Traveling Italy?

Question

We are planning to go to Italy in April.We have only four days in hand. Can anybody pls suggest some travel plan.We will start from Rome.Is it possible to cover venice,milan and Pisa if we first go down to Capri and then start to travel upward? How is the public transport in Italy? Somebody told us that it is problematic especially in cities if we hire a car.Streets are narrow and there are parking problems.Is it convenient (and suitable for us to cover the country in only 4 days) to travel by public transport with a child?Another thing, can u pls suggest a reliable,informative(train information etc.) tourism site other than italia.it.
Thanks in advance.

Thanks red_bilb from Umbria. Thank you the third answerer for the rly. information too.I too was tnot sure of that plan. That's why I was checking your views. It's not to be pessimistic or something like that.I know that it is hard to tell ,but can u (or anybody here) can suggest what part of Itally we should not miss.The cultural, historical,architectural part of venice, Milan, Rome or the overwhelming beauty of the Amalfi coast and the Blue Grotto of Capri. To be honest I am in dilemma.

Answer 1

Only 4 days it would be a too short time just to visit Rome while you've planned a trip that should last 3 weeks minimum !!
Forget it, that's impossible ...!! ; in addition to this you say you're tavelling with a child and then you cannot stress him with a kind of hopeless marathon.
You need to concentrate and if you want visit one more city besides of Rome, absolutely mandatory, I would suggest you to go to Florence both because is not so far from Rome (nor 2 hours train) and because it's the real must to be visited in Italy after Rome.
I wish the 4 days in April are not falling during easter holidays otherwise also the transfer by train will be an issue (unless you arrange immediately your train seats reservations); during the Easter week all the sites are very crowded and a visit to a spot normally requiring 1 hour takes 2-3 hours more, just for the lines. If you can do, avoid those days.
Assumed you've dropped the idea to visit Milan,Venice and Capri I pass you other tips :
1.- Don't rent a car unless you want use it to move in the motorways. You've got a correct info and traffic in the cities is absolutely crazy. Also parking is a big issue. Forget it.
2.- Railways connections are great (when there aren't strikes...very common here) and not too expensive.
Here is the link the thewebsite (in English) of the Italian railways system - Trenitalia - http://www.trenitalia.com/en/index.html
You'll find there whatever you need for as trains schedule,
ticketing,prices,etc).
3.-You shoild stay 2 days in Rome to visit the main highlights and leave in the late afternoon or early evening of the secon day to Florence. You'll be ready to visit Florence early in the morning of the 3rd day. At this point you may consider to visit also Pise in the 4th day (it takes 1 hour by train to go there from Florence with easy connections hour by hour during the day) to give a look to the leaning Tower and the Dome. Pise has nothing else worthy to be seen but the Tower it's a must since you are there around. To go Pise , visit the Tower and be back to Florence it will take a 5-6 hours. You'll be back to Florence in the afternoon and then you can take a train back to Rome.
4.- As tourism sites I can suggest for Rome
http://www.travelplan.it/rome_guide.htm
http://www.romaturismo.it/v2/en/main.asp
for Florence
http://www.firenzeturismo.it/index.php?lang=en_EN
http://www.aboutflorence.com/htm
http://english.firenze.net/
for Pise
http://www.pisaonline.it/e-default.htm
http://www.opapisa.it/?id=15&L=1&T=2

For any doubt feel free emailing me (click on my profile for address) and I'll be happy to help you.

Enjoy yr trip to Italy

Answer 2

you are running into the same problem i had when i first went to italy.. i wanted to see everything and only had a few days. I am a strong believer in its better to see one city fully at least a good part of it then go to many and not see anything because you are in a rush to get to the train to go somewhere else.

From my experience (been to Italy 8 times)Milan is not a city you would want to go to when you only have 4 precious days. Its quite ugly and very differnet from the rest of Italy. Its a city you want to go when you have some real time to go to italy and just spend a couple of days and say ive been there.

I would do either: Venice and Florence , about a two hour train ride between one and the other on the ES (Euro Star) train . Go to trenitalia.com for the train schedules. I would spend 1 full day in Venice and then 3 days in Florence. While in florence you can take the train to Pisa for 1/2 a day. there is a train every hour to Pisa.

2. Rome and Florence, again its a two hour trip from one city to another on the ES (Euro Star) train. I would go 2 days Rome and 2 days Florence.

When in the city I would travel by foot or taxi if I had a child. there are alot of pick pockets now a days in these cities. At the train stations just keep an eye on your belongings. All the bums like to hang arround there looking for tourist.

If you need any further info please im me... I love italy and talking about my travels so I would be more then happy to share my info.

Happy Travels..

Answer 3

i agree with the girl from Umbria. what you are suggesting is impossible in four days! Italy seems like a small country but it is actually a lot bigger than you think. Just Rome or Florence in four days would be more realistic and you would find plenty to occupy yourselves and probably enjoy it much more.. i was very impressed by the trains in Italy. I got a great ticket called a kilometrico (you can get them through your travel agent or CIT). it is great if you are going to do a fair bit of travel. it costs about 100 Euro, and basically gives you 3000 kms of travel and can be shared between up to 5 people, eg. five people can travel 600 kms each.
the schedule you are thinking of would involve at least half your time travelling, not including sleep etc! you would be exhausted and not get to see much.

Answer 4

Hi, if you're between the ages of 18-35 years old, you should check out Contiki. They have a few Italy tours that will let you see all the major cities in a short amount of time and you won't have to worry about transportation, hotel costs, or some meals. It's extremely convenient, you'll know your budget exactly, and it's a lot of fun! Feel free to email me at kbroder86@yahoo with any questions. Have a great trip!

Answer 5

4 days to visit Roma/Venizia/Pisa Milano and Capri.. may be I'm pessimist but it's impossible. You'll spend all your time for the journey (in bus or train) I advice to you to decide what cities you prefer may be you can visit Rome Pisa and Firenze (Florence) or Milano and Venice.
For info you've need I advice to go in this website http://www.italyheaven.co.uk/getaround.html you'll find all info you need.
For Roma http://www.romaturismo.it/v2/en/main.asp
For Pisa http://www.pisaonline.it/e-default.htm
For mIlano http://www.milanoinfotourist.com/home.htm
for Venice http://www.venezia.net

If you need of other info write your email address I answer to you. I'm Italian and I live in Umbria so I'll be happy to help you.
Baci


1) if you prefer History but also Sea and good panorama (and eat a wonderful pizza) itinerary n1: Ischia, Pompei, Capri Napoli and Amalfi.
Map here http://www.ciaociaoitaly.it/aspimg/campaniaciao.gif

2 centre Italy
Firenze Pisa and other Tuscany City may be also Perugia with my Perugia and the Rome and other city in Lazio
You can see Monuments History and Nature

3 North Italy
Absolutely La Spezia and the five lands (http://www.cinqueterre.it/en/index.asp) and the Milan and Turin.

And believe all the tree journey are very beautiful but aso very tired!!

Answer 6

No idea these days! Did it years ago, Milton Keynes to Naples, return. My guess would be cheaper there, the railway used to be (may still be) well subsidised. I really want to do it again, we had a fantastic holiday! aren't you going to Venice? train is definitely the best way to arrive there! Very envious!!! have a great time! Edit: one tip, if you are catching a bus in Naples (probably the same elsewhere) you buy tickets before you get on! there are kiosks that sell papers cigs etc AND bus tickets! we didn't know, got escorted off the bus to a kiosk by the armed bus inspector.......Lol!... wasn't so funny at the time!

Answer 7

i would most deff. get someone to drive for u. the street r extremly small. and people r wicked fast, dangerous drivers. i would be careful walking around. dont let ur wife carry a purse. wear a passport carrier, and keep everything in them. all of the passports, and money. i went when i was a senior in high school, and we had to be extremly careful. also there are people there called gypsis.(wrong spelling) but then basically the homeless of Italy. they steal a lot, so always keep anything valuible close to u. have fun though, it is an extremly beautiful place.

Answer 8

I lived in Italy for a few years now, it's safe, and lots of places to see, it depends on what you would like to visit really, you have all options and north and south differ a lot culturally wise as well. My only advice, don't miss out the food!
There's also a great ebook if you are interested:
http://bit.ly/1bwuzkB

Answer 9

if you only have 4 days, see florence and rome. take the subways and trains, dont hassle with cars, especially with a kid. and no, 4 days wont cut it. you will see so little and waste so much time traveling everywhere. just focus on rome and if you have time see florence.

Answer 10

Yes, you love.