Any suggestions and/or recommendations would greatly be appreciated. I am still looking for information on cost, flights, packaged tours, cities to see, and ANYTHING really that will help ensure that we have a pleasurable time.
2006-08-03 09:01:18 · 8 answers · asked by TGC 2 in Travel ➔ Italy ➔ Other - Italy
Spend two days in Rome -- one in the Vatican, and one at the Colosseum/Palatine Hill/Roman Forum. There is a great tour company that offers tours of the latter sites. They will help you to avoid the lines, and give you free tours of the Palatine Hill and Roman Forum after you purchase the Colosseum tour. They also will give you information about their Vatican tour. Look for them around the Colosseum.
If you can, try to take the Vatican tour on Wednesday -- the Pope comes out and says Mass. Even if you are not Catholic, this is a neat sight. You will need a tour to take you through the Vatican museum -- it is very large and has many interesting stories that you won't find out on your own.
In Venice, try to hit St. Mark's Square (Piazza del San Marco) earlier in the day -- it, along with the Vatican and Forum, get very hot in the middle of the day.
Florence is not to be missed. Though the inside of the cathedral is not that impressive, the outside is amazing. The bridge, and the markets offer leather, jewelry, and pashmina scarves, along with more traditional souvenirs.
In Pisa, skip the baptistery -- most of the furnishings have been moved elsewhere. If you are up to it, climb the Leaning Tower.
Go to Cinque Terre -- these five small fishing villages are beautiful, and give a great opportunity for hiking.
The train system in Italy is very good, and all the major cities have train stations. Look into buying a Italia Pass.
If you want to have a truly Italian experience, see a football (soccer) game -- cheap seats can still be available the day of the game.
Eating in the big cities can be somewhat expensive, with some restaurants having cover charges. Look for vendors in small kiosks for a less expensive alternative.
Happy traveling!
2006-08-03 15:58:03 · answer #1 · answered by Maggie A 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I like Maggie's recommendations but you want three days in Rome, also June an extremely busy month for american tourists going to europe in general and its hots so get reservations to any gallerys you plan on going to especially Galleria Borghese and the Scavi tours. Defiantly get a Tour guide (search online for official rome tour guide, i can recommend one if you want) for the Vatican Musuems, and of Ancient rome if you can fit it into your budget. Wine and Dine in Trastevere. I think two days one night is enough in florence. Make sure you climb to the top of the duomo, its around 7 euro and the view of the city is awesome. The ponte vecchio is cool. If you want to see The David goto the Academia gallery, just make sure you have reservations because waiting inline for anymore then an hour without reservations is not worth seeing it, thats all there really is. the Uffizi is suppose to be a cool gallery but you must have reservations to get in. Pompei is cool, and worth the trip, there are tour guides sitting around the ticket booths, Karem, this middle eastern guy was really good when we went. Then i would head down to the Amalfi coast for some breath taking views. Thats all i got for now.
2006-08-04 18:15:46 · answer #2 · answered by Brian M 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All of the suggestions are good. I am a travel agent and I have a group going to Italy in June of 2007. We will visit Venice, Florence, Assisi, Rome, Pompeii, and the Amalfi Coast.
This will be a predominantly Roman Catholic group, though not all will be Catholic. Air, hotel, land transportation, all breakfasts, 4 dinners, guides, etc., are included. The trip will be fairly busy, in that we will see many, if not all, of the major attractions in each city.
If you are interested, send me an e-mail at larry@travelallover.com and I will give you all the details.
2006-08-09 02:42:08 · answer #3 · answered by grandpa522 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I just got back from a tour of Italy a couple of days ago...my advice to you...
1) learn the language, well as much as you can at least...it is much appreciated to at least TRY to speak Italian
2) visit the small towns...Some small towns we visisted were Assisi, Sorrento and Capri...not nearly as many tourists(especially Assisi), beautiful views and great food!
3) Go to Florence and climb to the top of the Piazzale Michangelo...I promise it is worth the hike, AMAZING views of the city and mountains.
4) Visit Venice, but you only need a day there...it is VERY touristy but the experience of the city is totally worth it
5) Good luck planning...it is an amazing country!
2006-08-07 16:19:50 · answer #4 · answered by grganne1 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
go to rome , promise me you'll go to romehahah and visit the Colosseum Palatine Hill and Roman Forum. also the vatican for sure. the vatican was beautiful almost to the point of tears and im not even catholic. also go to florence... good shopping there and ice cream evvvvvverywheres, plus david is there. one of the most fabulous statues i have ever seen before. its incredible
also go to sienna. it truely is a beautiful little place. and it is little but the charm is so nice take time to sit in the square and look up in to the sky... and at the clock tower. just watch out for the birds though . hhaa
2006-08-04 11:42:32 · answer #5 · answered by cutie66m 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get a guide book. Each time I travel to a previously unvisited area, I LIVE on my Fodor's Gold Guide. They typically have great self guided walking tours that you can do, hot spots and great spots to dine, and all kinds of cool info.
2006-08-03 17:23:38 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
See pages below
2006-08-03 16:58:09 · answer #7 · answered by Frank B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just one.....TAKE ME!
2006-08-03 16:07:25 · answer #8 · answered by dollfacedbaby1 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋