Itinerary advice for 8 days in Italy

Heather, First of all, congratulations on your 10-year anniversary!!!! I completely agree with the others. This is really too many stops for such a short time frame, and with the time you'll spend changing locations, you really won't have time to see much in each of the places you're visiting. The one-night stops will be especially problematic. From a "logical perspective", it would seem that you have two choices: > Drop one or more of the locations on your list to fit the available time. > Increase your time to allow fitting in all the locations you've listed. IMO, 14-days would allow that. Without having some idea of the circumstances with the "small child at home", it's difficult to offer more definite suggestions. One question that comes to mind is, would it be a problem for your child if you were away an extra few days? I'm assuming grandparents will be providing child care? They sometimes "spoil" children, so the longer absence may not be a problem? As the others have suggested, I'd also recommend starting in Venice and ending the trip in Rome. If you decide to re-structure the trip, I'm sure the group here can help with an efficient Itinerary. Buon Viaggio!

Hi Heather, Happy Anniversary!! I understand the desire to see as much as possible in your 8 nights, but I think you will spend your entire trip traveling from one destination to the next, and not really see the sites you are presumably going to see. So, you asked for this...I think you are crazy to attempt this itinerary. Remember that spending two nights somewhere really only equals one full day in that location. One thing I would recommend is to fly into one location and home from another one. In this short trip I would limit myself to 2 or 3 locations. I would eliminate the Cinque Terre. You really don't have enough time. You could do Rome/Tuscany (chose Florence or Siena & do a daytrip to the other)/Venice, or just do two of those places. Where you choose to go should depend on what you like to do. Are you city lovers? Do you want to experience Tuscany and the hilltowns? Do you plan to take the train or are you willing to rent a car in Tuscany? If you would like to combine a city (Rome?) with a slower pace in the country (Tuscany) you might like to stay at an agriturismo. We spent 3 weeks in Italy last September and stayed in 8 locations. We spent 4 nights at Agriturismo Marciano in Siena (check them out on Trip Advisor) and it was our favorite part of the trip. You just need to ask yourself if you just want to check locations off of a list, or if you really want to experience and enjoy the places you do go. Good luck with your trip planning.

The trip seems a little rushed for just 8 days. Especially the 1 day stops, you'll be leaving seemingly right after you get there. I would spread it out to be more relaxed (especially if it is your first time there?). I would suggest 3 days in Rome, 3 days in Florence, and 2 days in Venice, then you can fly out. With this, you can take a day trip on one of your Florence days to Siena, which is very doable. With this you would still cover 4 of your 5 stops. Or, instead of Siena, you could use the day trip to go to the Cinque Terre, which would be a little longer. If you are over there and are feeling very ambitious and dead set on visiting each place, you could even use 2 of the days to day trip to these 2 locations (but this, I probably wouldn't recommend). I would say just do the 1 day trip and look forward to coming back again sometime. But, 3 stops with three locations to relax and enjoy the sights and the food, etc. should make your trip more leisurely and worthwhile instead of frantic and trying to get up early and pack and catch trains, etc. and not fully getting to soak in the memorable experiences. Enjoy your travels!

Congrats on the anniversary! I'm in the midst of planning a 10 year anniversary trip to Italy as well, and I'd totally second Andrea's advice. My husband and I will actually be in Italy a few days longer than you're planning, but we'll be staying in only three places, throwing in day trips if we have the time and inclination. You absolutely can do your itinerary, but I think there's something great about being able to settle in someplace and really get a feel for it. Otherwise, you're spending a good chunk of time packing and unpacking.

I will chime in with the others too much. The big issue that your are overlooking is the time lost in changing locations repacking, checking out, time to train station, waiting for train, riding on training, finding new hotel, checking in, unpacking AND getting oriented to the new location. Under the best of circumstances we plan to lose at least a half day or more with long train rides. With four location changes you lose a min of two days of your eight days that is 25%. This is drive by vacation is that what you want. I would drop CT and Siena and do 3,3, and 2. And you absolutely have to do an open jaw ticket because you do not have time to back track AND I would consider going into Venice first. Venice is a small airport with limited service and departures from Venice tend to be very early to make the connection to your flight home. Rome can be more reasonable for departures.

Heather, Congratulations for planning this trip in advance. And kudos for asking for input before you're locked in. All too often we get people coming here who have just bought round trip tickets to/from Rome, for example, only to discover that they really want to have open jaw tickets. You're getting really good advice above. I especially like the Venice - Florence (daytrip to Siena option) - Rome. Venice is a wonderful place to get over jet lag and you'll be starting off your anniversary in one of the most romantic places on earth. Happy travels.

Crazy. Well, perhaps just hectic. I agree with others, too many towns, too little time. You're possibly trying to replicate a bus tour..but you don't have the bus (or the crowds) 3-4 days Rome We spent 8 on our first trip two years ago, and that seemed great! 2-3 days somewhere in Tuscany, or CT if you feel strongly about CT. Siena or Lucca, perhaps. Depends on whether you're getting a car. If you are getting a car, consider taking the train to Tuscany then getting a car in Siena or Lucca, or not at all! This will be a more relaxing time to enjoy without the crowds and Roman-ness of Rome. Believe me, Tuscany is a nice, relaxing experience after Rome. 3 days Florence-or Venice. Fly home. I think you would enjoy this trip more. You'll waste too much time traveling for this short trip to follow the itinerary your contemplating. Relax, enjoy the places you visit. Bon voyage!

I completely agreet with Frank. Start in Venice - the best place to soak up atmosphere and get over jetlag. Then Florence with a day trip to Siena, and end in Rome. You will lose an entire day of sightseeing if you try to get in and out of the CT.

I am going out on a limb here to say eliminate Florence too. Have a yin-yang Italy experience with 4 days in Rome and 4 in Venice. It is a special occasion for you so take the path of least resistance and just stay put in 2 regions and have 2 totally different experiences of Italy. You would get to know both cities without having to repack your bag as soon as you get there for the next leg of your hectic trip. I would not do your mentioned trip in Italy ever....well I would if someone paid me but the point is that Italy can be exhausting and even a bit stressful at times and I would want my anniversary spent in peace and not arguing over missed train connections or mad because the train is late (as they are most of the time in Italy) getting to your next 1 night stay destination. If I had 8 days in Italy, I would do 2 places. Now, if it were just rural Italy, then I could see bouncing around but not when you want to see the big cities too.

Thanks for all your input. Cinque Terre is a must for my husband, he really wants to go. He thinks he could do 13 days and I think grandma could handle my son for three extra days :) What about this: Fly to Venice 2 nights in Venice 3 nights in Florence (with day trip to Siena) 3 nights in Cinque Terre 3 nights in Rome
Fly home from Rome Does that make more sense? We want a little city and a little countryside. We are ok with being on the go but also want a little time to relax. Thoughts?

Certainly better than the first plan. Again it is a bit rushed. When we travel every third or fourth is unplanned. Allows us to catch up when things don't according to the plan and that happens frequently. And it allows for flexibility if we decide to do something else. Monday is good rest day and it is often called blue Monday in Europe because many attractions are closed on Monday especially those that were open on the weekend. I know it is hard to accept the idea that less is more but on your next trip you will understand that statement.

That sounds like a much better itinerary, certainly doable and well-paced. Enjoy your trip!

Just had a second thought. Would you be willing to drop Venice? Save it for the next trip. It would be easier and probably cheaper to fly into Milan. You could easily reach CT that day which could be a very relaxing why to start and to handle jet lag. Then to Firenze with even a brief stop in Pisa. From Firenze you could still do two nights in Siena on the way to Rome, and then home from Rome. All of those train travels would be relatively short.

I think Frank's idea is a good one, especially if you must go to C.T. That would be a great place to relax and get over your jet lag. I made Rome my 1st stop, and I found it to be very hectic and noisy. Think of S.F. on steroids. I might have handled it better if I was more rested. Flying into Milan and home from Rome makes good sense if you are willing to save Venice for another trip. C.T., Tuscany and Rome would be a good way to go.