I will be in Italy in late November for 10 days. Visiting from U.S and my mom from Guatemala. Being this our first time, would wanna make the most out of my trip. Venice and Rome are in my itinerary. Was also excited to see Cinque Terre but have read it gets rainy and flooded sometimes and not much to do. We love old country towns and beach! (even just a stroll around it in winter) any other suggestions or tips and any good market ideas
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11600 posts
Your first time! How exciting!
With only 10 days (is it 11 nights? Counting nights helps to visualize the actual number of full days you have to enjoy Italy's charms) and being off-season, I would stick with cities so that if the weather is poor you have options. For the Cinque Terre, it is definitely off-season so skip it this trip.
Venice/Florence/Rome is a great first trip, but even just Venice and Rome would be wonderful as you'd have time in each to take a day trip. If you have 11 nights, perhaps 5 in Venice and 6 in Rome. A daytrip from Venice could be Padova and from Rome you can consider going to the beach at Ostia if the weather is nice. No one will be there, but you can go and walk and it is easily reached by train from Rome.
All three cities have great markets. Do you have the Rick Steves Italy guidebook? You will find many answers there.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23534 posts
For all you suggest, you need 20 days or more. In Nov days are short so outdoor activities can be limited. Venice is one that tends to get flooded in winter. If CT is flooded, then we all have bigger problems. With 10 days I would fly into Venice for three nights, hit Florence for two or three nights on the way to Rome, and Rome for the remaining time. Coming home from Rome is more convenient and provides better flight options. If set on CT, then substitute CT for Florence.
Posted by
Prior Lake, MN, USA
393 posts
Everyone has their favorite cities .....
We went to Venice / Florence / Rome in about 10 days and that was faster than I'd like to go.
So you need to factor weather, like you are, plus your "must see" list.
Now that I've been to Venice, I don't care to go back. But I'd like to visit Florence and Rome again. Meaning - I'd skip Venice if I was running low on time (it will also save you the travel time of going to the NE)
Posted by
OP
3 posts
Thank you all for the suggestions. I will be flying into Rome from Chicago. So cold doesn't scare us. Will definitely take the trip from Rome to Venice and skip CT :( maybe switch to Florence instead. I will be staying for 9 nights so on the last day I think I will just take the train right to the airport, since I have an overnight flight, and try to squeeze a visit to the beach
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23534 posts
...since I have an overnight flight, and try to squeeze a visit to the beach..... Do you mean an overnight return flight to Chicago? That is very unusual and little hard to achieve since you are chasing the sun. Beaches at the time of year are not very pleasant. You do realize that Rome is as far north as New York city and Chicago is only a degree or two north of Rome. I don't think you would want to spend much time on beaches around NY in Nov/Dec.