Livia

I am planning a trip to Italy in this June, mainly for practising the language. But if I'm there I wanna see as much as possible...! I am going alone, so this way there is nobody to rely on, and I will be in charge only...

I think I will fly to Rome and spend 2-3 days there, but from there should I go north or south?
There are so many places to see, I am having such a hard time to choose.... (Altough I will do another trip next year , so I can kinda "concentrate" on either south or north,)

Rome - Napoli - Pompeii - Capri....
or
(for now forget about Rome and)
Venezia - Verona - Bologna - Firenze- Perugia....?

Or....?

Should I rent a car, or can get around with public transportation? (I am trying to be to this on as low budget as possible...)

Any kind of advise, suggestion is welcome!

Thanks in advance!


Livia

willit

If you try to see too much, you will spend the majority of your trip in trains or on the autostrade. I am a firm believer in less is more, and suggest you pick two, possibly three places maximum, then day trip from there if required.
Your 10 days, including 3 in Rome then gives you one day each for any other choice.

For major cities and towns, public transport works very well. Driving in Italy is normally not too much of a problem, but many cities are very difficult and contain many ZTL (no go zones).

As to where to go, what interests you - you have a country with thousands of years of history, a huge number of the worlds great artworks, superb churches and museums, wonderful scenery and countryside. People often do the "big 3" of Rome, Florence and Venice and with reason as all three are spectacular places, all very different from each other.

ems101

I would second that - Rome, Florence and Venice are beautiful and varied. Naples is interesting to see as it is quite different to the other cities I have visited in Italy but I found it not to be as beautiful a city. Capri and the surrounding area are lovely but probably not as cultural. If I had your time in Italy, I woul concentrate on Rome, Florence and Venice. Rail travel is good in Italy.

kfusto

Since you are starting at square one the first thing you should do is get out a map, read a few guide books, scour this and other travel sites and read all the trip reports you can on the places that interest you. Then narrow down your options and you will have the beginnings of an itinerary.

Your post gives zero information about your interests and why you choose Italy. At this point, it is a bit like throwing darts and seeing where they land.

Not everyone has the same interests so start at the beginning, research, research and research some more, put together an itinerary that looks good to you based on YOUR interests, and come back for feedback,

kybourbon

With only 10 days I wouldn't pick more than three places (if that doesn't include travel days).

Echnaton

It depends on your interests.

1) If you are really into Roman archeology, then do Rome + Pompeii (and, since you are there, the museum in Napoli, Amalfi and Capri). There is no other place in Italy or elsewhere with such splendid artifacts of Roman culture.

2) If you are more into medieval art, then combine Rome + Tuscany (Florence, Siena, Pisa, San Gimignano, Volterra).

3) If you want to do the "big three" on your first trip to Italy, then do Rome + Florence + Venice (although this will do neither place justice).

I personally recommend to see just two places, hence option 1 or option 2. It might be a good idea to spare some sights for another trip.

Livia

Thank you for your responses and help!!!


Dear "Willit" and "Ems101": I also believe that less is more, but I am so overwhelmed right now with the possibilities.... I am trying to make a good decision, but I know it will come together. I don't really wanna do the "big 3", because 1.if I start with Rome I will move toward south, and save Venice for another trip 2,I have been to Venice before, so it can wait 3, and to Venice I don't reaaly wanna go alone.

I am interested in everything, arts, historical sites etc., but I don't wanna spend the whole day inside of a museum...Especially because it will be summer. I am also very fond of beautiful landscapes, where you can just walk and enjoy your suurounding...And I would also like to spend a little time on the beach...


Dera "Kfusto": Yes, I will do more research on my own (maps, tourbooks etc.), but first I wanted to gather some information here. On the other hand I heve been studying for my Italian language exam (that is today!), so my textbook had priority over the guide books.... But from tonight I will be on it!

By the way I chose Italy mainly because of the language. Besides I have been always a little in love with this country for some reason. And for last it's not that far from me, I am Hungarian.

Livia

Dear "Kybourbon": I know... I shouldn't make my trip too "rushy", but it's so hard to pick only 3 places... I will keep your suggestion in mind though, thanks!

Dear "Echnaton": I am leaning towards your option 1. And will do the 2. (or something like that) for my second trip.Thank you!!!

kybourbon

If you do option 1 and plan to be in the Naples/Amalfi area at least three full days, get the 3 day Tutta la Regione Campania Artecard for 27€ (the other Artecard passes don't include transportation). It gives you free admission to the first two sites you visit (pick the higher priced ones for value such as Pompeii and the Archaeology Museum in Naples), entrance discounts after you use the free admissions, 3 day transport passes for the region all the way from Naples to Paestum on buses, trams, metro, and most trains in the area. Scroll down on this link to see which sites are included. Click on a site you want to visit and you will get the hours, transport info to reach the site, etc. You can buy it in the Naples train station.

http://www.artecard.it/itinerary.cfm?id=13

Another option is purchasing the $20 admission ticket to Pompeii instead of the regular $11 entrance ticket. The $20 ticket is good for three days and for entrance to Pompeii, Herculaneum, Oplontis, Stabiae, Boscoreale.
http://www.pompeiisites.org/

For three days in Rome, the Roma Pass (25€) which is similar to the Artecard and includes transport. Best value use is the Borghese Gallery (reservations required - you must call in advance) and the Colosseum/Forum/Palantine (counts as one entrance and visit can be spread over three days according to online info).
http://www.romapass.it/p.aspx?l=en&tid=2

If you stay in the Amalfi area, the bus from Rome is the cheapest transport option (17-20€ depending on stop). Marozzi bus operates from Rome's Tiburtina station to Sorrento, Positano, Amalfi with departures at 7:00 am. There is also a 3pm departure in summer, but it only goes as far as Sorrento. Another bus line from Rome to Sorrento is Curreri for 16€ at 2pm. Curreri does not operate on Sunday.

www.marozzivt.it
www.curreriviaggi.it

Livia

Dear "Kybourbon": Wow, thank you....! This is really helpful! I started doing my research now using your suggestions...

So I won't rent a car in Rome, will get to Naples, Pompeii and Amalfi by bus, I think... But should I rent a car there if I wanna look around in that area?

zeppole

Livia,

How important to you is it to practice your Italian? Because it's not going to get much of a workout on the Amalfi coast. If you really chose Italy because of the language, and you can speak it and understand it-- let it take you to fabulous places in Italy where most tourists are afraid to go because they don't know the language! The tourists herd into a few tiny spots in Italy, and the rest is beautiful!

Read these and see if any of this appeals to you:

http://www.italyheaven.co.uk/sperlonga.html

http://www.italyheaven.co.uk/lazio/pontineislands.html

http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/200...familyholidays

http://www.italyheaven.co.uk/lazio/viterbo.html

Pompei is extremely hot in summer. It can often be more rewarding, both educationally and pleasurably, to see Ostia Antica near Rome if you are interested in understanding antique cities and how they functioned, and in particular understanding Rome itself.

If you really want to see Pompei and the Amalfi, you would do better language wise to base closer to Salerno. From there you can use ferries and buses to see Capri, Positano, Amafli and Ravello -- plus Paestum in the bargain.

http://www.authentic-italy.co.uk/ama...nts_and_villas

http://www.amalficoastweb.com/maiori...sh/maiori.html

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev..._Campania.html

Buon viaggi!



http://cetara.amalficoast.com/

zeppole

PS Livia: If you are willing to rent a car, consider basing a bit south of Salerno at a rural agriturismo, and take in Agropoli and the Cilento.

You are at such an advantage speaking Italian, I highly recommend you venture out.

jabez

Rome deserves more time.

sebinah

I understand that in Rome you can stay in a convent. This can be a lot cheaper and sometimes they only speak Italian!

suze

Especially solo, I would never rent a car in Italy. I know this is personal preference, but I've traveled alone quite a bit and I prefer to arrange my trips so they are easily done using public transportation. For me it is so much more relaxing.

Second, you only have 10 days, forget the itineraries where you are listing 5 more cities.

I would suggest the classic first trip of Venice, Florence, and Rome. That can be done in 10 days, using the trains.

peppermint79

I agree with Suze, my road trip in Italy consisted of Rome - Florence (with an afternoon in Pisa) - Venice - Verona - Milan. We used the trains to travel everywhere - it was ideal. These were flying visits though, just a taster of Italy so I could see where to go back for further exploration. Rome, Florence and Venice would be perfect for your 10 day stay.

http://www.myworldwebcams.com/italy/...rs_webcam.html