I need help planning a trip to Italy for 4 people..?

Question

We are looking to travel to Italy in November. We would like to see Rome, Florence and Venice. There will be 2 couples in our group and we would like to spend 7 days. If possible we would like to spend under $2,000 each.

Is it better to plan the trip on our own, or through an agent or travel package?

Assuming its better to fly 1st class from the US to Italy, is flying coach really THAT bad?

Any suggestions would be very helpful! Thanks!!

Answer 1

I live in Italy and have flown from the States  to here many times. I would book my own trip it will save you a lot of money first off because you are not buying an agent to do the same work you can do yourself. If you fly british airways which is usually cheap you don't need first because they have more leg room its just a long flight and they work with you if there are open seats but 1st is always better. It will be really hard to go for less then 2000 a person for 7 days because of the exchange rate.The exchange rate is .73 which $2000=E1460. The airline tickets themselves maybe from 700 to 1500. For hotels I would go to www.selectitaly.com they have cheaper hotels that are usually nice. Then if you rent a car (must get a least a large one and they only drive stick here) its about E500 at least( we rent from europcar  or transportion that could get costly. Food then you are looking at at least E100 a day depending on where and what you eat. Venice is super costly, WE went there with my family got 6 ice creams and it cost E50. Then what ever you buy and other tours. Good luck with the 2000 I would think maybe 3000.

Answer 2

I would do it yourself. That time of year things are not that crowded and you will find accomodation

Regarding flying coach - it is not the  best but I normally fly coach and manage okay. If you are not to tall or large it is okay. I am around 6ft 4 so I don't find it particularly comfortable. Depends also on the airline -some have more space than others and various areas on the aircraft have more space. I try to get seated near the bulkheads or emergency exits.

Answer 3

Hello,

Italy is a wonderful place to visit and November is a great time to go.  Since you will only be there 7 days, I would pick just one city and spend the entire vacation there.  These cities have so much to see that you will feel really rushed if you try to squeeze in more than one of them.  

I would choose Rome (my personal favorite) for this time of year.  The weather will be great and the crowds will be few.  I see that you are considering 2000 each, that seems like a good figure.  If you are thinking of flying first or business class, you will really have to up your spending amountl.  Those tickets alone can cost 2-5000 dollars.  Flying coach is no fun but it is a lot cheaper.  You can find hotels in all 3 cities for 100 euros or less a night.  Try venere.com for the best choices.  Planning this trip on your own will be easy to do.  There is so much info out there that it really makes sense to do it yourself and have things exactlty the way you want them.  

If you do decide to visit all three of these cities or even just two of them then you will need transportation in between them.  The train system in Italy is great and inexpensive.  You should be able to buy your tickets on the day of travel without a problem.  If you will have access to the internet while in Italy you can check out the trenitalia.com website for times and prices and plan your trips accordingly.  It is an hour and a half from Rome to Florence and four and a half  from Rome to Venice.  I would suggest if you go from Rome to Venice that you buy 1rst class train tickets.  The seats are larger and nicer.  Also, if you take a laptop with you those seats have a power outlet.  A first class train ticket from Rome to Venice will cost $300 euros round trip for the both of you (not each).  

If you stay in rome try to get a hotel in the termini area of town.  This is where you will get the best prices.  It is also close to all the attractions.  There are only a few sites that charge an entrance fee in Rome.  The colosseum/palatine hill combo, the baths of caracalla, the alter of peace and the castel sant angelo.  All the museums charge an entrance fee.  The most expensive of these fees is 12 euros.  Most run about 6 or 7 euros.  Most of the museums offer audio guides for about 5 euros.  

Food can be really cheap or very expensive.  You can grab a slice of pizza and a soda for less than 5 euros.  You can have a plate of spagetti, bread  and a small bottle of wine for less than 10 euros.  Or you can go to a really nice restaurant and spend 30 or more.  It all depends on where it is.  The less touristy areas will offer the best prices and the best food.  Look for menus without pictures and not in English.  This is a sure sign of a tourist menu.  Try not to buy sodas or sandwiches from the food carts outside of major attractions.  They will overcharge you.  They will ask for 3 euros for a can of soda.  Don't fall for this.  If you get really thirsty and cannot find a small deli you can always drink out of any of the fountains in Rome.  they all have clean, cold water and you will see Romans using them all the time.  

Another great website for info is virtualtourist.com.  They also have a forum where you can ask Italy experts for their advice.  

Donna

Answer 4

In my opinion, visiting all three cities in the course of one week is too much. If you really must visit all three then you should go through a travel agency to see if there is a tour that works for you. Try to get as much included as possible, including airport transfers. Not sure you will be able to do it for $2000 per person.

I really think you should concentrate on either Rome or Florence & Venice. Rome is incredible and you will only scratch the surface in a week. However, Rome is very expensive. If you choose Florence then hotels will be less and a day trip (or overnight trip) to Venice is practical. I don't think you need more than one or two full days in Venice to get a feeling for the city.

The below assumes the $2000 you stated above is per person and not per couple.

You don't say where you live, but Miami to Florence r/t is about $700 per person/$1400 per couple in November on Alitalia. There are decent hotels in Florence and Venice for $150/night or less for two people, so 6 nights would be $900 per couple. The train from Florence to Venice one-way is about $50 per person and r/t is about $75 per person. That would leave you about $1500 per couple for meals, taxis, tours, and incidentals.

Note that you can fly from the USA to Florence and fly back from Venice for about the same fare as r/t to Florence. It is called an "open-jaw" ticket. For example, that would allow you to depart the USA on 11/14, arrive Florence on 11/15, spend the 16th, 17th, & 18th in Florence, take the train to Venice on the 19th, see Venice on the 20th, and fly home on the 21st (departing Venice in the morning).

First and Business Class are lots more comfortable than Economy, but just the ticket will be almost $3000. EC is NOT that bad - just stay hydrated and try to sleep on the flight.

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Italy is normally cool and rainy during November, but the weather is not entirely predictable so you need to be prepared for changes.

A small backpack makes a good carryon bag and will be useful in your daily life. You are allowed two carryons, so a purse plus the backpack will be OK.

Hold your checked luggage to ONE regular-size rolling suitcase (not more than 50 pounds each) per person. Better is one suitcase per couple.

You don't need 7 changes of clothes for a 7 day trip: Don't worry about wearing the same outfit more than once (just be presentable).

If you don't have easy access to laundry facilities, underclothes can be washed in the bathroom sink. You can also wash shirts & trousers in the bathroom sink - there will be a laundry somewhere if you don't want to do that. Shampoo takes out grease stains and a little conditioner (or "conditioning shampoo") reduces wrinkles.

1 Jacket, preferably with a hood and at least semi water resistant

2 Sweaters

6 Shirts (2 short-sleeve & 4 long-sleeve)

2 Jeans,

2 Not jeans

7 Changes of underclothing

2 Pair of comfortable walking shoes

1 Swimsuit

1 Travel umbrella

Sunglasses & hat

Try to choose classics, and items that you can mix and match. Have at least one set of "nicer" clothing.

You should take one set of dress clothing & shoes in case you attend a more formal occasion (nice restaurant for dinner, opera, whatever).

"Modest" clothing is required for entering churches in Italy: No bare shoulders (L/S shirt is best), long trousers or (for women) a skirt longer than kneelength, and closed shoes are required. Women should also take a scarf in case they are required to cover their hair.

Take a supply of USA toiletries and over-the-counter medications with you. The same items will be available in France, but the brands will be unfamiliar and they will cost more. Ditto with prescription meds.

Wear one set of clothing on the flight. Pack the jacket, 1 sweater, 1 ss shirt, 1 ls shirt, 1 trousers, a set of underclothing, and basic toiletries in your carry-on. (check the rules at www.tsa.gov)

If you do take 2 suitcases per couple, split your clothing and toiletries/OTC meds evenly between the suitcases. There is always a chance one of your bags will go astray and that way you will both still have extra clothing to wear until it reappears.

Mark or tag all checked suitcases with something that makes them more distinct. An example would be to attach a strip of colored tape to each side of the bag. It reduces the chance someone might accidentally pick up your bag by mistake at baggage claim (there are millions of black suitcases). Also clearly tag ALL bags >>> inside and outside <<< with your name and a good phone number + e-mail address (but not your home address). The free tags from the check-in counter are OK.

Send an e-mail message to yourself with your passport number & date of issue. Ditto with the numbers of the credit cards you will take with you. That way the info is easily accessible in case something is lost or stolen.

Consider getting trip medical insurance even if your regular policy says it covers you in Europe. Trip medical insurance is cheap and is sold via airlines and travel agencies (like American Express).

Change money only at real banks. Only use ATMs operated by real banks – AVOID ATMs in hotels and restaurants as the service charge can be astronomical. Check with your bank at home to see if they have a relationship with a bank in Italy so you can use their ATMs for a reduced service charge.

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Hope you have a good trip!

Answer 5

I returned yesterday visting the same 3 places for 7 days. Left on June 29th from Chicago and returned yesterday.

We spent around 5.5 K for 3 people including the flight, accomodation in all 3 places and train from Rome to Florence and Florence to Venice. The price also included some package tours such as 1/2 day visit to Pisa and 2 more guided tours in Rome. We stayed 3 nights in Rome, 2 nights each in Florence and Venice.

If I had to do all over again, I would have given an additional day in Rome and make it an 8 day tour.

The price doesnt include the food and other items u are planning on buying. Food in restaurants is extremely expensive.

If u are planning to fly 1st class, u cannot make t within 2K each. We flew coach and wasnt a big deal. If u can paying a little extra u can fly premium economy in United where u will get anadditional 10 inches of leg space.

We actually went thro Solar Tours in Washington DC where u can pick the hotels and things u can do. Also as they try to get a good deal in the train tickets, u may not get ur tickets till 2-3 weeks of ur departure date. They did send to me promptly.

Also, if u are planning to see new places (which we wanted) u can do in this time span. But if u want to consider this as a true "vacation", this is not the way. U will come back a bit exhausted as it will be a bit tiring covering all the places.

Anyway Good luck and Have fun!

Answer 6

You can do all three, and you can do it in that price range, by yourself.  Do web research, plan ahead, and pack lightly (anything that you need or forget can be bought there).  The very best resource for how to maximize your time and minimize your cost (and stress) is through Rick Steves.

Buy his travel skills books, and use his website to get tips from others.  Remember that any service you use is making money as a middle man - money you can save if you spend the time planning.