Norm...thanks for the suggestion to start a separate thread....here is the deal...We have 11 days. Originally we wanted to drive from Amsterdam and back, but we have heard it will take too long that is why my brother in law suggested we fly there...we have booked tix for Rotterdam to Rome, arriving on the 15th we would have the whole day as we land at 9:00 am...so we had thought we would visit Rome for 3 days and then get a car go to florence, tuscany and venice then head home. We ahd planned to rent a car one way home but got priced out at $1600 for a week. THere is a $605 charge for one way drop off if we keep one day or 10..I guess we could fly back from venice? we like the idea of getting lost somewhere, even though this will be our first time in italy, seeing the big tourist things are not as important as being together and even enjoying some quiet time in a hillside somewhere...I mean do I want to see the Sistine Chapel, yeah and the coloseum and my husband wants to see the road of victory...but somehow I get the feeling being off the beaten path for the most part would suit us fine too...that is why the car is so appealing....what do you think of renting car for a day or two and if so what areas would you suggest, then just book a flight from Venice to Amsterdam..Though I was looking forward to the drive through the alps...and as a side note, though my traveling is comparatively limited...my husband has travelled for years to many continents with the clothes on his back, and maybe a toothbrush so I am not too concerned about being a novice if we "get lost"...you know what I mean? So suggestions are so welcome, I think my husband is more concerned because he never travelled with anyone let alone a girl...no we are not that young....52 and 47 but this is pretty much our first big trip alone other than Cabo....
Posted by
St. Louis
239 posts
Hi Mary,
Train travel is so convenient between Rome, Florence, and Venice. I like wandering without restrictions, too (and have gotten lost in rural France!) but as you've seen, the expense and hassle of driving between those cites is just not going to be worth it (see other posts about the potential nightmare of driving within the city of Florence, for instance). Something like making Florence a base for a couple of days and taking day trips out into the Tuscan countryside sounds more doable. I'm not sure why Amsterdam is on your itinerary, since you only seem to be flying in and out; maybe that's in your other post?
Posted by
OP
La Mesa, CA, USA
10 posts
Yes we are going to Amsterdam to see my husbands family, they live there. SO we are flying into Amsterdam will be there a week and then going to Italy for 11 days, just us, and then back to Amsterdam to say good bye to his Mom...
I was thinking about the idea of staying in one spot and taking day trips around. I have heard Tuscany is where we will want to spend time...I have ordered books and am waiting for there arrival so I can do further research...
Posted by
Atlanta
3262 posts
Here's what I would do:
Rome (4 nights with possible day trip to Orvieto.)
Train from Rome to Siena (3 nights--(day trip to Florence from Siena or vice versa.)
Train from Siena to Venice (2 nights.)
Train from Venice to Verona (2 nights.)
Train Verona to Milan and fly from Milan back to Amsterdam.
Personally, I wouldn't rent a car in Italy.
Posted by
redding, ca, usa
13 posts
Hi Mary,
My fiancee and I are doing the same trip! We have a little different itinerary though.We are going by train. We are flying into Rome, then going to Florence and Milan. From Milan we are taking an overnight train to Paris. From Paris we are going to Amsterdam, then back through Germany to Venice and flying home from Rome. It is a huge trip for 14 days, but we want to see as many countries as we can while we are there. We have driven in Mexico and Costa Rica and thought we wouldn't make it out alive! So we are not into driving in Europe. Plus the train system is just so good (so I hear!) Happy travels!
Posted by
OP
La Mesa, CA, USA
10 posts
Jessica that sounds wonderful! Yes we are just kind of unsure which way to go, trains, cars planes...we have a ticket from Amsterdam to Rome, but we were thinking the cost of the one way car was 1600 where as the round trip car Ams to Ams would be about 550. But then again you have to include fuel which of course is not cheap, but the idea of driving through the alps seems very relaxing....big cities are not my favorite thing, I prefer countrysides and fewer peeps....I have my books I have ordered just no time to go through them...yet. so we will have to do that soon! Hope you have woderful trip...is it your honeymoon you are planning?
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
Mary, IMHO, your plan to fly from Amsterdam to Rome is quite sound. You will avoid the very long drive. Your thoughts on renting a car to see Tuscany is excellent. Both Tuscany and Umbria are very drivable. Just stay out of the historical area of Florence. It's one giant restricted driving zone. They will get you on their computerized cameras.
If you are renting a car in Rome, get great directions on how to get to the nearest Autostrada to escape the city. You can turn the car in at Venice and fly back to Amsterdam. Yes you will miss the drive through the alps but you will free up a lot more time for the cities you want to visit.
Posted by
OP
La Mesa, CA, USA
10 posts
Larry...thanks that is what I think we have decided to do...and thanks for the hint on how to get out of the city! THanks to all for your input, I think we will have a beautiful time! Thinking of horseback riding in Tuscany....thoughts/experiences?
Posted by
new york, new york
2 posts
Definately fly from Amsterdam to either Venice, Rome, or Florence. Once in Italy, I would take the train, the Eurostar is the quicker train, to get to all those locations. You need at least 3 days to see all the sights in Rome, keep in mind that you can see some roman sights at night, ie. Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona, Spanish Steps, and the Pantheon (before 8pm, that is when it closes). If you have time, take a short train ride to Assisi. In Florence, 2 days is sufficient. I would try to take the bus to San Giminangno (cant spell that word), it's the most beautiful medieval town, about an hour from Florence. Sienna is worth the trip as well. I would not rent a car. Both Florence and Rome have restricted zones in the historic center. Rome is impossible to drive around. Take public transport and of course, in Venice, driving isn't an option.