I want to thank everyone for all the help in planning our fabulous trip to Italy. I planned this trip with the help of this forum, other websites, friends and books. The Rick Steves forum was the most valuable.
Just an overview of the trip with highlights in case others have questions -
I planned this trip for my husband and myself, both in our early 60s- we traveled mostly by train, rented a car for a couple days in Umbria. Traveled in October. The weather was wonderful every single day, We waited in a line fort no longer than 10 minutes for anything...We ate and drank our way through Italy... Every meal, except one lunch was wonderful
We stayed at two hotels, 3 Airbnbs and one apartment. All accommodations were very good to great.
We flew from Ohare to Zurich and took train to Chur, Switzerland, spent one night
Started our trip with the Bernina Express - train ride through the Alps,,,beautiful trip on a beautiful train - approximate 4.5 hours
At end of train trip took another train to Varenna on Lake Como. Loved this area. Spent two nights and stayed at Hotel Olivedo.
-day ferry pass to Lake Como and another village
-Restaurants _ Il Cavatapi and Camineto. Camineto was a very fun experience. They picked you up and dropped you up on a very long winding road up the mountains to another village (Rick Steves suggestion)
Took train to Venice, stayed at a very nice AirBnb.
free walking tour of Venice - though tipped generously
Pub Crawl with Alejandro- fun, lots of food and wine - Rick Steves suggestion)
Typical tourist attractions - St Marks square, etc
Great view of Venice from one of their newer malls
Gondola ride
fun wine bar
Jewish Ghetto - fun gift shop for Judaic items with Murano glass
Murano for half day - just okay - glass blowing was interesting
Train to Florence- 3 nights
Awesome airbnb right on Piazza Signoria
three tours with Artviva (Walk about Florence, David at Academia and the Uffizi) - Rick Steves suggestion
Enjoyed all of them. Very knowledgeable tour guides
Sunset at Michealangelo Point (name might not be correct)....Great view and sunset but lots of tourists
Churches, churches, churches
Some great restaurants, - highlight was steak...
Meeting up with the Irish in a less touristy Piazza sharing some wine and conversation
Shopping - overwhelming
Wish we would have done a day trip to Tuscany during one of our days
Train to Umbria - Spello - 3 nights -
Stayed at apartment in a converted stone building that was beautiful on inside but a bit dark and musty. Beautful terrace and view, Met some other travelers staying at this place and enjoyed conversation over wine and cheese
Charming village, hilly, some boutique shops and good restaurants
Appertivos
Rented car for two days - Assisi and Montefalco and just driving countryside
We didn't do the vineyards like I thought we would, might have been better to have someone else driving to do this properly
Another couple we met rented electric bikes and toured the countryside daily...now thats a great idea.
Rome - 4 nights
Loved our airbnb. right around the corner from Colliseum. Lots of restaurants and night life in area
Two tours with The Roman Guy - night time tour of Colliseum (highlight), Vatican was afternoon tour Rick Steves suggestion
Excellent and knowledgeable tour guides
Gourmet Food tour in Trastevere - through Eating Italy Food Tours - great neighborhood and guide, plenty of food and wine
Opera at St Pauls Church - Three Tenors (not the original three :), What a treat!
Jewish Ghetto - tour of museum, synagogue and ethnic restaurant
Took the Big Bus for two day- probably a waste of money but my husband was sick of walking- One day was good
St Clemente Church...3 levels of underground civilization
Lots of walking, so much walking and a bit of shopping
If anyone has any questions or need websites, I will be happy to send links.
Thanks again