What are 3 best cities in Italy to visit (8 day trip) and where to stay in each city?

Question

Rome, Florence (?), Venice (?), Milan (?)

Top 3 are ..........

and where should we stay in each city? Looking for a hotel for 2, in the upper 100's$ per night. Close to things to do.

Rome: I see vatican area is inexpensive, not a good place for travellers? We want to be close to the sites but not pay $400/night

Answer 1

I would say that in 8 days you would be better off staying in one area and do a couple of day trips.  If I had to pick one city it would definately be Florence.  There are great day trips from Florence ie Sienna, Pisa, etc.  Florence has a lot to see and it is beautiful.

Answer 2

http://www.tourinitaly.net/

This site had alot of neat stuff.

Answer 3

My first suggestion would be if you insist on seeing three cities to visit Rome, Florence and Venice.  But it 8 days it will be totally exhausting and you still won't see enough.  I would suggest doing two cities.  I recently returned from seeing these three cities and would have to say that Rome was my least favorite.

Also, everything in all the major cities in Italy is close to everything else.  The cities are surprisingly small.  They also have a great transportation system.  Don't worry about where you stay.  You can get to anywhere in minutes.  For example in Rome we stayed near the Termini in Hotel Mariano.  I know there are major qualms about staying in this area, but I had no problems at all.  And if you walk away from the termini there is great local food and bars.  The closer you stay to tourist attractions the more you will pay, in addition you are going to have a completely touristy experience.  This hotel was inexpensive and our room was recently remodeled overlooking a piazza.  The best thing about this area was how close it was to the Termini.  Every bus and train leave from this area.  

In Venice I stayed in the Hotel Abbazia.  Again not in the middle of things, but Venice is really small.  Also there is a water bus stop less than a block away.  You can get anywhere pretty quick from here.  The hotel is adorable, it used to be an abbey, they have internet access in the rooms, a great breakfast and the staff is wonderful.  As you can tell, I loved this hotel.  It is not on the main canal, and you only get views of a garden, but it was worth it.

In Florence, I really did not like the hotel, so I won't really comment.  But you can get most of the tourist spots by taking the 1 bus.  I would also suggest that you take the double decker bus.  It is red, you catch it at the termini.  It costs $20, but it takes you everywhere you want to go!

Answer 4

Keeping in mind that you can't see all of Italy in 8 days and must (sigh) go back year after year....Rome, Florence and Venice to start.  I find Milan more industrial...  Look at www.tripadvisor.com and you can find best picks for hotels in each city based on area or price.  Also you can read other travelers' reviews of the places.  Going in "off" season will mean the hotels will cost less.  Spring and summer are peak tourist times.  Southern Italy, in my opinion, is too hot in the summer months.  Remember that Europeans don't have AC everywhere 24/7 the way Americans do.

Answer 5

Leave Milan - it is horrible(my opinion)  - Rome,Florence and Venice are all wonderful but often overrun by tourists.

Answer 6

Venice is definitely the number one must.  It's very touristy but you still feel like you're in authentic Italy.  I also liked Verona... where Romeo and Juliet was set. I saw her balcony and grave.  For hotels what I like is just finding one that has a room that looks nice and interesting and being spontaneous.  It's more fun for me that way.

Answer 7

Rome, Florence & Venice

skip Milan

use tripadvisor.com to find lodging

Stay by Terminal in Rome

Answer 8

1) Venice is unique

2) Florence great city and amazing surroundings

3) Rome the most impressive city ever

and I suggest you travel by train, it's quicker and easier.

Answer 9

Rome, Florence, and Venice def.

visit this site for hotels, i think its a pretty good one

http://www.venere.com