I am travelling to Italy for only one week. What are the best places to see?

Question

I am planning a trip to Italy but I can only go for about one week. Can someone tell me the cheapest way to go about this, and what are the best places to see? I want to get my money's worth. Even a good Canadian travel agent would help to get me started. Thanks!

Answer 1

Even for a trip of just one week, you will be putting out a fair amount of dollars, eh.

Therefore, protect your investment. I urge you also to get some good travel insurance.  There is an amazing variety of things that can go wrong to ruin a trip in an instant.  You can explore the subject and buy on-line too if that suits you.  Many veteran travelers feel it is best to get travel insurance from a source different from that for transport arrangements – no chance for a conflict of interest.  Here is a really neat site that is easy to use and provides a variety of options.  For you, I think the best bet is probably Travel Guard International’s “Worldwide Health”.  Travel Guard is the industry leader for good reason.  They deliver quality service at a modest price.  The policy provides coverage for health-related issues (like an illness in a foreign country) and for traveling-related issues (like lost baggage etc.)  Go to http://www.wavehelp.com/travel-medical/i... and click on the red phone booth to see the details.  IMG is also good but they are not as big or experienced as TG.

Best wishes.

Answer 2

Venice, Rome, Florence and Tuscany region, week is not enough for all of that.

http://www.tuscanweb.com/region/

Answer 3

Journeying on to Florence  through  the Tuscan  countryside: Lucca, Pisa, Siena, Arezzo and other delightful towns dot the road to Pisa where who are guested of the Agostini family Villa di Corliano. The family - and 2 resident ghosts - still welcome guest at the Villa, much as it they were at the height of its fame in the 1770’s.

The stay at Bagni di Pisa (health giving waters are still offered to an international clientele) and visit Pisa during one of the city’s festivals, staying at the Agostini Palace to enjoy the best view of the festivities http://www.provincia.pisa.it/pisalive/it...

The Villa has hosted many illustrious guests such as Gustavus III of Sweden, Christian II of Denmark, the Royal Family of Great Britain, Benedict Stuart Cardinal of York, General Murat, Luigi Buonaparte, Paolina Borghese, Carlo Alberto of Savoy, the poets Byron and Shelley, and various other personages from the history books.

The area of the Pisa hills was already an attraction for enlightened travellers in the first half of the 1700s with the growth of the thermal spa of San Giuliano, which became a fashionable spot for the well-off classes. The mansions on the road along the hills, already renowned as places of gentle idleness and relaxation in the heart of the countryside and also for their small industrial facilities for the transformation of agricultural products, soon assumed the characteristics of true leisure resorts, just like those narrated by Carlo Goldoni and which we can continue to enjoy today.

The Relais dell’ Ussero at the Villa Agostini della Seta di Corliano is on the road which runs along the foot of the hills from Pisa to Lucca, passing through the small town of San Giuliano Terme. The Villa is a historical fifteenth century mansion surrounded by a centuries old park. It is a property of great charm in which the owners offer, in 12 rooms and 2 suites, a relaxing stay immersed in the beauties of the local countryside.

Guests, if they like, can join in the day to day activities of the villa. They can have relaxing strolls in the park, potter around in the gardens, chat or have dinner with the owners in the farmhouse of the villa – today a high class restaurant http://www.ladycarlotta.it/

They can also organize all the necessary details for your meetings, convention, weddings at 1700’s small pivate church or at 1400’s sky garden or at the park of the Villa or at the oldest Italian cinema http://www.lumierecinema.it/ restructured with modern audio visual technologies on 2004 near the Vecchio Dado Resturant http://www.vecchiodado.com/ and the Caffè dell’Ussero (founded on 1775). Last but not least for a very good ice cream at the old “diacciaia” (now De Coltelli gelateria) http://www.decoltelli.it/



Relais dell’Ussero a

VILLA di CORLIANO

Residenza d’epoca - Historical House Hospitality

http://www.ussero.com



last but not least … legend has it that in the Villa della Seta at Corliano along the road running at the foot of the mount between Pisa and Lucca, there still moves the apparition of Teresa della Seta Bocca Gaetani, of famed beauty, descendant of an ancient Pisan family and given in marriage, in 1755, to the Count Cosimo Baldassarre Agostini. It seems that the noblewoman appears every now and then in the rooms of the mansion, moving tapestries and ornaments. Other times she has been known to slam doors and open windows. Some of the local peasants recall her arriving on certain nights by the light of the full moon. She appears on the drive of the park leading a coach and six, and then stops on the bend of the Ragnaia (“Cobweb corner”, so-called from the old name for the nets that hunters formerly used in the woods to capture small birds) to cast a glance towards the home where she once lived happily. The ghost, obviously of good nature, has been heard other times hurrying along and giggling in the underground passages of the villa, beneath the large wine cellars. The years go by and stories are told and retold, and there are still those who recall the evening in which there was the sound of an almighty clatter as one of the crystal chandeliers of the hall crashed to the floor. Those present dashed to the hall, only to discover on arriving there, that the chandelier was very much in its place. And still today odd episodes occur …

Answer 4

My best advice to you is to pack it in! I have been to italy a lot of times, and I've been to a lot of different places. If you are young, you will be able to handle this itinerary just fine-

I would fly into venice, which you can do in a day- you do NOT need 2-3 days.  Then I would go down to Florence, which I would recommend 2 days in, just because it is so beautiful.  You should climb the Duomo while you are there, and go see the David, and hit the market, etc. It is just a wonderful place, even just to walk around in.  If your schedule is crammed and you need an extra day for something else, then Florence definitely CAN be done in a day (still doing all the things I just told you) but most people I know WANTED to stay longer.  Then I would go down to Rome and probably stay 2 days just because it is so big. You don't want to miss the Colisseum, the Vatican, The spanish steps, the trevi fountain, and maybe piazza navona.  Other than that, Rome is great just to walk around and you are bound to run into something awesome by chance!  Now, if you are interested in seeing smaller towns, then I can recommend a few as well.  Near venice, there is Padova, and maybe Verona. They are cute little towns. Then if you wanna go somewhere near Florence, I have been to San Gimignano (adorable!), Sienna, and Lucca. Those are all adorable little towns that you could do day trips to.  Pick and choose between those, but the BEST advice I could give you is to see all you can in this week... travel at night, make the most out of your week because doing Italy in a week is not easy!  I don't recommend Naples, it is not very nice, but if you want to get down that far south, then I would DEFINITELY recommend Sorrento, the island of Capri, and Pompei.  Those are some really cute little towns around Naples.

Oh, and definitely pack light! There is nothing more annoying than lugging around a heavy suitcase over europe- bring the smallest one you can!

Have an awesome trip!  Buona fortuna!

Answer 5

ROME!!!  There's so much amazing history there.  Check out Green Line Tours, they were great!  Also, check out Naples/Pompeii, absolutely AMAZING!  I just got back from Italy, you will have a GREAT TIME.

Answer 6

Venice, the most beautiful city in the world and my hometown!

Answer 7

I recomend Venice for 2 or 3 days and Rome for the rest, in Rome there are many places to visit, you can go to the Colliseum, Fontana di Trevi, Vittorio Emmanuele building and Vatican City and its Museum,

Have a nice trip!

Answer 8

Only a week for Italy? I suppose you are not "Speedy Gonzales", so I suggest you to decide for one part of this wonderful country. In the nord I would spend 1-2 days in Venice, 1-2 in Milano, 2-3 in Rome( without no shadow of doubt ) and the rest (what rest????) in Florence. If you want the central part it will be Napoli, Sorrento, Pompei and, of course, Capri. In the south you can spend the whole week in Sicily (staying in Palermo-the capital). but, in my oppinion, you must not miss Rome.

Answer 9

If this is your first time to Italy I definately recommend staying to the central and north, specifically Venice, Rome & Florence.  I would suggest finishing in Rome because of it's size and how much there is to see.  It's also the major airport in Italy.  I don't know if you're going alone or with someone or what kind of trip this is.  From the five months I spent in Italy, studying in Florence and traveling all over, here's my suggestion:

Fly into Venice and make sure you see the Bridge of Sighs, San Marco (both the piazza and the church), Duke's Palace, and the Rialto Bridge.  Gondolas' have become very much a tourist thing and expect to pay a decent amount for one unless you take it with other people.  The beauty of Venice lies in the streets.  No cars or bikes are allowed.  Assuming you spend two days in Venice try and spend a least a half day and visit the islands of Murano (famous glass makers) and Burano (fisherman's island).  You can get there by public boats.  

After Venice take the train to Florence.  It's almost a 4-hour trip so take either at night or in the morning.  Florence is my favorite city and Tuscany my favorite part of Italy but I'm kinda biased.  I'm not sure if you're into art & history but I'm assuming since you're going to Italy you must somewhat enjoy them.  Florence is your place.  The Uffizi is the main art gallery.  Get on line early.  The Accademia houses the imfamous 'David'.  There's a replica that sits outside in the Piazza della Signoria.  There are so many churches to visit as well (Santa Maria Novella, Santa Croce, etc.).  For a great view of Florence take the walk to the Piazza del Michelangelo.  As far as nightlife goes, there's plenty of places to party or even just sit down and hang out.  Depends on what time of the year you go and what you're looking for.  JJ's, Dolce Zucchero, Yab, Slowly, Lion's Fountain, Central Park, Meccano, Fish Pub, etc., etc., etc.  I lived near a bar called the Old Stove, right by Piazza Republica.  Good place just to relax.  There's so many places to eat as well.  I could type for hours.

Take the train from Florence to Rome.  Since it's only one-way I'd suggest spending the extra money and taking the Eurostar so that you save at least an hour and a half.  In Rome you should spend about three days.  There's so much history, not only Italian but European and world history, that's founded in Rome.  The Colosseum, Pantheon, Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, Vatican City, St. Peter's Basillica, Roman Forum, so much to see and do.  For nightlife they have a pub crawl that starts in front of S.Maria Maggiore, one of 4 main churches in Rome. Be there at nine pm any night to drink before hitting up clubs.  There's another one that starts at the colosseum but I've never taken it.  I would suggest instead, if not after the pub crawl, going to the 'campo dei fiore'.  Hop in a taxi and tell them to drop you off there.  It's a huge square that's lined with bars and crepe shops.  The whole place is flooded with Italians and tourists alike partying.  There's an American bar there called the Drunken Ship that caters to students studying abroad.  But there are so many other places as well.

I hope this wasn't too long.  I gave you so much but so little at the same time.  It all depends on who you're going with, if anyone, and what you're into, and you're personal preference.  There's so much more that I could tell you so don't feel shy to email me if you want before you.....let me know how it turns out!

Answer 10

well, i have onlly been to Venice and its a beautiful place. you should atleast stop by there.

Answer 11

My suggestion to ANYONE traveling to different countries is get on the double decker bus in each city you visit.  It is about $25.00 for a 24 hour period.  They will take you around all of the most famous spots and you can get off and on at will.  They provide head phones and are by each location every 15 min.  I like to go around the full trip once and mark places I want to inspect more closely on the map they give me.  Then take a second time around and get off at those spots.  Try and save a little time for night tour most of the cities (especially Rome) is beautiful on the night tour.  It is preferable to sit on the top level.  

Places that are a must see are Rome, Florence and Venice.  By train it is about 21/2 hours between Rome and Florence and another 3 to Venice.   I am leaving This Sunday and spending 2 nights in Rome, 2 nights in Tuscany, 1 in Florence (been there a few times already but love the shopping there) and then going to Treviso (close to Venice) for 8 days (my cousin lives there).  If you have time there is a little village called ASOLO that is exquisit. If you make it there you must lunch at the hotel Cipriani, breathtaking.  Enjoy!

Answer 12

I go regularly to the North West - Cote D'Azur - just inside the French Border.  Monaco, Menton, Bordaghera, San Remo gives you the Mediterranean coast line.  Not very sandy but very nice.  Move out into the countryside for walks etc.  Beautiful countryside, beautiful people and excellent food.   There are several hilltop towns, Seborga, Apricale (weird but beautiful) and Perinaldo within easy reach and a bus service if you have no car. Dolceaqua is further out but worth a visit with excellent restaurants.  The country people make it special for me.  If you want large cities and tourist traps, I am sorry I cannot help you.  Give me the countryside everytime..........

Answer 13

Rome is nice and historical, but beware of pick-pockets - eapecially kids coming toward and gather around you.

Vanice is romantic...

Answer 14

Canadian travel agencies:

Travel Cuts

STA Travel

also, look into getting a student card and/or a Youth card. It will allow you to get some discounts for travel, entrance fees, meals, etc.

Some people choose to go on bus tours. This allows them to pack in alot and not worry about how to get there, where they are spending the night, etc. However, I do find it is cheeper if you go on your own.

I found that travelling with another person made it a little cheeper once in a while, especially for rooms. I think its safer too.

Answer 15

Take a day trip from Rome to Pompeii and Napoli. I took a tour and it covered lunch at a hotel, transportation and a guided tour for about $100 Euros. You can get all the info from the front desk agent at your hotel.