Sample Itinerary - 3 Weeks in Italy - The First Timer

From here on the west coast you'll normally need at least 12 to 14 hours of total door to door travel time to get to a major gateway in Italy. If you're going to spend that much time on an airplane, make the trip worthwhile and stay for at least 3 weeks. Not only that, it will take that long to get over jet lag, then relax and then start to experience the slow insidious draw of the Dolce Vita!

The following is just a suggestion; our personal views of the ideal "first timers" visit to Italia.

Leave here today and you'll normally arrive in Italy in the late afternoon of the next day. You can get there earlier in the day by routing over an eastern North American gateway, but it's still 12 hours total time. And - most people will still be wasted when they arrive and want to do nothing more than get to bed early. The two gateways most people use are Rome or Milan; we will use Rome because it's much more interesting to the first time visitor to Italy.

Rome 3 Full Days/ 4 Nights
What an eye opener for the first timer. Plan to walk as much as possible as there is so much to experience in this centre of ancient history and modern European hustle. Watch out for the Vespas when you cross the street! Spend you're first day wandering around and take in one of the major sites such as the Coliseum. Eat late, and stroll to the Piazza del Popolo or over to the Fontana Trevi just for the experience. On day two, plan to take in St Peter's and then have reservations for the Vatican Museum - the home of the Sistine Chapel. You'll still have time to stop for a drink in the Campo de' Fiori. For day three check your guide book and pick something that interests you. Don't worry if you miss something, you'll be back.

Amalfi 3 Full Days/ 4 Nights
Now, for a change of pace. Three hours by car or train south of Rome you will find Naples, Pompeii, Vesuvius, Sorrento, Capri and the Amalfi coast. Pick any three! Stay in one place and day trip to as many of these as you can do comfortably. Personally I like Capri, Pompeii & Vesuvius and the Amalfi Coast. But for some of you the Archaeological Museum in Naples may be a "must do". Any way you do it, enjoy three days of sun, sea and history - to say nothing of the shopping.

Tuscany One Week
Back through Rome and another 3 hours north and you're getting close to Florence the centre of Toscana. This week you'll definitely want a car as you should be staying in the countryside, on a Tuscan farm estate. From your villa you can wander about Tuscany visiting Florence, Siena and a couple of the hill towns. You're close to Pisa (a short day trip) and if you're into art you want a reservation for the Uffizi Gallery in Florence. It's an open secret that Cortona is one of the prettiest and interesting Italian hill towns and it is worth the visit. Do read Frances Mayles book. Oh by the way - did I mention the wine? After all, the heart of Tuscany is Chianti, the home of the prototype of Italian reds.

Even more than Rome, don't expect to see everything the first time - you'll want to visit again as there's no doubt that Tuscany is the quintessential Italy.

Venice 3 Days/ 4Nights
Somebody once told one of our clients not to stay in Venice, but rather stay on the mainland and day trip into Venice. WRONG. Depending on the time of the year, you may arrive with 3 million of your very best tourist friends, but… go anyway. Immerse yourself into the town, see it all, stroll the streets after dark, touch and feel history. It's like nothing you've ever seen and its well worth your time and interest. Go to St Marks, visit the Doges Palace, explore the back streets, enjoy the Gondoliers and shop for glass on Murano. Don't miss it!

Lake District 3 Days/ 4 Nights
This is a completely different Italy. You've seen the history; you've enjoyed the sun and the good life of Tuscany - now for the exquisite sophistication of Lake Como. Most people won't know what a 'lager lout' is and certainly won't be reasoning this! If you go, stay in Verrena just across the lake from Bellagio. It's a beautiful little village with ferry connections around the lake, with nothing significant to see or do. Just enjoy the place and make it your base to see the rest of Lake Como. Bring money and live well and relax for the last few days in Bella Italia.

Milan 1 Night
Use the city's Malpensa airport as your gateway to home. Flights for North America leave relatively early in the day so stay near the airport on your last night. Start thinking about your next visit to Italy.

If you want to make any of this real, come and talk to us. We can help.