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One big trip or two smaller ones?

Posted by on

Hello, All. I'm closer to getting an itinerary figured out for my husband, sister, and I. Some of you may remember that we are going to Italy next May, but my sister can only stay 10 days. My husband and I can stay an additional 6 days. Does this look sane?

Day 1 - Arrive in Venice around 1:00. While jet lagged, just take it easy and stroll. Overnight in Venice.
Day 2 - Venice. Visit Murano, Burano, St. Mark's. Overnight in Venice.
Day 3 - Head to Siena via Florence. Have lunch in Florence, pick up a rental car and drive the SR 222 through wine country to Siena. Overnight in an agriturismo just outside Siena.
Day 4 - Visit Siena and ?? Overnight in an agriturismo just outside Siena.
Day 5 - Visit Volterra, San Gimignano, and ?? Overnight in an agriturismo just outside Siena.
Day 6 - Leave Siena and head to Pienza. Visit Pienza, Montalcino, Montepulciano. Overnight in an agriturismo just outside Pienza.
Day 7 - Visit Assisi, Spello, etc. (time permitting) Overnight in an agriturismo just outside Pienza.

Day 8 - Drive to Civita and Orvieto. Drop off car and train to Rome. Stay in Piazza Navona area. Enjoy our neighborhood.

Day 9 - Visit Vatican City, St. Peter's Basilica, and Colossuem.
Day 10 - Visit Borghese gallary, etc.

Sister leaves. My husband and I will train from Rome to Pisa. We want to see Pisa, Lucca, and the CT. I hate to backtrack but that's the way it's working out. Perhaps you'll have a better suggestion.

Even though the Tuscan agriturismos are only an hour apart, the agriturismos themselves looked like delightful places to stay. (We think that will be half the fun.) I couldn't decide and each agriturismo is in an area that seems to have a slightly different look and feel. I could be wrong about that. Perhaps it would be best to stay in one agriturismo in Tuscany and another near Assisi. Another crazy thought is to take two short trips instead of one longer one. My husband and I could go something like Orvieto - Spoleto - Assisi - Gubbio - Pienza - Rome or Naples this fall then have a shorter, different trip next spring. I've been working this from different angles and thought some fresh eyes could help. Thanks!!

Posted by
17 posts

This itinerary looks incredibly exhausting to me. You will spend 99% most of your time in a car/train and not enough time enjoying Italy.
My advice: pick 2-3 cities to stay in (do day trips from there if you must) but have a "home" base and relax.

Posted by
28462 posts

I agree; I think it's too much time in cute small towns and not enough time in the big three, especially in Florence. And if I had only one day in Venice besides my jetlag day, I wouldn't be going to both Murano snd Burano. But you know your interests, and this plan may be ideal for you.

I think one long trip is better than two short ones unless "long" is beyond the limits of what you can handle at your chosen pace without becoming exhausted. One trip saves you on airfare and eliminates at least one only-marginally-useful jetlag day.

Posted by
11613 posts

I take long (really long) trips, 12 or 13 weeks (Schengen and non-Schengen combos). I hate paying more airfares, but I will squeeze in another three weeks over winter break when I can.

But a lot of people would find that much time away stressful, so you have to know your limits. If two shorter trips give you what you want, that's what you should do.

Posted by
7998 posts

Everybody's idea of the ideal vacation is different, so If you like to go non-stop and are okay seeing a town for an hour or two, then your itinerary will work. Try to prioritize your stops for each day, so you could drop one if it's too much driving. And your first day at Rome will be exhausting, so don't plan too much the second day. Or, maybe attend a cooking class the second day, so you could enjoy a slower pace enjoyable event.

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