Italy advice

The flights are so reasonable this time of year DH and I want to go in Nov. We know we want to see Rome,Venice,and Florence......we also know we don't want to ride around in coach buses....prefer railways.....thats all we know....has anyone used a tour company? or it is better to do it on our own? What's the weather like this time of year?Hotel ,restaurant,towns,tours,any/all recommendations would be greatly appreciated

Re: Italy advice

we were just there!!! Weather is nice like 70 degrees! Florence is the best!!!! The Best!!! If you go to Florence Might as well go to Pisa!! You could also take the metro to Venice which is about 4 hours from Rome by railway! Simply amazing! I must admit, Italy was mi=y favorite place to travel to ever...and I have been fortunate to travel a lot. You will have a great time!!!!!!!!!

Message edited 9/19/2007 8:38:54 AM.

Re: Italy advice

Plan it all on your own, it is so easy to do. We went to Italy in Nov. on our honeymoon and planned it all. We flew into Venice stayed there a couple of days, took train into Florence stayed there a couple of days and than a train into Rome. We than flew out of Rome. I had been to Italy many times before but that was the greatest trip going from city to city. And Florence is my favorite also.

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Re: Italy advice

Re: Italy advice

Message edited 9/19/2007 9:53:59 AM.

Re: Italy advice

I was in Italy this summer...Venice, Florence, Rome. Of all the hotels I liked our Venice one best...Hotel Principe...it's by the train...not by St. Marks. We liked this set up but if you want to be in the action this is not the hotel for you. We traveled by Eurorail everwhere and it was perfect and easy.
We didn't go with a tour company...I booked individual tours through this one company I found online...I really liked them because the groups were small and the guide was very personable...no name tags and ear phones type situations. We did the tours of the Vatican and Colliseum and Ruins...all Amazing...used Icon tours. In Venice no need for tours in my opinion and Florence may be helpful at some of the sites...but we did it all on our own.

FM if you have specific questions.

Re: Italy advice

Thank you OP I was wondering the same thing. Hopefully headed to Italy next year. Glad to see that it's easy to do it yourself.
I'm not sure if I'm going the tour bus way yet..

Re: Italy advice

Even if you don't use a tour company for your trip, I would recommend arranging a day or half day tour with a company for places like Rome, San Gimigiano (outside Florence) and Sienna (outside Florence).

Have you or your DH been to Italy before?

My DH lived in Italy for 7 years so we didn't not go with tours (except for the cities I mentioned above, and it was so worth it.)

If my Dh and I had never been there, then I'd probably book with a tour group, I think you'd get so much more out of the trip than if you were just wandering on your own.

If you have any questions, feel free to FM me.

Re: Italy advice

DH and I went to Italy on our honeymoon. We booked through Club ABC Tours, but it was an independent trip, no tours. We visited Venice, Florence and Rome--included in the Club ABC price were the railway tickets in between each destination (as well as hotel and flights, of course).

We flew into Venice and flew out of Rome. I really recommend them--our hotels, particularly in Venice were really nice. Also, even though you do not tour with others, you sort of end up meeting other travelers (if you're feeling friendly!) who booked the same trip. We had dinner with several of them on a couple of occasions while there.

We also extended our trip and travelled to Sorrento via "subway" out of Naples completely on our own. We returned to Rome and stayed an extra night and flew home.

HAVE FUN...so jealous!!!

Message edited 9/24/2007 9:11:18 PM.