Also Just Starting Research

The way to start research is to read or buy some guidebooks. Rick Steves, either a Fodors or Frommers, and turn to the suggested itinerary section. You'll find recommended trips for different lengths of time. You'll also find suggested tour companies; go to their websites and look at their package tours. You start to see patterns emerging in no time, and then you can decide what you need/want to do on your own.

Hi Leeanne -
You see, the problem is that it's really almost impossible to build itineraries for someone else as some us are fine with whirlwind, crammed agendas and some of us are not. I'm in the "not" category, and thinking that unless you can find a couple more days, I'd limit this trip to Florence and Rome.

If you subtract 2 days just for getting there and getting home, you're down to 9 days. Depending on when your flight gets in, you may really only have 8.5 days once you get from airport to city, city to hotel, check in, get settled. etc. Subtract part of another day for transferring from Rome to Florence (or vice versa) and, well, there's not as much time to play with as you thought: maybe 4.5 days in Rome and 3.5 days Florence (with .5 day transfer time subtracted.)

Then again, some people would be fine with 3.5 days Rome, 1.5 days CT (subtracted .5 day for transfer), 2.5 days Florence (subtracted .5 day for transfer, although it may not take that long) so it's really up to personal preference?

Food and wine? Everywhere in Italy so not something to build an agenda around, IMHO.

leeanne,

With only a very short nine days, I doubt that you'll have time for Florence, Cinque Terre, Rome and a "farmhouse". Italy is best enjoyed at a slower pace, especially for such an important occasion.

You didn't say where you're flying from, but keep in mind that you're going to be jet lagged for the first few days after arrival, so won't be up to full "touring speed". Also, each time you change location, you'll need to allow at least half a day (when all is considered).

One option you might consider is something along these lines.....

• D1 - Flight to Italy
• D2 - Arrive Florence
• D3 - Florence (architecture, Uffizi and/or Accademia and some good restaurants)
• D4 - Florence
• D5 - travel to Agriturismo (check Italy guidebook for suggestions - you'll probably need a rental car, so be sure to do some homework on the "caveats" involved with driving in Italy)
• D6 - Agriturismo
• D7 - Drop rental car in La Spezia, train to Cinque Terre (great place for food, especially seafood and anything with Pesto - there are also "caveats" involved with train travel, so you'll need to do some homework on that as well)
• D8 - Cinque Terre
• D9 - Cinque Terre
• D10 - Train to Milan (one night)
• D11 - Flight home from MXP

This suggestion provides three destinations, although Rome is not included. With such a short trip, I'm not sure you have time for Rome as well as the other places, as there's a LOT to see there. Is there any possibility you could add more time?

Another option would be Florence, Cinque Terre and Lake Como, as the small town of Varenna would be a nice spot to celebrate an anniversary.

Good luck with your planning!

Review
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/just-starting-research-for-first-italy-trip-october-2015

Same question.

Not at all the same question. Leeanne has 9 days on the ground, the other thread is a 3-week visit.

My confession: On my first trip to Italy (October 2008), I spent a single night in the CT. I left Florence early, spent the morning in Pisa, then got to Riomaggiore mid-afternoon. I spent the better part of the next day hiking the first two sections of the trail (the easy ones), then taking the train to Monterosso and the ferry back (absolutely the best!). In the late afternoon I took a train to Milan. I was glad I went and had a great time. As I was leaving I felt I would have liked to explore the little towns more, but looking back after 4 trips to Italy, I didn't miss much. Every little town I've been to has been a joy and I know I'll never see them all.

Leeanne, I think you could comfortably fly into Florence then spend a night or two in the CT and end in Rome. If you love Renaissance art, you will want 3 full days in Florence, if that's not up your alley, then stay in Siena (or an agriturismo) and take a day trip to Florence. From Siena you can day trip to Florence and Lucca or San Gimignano by bus. If you want to stay in the countryside, you'll want a rental car, maybe rent it at the Florence airport, then return it near the CT (La Spezia?).

With your time frame you could also consider one of Rick's tours, Heart of Italy. It gives you Rome, Florence and CT and the charming hill town of Volterra but does not get you in to an agritourismo. http://www.ricksteves.com/tours/italy/heart-italy

Some people are tour people, some are not. I always feel I can see more things on a tour so it works for me, plus I like the added benefit of the history/culture/language lessons from the guide and the RS local guides in each area. This itinerary would be extremely difficult to do on your own as you have to add in time to figure out transport, getting to and from your hotel, finding your way, etc.

Also look closely at Ken's suggestions and remember when you are planning your days on the ground that you will leave the US on day 1 and arrive in Italy on day 2. You may experience some jet lag so you don't want to over plan that first day. When you depart you will arrive home to the US the same day you leave Italy but it will be a loooong travel day.

Thanks everyone. You all have me thinking that we need to take a closer look at our budget and see if we can extend our travel days. For those of you who suggested that I read travel books and look at guided tours, thank you for taking the time to reply. I have done that. It is helpful but mostly confuses me. For those of you who gave me some personal insight, thank you. You have given me some great ideas on how to at least begin my planning!