My husband and I are returning to Italy next May for a 15 day visit. We have one frequent flyer ticket to and from Rome and can change one leg to either London or Paris. Since we really want to explore the Tuscan region and Venice, our plan right now is to take the train from Rome to Florence with day trips from there, then train to Venice for 2 days and fly to London for the remainder. The trip would be small group with driver, and some independent time. Would love anyone's feedback on the itinerary proposed so far: 5/12 Arrive Rome and train to Florence (by early noon or early PM)will be picked up by private driver to hotel 5/13 Pisa and Lucca (include San Miniato (1 hr), Pisa (1 hr), Lucca (3 horus). 5/14 Chianti Wine and Hill Country (Montefiorelle, Greve and Medieval hill towns, wine tasting and olive oil tour. 5.15 Siena and Monterriggioni (includes San Gimignano) 5/16 Cinque Terre walking and boat ride 5/17 Florence and evening cooking class 5/18 Bike tour of Chianti 5/19 Train to Venice (Optional walking tour) 5/20 1/2 day 3-island boat tour 5/21 Fly to London 5/22 and 23 Free days 5/24 Warwick, Stratford Upon Avon, Cotswolds and Oxford bus tout 5/25 Stonehenge, Salisbury small group tour 5/26 Fly home Any suggestions ?
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33508 posts
You need more time in Pisa. If you have a group all trying to get the most out of the Campo dei Mericoli, especially if any of them want to climb the tower. There is more there than just the tower. .....
Posted by
OP
Tampa, FL, USA
3 posts
Thanks...how much time do you suggest? What would you cut? Thanks for taking the time.
Posted by
naches, wa, usa
182 posts
debbie, i travel alot and have ocd issues, so i plan and plan and plan and run a pretty tight ship. is this really how tight you want it to be? florence could be 3 days easy all day. pisa as said, 3 to 5 hours. siena at least one night if not more. cinque terra, vernazza one night, the rest at least a full day. venice, could it ever be too much? slow down, relax, you will be back. have fun, be safe.
Posted by
OP
Tampa, FL, USA
3 posts
H i everyone. Thank you for the feedback. What would you cut to make more time for pisa, siena and cinque terre? we had the advice to base in florence rather than change hotels as much but it sounds like you do not agree with this trade off. We have been to florence for several days and so would like to see the other areas this time. Also we love biking and winetasting. What would you suggest foran alternative 14 day itinerary?