I'm working on our (me & hubby) itinerary for a first time Europe trip for 28 days this mid September/October. We're in our late 50's, traveling on a somewhat moderate budget, traveling light with just carry on (Yikes!) wanting to stay mainly in B&B's, doing lots of picnics, a few dinners out, and the usual sightseeing stuff, museums, and people watching. The first week we have set, 4 nights in Paris, then flying to Barcelona for 3 nights there. For the next 3 weeks we plan to be in Italy. This will be Sunday the 21st of September, I'm thinking fly to Pisa to stay in the Cinque Terra area for a couple nights. we have reservations at italyfarmstay for 10/1 for 4 nights. This is located outside the small town of Sora, between Rome & Naples, but east. We leave for home 10/11, leaving from Milan.
Here is what I tenatively came up with:
2 or 3 night Cinque Terra, 4 or 5 nights between Florence & Sienna, 3 nights Rome, then the 4 nights at the farm stay, then up to Venice for 2 nights, then Lake Como 2-3 nights, then Milan final night. Is this a good spread for a first trip, who knows maybe last!! Or am I not allowing enough travel time to get around and should cut something or missing something that I should add in. Thanks for your time & help.
Posted by
US Pacific Northwest
10344 posts
It (almost) goes without saying that each traveler would do a trip differently. You've done your homework and because you have so much time (28 days), you can comfortably do your proposed itinerary, with the single exception being the 2 nights in Venice: it will take you most of the day to get to Venice from the farm stay near Naples and therefore 2 nights in Venice gives you insufficient time in Venice, I'd suggest adding 1 more night, possibly reducing Florence - Sienna from 5 nts to 4 to get the extra night needed for Venice. Everything else is doable.
Posted by
Northern VA, VA, USA
121 posts
Marylee,
It sounds like a wonderful trip! Do you have your hotel set for Rome? We are on a budget as well and are staying next month at the Casa il Rosario - a convent for 110E for a triple room with private shower and w/c and breakfast. It is near the Colosseum and the Forum. A couple of people on this site have stayed there and loved it. I will post on our return. Trip advisor gives it good marks too.
Michelle
Posted by
Jonesboro, Arkansas, USA
606 posts
Looks like a lot of unnecessary bouncing around to me. You're starting in the north west (Cinque Terra), working your way down south of Rome, then backtracking to the north east (Venice and Lake Como). That causes you to do a lot of long traveling.
If I were doing it, I'd change it up to fly into Rome then first spend your time at the farm stay, then see Rome, then work your way north for the other stuff in a logical order to avoid backtracking.
Posted by
OP
Oregon City,, OR
31 posts
Thanks for the replies, I have already booked the farm stay for 10/1 to 10/4, but maybe I could see if earlier dates are available. The reason I choose those dates was to kind of have a vacation from the vacation closer to before we leave for home. But it does make more sense to not back track. Going this time of year do you feel it's necessary to book lodging way in advance, or would we do okay to wing it, or book just a few days ahead. Thanks, wonderful help here. I'm getting so excited!!
Posted by
Slidell, LA
570 posts
I agree with those who commented about the backtracking. If you must fly back from Milan, I would definitely fly into Rome and work your way north over the time you have there. Getting in the CT and Venice portion will require a little zig-zagging because they are opposite of each other. If you have a rail pass with a lot of days, you can take a couple of day trips to the CT from Florece, although its 1 1/2 hours each way.
If I were you, I'd take Rick's advice and cut your itinerary to go fewer places that are closer together, have more quality at each stop and less time on the train/plane/bus. Assume you will return, and you can get the part you missed on the next trip. We did and were much happier.
Posted by
OP
Oregon City,, OR
31 posts
Well after hearing from people I've changed the itinerary just a bit, we will stay the 4 nights in Paris, fly to Barcelona for 4 nights, fly to Rome for 5 nights, I've moved the farm stay up a bit, so will go to the farm after Rome for 4 nights, now we have 10 days/nights left til we leave, so from the farm I think we will head back up and hit the Florence area, and the Riviera area then spending our last night in Milan. I think we will forgo Venice and Lake Como. I'm working on Rome reservations right now, looking at getting an apartment in the Navona/Pantheon, Campo de fiori, or Trastevere area, trying to keep under $200. night. All this planning is getting pretty addictive, I can't believe how much time I'm spending on the computer researching lodging and such! I love planning the trips, but my mind is like on overload right now! Thanks for everyones input!
Posted by
London
3 posts
I’ve seen the Uffizi Gallery during this Easter(2009) and the line was really long (more than two hours ) I’ve booked in the official website http://www.museum-ticket.it And for this reason I skipped the queue. The Gallery was really great and emotional.
this is my avoid
enjoy it!
Posted by
Clifton Park, ny, usa
109 posts
I realize this is an old post, but since someone brought it up again I would like to know how you liked italyfarmstay.