3 week Itineray.. thoughts?

[skydivenj83]

1 day travel from US to Rome
4 days in Rome
1 day travel
3 days in Florence
1 day travel
4 days in Venice
1 day travel
2 days in Amsterdam
1 day travel
3 days in Paris
1 day travel to US

[pointofnoreturn]

I think 3 days in Venice would be suffice. I would prefer 3 days Amsterdam and 4-5 days Paris but there's a lot to do in Paris and not everything appeals to everyone. 3 days is the usual minimum number of days to see Paris anyways. As for the other cities, they look just right!

[francefiend]

I would switch Paris and Amsterdam. Venice-Paris takes less time than Venice-Amsterdam. You can take a night train or a low-cost airline. Finish your trip by flying out of Schipnol in Amsterdam. It's unforunate that you're spending so little time in these places, but if you prefer skimming over sitting, the itinerary works.

[me]

To me, Venice was a disappointment. i'd take at least one of those days, add it to Rome - two reasons for this: 1. as your first place in Europe, you'll need time to adjust to the time change. 2. Rome is the most important city in the history of Western civilization. <- Not an exaggeration!

on the way to Florence, stop in Siena to check out Piazza del Campo <town square> and the beautiful Duomo.

also, if you like art, Amsterdam has some amazing collections.

never been to Paris, can't advise you there.

- d

[skydivenj83]

I decided to cut Amsterdam out. So my new Itinerary is as follows:

1 day travel from US to Rome
5 days in Rome
1 day travel
4 days in Florence
1 day travel
4 days in Venice
1 day travel
4 days in Paris
1 day travel to US

[pointofnoreturn]

I think that is very reasonable and gives you time to have daytrips (i.e. Pompeii or Tivoli from Rome, Siena from Florence, etc). You'll have a great time with that itinerary of yours for sure!

[me]

skydivenj83 said:

I decided to cut Amsterdam out.

that'd be a bad plan for me. I really like the Dutch art in Amsterdam's museums.

Amsterdam is also wonderfully laid back. the city has a rep for vice: sex, drugs, etc. but the culture there is amazing! [also, because many of these vices are legal there, crime isn't such a factor. at least it never was for my two visits there. (i'm sure, as with any capitol city, petty theft is an issue)]

and, based on my one short visit, i'm not sure Venice rates 4 days.

- d

[Eagle]

skydivenj83, your updated Itinerary looks good! I think it makes sense to delete Amsterdam this time, as it would have required extra travel time and complicated the planning somewhat.

However, I have to agree with David that four days is perhaps a bit much for Venice, unless there's some specific reason for that length of time. I found Venice to be a bit more expensive than other locations in Italy, and with efficient planning one can have a good visit in two-three days.

If you're just interested in a quick look at Siena, you could perhaps stop there on the way from Rome to Florence for a few hours. If you decide to drop one day from Venice, you could perhaps spend one night in Siena? For travel from Siena to Florence, you might consider using Bus/Coach instead of train, as these leave from the town centre rather than the bottom of the hill. The Bus Depot in Florence is very close to Firenze S.M.N. rail station.

One thing to mention if you plan to visit the Duomo in Siena (or any other Church in Italy) is to be careful with the dress code! I remember an incident in Siena with a group of other travellers - one of the group was wearing a sleeveless T-shirt. He was provided with a blue paper shawl before being allowed entry into the Church. Unfortunately, the rest of the group teased him mercilessly (he took it with good humour though). Be especially careful if you visit the Vatican, as the Guards are brutal!!! I observed one incident involving a girl that took her shawl off inside, exposing her shoulders (it was hot inside). The guards wasted no time in very loudly and bluntly reprimanding her! I'm sure she didn't intend to break the rules, but still it was no doubt quite embarrassing for her.

Happy travels!

[me]

Amsterdam & Venice provide an interesting contrast, as both are cities with extensive canal systems. but frankly, i found Amsterdam to be a more interesting city than Venice.

btw, Transavia has flights from Venice neighbor Treviso to A'dam from €90, tax included. (Treviso is about 40km from Venice)

you could also fly from Florence to Amsterdam, or even from Pisa to Amsterdam, should you choose to skip Venice.

- d