Those who have been to Italy...

dino1109 Posted: Feb 04, 2004 05:15 PM

Those who have been to Italy...

We are going to Italy on oyur honeymoon. We were plannig on going in August but are postponing until the second week in September due to suggestions from a lot of people.

Anyway, we got a lot of Marriott reward points from our Time Share and there are only 2 Marriotts in Italy- one in Rome and the other in Florence.

We were planning going to Rome, Venice, and Sicily but added Florence for the above reason.

Here is my question...
How many days should I plan to stay in Florence, Venice, Rome and Sicily (maybe Naples too)

We will start off in Florence and stay at that hotel for Florence and Venice. Then travel to Rome and stay there (and maybe visit Naples since it isnt too far from Rome). Then take the ferry to Sicily and stay there.

We need to make reservations in Florence and Rome hotels- but not sure how many days to alot for.

Anyone who has any knowledge of Italy- please let me know what you think.

Oh- we are planning on a 2 week-ish vacation.

TwoBugs Posted: Feb 04, 2004 05:18 PM

Re: Those who have been to Italy...

I think 3-4 days each in Florence, Rome, and Venice.
Haven't been to Sicily, so I can't say anything.
Naples - there's not much to do except to see Pompei (in my opinion), which is just a day trip.

LIJuneBride Posted: Feb 04, 2004 05:44 PM

Re: Those who have been to Italy...

Three or four days in Florence should be good ( I love that city!) but probably four to six days in Rome if you really want to see everything there.

Lorena Posted: Feb 04, 2004 05:52 PM

Re: Those who have been to Italy...

I've only been to Rome and Naples and would agree with the posts above. There is tons to see in Rome and not too much in Naples. Pompei is pretty incredible but a day is more than enough IMO.

Kra5hnburn Posted: Feb 04, 2004 05:53 PM

Re: Those who have been to Italy...

I would say to spend the most time in Rome because there's just soooo much to do and see there and you can take day trips to many other places like Pompeii (was a great trip!), the Villa D'Este in Tivoli (a must for a honeymoon!), the Vatican, the catacombs, Ostia Antica......
Venice and Florence were great, but you could basically do those in 2 days (maybe 1 more in Florence).

jcova1019 Posted: Feb 04, 2004 05:56 PM

Re: Those who have been to Italy...

I've been to Italy a couple of times. Spend at least 3 days in Rome (more if you can, there's so much to see), 3 days in Florence. I'm not a big fan of Venice--you can do that in a day and a half. Make sure you take a day trip to the Tuscan countryside (to a vineyard is nice). From Rome, you can also take a day trip to Pompeii (highly recommended) and Pisa. Enjoy! The food is fantastic and the people are so nice.

dino1109 Posted: Feb 04, 2004 06:03 PM

Re: Those who have been to Italy...

Thanks Girls! Its jsut all so confusing to me! i want to see it all and I am not sure how long it takes to get from one city to the next of the ones the wnat and need to see! All your advice is helpful and you can keep them coming.

Heres another question: If Venice takes more than one day; what should we do- get a hotel for a night there? Or can we realistically do it in one day?

Kra5hnburn Posted: Feb 04, 2004 06:07 PM

Re: Those who have been to Italy...

We did it in one day. We walked around, went to the glass blowing factory, took a gondola ride and a ferry ride to the neighboring island of Verona (Barona? something like that), which was nice and had a lot of shopping. We stayed just outside of Venice and took a taxi over to a ferry. If you really want to take your time, 2 days, but I think it can really be done in 1.

Betty Posted: Feb 04, 2004 06:11 PM

Re: Those who have been to Italy...

We did Venice in one day but I would stay overnight if I did it again. I absolutely LOVED Venice, I think it was so romantic.

Rome there is a lot to see so spend time there. Florence you don't need very long. There is a lot of shopping to do there though

I haven't been to Sicily but would love to go.

dino1109 Posted: Feb 04, 2004 06:18 PM

Re: Those who have been to Italy...

I really hate when everything turns out to be a bit of a scam!!!

Things are getting a little complicated about our time share and they incentive bucks!

Anyway, for now: Turns out the Marriott is not in Florence it is in Milan!

How will this change our plans? Any thoughts?

I really didnt want to visit Milan- at least not this trip? How will is affect visiting Florence and venice?

Betty Posted: Feb 04, 2004 06:23 PM

Re: Those who have been to Italy...

I don't think it will affect Florence or Venice much. Milan is North and Florence and Venice are only a little bit further south. It was further away from Rome and Sicily though.

Rob-luvs-me Posted: Feb 04, 2004 07:16 PM

Re: Those who have been to Italy...

Honestly Florence and Venice are AMAZING I would spend most time between them and Sicily and spend the least time in Rome because it is honestly less romantic - There is a TON to do in rome but it is like a european version of New York and people either love it or hate it and think it is dirty.

I personally like it BUT will say it is not romatic but worth going to see some of the ruins - and catacombs, and definitely go to the vatacan and see the sistine chapel.

Florence is a BEAUTIFUL city with amazing places to just sit and absorb the city as well as amazing museums etc - MAKE sure you go to the pitti palace, uffizi, and the academia to name just a few places - I spent 6 weeks studying in florence and while it was my 4th time in florence I still haven't seen all there is to see and do there.

Venice is amazing and romantic city as well - make sure you do the gondalier boat ride. Talk with your hotel first about an appropriate price for them and then negotiate.

I have not been to sicily but if you can get a day try to hit - San Giminaro, Assisi, Perugia, Siena - all are interesting in their own way - San Giminaro is a beautiful walled city - with steep streets - It is an easy drive from Florence. In the summer there is an opera company that performs outside in front of the city steps with candles lit in the surrounding tower windows.

Have an amazing trip!

durso1 Posted: Feb 04, 2004 07:38 PM

Re: Those who have been to Italy...

I lived in rome for 8 years and recently moved back..There is a ton to do in rome and you need at least 3 full days..Florence can be done in a day and a half...venice is a must but you oonly need 1-2 days..and sicily is amazing!!!!...when you are in florenmce go to the wine country, chianti, multipulciano, montlcino..rent a car it is so romantic and beautiful!

samsbride Posted: Feb 04, 2004 08:17 PM

Re: Those who have been to Italy...

3 days in each city would be enough if you move fast. I really, really do not like Rome as a city (not very charming) but there is a lot to see. Florence is my favorite European city after Stockholm. You will just love being there so even after you see everything - I don't think it's a waste of time to wander around and take the city in. I think if I went to Florence first - I'd never leave. I still wear a gorgeous suede coat I bought there 9 years ago on my first trip while in college.