Hi guys,
Will be in Italy mid Feb next year (2019). Only have 8-9 days though.
Would like to visit Rome, Venice, Florence, Pisa in that order.
Will fly in to Rome then taking train going around I think.
How many days I need for each place to make the most of it?
Which attractions are must see?
Given it's still winter-like weather during that time, any advice?
Any tips for saving time & money (accommodation, transport..)
Many thanks
Lake Como, even if it's just a drive around.
3 days for Rome, 2 days for the rest is plenty. Winter is still pretty warm during the day. Rome, I would recommend the Vatican, Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, Roman Forums, Pantheon, Spanish Steps, Villa Borghese gardens, Piazza Venezia (Taking the lift to the top, 360 view of Rome), Walk around the Tiber, Villa d'Este, Quirinal Palace and much more. Taxi's are a flat rate from FCO to city centre at €48. Metro is easy to get around to places and is cheap. If your hotel is within the City, you can basically walk to all sights and attractions. I usually stay at the Parco dei Principi Hotel (next to the villa Borghese gardens) and it's a downhill walk past the American Embassy and takes 15 minutes to walk to the Trevi Fountain. Get up early and you can walk down and have breakfast at the restaurants outside the Pantheon. At the end of the day, you can either walk back to your hotel or take an uber.
If you go to museums and art galleries go early in the day. Pisa is just a one-wonder town so do you really want that photo of you propping up the tower to spend a few hours round trip from Florence? Bologna is good for food, and on the way to Venice.
I agree Pisa is not really worth it, I would look at Sienna instead, really terrific place, especially if they have the floor uncovered in the Duomo and a spectacular Bapistry. However, if you only have 8-9 days I think you should pick 3 places at most. Any more than that and you are not going to be able to see anything.
Look into Italian rail tickets, Italy rail is not that expensive compared to other parts in Europe. If you are only doing Italy you probably don't need to do a Eurail pass.
Florence is a must; the Duomo/Baptistry, the Pitti Palace, the Uffizi, if you can get up to Michelangelo's square - gives a great view of the city. You will probably need to book the Uffizi before you go - you get a slot and you must be there for your slot.
https://www.visitacity.com/en/florence?campaignid=689332532&…
Rome - we use the hop on/hop off bus to get to the attractions. The only problem is working out where to get on the first time and pushing your way on the bus because they are often crowded. But it does drop you at most of the major sights and you can see a bit of Rome on the way. The vatican museums are terrific, St Peters is amazing, including going up on the roof, the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, etc. Do as much research as you can and then plan out Rome carefully - there is so much to see. Just wandering around the forum is interesting.
As indicated if you are looking for another place then
Sienna,
Como,
Cinqueterra - although last seen they were still rebuilding the tracks. If you do go then do the walking track between the towns then come back on the boat.
Sorrento (including stop off in Pompei and Capri) We stayed at a place in Sorrento which had a restaurant with an open terrace that had the most amazing views of the water.
All good advice here. Skip Pisa it's garbage and a waste on a tight itinerary. For 9 days I'd probably do 4 Rome 3 Florence 2 Venice or 5-2-2. Venice is expensive, crowded and smelly but fascinating. Loved Florence. There's so much to see in Rome it's worth the extra time.When going to the Vatican, try to do the Vatican Scavi tour - it is really cool.
Pompei is also very interesting although it was oppressively hot in summer (shouldn't be a problem for you). Do a tour.
Trains are easy to get from Rome to places.
When going to the Vatican, try to do the Vatican Scavi tour - it is really cool.
yep.. definitely do this if you can
look it up, try and book it (you need to book it heaps in advanced and it use to be sending off email requests… likely still is)
I agree with Pisa being a bit of a one hit wonder, but recommend stopping for the photo ONLY if you are going past. Last time I went there, it was literally a matter of hopping off the train, taking my Tower photo and then back to the station to get the next train onto the next city. It was a small quick detour that didn't cost anything as the train ticket was for the trip (distance) not the specific train ride.
I wouldn't bother actually catching a train there just to go to Pisa when there is so much to see elsewhere in Italy.
Rome 4 days, Venice 2 days (+ another day if you see Burano/Murano), Florence 2 days, Pisa 1 hour.
Tips:
- Allow time to travel between, your Rome to Venice will take up a good half a day. You may find yourself having less time than expected.
- Look up free walking tours - you pay a tip at the end of the tour. Usually covers most main tourist attractions (depending on the city) and you can always go back to particular spots you like. Also great way to kill time if you can't check into your hotel yet or have to check out but not ready to leave the city.
- Book your Vatican ticket in advance.
- Watch out for pickpockets and don't accept any "gifts".
- In Florence go to Pizzale Michelangelo for view of city. There is a Prada outlet outside of Florence, if you're into the brand.
- Bring your passport out if you plan on shopping to claim VAT.
- Citymapper works in Rome too!
Awesome guys, thanks heaps for the info.
Looks like I'll skip Pisa & spend more time in Rome.
Any advice for where to stay in Rome, Venice & Florence?
How much are you willing to spend?
I'm not sure, but with the ozbargain spirit I guess!
Just decent places, convenient with reasonable cost…
Thanks
Here are a couple of options. https://tinyurl.com/y7nufxf9 Alternatively, if you want to spend a little more, the Parco dei Principi is lovely. http://www.parcodeiprincipi.com/en/index.html
have a look at the Beehive in Roma, near the main station - train from airport and 200m walk. Before the days of airBNB was good value for money. They also run a booking service for apartments in Rome, Florence, Venice.
Our last visit to Italy was before the current Air BnB craze so we just stayed in small hotels that were pretty central so we could walk everywhere we wanted to. Last time we went on holidays we did some Air BnB, including a place in Paris. It was a very postive experience for us. Just don't try to go too downmarket. If you have a decent supermarket/market nearby then you can probably save some money and the food will be pretty good - the deli section of some of the supermarkets we saw in Italy were amazing. It is also worth wandering through their food markets, provided you don't spend too much time.
The Venice Carneval is the last 2 weeks of Feb next year.
It is a nice time to see the city - there is a genuine reason for people to be wandering around with masks on, it isn't just tourists doing it.
Accomodation however is even more expensive than usual, and sells out even faster, so needs to be kept in mind.
Lots of museums there you can book entry online in advance - in busy periods they can sell out well in advance, especially some parts which allow admission with guide only. I enjoyed http://palazzoducale.visitmuve.it/en/pianifica-la-tua-visita…
and http://torreorologio.visitmuve.it/en/home/
Amalfi Coast near Naples is the best scenery I have seen in Italy. Link it with Pompeii and/or Capri. Naples itself is a bit dodge but Sorrento etc make a trip south well worthwhile, in my opinion.
Definitely would reccomend this as well
Well worth the trip
I would advise to stick to the main tourist areas as many places in Italy have seen increased violence recently. There is also a lot of political unrest. I only write this so you can keep safe, the people are great and so is the food have a great trip!
If you are going to get a cab from Rome airport, ignore all of the guys at the exit to customs who will get in your face asking if you want a cab and walk to the official cab rank yourself.
The official cabs are easy to find and charge less than the “unofficial” cabs.
Thanks again guys, is the Italia Pass worth to have? Looks like you can save a lot with this pass.
Also should I go ưith the tour like “Vatican & Colosseum Show & Go Pass”?
I suspect with the relatively low point to point fares in Italy, it would be hard to justify a pass.
Here's one thread about it:
https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g187768-i20-k10474526-…
Usually at least 2 days in each place wherever you go. Not much to see in Pisa either.
Rome, Venice and Florence the most worthwhile cities
Rome, 3 days minimum as you'll want to visit the Vatican as well. Venice is cool but once you've seen a few canals and the Piazza San Marco you're done. Florence has a great market once a week (used to be Wednesday but no idea now). I'd also look at going to San Marino.
Many thanks for all the responses. Truly appreciated.
Base on your info, I think I will spend:
Fly back from Rome Wed night or Thursday.
Looks like best place to fly in and out is FCO?
Looks like best place to fly in and out is FCO?
Which other airport were you thinking of? Ciampino is used by European budget airlines. You won't get to choose.
you could do open jaw flights. into Rome, train Florence, Venice, Milan fly out of Milan.
Can be just as cheap and you see a bit more countryside and save backtracking.
Checkout the man in seat 61 website for best up to date info on when/how to get the bargain rail tickets.
Very good idea flying out from Milan, the man in seat 61 is awesome, thank you!
!
Don't forget that part of that time will be taken by the train trips between the various cities and then getting to/from hotels.
Anthony Bourdain is in Tuscany on the SBS Food Channel this evening and repeated.
A lot of good advice here. The only thing that I'd add is that Venice is terribly expensive for "everything". Unless money is no object, stay on the mainland adjacent to Venice proper and make day trips. Be wary in the restaurants; make sure that you fully understand what you're ordering and the price or you're asking to be ripped off.
Have a great holiday!
find accommodations in Mestre, rather than Venice.
i would not recommend Mestre. You really need to stay in Venice to appreciate it. the evening and early mornings are the best times,
Sure, it can cost more, but the benefits outweigh this IMO.
Bookings a long time in advance can help $wise [ long as you are sure of your times etc]
You are an ozbargainer - the costs are manageable.
Venice can be had for similar $$ to Florence IMO.
Updated my journey based on your advice:
First 3 days in Rome
Next 2 days in Florence (would do short trip to Pisa if time permitted)
Next 3 days in Milan & Venice (could stay 1 night in Venice in between)
Fly out from Milan night time 8th day.
Florence in 2 days.. I'd skip the Pisa trip as you could spend a week in Florence easily
I'd skip allocating any time to Milan, apart from getting to the airport, take a day off Venice an put it on Florence.
Then spend a day and a half in Venice(and stay on Venice overnight..) , and travel straight from there to Milan airport.
But.. I really liked Florence ;)
yeah, I know - I've been back a couple of times and it is terrific. Walking around the town and visiting the galleries, the Duomo and the Baptistry, just lovely. I haven't suffered from Stedhal syndrome, but I can see why people would be overwhelmed by the place.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stendhal_syndrome
However, I did have a physcial reaction when I saw "The Last Judgement" in the Sistine Chapel, I felt like someone had kicked me in the chest, it was so kinetic.
Many thanks again for all the inputs guys,
I hope this would be my final plan:
First 3 days in Rome
Next 3 days in Florence (would do short trip to Pisa if time permitted)
7th day take an early train to Venice, stay overnight there
Last day take a train to Milan by noon, spend some time there before flying out in the evening.
Looks good… Now the hard/fun bit… Working out what to do each day
Carry a fake wallet obviously sticking out of your pocket in the touristy areas around Rome for some fun :)
I would steal one of your three Florence days to do a driving day trip around the Tuscan hill towns of Sienna and Sam Gimignano. This could well be the highlight of your Italy holiday.
Sounds good, will do some research. Is it easy to drive there? How safe?
Italy is OK as long as you start on the edge of a city. They are pretty forgiving drivers as they assume everyone is nuts so they give way.
Last day take a train to Milan by noon, spend some time there before flying out in the evening.
Think of a plan B for this segment because train delays and strikes do happen.
My number one tip for Italy is to make sure you over-eat.
+1
Gelato for a pre-dinner entree is acceptable ;)
When you are there go and visit the train station
Use the ticket machine to work out your next days travel , time to leave and cost
There is 3 levels of train travel , based on cost , time and speed
Getting an extra early train could get you into Florence at the same time as the later faster train but for a third of the cost
We need to get from Rome international airport to Grosseto in Tuscany on a Sunday morning. Trying to work out how best to do that. If by train, do we need to go all the way to Roma Termini and then get a train north? Or is there a more direct route? I can't work it out, so I'm freaking reading the reviews on Tripadvisor warning of scam artists and pickpockets at Termini. So a bit nervous about trying to work out the tickets north at Termini.
However, we arrive at 8am Sunday morning, not sure how much time to leave to ensure we get our luggage and clear customs so we don't miss the train if we prebook tickets. And on Tripadvisor someone said that if you buy train tickets online, you still need to validate or swap them at the station before you board?
Any one know what's best to do? Confused!
I never found termini station an issue, and the self serve machines are easy. Just inform anyone that tries to 'assist' you that you are fine and don't need help.
Can't remember the train routes, but wouldn't be surprised if you had to go airport, termini then back north.
And yeah, pretty sure online tickets still need validation. Just buy them from the machines at the terminal. Pretty sure I even found a YouTube video that shows the various buttons /steps to make it even easier.
I think that this post is spot on, because it meets your needs (only 8 days in Italy): https://www.intrepidtravel.com/adventures/to-do-how-to-spend…
If i were you, i'd extend my visit, because Italy is such a beautiful country that it needs more time to discover it properly.
Pisa can be done as a stop over for your photo and move on…