first timer to Italy this November

You can do it either way it just depends on what you want to do. I usually get an open jaw ticket and fly in out of a different city or country depending on where I am going. For example, you could fly into Venice and then train to Bologna, Verona, Sienna, Ect.....work your way down south and then fly home from Rome. I would say whatever works best for your itinerary is what will be best for you. Happy Travels.

Because Italy is a long peninsula, it's usually best to fly into one end and fly out the other. Lay out your itinerary in a way that keeps you from doubling back on yourself.

Thanks for the suggestions! I think it makes sense to fly in one city and out another. Maybe we'll go into Milan and out from Rome, that seems to have the most flexibility for flights.

That should be perfect. Are you getting a decent airfare from Seattle? I thought I saw some pretty sweet deals.

Milan is perhaps cheaper, with a few more options, but it's not the most interesting of cities. I'd suggest instead looking at flying into Florence, or Venice, then out of Rome. You will most likely want to see Venice, it's a great place to start, then work your way down to Rome and the Amalfi coast. Consider the cost of the train to get from Milan to Florence, and consider that as savings on the airfare.

Michael, we're using our miles but from what we've I've seen, it's around $900 from Seattle to Rome which seems like a pretty good deal. Ellen, thank you for the suggestion. if I had a choice I'd rather start with Venice too. I need to book the flights today so I'll see if that's possible. Then look into places to stay and train tickets.

That is a great price. We're looking at about $1300 in May 2011. Yikes! I think it's a great idea to start in Venice and end up in Rome. I would not do Amalfi on this trip, if I were you, because it won't be as pretty in November, and it's out of the way, as you'll be able to tell from a map. But that's just my opinion.

For those using free air miles, it's easy to mimic an open jaws ticket with dirt cheap airfare withing Europe. For example...on my most recent Italy trip, I used free air miles to get a round trip into Milan. My Italian escapade ended Sicily. So, I just added a cheap $50 airfare from Sicily back to Milan to catch my return flight home.

Tickets booked. There was nothing available to Venus so we're flying into Milan and out from Rome. I'm so excited. Thanks all for your help.

If I was flying into Milano, I'd go to Bellagio or Varenna on Lake Como for 3 days first and then from there to Venezia, Firenze, and then Roma.

Don's advice is spot on. You should definitely consider Varenna, Venice, Florence and then Rome. Varenna is a great place to get over jet lag. It's also smart for your first time in Italy to start in the north and work your way south. Italy takes some people a little getting used to, and the northern part is generally the easiest to adapt to.

Taylor, given that you're "completely inexperienced international travelers", I would highly recommend pre-reading the Guidebook "Europe Through The Back Door" before heading for Europe. That will provide you with a lot of information on how to travel "well" in Europe. Be sure to read the "Rail Skills" chapter carefully! I'd also suggest packing along a copy of the "Italy" Guidebook, as that contains lots of information on inexpensive (but good) Hotels, transportation, etc. ¶ Given your location, you may want to take a short drive up to Edmonds and pick up the books at ETBD headquarters. That would also provide an opportunity to speak with the travel experts, should you have any questions. ¶ I agree with a previous suggestion to spend a few days in Varenna, as that will provide a more "gentle" introduction to Italy. It's only an hour from Milan, so very easy to reach. ¶ You'll need to get from MXP to Milano Centrale, and the Malpensa Shuttle is the least expensive option for that (the trip is about 50 minutes). Be prepared for chaos when you reach Milano Centrale - t's a very busy station! The easiest way to buy tickets for the train to Varenna is to use the ticket machines. Go downstairs two levels to the ticket office. If there isn't a huge queue, buy tickets there. If there is a queue, use the ticket machines next to the office as the machines there will accept Euro cash. As I recall, the machines at track level will only accept credit cards. ¶ You might also want to obtain some Euro cash before leaving, as you'll need coins to use the washrooms at Milano Centrale (they're down one level from the tracks). Also, be sure to wear a Money Belt! Happy travels!

If you buy the RS Italy 2011 book, it has the same info as the ETBD book, along with much more Italy-specific info.

Thank you Don and Michael for the suggestion to start from Varenna, I think we well go with that and then to Venice (Not "Venus" as in my previous post). Ken, wow, I really appreciate the detailed tip. My wife will appreciate knowing where the washroom is. We picked up the RS 2010 book last year when we starting talking about going there but I'll take a look at the ETBD book as well. Money Belt? Really? I guess it's good to take precautions.

Money belt? Really. [and I'm glad I'm not the only one that's had trouble booking a flight to Venus ;-)]............Explore this entire website for all of the info here - check out the videos, esp. the 3-part 'Travel Skills' videos concerning packing, money belts, train skills, etc. You'll soon be experienced international travelers! Have fun!

You might run up to Edmonds for the travel class Rick Steves puts on the end of this month. Although it is light on specific details and largely an invitation to buy stuff at their shop, you will find some useful information. Its free and a fun way to spend part of a dreary late October day. I think the Italy class was from 4-6 and is usually done by Rick himself.

Taylor, to add to my previous comments about Money Belts, there are a few "differences of opinion" on that topic here on the HelpLine. Rick recommends using them and I always take that advice. One tip though - if you're carrying your Passport in a Money Belt, be sure to place it inside a small zip-lok bag, to prevent it from getting "damp" due to perspiration (although that may not be much of a problem at this time of year). If you don't have Money Belts yet, you can buy them at ETBD in Edmonds. ¶ Also, while on the topic of Passports, be sure to check the expiry dates on all of your Passports. ¶ Also, will you be travelling with any electrical / electronic devices? You'll need to pack Plug Adapters and possibly a Voltage Converter, depending on what you'll be taking. If you need more specific information, post another note. Cheers!

" Money Belt? Really? " Yes, really. After a day, you won't even know that it's on.

Okay guys, you convinced me. I just went ahead and ordered a money belt on RS's store. Good suggestion on checking out Rick's class. It's always nice just to get an overview. So after much discussions, here is our latest itinerary. Milan(1 day) > Venice(3) > Florence (4 days) > Rome (3) > Sorrento (3), then back to Rome to fly out. I know, we left out Veranna but my wife has her heart set on going to the Amalfi coast so that's that. If anyone has suggestions on good places to stay, I would appreciated. I think we'll be doing a mixture of B&B and hotel but I generally want to avoid touristy hotels and try to get as much of the local life as possible.

The setting for Lake Como is a lot like our Cascade lakes here in the PNW, so don't sweat it too much that you're going to Sorrento/Amalfi instead.

Some money belts are lined with plastic. If not, use Ken's advice and put all paper in a small ziplock bag. Even in November it will get damp with perspiration when you walk all day.

Taylor, don't forget, November is the rainy season in Italy, especially in the Northern areas. But since you already have webbed feet, it should not affect you. And your wife has the best idea.......the Amalfi coast will have the least amount of rain. Have fun, and take your Rick Steves guide book with you. Rick always has some great recomendations, especialy lodging. We also scan the Trip Advisor web site for each city, and use some of their lodging and dining recomendations.

Taylor, just curious, did you order the Money Belt on the Net from Rick's store? Given your location, it would probably be just as easy to drive up to ETBD and pick it up in person (and anything else you might need as well), rather than pay shipping charges. Cheers!

Ken, yes I live about 20 minutes from Edmunds so I could have driven up there to get the money belt, but that would be too sensible for me ;). Steve, rain in Italy would be completely fine with us, in fact, I think I would be romantic. We are special that way in the Pacific Northwest, a little rain isn't going to keep us from doing what we want. We plan to bring RS's guide book with us and my wife has already selected a few places to stay based on Rick's recommendation.

My husband and I just returned from Italy and it was raining a couple days on and off...all our hotels had umbrellas that we could borrow, and they were probably mid-range in price (about 100 euro/night for double with shower/WC).

Christine, which cities did you visit? We could use some recommendations in Rome and Sorrento. We tried a few places in RS's guide but they are booked. Our range is around 100-150 euro/night. Thanks Taylor.

I flew in and out of zurich and took the train from their into Italy (bought a swiss transfer ticket from Mr. Steves before I left). I stayed in Northern Italy...Bologna, Poretta Terme and Gaggio Montano (small villages that my grandparents immigrated from) Verona, Stresa, Baveno. The train ride from Zurich was gorgeous with mountains, waterfalls and tunnels and Northern Italy was wonderful. Will be doing the exact same thing in the Spring of 2011...just visiting different Northern Italian cities.