I will be flying in to Florence for a weeks stay at a villa near Sienna, which I won during a fundraiser. From here, for the next 2 weeks or so as I am now flexible, would like to travel to other parts of Italy. I am asking for suggestions on which direction to go from here. I was thinking about going south to rome by train and then the Amalfi coast and then go to Venice by train. I-would like to see the Dolomites as well. I would appreciate any suggestions beyond my initial first week . Also where to fly ( depart ) from.
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11926 posts
Hi Lynne. Congratulations on your prize! When are you going? That could dictate direction from Firenze/Siena. For example, if it is in in spring, I'd go to Rome, Amalfi, then back to the Dolomites and Venice (following the warm weather north), and fly out of Venice. But if it is fall, I'd go the Dolomites, Venice, then Amalfi and Rome (following the relatively cooler weather south) and fly out of Rome. With 2 weeks you can spend 3-4 nights in each of those 4 places. That's moving a little fast for my personal taste but it can be done. I think Rome can easily occupy 5 nights your first visit as can Venice.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
7737 posts
If you give a little more info here about what your interests are, you'll probably get more helpful suggestions. Also, do you have the RS Italy 2012 guidebook? It's an outstanding resource, especially for first time travelers. Happy travels.
Posted by
OP
Chapel Hill
11 posts
Thanks for the info. I am just getting started making plans for my first trip. I wanted to get a rough idea so as to make open jaw flight arrangements. I will have many more questions later. Because I will be traveling in Spring, I will head south to Rome and then fly home from the northern region maybe out of Venice. Five nights in Rome sounds like a good suggestion. Also, since I will be solo, do you have sugestions for quality local tours in Rome and Venice? I was thinking about visiting the Amalfi coast but would be open to other must see areas. I hopefully will have about 18 total days to explore the rest of Italy in addition to my week in Tuscany. I also plan to get Rick Steves' book. Lynne
Chapel Hill, NC
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11926 posts
Hi again Lynne. Do read Rick Steves' guide then come back with your detailed questions. As to tours, a highlight for us was http://www.walksofitaly.com/ "Pristine Sistine" tour. We've done some private tours, too: Francesca Caruso in Rome, Gaetano Manfredi in Pompeii, Roberto Bechi (small group actually, Tours by Roberto) out of Siena. All are fantastic. For Venice I self-guided with the book "24 Great Walks in Venice." There's a "24 Great Walks in Rome" too.
Posted by
Spokane, WA, USA
58 posts
Is it essential that you start near Siena? It would save back tracking and travel time if you could start in the south and work your way north. For example: Fly in to Rome or Naples Amalfi Coast Rome near Siena Dolomites Venice
Fly home from Venice
Posted by
OP
Chapel Hill
11 posts
Yes, it essential that I start in Sienna as per my opening topic and it is already reserved. I know it is not ideal to fly in to Florence. But I can't change that part of trip. I was looking for suggestions on how to proceed from there. Thank you.
Posted by
Denver
824 posts
Flights from Venice back to North America leave very early in the morning, which is a bit of a hassle if you're staying in Venice. For that reason, I would suggest that you go to Venice after Siena, and end your trip in Rome. (And if you don't plan to visit Florence from your villa near Siena, then you could go there before Venice, then take the high-speed train from Venice to Rome.) If you want to visit the Dolomites, rent a car from Venice and drive up to the Dolomites.