish we could have 22C highs in July. That might be the overnight temperature on a cool night. Expect highs of AT LEAST 30-32C, maybe as high as 36-37.

It makes me sad Laurel (to know that I should expect the temperature to be as high as 36 degree Celsius) !

Drink lots of water and walk on the shady side of the street.

I would stick to Venice, Florence, Rome. Listen to the others! Much as I love Cinque Terre, it will be so crowded, you may not enjoy it. Capri is just too far away. You might rather want to spend your time between 2 cities (Venice and Rome) and get to really enjoy them, since you are not sure about Tuscany.