If you had 3 days, where would you go?

Like Steve, I love Rome. Been there three times now and it's really starting to feel like home. No trip to Italy would be complete without Rome, but to experience the robust Italian way of life for me it's Florence. It has it all, architecture, food, drink, music, and art.

I always frame the scene in the movie "Under the Tuscan Sun" when Francis, baby in arms opens the hospital window to view the Firenze Duomo at sunrise. Great movie making with a wonderful subject.

Jim

The tour starts in Rome. We have been there before so hoped to find something else and then on the day the tour starts, go to Rome.

We could do Milan and Florence in 3 days? That would be awesome!!

One day in Milan would be a waste, I think, and would involve one more day of packing, unpacking, and traveling. So, this is what I would do. Arrive in Milan, take the train to Florence and stay there for 3 days, then take your tour. Spending one day in Milan and two in Florence, you would barely scratch the surface in either place. A lot of people try to stuff too much into too little time. 'Nuf said.

I would chose Florence. We had a flight into rome from Orange county. Thru Chucago and Brussels on American Airlines. That is the way I would go. It avoids delays and expenses of train and taxi. Let me know your dates of travel

Forget Milan, it is not worth wasting a day if you only have three days before going to Rome. Personally, I would spend all that time in Cinque Terre. However, Florence is an excellent suggestion. You could spend two days in Florence and a day in Siena.

If you fly into Rome, there are a couple of hill towns that are easy train rides from Rome.

A few years back, I flew into Rome and then on arrival took the train to Cortona and spent a couple of days there. I enjoyed relaxing in a small town after the flight. It was an easy 2 hour train ride from Rome. Orvieto is another choice that is right on the train line from Rome.

Let me say that first, Milan is not a waste of a day. The Cathedral alone is worth the stop; then there is the Last Supper to view---look now for it is disappearing fast.

The La Scala opera house and Castello Sforzesco are surely worth a view; if soccer is among your interests, two of Europes finest (AC Milan and Inter) call Milan home.

Remember, Milan is the fashion capital of Europe as well, should that be something that would cause you to at least take a walk or two......

Florence is magnificent and not to be missed; too much to describe, but the three days you mention, I would give Milan half and Florence half.

LA to Milan would be easy; train to Florence and then to Rome, easier still.

I would stay in Rome & take day trips. I would definitely spend 1 day in Orvieto. It's an easy train ride to/from Rome & it's a great little town. I would also spend 1 day in Tivoli at Hadrian's Villa &/or Villa d'Este. I am assuming that 3 days probably means 2 nights & you never know if you will experience jet lag the first day. I think it would be easier just to stay in Rome, take it easy the first day & then take day trips the remaining 2 days. If you're feeling up to it the first day, you could also take a 1/2 or full day trip to Ostia Antica. Have a great trip.

Fly into Milan, check luggage at the train station, go to the Duomo for a couple of hours (definitely go up to the roof and walk around the spires), then get on a train to Florence and spend the rest of your time there.

Or just fly into Rome and take the train straight to Florence - it is 1.5 hours by fast train and 44 euros.

The Duomo is the best thing in Milan and IMHO, the only sight rivaling anything in Florence.

Florence is a must! It's an easy train ride from either Milan or Rome. I'd suggest spending only two days in Florence and an extra day in Rome prior to your tour. Perhaps you can get into the same Rome hotel you'll be at with the tour. If you do go to Florence, try booking the "Hotel Academia". We stayed there two years ago as part of Rick's "Venice-Florence-Rome" tour...Great location and as with all of the hotels Rick uses, a great place to stay!

P.S. The Southern Italy tour sounds great..perhaps My wife and I will see you there!

Thanks everyone for the great comments and ideas. After reading all of these, we are leaning toward Florence. It sounds like some place we would enjoy the most.
Thanks again!! Your ideas were really appreciated.