Q: I am going to Italy the first time and wondering if anyone had ideas on where I should go. I arrive in Venice the morning of 3/14 and depart Rome the morning of 3/23. I'm thinking Venice, Florence (with day trip to Lucca and Pisa), Rome, and the Amafili Coast. I also think it would be awesome to go to Cinque Terre. There is a lot I want to see but I don't have much time. Anyone have ideas? A: Based on the fact that you have about nine days for your trip, I would most definitely reduce the number of destinations. You'll need to plan very precisely, and I doubt you'll have time to see all the places on your list.
In the same circumstances, I'd probably structure things along these lines:
> Mar. 14 - arrive Venice (jet lagged, but try to get some touring in that day)
> Mar. 15 - Venice (buy train tickets & reservations if required from travel agent near Piazza San Marco - details listed in the Italy book as I recall)
> Mar. 16 (morning) - train to Florence - don't forget to validate tickets in yellow machine prior to boarding train (if you're interested in visiting the Uffizi and/or Accademia, ask your Hotel if they will help with reservations at the time you book your room - visit one of the Museums that day).
> Mar. 17 - either more touring of Florence or day trip to Lucca / Pisa - I'd suggest focusing on Lucca as I'm not sure the extra travel time to/from Pisa is an efficient use of time when you're on such a tight schedule).
> Mar. 18 - Florence touring (buy P-P tickets & reservations if required at Firenze SMN station as well as tickets from CT to Rome)
> Mar. 19 (morning) - train to Cinque Terre via La Spezia (choose which village you want to stay - plan your touring well so that you don't waste any time.
> Mar. 20 (afternoon) - train to Rome (choose direct train to Roma Termini, very easy trip -suggest staying in Termini area as it makes getting around easier).
> Mar. 21 - Rome touring (again, research your touring well so that you don't waste any time).
> Mar. 22 - Rome touring
> Mar. 23 - take Leonardo Express from Termini to FCO (about 30 min. trip).
There are no doubt many ways this could be arranged, but this is what I would do. I normally pack Italy Guidebook along, so that I have it available for reference.
Happy travels!
In the same circumstances, I'd probably structure things along these lines:
> Mar. 14 - arrive Venice (jet lagged, but try to get some touring in that day)
> Mar. 15 - Venice (buy train tickets & reservations if required from travel agent near Piazza San Marco - details listed in the Italy book as I recall)
> Mar. 16 (morning) - train to Florence - don't forget to validate tickets in yellow machine prior to boarding train (if you're interested in visiting the Uffizi and/or Accademia, ask your Hotel if they will help with reservations at the time you book your room - visit one of the Museums that day).
> Mar. 17 - either more touring of Florence or day trip to Lucca / Pisa - I'd suggest focusing on Lucca as I'm not sure the extra travel time to/from Pisa is an efficient use of time when you're on such a tight schedule).
> Mar. 18 - Florence touring (buy P-P tickets & reservations if required at Firenze SMN station as well as tickets from CT to Rome)
> Mar. 19 (morning) - train to Cinque Terre via La Spezia (choose which village you want to stay - plan your touring well so that you don't waste any time.
> Mar. 20 (afternoon) - train to Rome (choose direct train to Roma Termini, very easy trip -suggest staying in Termini area as it makes getting around easier).
> Mar. 21 - Rome touring (again, research your touring well so that you don't waste any time).
> Mar. 22 - Rome touring
> Mar. 23 - take Leonardo Express from Termini to FCO (about 30 min. trip).
There are no doubt many ways this could be arranged, but this is what I would do. I normally pack Italy Guidebook along, so that I have it available for reference.
Happy travels!
