Help! New (and naive) Traveler

Thank you all so much! My brother-in-law is a more of a seasoned traveler and he has some specific things he wants to see (David, the Vatican) my husband is not much of a sight-seer at all and is only going on this trip under duress ;>) I am just thrilled to be going at all. I'm not an extreme "arty" person, but of course I want to see the classics. Going in to and out of museums all day isn't really my thing, but I love architecture and beauty in all forms. You have definitely given me food for thought and it gives me a starting place! I would probably really love Cinque Terre, but I don't think I could forgive myself if I went over to Italy and didn't see the big things that it is famous for. Since my husband doesn't enjoy traveling, this may be the only chance that I have to do a great trip like this.

this question was covered extensively by "ginny, aug 28, under" "time spent in italy", as of now, page 10.

Thanks, Jim. I just hadn't made it that far in the posts :>)

Well, I just took my first trip to Italy, and I think it's hard to answer your question. sure you can "see them" but IMO you can't truly experience them - there's so much to do and see. I spent 5 nights in rome, 5 nights in florence, and 4 nights in Venice, and none of those were nearly enough for me - and I skipped most of the art museums! I think it really depends on what you want to see/do, and what kind of travelers you are. If you won't mind picking up and moving every 2 days, if you only want to see the major sights and not much else, then see all 3 in one week. If you really want to experience the cities, have time to wander, get lost, sit in cafes, shop, people-watch, relax, soak it in, etc., then I think you should pick 2 of the three and save the third plus Cinque Terre for next time (and promise yourself there will be a next time!). That's what I did with Cinque Terre, saving it for next time :)
But you are right, whatever you decide, you ARE going to have a blast! :)

Lori,
Unless you want to spend most of your time packing and traveling - pick two cities. Rome and Florence or Florence and Venice. That would give you time to get a hint of the flavor of where you are.

Dear Lori
I just returned last night from Italy for 3 weeks. Seeing all those places and the cinque terre is definitely too much. What are you in to? I think that both Rome and Florence ideally deserve a week apiece for all cool museums, archeological sites etc. If you were to split them up 3-4 days in both is sufficient to see them both. Venice is probably 2-3 days max, it seems to wear thin because in all cities,but especially in venice, it is teeming with tourists. Venice in the early am and late pm is nice because the cruise ships are gone and has a more "local feel" to it . The cinque terre ,that is just bliss...Mellow, no museums, just hiking, moutain bikes, horseback etc.,yet there are tourists .I hope I have elucidated some ideas for you. P.S. This was my first time to europe, so I too am a novice. Italy is easy like Sunday Morning. have fun and chill!!!

Lori
Do make reservations for David as soon as you know your dates. The info is available in RS book, the line can be long and unruly if you don't have a reservation.

Since this may be your only trip to Italy and you have a full week, go ahead and do all 3 cities. By train, it's only 1.5 hours from Rome to Florence and 3 hours from Florence to Venice. You'll just scratch the surface of these great cities, but will have 2 full days in each and that's enough time to see the big sites. If you have a 7th day, add it to either Rome (to counter long waits at Vatican) or Florence (more flexibility for museum reservations). Are you flying from Italy to Spain? If so, try to do either US to Rome and Venice to Spain or US to Venice and Rome to Spain. That will save you a half day of back tracking.

Hi Lorry, I agree with Frank. If this will be your only trip to ITALY, go to all three cities. I suggest : Rome = 3 nights, Florence = 3 nights, Venice = one night. (In my opinion, a half day in Venice is enough).

Lori

Just got back from 11 days with my wife and her mother in Rome, Tuscany, the CT and Paris and agree with others that your schedule is pushing it, AND you'll end up frustrated. If you do Florence (and a side trip to Siena by bus or train), make sure you have advanced reservations for the Accademia (David) and Uffizi Galleries, otherwise you will spend a lot of time in lines. Allow time to climb to the top of The Duomo if you're fit. The climb is 400+ steps and view at the top is magnificient. We did Rome in 2 1/2 days and missed enough to want a return trip.

You can fly into Rome and take the train to Florence. About a 1 1/2 hour ride and Rick was right, trains in Europe are a piece of cake. You can get some cheap flights to Madrid from both Florence and Rome, and then fly home from there. Save the CT until you have two or three nights to TOTALLY RELAX. It was great, but not to be hurried. Don't worry about your husband, Italy will change his mind about traveling.

You all have been such a great help! I have come to the conclusion that I'm just going to have to depend on Europe to seduce dear hubby to want to return ;>) I think we'll only do two cities this time and since I am the one really wanting to see Venice, I'll give it up. Maybe if DH doesn't want to return at a later date, I'll have to make the trip with some girlfriends! Thank you all for taking the time to help me with this dilemma.

Lori a girlfriend trip sounds great if hubby won't return to Italy (Venice) with you. Six of us ladies went to London last May & had an absolute ball. Planning on Italy in 2009. In the meantime planning a second trip to Italy with my husband for 2008.

Lori, Have you considered a 1 week overview tour of Italy? Since it is your 1st trip and you only have a week, you might want to consider it. The downside is that it is not as private as traveling on your own and not quite as flexible (but more flexible than you might think since you have about half of each day on your own and you are not using precious time trying to figure out transportation). Our 1st trip to Europe in 1999 was a tour of Italy and we've been back 4 times completely on our own. Pros: 1.Because you don't have to figure out where to be at what time and how to get there, you can just enjoy what you came to see. 2.Most of the admissions to major sights are included with no waiting in line and an educated tour guide to explain all the amazing things you are looking at. 3.You will see more in a short time on a tour than you will on your own. It may be a quick overview, but in a week that's what you will get either way. A tour will whet your appetite to return on your own.

In July, we did 3 nights in Rome, 2 in Venice and 2 in Florence. As previous posters have said, this gave us a "taste" of each city. It was enough time to see the highlights and what my guys were interested in seeing. I think you will be fine with 7 days in Italy. However, I would not add Cinque Terre. Maybe a 1/2 day in Pisa on the way to Spain. The tower is an engineering feat of its own--great to climb up to the top.

We just returned from Italy last week. We went last year also and spent a week in Florence and Siena. This time 4 days in Rome, 4 in Florence, 3 in Venice. I wish we had had more time in Venice. I could have spent a week just wandering down all the little streets and hanging out in the lovely campos. You can't really see a city unless you walk it. Don't be nervous! I don't consider myself a particularly bold person, but I always plan my own trips and we have never had any problems arise that couldn't easily be solved. The internet makes worldwide trip planning so easy. Have a great time!

Just to make it more difficult for you to decide..

Rome. 2 days. Vatican City one day. A crazy tour around Rome the second. (Hire a local to drive you around)

Florence. 4 days. Walk. Walk. Walk. Just get lost in the greatness of it.

Venice. 1 day. Leave from Florence as early as you can. Spend one night in Venice. Day and night are very different there.

The trains are great. Use them.

Save the Cinque Terre for your second trip to Italy!

My two cents.