We will be in Italia for 3 weeks. Would love ideas for the last week -- other than we plan to leave Venezia for the Lakes [Como & Garda]. The 1st two weeks: Roma, Siena, Tuscany, Firenze, Cinque Terra; then Venezia. We will be in the north; not sure we want to backtrack south, but Pompeii /Herculaneum are tempting. Your thoughts?
Posted by
Chicago, Illinois, USA
586 posts
I think your instinct is right, Tony, to avoid such long backtracking. Either find a way to squeeze Pompeii in when in Rome (high-speed trains to Naples may help?) or save it for another trip. As for the north, I know not everyone agrees, but we really enjoy a night or two in Milano...art, culture, restaurants, Piazza Duomo and Galleria Vitorrio Emanuele, The Last Supper if you book tickets in advance...a nice urban vibe, and a completely different type of city than Roma or even Firenze. Also, the towns along the train line between Venezia and Milano (i.e., Padua and Verona) are places I wish to visit, but haven't just yet. Others may chime in on them. One could also proceed north from Venice toward the Dolomites for hiking or skiing (depending on the time of year).
Posted by
Knoxville, TN, USA
7209 posts
You can catch a cheap intra-european flight from Venice Treviso to Prague if you want a change of pace. Prague is easily one of the most beautiful cities I've ever seen. Look at www.whichbudget.com for cheap airlines from your destination in Italy to Prague.
PS - be sure to see the Pisa's Leaning Tower and the Field of Miracles. I know RS says it's mostly a tourist trap, but we VERY much enjoyed our half day there while staying in Florence.
Posted by
Carbondale, IL, USA
1201 posts
THe veneto is an area with quite a bit to explore. Verona, Bassano del Grappa on te west edge, Vicenza and around for the Palladio sites, Asolo...
You could also spend some time in the Dolomites. Cortina d'Ampezzo or the Val' Gardena area.
Posted by
Centennial, CO, US
2134 posts
It seems like you're already squeezing a lot into a three week trip. But if Pompeii is tempting, and you're willing to rearrange your first week, you could spend some time in Rome and then go south. Stay in/around Sorrento for a few days with side trips to Pompeii & Herculaneum & the Amalfi Coast. Then head north for the rest of your itinerary.
Or you could expand the middle portion a bit. You could easily spend several lovely days with a car driving around the small towns in Tuscany.
Posted by
Martinez, CA, United States
4 posts
We loved Bologna. See my post in response to "Bologna?? Worth it??
Posted by
Elmira, New York, USA
19 posts
Bolzano is delightful and different and you are a two hour daytrip to Innsbruck Austria by train. You can also take a day long bus tour to small villages in the Dolomites. This can be scheduled out of the TI office in the town center. We did this and it gave us a great overview of the woodcarving Alpine villages.
Posted by
Dallas, TX, USA
1170 posts
You already have quite an ambitious itinerary. Why not spend an extra day or two at a couple of the places on the itinerary that you already have? I've been to Bologna and it is so nice to be somewhere that is not a top tourist destination. The food is great and the shopping pretty good. The taxi drivers are honest for the most part (unlike Rome and Florence) and you will get a better feel for what Italy is really like.