Why Italy

Travel through Italy?

Hi, my husband and I are thinking of traveling through Italy next spring. We will have about 10 days. Spain may be something we would consider also. In your opinion, what are the most important cities/regions to see? Would we be better off going on one of those package tours or doing it on our own? We don't want to completely slum it, but can't stay at five star resorts--budget wise. Thanks for opinions!

Public Comments

1. Buy a rail pass for Italy that will allow you the flexibility to go where you'd like and stay longer/shorter if you choose to. Rome, Florence and Venice are definite musts. Tuscany as a region is quite nice with several nice small towns and villages to explore. Lake Como and Lake Garda, as well as the Italian Riviera down to Naples. Verona is also nice. If you can, southern Italy and Sicily is also quite nice. I don't like package tours but if you're more comfortable having someone else deal with details, etc. In the meantime, pick up some Italian phrases before you go.
2. Hi! If you have only 10 days - forget Spain. It would be much better just to enjoy Italy than to rush and miss it, just to see two countries. What to see? There's plenty things to see, you'll have to decide what you would like to see. Rome, Venice, Florence Sienna, Pisa, Napoli, Palermo, Milan, Torino etc. All of these are wonderful cities, but probably too big and too far apart to explore them in just 10 days. If I were in your place, I'd use those 10 days to travel around Tuscany - it's great in spring. And do it on your own. Just my opinion. Hope you'll have fun!
3. Budget wise I think a tour would be best. Unless you want to back pack and stay in hostels. With a tour you can visit the attractions and not have to wait in line. Everything is paid up front and some of your meals also. There are lots of places in Italy to see. Rome, Venice, Florence and plenty more. travellerlcy@yahoo.com I am a travel agent and if you need more information I can help you out.
4. Definately call a travel agent.They will send you info and give some advice .
5. I had 12 days in Italy...I travelled by myself.....and the places I went to, I would recommend. I started in Verona(1 night)...its a lovely town and I really enjoyed it ( they have operas in the "colloseum" they have there).... There is Juliet's balcony and a lovely garden/park...trying hard to remember the name, but is escapes me!! Its a quick train ride to Venice where I had 2 nights...This is a smallish place and 2 days are all thats needed...it could be less if you wanted. as the main things...the train cost around 11 euros a couple of years ago. I then went to Sienna...well the area for a night....I stuffed up accommodation.....(you go via Florence) and takes around 4-5hrs travel..I loved Sienna and wished I had seen more of it ( but I ended up in a little hillside town called Montepulicano..lovely, but a saga getting there) I then went to Rome for 3 nights ( and did a day trip to pompeii ( and you can also go to capri/sorrento in the same trip...recommended)..this was not really enough time, but still gives you some idea. Things to see are the colloseum, roman forum, vatican, pantheon, trevi fountain. I then went to Florence for 3 nights....a truely lovely ( but BUSY) city with lots of stuff to do there. Its a quick train ride to Pisa ( eg an hour) to see the tower and I went to a town called Lucca which was a lovely escape from the hussle and bustle of Florence....I did this in half a day...it was quick but good to get out and see these places. Then I lastly went to Bologna...I did not see enough of it as I really only had half a day in the end...its very medieval ( as opposed to renaissance of Rome/florence) I personally found it better travelling by myself....I pre booked all my accommodation bar 2 nights ( 1 in rome and my night in Bologna (bad mistake on the latter as there was a large convention and it cost me an arm and a leg for normally cheap accommodation...but thats an exception) so I was quite happy on that one...I had that pretty much all paid for before I left and I tried a variety of places ( hostel to 4* depending on the deals offered in each place). AS you are just travelling to Italy...or at least in this time thats all I'd recommend, unless you can buy a pass for Italy alone, I would buy tickets when you get there...they are easy to get from staitons ( either at counters or at self serving machines which are easy to use) and trains are very reasonably priced in Italy, where you pay per km ( so longer journeys cost more) Trentitalia is the train people....the website will give you some ideas of costs. You might want to look at accommodation to give an idea of prices ( which will vary from place to place....Florence and Sienna were more costly than Verona, Rome and Venice for me) You might want to then look at some all inclusive deals to see what is a better deal....meals can vary in price, but breakfast is normally included in the hotel price which will save you money. Have a great time....its a really lovely place to visit.
6. no but i want too