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The dilemma of two different itineraries

Posted by (madison) on

Hello, I am trying to finalize our first trip to Italy this spring and was wondering if any of you could help me (please!)? So far, our travel agent has given us these possible two itineraries:

Sun. April 25-depart US
Mon. April 26- arrive in Rome late afternoon
Tues. April 27-Rome full day for Rome sightseeing
Wed. April 28-Rome/Siena this is about a 3 hour drive
Thurs. April 29-Siena explore Tuscan region
Fri. April 30- Siena explore Tuscan and Umbria region
Sat. May 1-Siena /Cinque Terre this is about a 3 hour drive leave am to give you the afternoon for sightseeing Sun. May 2-Cinque Terre explore area
Mon-May 3-Cinque Terra / Venice this is about a 5 1/2 hour drive
Tues. May 4- Venice full day for Venice sighteeing>
Wed. May 5- depart Venice for USA

OR

An option to Cinque Terra which would be a more direct route from Siena to Venice would be the Emilia Romagna and Marches area (Bologne is located in this region). This part of the country, which lies between
Tuscany and the Veneto. Bologna is the capital, home to one of Europe's oldest universities, as well as a picturesque main square and several dramatic ancient towers. To the southeast is Le Marche (the Marches), a
panoramic region that might be called "Tuscany Without The Tourists" and offers gorgeous views as you wend your way through the Appennine Mountains, with their snow-capped peaks and broad multi-colored valleys,
to the venerable old town of Urbino, one of the purest Renaissance gems in all Italy. Driving north, you descend from the heights and find yourself in the Po Valley, a very broad and very flat plain that can actually be a soothing relief after navigating all those Tuscan and
Umbrian hills!

So, my dilemma is this: with the holiday weekend of May 1st, which itinerary would you think would be a better bet? Is two or three nights too long to spend in Siena? would one night suffice? Any advice or information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Posted by
536 posts

Michelle - Option One is the better choice in that it allows you to see some of the most impressive places in Italy. Could more time be spent in some - Yes - But - all in all a good job in planning.
And - regarding Doug's usual nasty post - I am Italian - I was born in Roma - and I probably know just a bit more about italy than he does. And Cinque terre - Fabulous - Doesn't get much better - Tuscany the same - Rome and Venice Fantastic. Totally stick by what i said versus the non-italians that know sooooo much!!!

Ciao, Greg

Posted by
3313 posts

I absolutely disagree with the previous poster.

Unless I misunderstand Option 1, you'd be putting yourself in the Cinque Terre on the very weekend when all of Germany descends on it. No way would I want to be there then. Besides, the Cinque Terre gets a lot of attention on this website because it's a nice place to relax when you want to get away from seeing Italy's major sites. That doesn't make sense on a trip as short as yours.

I really like your second option. Bologna is well worth visiting. Umbria is beautiful. You have a lot of options on a more direct route to Venice. Send me a PM if I can help with more specific recommendations.

Posted by
9110 posts

I wouldn't sacrifice anything to got to CT; save it for your seventeenth trip, there's too much else to see.

Posted by
695 posts

Michelle, i would forget Cinque Terra and keep it for a future trip, i would use those days in Rome. I would also use the train, it is a lot cheaper and easier in Italy, good luck!

Posted by
893 posts

Michelle, We made the mistake of being in Cinque Terre on the holiday weekend that you are talking about. The trail between towns was shoulder to shoulder and I am not exaggerating! The whole area was like that, including the train between the towns. I always recommend that people stay away from CT during that holiday as many tourists are there including Italian tourists.

Do I understand option 1 correctly that you will have 1 day of sightseeing in Rome? And it looks like the day after arrival, which means some jetlag. Rome deserves much more than 1 day. So does Venice.
Have a great trip! Mimi

Posted by
9 posts

Mimi,

We will have Monday afternoon, all day on Tuesday, and however long we want on Wednesday in Rome before we depart for Siena. We will also have all day Monday and Tuesday in Venice before we depart for the USA on Wednesday morning. Thanks for your information, I think we will definitely steer clear of CT on this trip!

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