Italy for 7 days

[HighFlyer]

Planning to go to Italy end of May, beginning of June for 1 week. Would the following itinerary be feasible?

Day 1 - fly into Rome
Day 2-4 - Rome
Day 5 - take train to Venice
Day 6-7 - Venice
Day 8 - fly back to Rome for flight back to Toronto

How's the weather for that time?

[Ojam]

Planning to go to Italy end of May, beginning of June for 1 week. Would the following itinerary be feasible?

Day 1 - fly into Rome
Day 2-4 - Rome
Day 5 - take train to Venice
Day 6-7 - Venice
Day 8 - fly back to Rome for flight back to Toronto

How's the weather for that time?

It could be done, you will be SUPER tired though, Rome is super hot around that time of year, and there are LOTS of steps, don't even attempt to go though the "desert" (the forum) without a liter of water and a good night sleep, it's tough, and very hot, very little cover. There is just so much to see, I was there for a month, and I didn't see everything. Part of Rome is the night life, it's great you can meet the people, and hang out with the locals, and they will love you, and show you a good time. I didn't go to Venice, I was told it's a sewer; you will probably have a better time if you just hang out in Rome for the week.

[afong56]

It could be done, you will be SUPER tired though, Rome is super hot around that time of year, and there are LOTS of steps, don't even attempt to go though the "desert" (the forum) without a liter of water and a good night sleep, it's tough, and very hot, very little cover. There is just so much to see, I was there for a month, and I didn't see everything. Part of Rome is the night life, it's great you can meet the people, and hang out with the locals, and they will love you, and show you a good time. I didn't go to Venice, I was told it's a sewer; you will probably have a better time if you just hang out in Rome for the week.

i agree with you on spending the whole week in rome. termini station was a wild place when i went there.

if i had to pick only two cities in italy to visit, it would be rome (roma) and florence (firenze), with verona in the springtime as third. i'd also consider naples (napoli). i didn't care for venice, although the whole gondola/vaporetto thing was fun, just to say you did it.

[Ojam]

i agree with you on spending the whole week in rome. termini station was a wild place when i went there.


LOL termini, I was almost stuck at termini for the night after the Paul McCartney concert! I got on the wrong bus (because I drunk), and had to speak VERY broken Italian to the bus drivers because all the routes change at night, and the signs don't reflect that, and the Subway was closed by that time, and I was staying on the complete opposite side of the city. I made it back though, gave me some good stories to tell, which is really fun!

[Talamasca]

Planning to go to Italy end of May, beginning of June for 1 week. Would the following itinerary be feasible?

Day 1 - fly into Rome
Day 2-4 - Rome
Day 5 - take train to Venice
Day 6-7 - Venice
Day 8 - fly back to Rome for flight back to Toronto

How's the weather for that time?

It's doable but I'd advise Florence over Venice, especially in June, if you really want to visit two cities. The train ride from Rome-Venice is roughly 6 hours. Although it is an extremely beautiful and magical city, there isn't a whole lot to see in Venice (maybe five major attractions which can all be seen in one day) and virtually no nightlife.

You could easily spend the week entirely in Rome, as others have posted. It's been said that it has more to see and do than any other city in the world.

[porkchopbread]

i did rome in 2 days, then florence and pisa in 2 days and venice in 1.5 days. you really oughta see florence and pisa though cuz if you make it out that far, it's a real waste to miss it. but you don't wanna miss venice either cuz it's a real romantic place (if you're with someone) it's tiring but it can be done!

i went in late may and it was burning hot.

and i think if you're under 26, you can get a discount on train/bus tickets.

[canrocks]

As for flying around, I highly suggest Canadian Affair:
http://www2.canadianaffair.com/searchframe.asp
You can go from TO to London Gatwick on the 28th of may and back on the 5th of june for $523, after taxes.

From there you can take easyjet to rome, and on your way back you can take easyjet to Gatwick from Venice for a total of 111 pounds.
http://www.easyjet.com

Total flying expenses: $784

[HighFlyer]

I might have to cut a day off from the trip as leaving on Fri vs. Sat boosts the airfare by $300. So how about the following?

Day 1: Arrive Rome in the morning, take city bus get a feel of the city
Day 2-4: Rome
Day 5: Take train to Pisa, see Leaning Tower of Pisa, then take train to Florence
Day 6-7: Florence
Evening of Day 7: take train to Rome

Is an airfare of $900 reasonable for YYZ-Rome for last week of May? I have to take the AC nonstop as sightseeing time is already at a premium.

[AMD'd]

Highflyer:

Distances seem short on paper but never on site. On top of the train time you have to add time to get to the station, get to hotel/B&B, etc. Don't forget the train transfers (we missed one and it resulted in a 4-hour delay to our day). Plus you're hauling your bags as well (not a favourite with my wife).

Remember your vacation time is valuable - much better to spend it sightseeing than sitting in a train.

My wife and I went to Italy last fall (Rome, Sienna, Venice). We got an open jaw flight - landed in Rome and flew out of Venice. Price of the flight was not a lot more than a regular return and less when factoring in train fare (which admittedly is very reasonable) and wasted time.

Check out Expedia.ca for open jaw flights.

As for the cities - there is no bad city to visit - all depends on personal preference as to what is best.

My recommendation is don't try to do too much - 2 full days minimum per city - a travel day is not counted as a day in a city.

Plus make your accommodation reservations here before you go. It is amazing how little availability there is last minute and how difficult it is to find (there are no yelllow pages for accommodation - many use tourism offices that close early).

Hope that helps. Regardless of what you do it will be a great trip.

[HighFlyer]

Thanks for your input. Would the following schedule be more feasible?

Day 1: Arrive Rome in the morning
Day 2-5: Rome
Day 6: Train to Florence in the morning
Day 7: Florence
Day 8: Train from Florence to Rome in the evening
Day 9: Fly back home

How long does it take to get from the Rome train station to FCO (airport)? Would I be better off staying at a hotel near the airport if I have a flight at 12:30PM the next day?

[HighFlyer]

termini station was a wild place when i went there.

My hotel is located near there, can you define 'wild place'?

[Talamasca]

My hotel is located near there, can you define 'wild place'?

The area around Termini is a little rough at night (pickpockets and the like and a bit of a seedy atmosphere) but's it not like Detroit or anything. Rome is very safe, far safer than any comparable American city. I walked around the city at 2 in the morning and didn't feel threatened at all. Some common sense and awareness of your surroundings is all you'll need.