Italy 10 day Itinerary help

the day trips are not worth it for just 10 days. you should save the time for Florence and Venice, and be prepared to cut Milan.

You are covering far, far too much territory. For just 10 days cut your trip to Rome, Florence and possibly one night in Venice, flying into Rome and out of Miland or vice versa.

Just returned last month from a two week trip to Italy. Only spent two nights (1-1/2 days in Venice) and I do not think it was enough time for Venice. And in my opinion Florence deserves more time than just a two nights (one day). Was there for 4-1/2 days and just got the feel of it in that short time. As far as reserving your train tickets in advance or waiting till you get there, I'd wait till you got there. We had no problem getting tickets for each leg of our trip at each train station, and they take credit cards. I would advise though to get your train tickets/reservations for the next leg of your trip as soon as you arrive in a City rather than waiting until the morning/day you want to leave. Have a great time, we did.

Count me in the "less is more" camp. Also, as I recall, Dec. 26 is a big holiday in Italy. Many places may be closed in Rome. You need to plan carefully so as not to have a wasted day.

I would go directly to Venice from Paris, then to Florence, and then to Rome. Even 3 cities is a stretch for 10 days, in my opinion.

thanks everyone for your advice. I will consider limiting my trip to only 3 cities. Venice 2 nights florence 2 nights
rome 5 nights ill probably add a day trip to Naples that way I don't have to worry about my bags and changing hotels. If there are other perfect one day trips located around Rome please let me know. I am really into old architecture and cultural history. Would love to hear some other options.

You will find 5 nights in Rome passes quickly! The days will be full and you won't have time for a lot of daytrips. Consider a guide for ancient Rome (Forum, Colosseum, Palatino). You'll get so much more insight. Francesca Caruso is marvelous (you get her all to yourself in a private tour), and we had a great experience with Walks in Italy, too, at the Vatican. Everywhere you turn is another fascinating slice of history!

I think folks advice has helped you with a good basic trip to what I call R-F-V. I am not as big a fan of Rome as others on this board so I would agree with a day trip somewhere--Naples/Pompei is a good interesting choice.

Brandon, A few additional points to consider..... I assume you're going to be using "open-jaw" flights for your trip (inbound Venice, outbound Rome)? You'll have to allow about half a day each for rail trips from Venice to Florence and Florence to Rome. Although the actual travel times are only a few hours each, it's important to allow time to find the Hotel, check-in and get settled. A day trip to Naples is certainly possible, but it you're planning to include Pompeii it will be a LONG day. If this is your first trip to Europe, I'd highly recommend pre-reading the Guidebook Europe Through The Back Door, especially the "Rail Skills" chapter. Happy travels!

Hi Bradon, My husband and I will be in Italy in December as well. It is our first time to Italy and we are there for 2 weeks. This is what we have planned: 23 Dec. Paris to Milano 24 Dec. Milano 25 Dec. Milano to Firenze by train 26 Dec. Firenze 27 Dec. Firenze 28 Dec. Perugia (if you haven't considered Perugia, I might recommend looking into it =) 29 Dec. Roma 30 Dec. Roma 31 Dec. Roma 1 Jan. Roma (day trip to Naples) 2 Jan. Roma to Venezia by train 3 Jan. Venezia 4 Jan. Venezia to Milano by train 5 Jan. time to go home =( Everyone tells us we're nuts - but we are young and full of energy and PATIENCE! We're extremely excited and are flexible to make changes if necessary while we're there. Enjoy your trip!!

1 night in Milan 3 nights Venice 3 nights Florence 3 nights Rome. I would leave as early in the morning as you can in each city, so you can maximize your first day in every new city. In 10 days, a fast pace trip can be done, but I would eliminate the day trips (Genova, Bologna). If you are dying to see Milan, then give it a night, but if you can do without, then add another day on Rome. I am leaving for Italy in 10 days, and I am only giving Milan 1 night, as it is the city I am flying into.

I miss Italy :) Milano has a beautiful cathedral and glass covered shopping mall eat good and don't even stay the night - catch your train to Florence. Genova is avoidable without regret. Florence 3d deserves a lot of attention as it is easily walkable, great views from upper streets, couple great museums and cathedrals to gawk at. Then train to Rome 3d is REMARKABLE with Vatican museum, coliseum, forum, panthenon, and romantic night lights and metro everywhere, because it is really spread out like D.C. Venice was not that thrilling - has a lot of hype, 2d and walkable. Pompeii though is well WORTH the time if you are a history buff about ancient times and then you must see the Naples Historical Museum that has all the artifacts from Pompeii. And the Amalfi coast by train let's you know the old Italy, Mediterranean hilly towns. It is just not necessary to see everything in a city when you go sightseeing to "get the city" or to "get Italy" so be selective and protective of your time. Read Read Read

initaly.com is a great site for info They can help with car rentals, museum tickets (which I have used often), B&Bs etc. Check them out. Here is one idea for itinerary into Milan-Venice-Rome and more - Sorrento - Pompeii Italy The First Time - Flying Into and Out of Milan High-speed train to Venice (2 hours) Venice - 2 days High-speed train to Rome (4 hours) Rome - 3 days High-speed train to Sorrento (2 + 1 hours - change to local train in Naples) Amalfi Coast and Capri - 3 or 4 days High-speed train to Florence (1 + 4 hours - change to local train in Naples) Florence - 2 days 2 Rent a car 3 Tuscany - 3 or 4 days (or skip Florence, stay a week at a villa or farm, and visit Florence from there) Drive to Milan (3 hours) and overnight in Milan
Drop off car at the airport, or drop it off downtown the day before and take a taxi or private transfer to the airport