We are planning on a two week trip to Italy right after Thanksgiving. We will fly into Venice and depart from Rome. We would really appreciate advice re: our itinerary! This is our first trip to Italy. We are planning to see Venice, Florence, Rome, and a few day trips from there.
I would really appreciate general advice and recommendations about out plans.
Posted by
Seattle, Wa, USA
663 posts
Well, it's good that you are sticking to major cities at that time of year, since most lake side or beach resorts will likely be closed up for the winter!
Pack some old comfy shoes for Venice that you won't mind tossing. You may experience high water!
What day trips were you planning to do? Sometimes it makes sense to actually spend 1-2 nights in a location you intended to day trip to, depending on how much you want to see there, and if it's in between your last destination and your next. Siena, Assisi, and Orvieto are all worthy of staying a night or longer. Instead of day tripping to Pompeii, the Amalfi coast area is worthy of serveral days. I've been to most of these places in late October/early November. I don't know what a difference one month might make, but I had great weather except in Venice.
Posted by
Huntsville, AL, USA
8371 posts
You're smart to start in the north and work your way south.
We like to spend about 2 days in Venice, take the train to Florence for a long weekend and then rent a car and move into the Tuscan hill country in an agriturismo for 4 days or so.
We do day trips to towns like Certaldo, San Gimignano, Volterra, Sienna and Orvieto. The last stop is a great place to turn the rental car in (Hertz) and catch a 70 minute train ride into Rome.
Rome is a minimum 4 day stop--but preferably more.
Posted by
OP
5 posts
Thank you both very much! I am not sure about day trips, I was hoping to hear that from you.
We would have 13 nights altogether - most likely 2 nights in Venice, then 4-5 in Florence and 7-6 in Rome.
I would appreciate day trips suggestions.
Posted by
Seattle, Wa, USA
663 posts
Well, what are you interested in? Seeing all the usual "must sees" like the leaning tower? Religious sights? Winery hopping? Nature? Architecture? Art?
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
16752 posts
Hi Lucy -
I would really appreciate general advice...
The problem here is that your question is so broad as to be difficult to answer. Itineraries are personal things built from personal interests. They also have to be constructed around specific days attractions are closed, and with flex for complications such as foul weather: a day of heavy rain is better for doing churches and museums than ruins.
The best way to start is to get a good guidebook or two and do some reading. Make a list of the things which interest you and then drill down to specific questions about them. It can also help to get a map and group them by area. There are hundreds of things to see in Rome alone but my must-dos might not be yours, if that makes sense?