Rethinking Rome?

"Would I fly into and out of Milan? Train to CT, Train back to Tuscany, rent car, then train to Milan at end of trip?"

Exactly. You've been studying up. That's a good way to do it.

"Does this routing make sense?"

Si. Buone vacanze!

The average temperature in Rome in July falls in the high 80s to low 90s range. That is not much hotter than Hawaii in July. My personal opinion is unless you know for a fact you will be visiting Italy again, as opposed to an optimistic wish to return in the future, go to Rome.

You live in a warm climate and you are used to heat and humidity so I don't think you will have too much of a problem. I think the loudest complainers about the heat/humidity are the people who are not expecting it and/or don't plan accordingly. For instance, get as many reservations to museums as you can to cut down on you time waiting in line out in the heat. Also splurge for a hotel room with an AC unit. Also if you do decide to go to Rome go in the beginning of your trip because it only gets warmer the closer you get to August and even the locals don't stick around Rome for August.

As for the route, if you plan to go to Rome, I would fly open jaw. For example you could fly into Rome, train to Florence/tuscany, train to CT, train to Milan, fly out of Milan.

Diana,

I tend to agree with Scott's reply, including the suggestion to use open jaw flights. Rome is a wonderful city and it would be a shame to miss it on your first trip to Italy. However it can be tiring so be sure to pace yourself. If you're really interested in Renaissance art then Florence would be a good substitute.

With only 10 days, plan your touring carefully so that you don't waste any time.

Happy travels!

FYI, Pisa also has an international airport (PSA).

And Rome is only about 1-1/2 hours away from Florence that you could do a very quick day trip to hit all the "hot" spots.

I think it's a good strategy to do the most walking and the hottest days first, when your enthusiasm is the highest, then retreat to the boonies and relax. Go to Rome straight off. There is just so much to see in Rome, even if you only have a day or 2 there. It's also really nice NOT to fly out of the busiest, hottest airport.

If you love Renaissance painting or sculpture or Michelangelo, then Florence, but at least 2 days. If not, there's not much to it, better to be in Rome.

PS - Florence isnt a big city, doesnt have that feel at all.

I'm not so sure about Milan. I thought that the train to Rome was about as much time - maybe less - than to Milan from the CT. And the same goes for Florence.

If you choose Milan, plan to take the bus between the airport and the central train station. The train from the airport goes to another station, and then you have to take the metro, tram, or taxi to the central station. In Rome, the connection between the airport and intercity trains is in the same station.

I'd say take whichever airport you get the best deal on.

I had the same question about heat in Southern Spain in late June/early July last summer. But, I could not pass up a free home exchange for 10 days in Andalucia. So we went, and even though it was as hot as 104 degrees farenheight, we had a fabulous time! We learned to adjust to the climate like the locals. I too am planning to visit Rome and Tuscany (and even Sicily!) during the heat of the summer in 2011. It's the only time of year my family can get away for weeks at a time.

We flew into Milan, then a train to the CT and back again to Tuscany. Then took the train from Florence to Rome and flew out of Rome back home. As for visiting Rome, ITS A MUST DO!!! As one responder mentioned earlier if you are not certain of a return visit to Italy you should include Rome in your itinerary. I debated about visiting Rome but after spending only four days in Rome I was converted and would go back and visit Rome any chance I had. A fabulous city.
Doug

And yet another opinion: I loved the museums and churches in Rome, but as a city it's just so-so. Florence is much nicer. Even Milan is.

Rome is generally hotter than Paris. I didn't think Rome was more compact than Paris. It also seemed to me that the sights were usually a bit of a walk from the metro stops (unlike Paris). I also felt that it was much harder to walk from place to place in Rome than in Paris - many tiny streets going every which way.

I'm definitely with Paul -- I love Rome. It isn't called the Eternal City for nothing, and people keep throwing those coins into the fountains in hopes of returning! It can be hectic, but I just find it magical. A co-worker just returned from 2 weeks there for the first time, and can't wait to go back.

I also found most parts of Rome very compact. About the only time we didn't walk was going to the Vatican, Ostia Antica, or other trips outside of town.

Milan is a convenient airport, but we weren't sorry at all that we only spent about a day there. Unless you're really into fashion. Just my experience.

" I loved the museums and churches in Rome, but as a city it's just so-so. "

I guess that we will just have to agree to disagree. lol

I can see the logic and doing the hot big walking city first and resting later, however Rome is big and can be a challenge to navitage with jet lag. My daughter and I arrived last Thursday and we saw a lot on Thurs pm and Friday but we also spent a lot of time on corners with maps trying to figure out where we were and where to go. We are pros now after 6 days and yesterday looped the central part of the city twice.

I am good at finding my way and did study map before coming, but this city is laid out weird and it is hot busy and noisy - which does not mix well with jet lag, worrying about pick pockets etc. However nothing threatening has happened in the least - we did not see any pickpocket distraction stuff at all but our friends saw it in Florence this past Saturday.

We just got back from 15 day in Italy and the only place I would skip again is Rome. It is HOT and crowded and full of pickpockets and just not worth it, particularly if you have been before (I had and was willing to skip it but my children and husband really wanted to go ... we've all agreed we'll be back in Italy but not in Rome again!). We ended our visit in Milan ... it was hot too so be warned about that but it is so much easier to be in!

Having been to Rome in July, I would say avoid it this trip since you have other places that you want to see equally as much. It was extremely hot, energy zapping, and crowded. We found ourselves moving very slowly, so with not much time, you won't do Rome justice. Although you're from Hawaii (my native home and a place that I go back to at least a couple times a year), there isn't any comparison. There's a lot of walking in Rome and lots of heat-absorbing buildings, although you do get some respite when in museums, churches, Pantheon, Vatican, etc. You and everyone else trying to get out of the heat! Also spent time in Provence and Paris in July, but didn't feel the heat as much as I did in Rome. Maybe I'm just a heat wimp, but I like your plan of Florence, Tuscany, and CT.

I agree with all of those who said not to skip Rome. It is one of my favorite cities in the world and should not be missed.

I wouldn't spend 3 days in CT on a 10 day trip. CT is a great place to relax from an otherwise hectic vacation. It's not the place to spend much time during a brief vacation.

I don't think it's a bad idea to focus on Tuscany. Ten days isn't much and saving Rome for another time (especially in July) may save a lot of wear and tear on your nerves. We saw Rome in October and November and consider it a perfect time to visit.

If you do visit, I think three days is a minimum. At a very fast pace you can visit a lot in three days (but still have much left on your to-do list). Lines in July (both Rome and Florence) will limit your ability to get a lot accomplished in big cities.

I loved all the sights in Rome,being a history teacher for 28 years I could not skip them. But after spending 9 days in Rome at the beginning of June I have to agree with others here, I will go back to Italy, but not back to Rome. I found it dirty, hot, noisy and crowded. Also I found like someone was always trying to rip me off, especially in the resturants.

From Paul "I dunno if I'm in the minority, but I LOVED Rome, even more so than Paris."

From Lauren "I'm definitely with Paul -- I love Rome. It isn't called the Eternal City for nothing, and people keep throwing those coins into the fountains in hopes of returning!"

From Doug "As for visiting Rome, ITS A MUST DO!!!"

And from Karen "I will go back to Italy, but not back to Rome. I found it dirty, hot, noisy and crowded. Also I found like someone was always trying to rip me off, especially in the resturants.

So where does all this leave you Dianna?

I say, go to Rome. It is an incredibly unique city, and as Paul says "it's a must do.

I don't know if there is anything that could convince me to go to Italy, and not see Rome. In my opinion, Rome is the greatest city on Earth. Nothing else comes close. The architecture, art, food, vibrance; it's all there. This isn't to say that you can't find these things in other cities, but the concentration in Rome is astounding. Colosseum, Roman Forum, Pantheon, St. Peter's, Vatican Museum, Borghese Gallery, etc., etc., etc. I would strongly suggest that you not skip Rome. I spend 3-4 days there EVERY time that I go to Italy.

Bella Roma... how could you not go? I was there two years ago for four days and can't wait to go back! Orvieto and Rome were two of my favorites.

Grazie for all your comments which have helped me decide......
Rome it is.....
Italy is the tail end of a longer trip so it was tempting to go to CT,,but in the end decided to spend 3 days in Rome, which as all you travelers know only scratches the surface. So 3 days of doing what interest me the most-knowing that I can not see it all-and finding a nice place to sit and watch Rome & cool off when it gets too hot and overwhelming. I think 3 days will be enough to tell me if I need to come back off season or to move on to the many more unexplored sites in this world...

We just returned from Italy for 18 days. It was very hot, but staying hydrated and wearing the correct clothes and pacing yourself you can enjoy Rome. I would not want to miss it on my first trip. There is so much to experience.The other places are wonderful, but could be seen another time. I agree to fly into Rome and out of Milan--no need to backtrack. We love the train and bus system, no hassles with cars.

Just to add more to the mix, we just got back from 10 days in Italy, early July. Yes Rome was hot but we loved it and would definitely go back-my husband didn't think he'd like it much but he was blown away. We did not encounter 1 single pick-pocket the entire time in Italy, nor did we ever feel threatened by anything of the sort (a number of beggars, children or women asking for handouts was the closest thing)However we were well prepared for it having read RS and kept our valuables close. As for skipping CT........I would reconsider that! We spent the first 3 nights in CT-after that I didn't want to leave! We recovered from jet lag there and hiked and chilled and loved it. Then 3 nights Florence, 1 night Venice and 3 nights Rome. Obvivously everyone has different tastes and opinions....that's just mine.