Travel in Italy on our own? Where do I start?

3 countries in 15 days isn't very much time. I'd pick no more than 2 countries. Trains are an easy way to move around in Europe, a car is not a necessity. As suggested above, pick up one of Rick's books and see what places fit your interest. I would avoid a coach tour. You can see much more on your own and Rick explains how to move about from place to place.

15 days is not enough for Italy or Germany (haven't been to Switzerland, so couldn't comment there). I would suggest limiting your trip to just one country. Trains are the best between large and medium-sized cities. The only time that a car is necessary in Europe is to get to smaller towns and rural areas.

If you drive, be aware that there will be a big fee for picking up a car in one country and dropping it off in another. It probably would be cheaper to pick up and drop off one car in each country, taking a train or bus to your next pick up point.

If you are intent on seeing those 3 countries -- and it can be done with some serious driving -- I would fly in and out of Frankfurt, renting a car there and returning it to the same spot. Frankfurt flights and car rentals are probably the most reasonably priced of all of western Europe, and you can simply do a loop beginning and ending there. I would then use RS's Italy and Germany books to plan your best itinerary.

Italy makes a great 15 day trip and Germany,Austria and Switzerland another.To combine them while possible will have you driving too much.If you do try to fly into Germany,rent a car then drop the car and train to Italy and rent another car and fly home from there.Eliminates backtracking.jack in wisc

agree with 1st poster. Nobody can give you the detail in a post that Rick does in the hundreds of pages found in the guide books.

Our first trip to Europe we bought a rail pass and did 4 countries in 17 days. We did Germany, Italy, France and Switzerland. We used Rick's guides and made our game plan. We spent a week in France because we had more things we wanted to do. I don't recommend doing this and driving. We used our rail pass to travel overnight and arrive in the morning in another country. This saved us time and it was our accommodation for that night. We now go back each year and do just 1 country at a time often driving. It was a great way to get a quick look at these countries. May I suggest you land in Rome as that is where you can get those sites done all at once and Rome gets very hot in the summer.Take a train to the other countries and then fly out of one of those countries. It is called "open jaw" flights and often doesn't cost much more.

Get Rick's book Best of Europe and follow his advice on everything in there on your trip.

You can see the highlights for sure. Be sure to go to Mureen - it's the best of Switerland.

I've learned over the many Europe trips we've taken that his recs are the best and you can trust his locations, etc.

Money, luggage, and his book is all you need for a great trip.

Thanks for all the suggestions. I have become overwhelmed at the possiblities. Some say train, but I like to take severalpeices of luggage and prefer to have hotels ready at the end of the day. Some say drive. I have never been to Europe other than the UK and am nervous to drive in a country where I don't speak the language. Some say forget motor coach but I loved out motor coach tour through the UK for 12 days. I am trying to distillate this information. I have requested Rick Steves' Best of Europe at the library and will commence my studies with that. My sister and I want to see specifics of Rome, Pompeii and the Coliseum. My husband likes the sounds and looks of Greece and Switzerland. My son says "Do I HAVE to go??". So, with a year to plan, it should be a challenge. Any specifics privately emailed are also welcomed and appreciated.

We spent 30 days in Italy in 2004 and 2 weeks in 2006. We have still not seen all we would like to. We would recommend that you spend the entire time in Italy. Save Germany for another trip-- it deserves MUCH more time than you plan to spend there. This will give you enuf time to savor where you are rather than zip in and out.

BUY Rick's book(s) so you can underline and tear out the sections where you will be. Once you have a rough idea of cities/areas, come back to the G Wall to get lots of great ideas from fellow travelers.

"Some say train, but I like to take several peices of luggage and prefer to have hotels ready at the end of the day."

To paraphrase what Rick says in his book, you need to change your liking! Seriously. Hauling around several pieces of luggage is going to greatly complicate your life. You ought to ask yourself why 40,000 people can go to Europe each year on Rick's tours, have a great time (just read the tour reports on the Graffiti wall from them) AND carry just one bag. You can insist that Europe bend to your wishes if you like and travel with many bags, but you'll miss out on things or have a lot more hassles (such as driving in congested cities because you need a car to haul all your bags).

We are a family with 2 teen sons and always fly "open jaw" into one city and out of another as it saves time. It may be a bit more $ but well worth it. Check it out! We always rent a car and again more expensive to drop it off at a different location from where we started but again we feel it is well worth the extra $.

If this is your first time to Europe, you are biting off quite a bit to see so much. Rick Steves Tours are fabulous for first timers...then you will have the knowledge and tools to be on your own for the next time...and believe me, you will want a next time, and a next time. But, if you are intent on doing it yourself PACK LIGHT, even if you do rent a car. AND get Rick's book and follow it - start early. You can book your hotels in advance. Get a rental car with a GPS.

We just got back from three weeks and returned home on June 4. Don't wait till July. Crowds will get to you. We were surprised by those out in late May. Best of luck!