I am travelling to Italy for only one week. What are the best places to see?

Question

I am planning a trip to Italy but I can only go for about one week. Can someone tell me the cheapest way to go about this, and what are the best places to see? I want to get my money's worth. Even a good Canadian travel agent would help to get me started. Thanks!

Answer 1

If this is your first time to Italy I definately recommend staying to the central and north, specifically Venice, Rome & Florence. I would suggest finishing in Rome because of it's size and how much there is to see. It's also the major airport in Italy. I don't know if you're going alone or with someone or what kind of trip this is. From the five months I spent in Italy, studying in Florence and traveling all over, here's my suggestion:

Fly into Venice and make sure you see the Bridge of Sighs, San Marco (both the piazza and the church), Duke's Palace, and the Rialto Bridge. Gondolas' have become very much a tourist thing and expect to pay a decent amount for one unless you take it with other people. The beauty of Venice lies in the streets. No cars or bikes are allowed. Assuming you spend two days in Venice try and spend a least a half day and visit the islands of Murano (famous glass makers) and Burano (fisherman's island). You can get there by public boats.

After Venice take the train to Florence. It's almost a 4-hour trip so take either at night or in the morning. Florence is my favorite city and Tuscany my favorite part of Italy but I'm kinda biased. I'm not sure if you're into art & history but I'm assuming since you're going to Italy you must somewhat enjoy them. Florence is your place. The Uffizi is the main art gallery. Get on line early. The Accademia houses the imfamous 'David'. There's a replica that sits outside in the Piazza della Signoria. There are so many churches to visit as well (Santa Maria Novella, Santa Croce, etc.). For a great view of Florence take the walk to the Piazza del Michelangelo. As far as nightlife goes, there's plenty of places to party or even just sit down and hang out. Depends on what time of the year you go and what you're looking for. JJ's, Dolce Zucchero, Yab, Slowly, Lion's Fountain, Central Park, Meccano, Fish Pub, etc., etc., etc. I lived near a bar called the Old Stove, right by Piazza Republica. Good place just to relax. There's so many places to eat as well. I could type for hours.

Take the train from Florence to Rome. Since it's only one-way I'd suggest spending the extra money and taking the Eurostar so that you save at least an hour and a half. In Rome you should spend about three days. There's so much history, not only Italian but European and world history, that's founded in Rome. The Colosseum, Pantheon, Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, Vatican City, St. Peter's Basillica, Roman Forum, so much to see and do. For nightlife they have a pub crawl that starts in front of S.Maria Maggiore, one of 4 main churches in Rome. Be there at nine pm any night to drink before hitting up clubs. There's another one that starts at the colosseum but I've never taken it. I would suggest instead, if not after the pub crawl, going to the 'campo dei fiore'. Hop in a taxi and tell them to drop you off there. It's a huge square that's lined with bars and crepe shops. The whole place is flooded with Italians and tourists alike partying. There's an American bar there called the Drunken Ship that caters to students studying abroad. But there are so many other places as well.

I hope this wasn't too long. I gave you so much but so little at the same time. It all depends on who you're going with, if anyone, and what you're into, and you're personal preference. There's so much more that I could tell you so don't feel shy to email me if you want before you.....let me know how it turns out!

Answer 2

My best advice to you is to pack it in! I have been to italy a lot of times, and I've been to a lot of different places. If you are young, you will be able to handle this itinerary just fine-
I would fly into venice, which you can do in a day- you do NOT need 2-3 days. Then I would go down to Florence, which I would recommend 2 days in, just because it is so beautiful. You should climb the Duomo while you are there, and go see the David, and hit the market, etc. It is just a wonderful place, even just to walk around in. If your schedule is crammed and you need an extra day for something else, then Florence definitely CAN be done in a day (still doing all the things I just told you) but most people I know WANTED to stay longer. Then I would go down to Rome and probably stay 2 days just because it is so big. You don't want to miss the Colisseum, the Vatican, The spanish steps, the trevi fountain, and maybe piazza navona. Other than that, Rome is great just to walk around and you are bound to run into something awesome by chance! Now, if you are interested in seeing smaller towns, then I can recommend a few as well. Near venice, there is Padova, and maybe Verona. They are cute little towns. Then if you wanna go somewhere near Florence, I have been to San Gimignano (adorable!), Sienna, and Lucca. Those are all adorable little towns that you could do day trips to. Pick and choose between those, but the BEST advice I could give you is to see all you can in this week... travel at night, make the most out of your week because doing Italy in a week is not easy! I don't recommend Naples, it is not very nice, but if you want to get down that far south, then I would DEFINITELY recommend Sorrento, the island of Capri, and Pompei. Those are some really cute little towns around Naples.
Oh, and definitely pack light! There is nothing more annoying than lugging around a heavy suitcase over europe- bring the smallest one you can!
Have an awesome trip! Buona fortuna!

Answer 3

My suggestion to ANYONE traveling to different countries is get on the double decker bus in each city you visit. It is about $25.00 for a 24 hour period. They will take you around all of the most famous spots and you can get off and on at will. They provide head phones and are by each location every 15 min. I like to go around the full trip once and mark places I want to inspect more closely on the map they give me. Then take a second time around and get off at those spots. Try and save a little time for night tour most of the cities (especially Rome) is beautiful on the night tour. It is preferable to sit on the top level.
Places that are a must see are Rome, Florence and Venice. By train it is about 21/2 hours between Rome and Florence and another 3 to Venice. I am leaving This Sunday and spending 2 nights in Rome, 2 nights in Tuscany, 1 in Florence (been there a few times already but love the shopping there) and then going to Treviso (close to Venice) for 8 days (my cousin lives there). If you have time there is a little village called ASOLO that is exquisit. If you make it there you must lunch at the hotel Cipriani, breathtaking. Enjoy!

Answer 4

Even for a trip of just one week, you will be putting out a fair amount of dollars, eh.

Therefore, protect your investment. I urge you also to get some good travel insurance. There is an amazing variety of things that can go wrong to ruin a trip in an instant. You can explore the subject and buy on-line too if that suits you. Many veteran travelers feel it is best to get travel insurance from a source different from that for transport arrangements – no chance for a conflict of interest. Here is a really neat site that is easy to use and provides a variety of options. For you, I think the best bet is probably Travel Guard International’s “Worldwide Health”. Travel Guard is the industry leader for good reason. They deliver quality service at a modest price. The policy provides coverage for health-related issues (like an illness in a foreign country) and for traveling-related issues (like lost baggage etc.) Go to http://www.wavehelp.com/travel-medical/index.htm and click on the red phone booth to see the details. IMG is also good but they are not as big or experienced as TG.

Best wishes.

Answer 5

Here is my list (with museums and galleries deleted): Milan . Cathedral . Duomo Venice . St. Marks Basilica / Square . Doge's Palace . Rialto Bridge . Murano glass manufacturing . Burano . Lido Florence . Ponte Vechio . Galleria Della Academia (David) . Santa Croce . Piazzale Michelangelo Lucca Pisa . Leaning Tower Cinco Terra (region) San Gimignano Sienna Assisi Orvieto Rome . Vatican . Coliseum . The Forum . Spanish Steps . Pantheon . Gianicolo . Piazza Navona . Trevi Fountain Ostia Antica Vesuvius Pompeii Capri Sorrento Amalfi Coast (region) Paestum

Answer 6

I go regularly to the North West - Cote D'Azur - just inside the French Border. Monaco, Menton, Bordaghera, San Remo gives you the Mediterranean coast line. Not very sandy but very nice. Move out into the countryside for walks etc. Beautiful countryside, beautiful people and excellent food. There are several hilltop towns, Seborga, Apricale (weird but beautiful) and Perinaldo within easy reach and a bus service if you have no car. Dolceaqua is further out but worth a visit with excellent restaurants. The country people make it special for me. If you want large cities and tourist traps, I am sorry I cannot help you. Give me the countryside everytime..........

Answer 7

Canadian travel agencies:
Travel Cuts
STA Travel

also, look into getting a student card and/or a Youth card. It will allow you to get some discounts for travel, entrance fees, meals, etc.
Some people choose to go on bus tours. This allows them to pack in alot and not worry about how to get there, where they are spending the night, etc. However, I do find it is cheeper if you go on your own.
I found that travelling with another person made it a little cheeper once in a while, especially for rooms. I think its safer too.

Answer 8

Only a week for Italy? I suppose you are not "Speedy Gonzales", so I suggest you to decide for one part of this wonderful country. In the nord I would spend 1-2 days in Venice, 1-2 in Milano, 2-3 in Rome( without no shadow of doubt ) and the rest (what rest????) in Florence. If you want the central part it will be Napoli, Sorrento, Pompei and, of course, Capri. In the south you can spend the whole week in Sicily (staying in Palermo-the capital). but, in my oppinion, you must not miss Rome.

Answer 9

I recomend Venice for 2 or 3 days and Rome for the rest, in Rome there are many places to visit, you can go to the Colliseum, Fontana di Trevi, Vittorio Emmanuele building and Vatican City and its Museum,

Have a nice trip!

Answer 10

Take a day trip from Rome to Pompeii and Napoli. I took a tour and it covered lunch at a hotel, transportation and a guided tour for about $100 Euros. You can get all the info from the front desk agent at your hotel.