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Italian vacation suggestions

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WhiteKnight

Platinum Member
I am going to a weekend conference in Pisa in March and my fiancee and I are planning on turning it into a week trip. Does anyone have suggestions for places to visit? We won't be doing any backpacking, but we would love to be mobile and check out a bunch of locations. The only requirements are that we leave the US on a Saturday and arrive in Pisa by the following Thursday night. We don't have a ton of money, so low cost options are also appreciated.

Update 2/6/05
Well, it's starting to come together now. Right now it's looking like we are going to leave on a Sunday from the US and arrive in Rome on Monday morning. We'll stay in Rome until Wednesday midday, when we'll take a train to Florence. We'll spend the night there, and take another train to Pisa in the later afternoon on Thursday. I'd love to spend more time in each place, but unfortunately, I don't think we can afford too much more, as we are also getting married this summer. Anyway, I was wondering if anyone could give me some advice on how much to budget for food for the two of us, per day. Does US$100/day average seem like it would be enough? Our hotels all provide breakfast. Thanks.
 
I was stationed at Camp Darby in Pisa for awhile. Hit up Tirrenia there, its a beach front town with a good night life, plenty of bars and a few clubs, and some great places to eat.
 
You can easily do Florence or even Venice. As GT suggested, you can skip Milan. You might fly into there but I wouldn't stay the night.
 
Well, it could be he and I have different traveling philosophies. I prefer to avoid large cities, tour groups, long lines, etc. I prefer to escape with just my backpack and digital camera and go somewhere smaller and more authentic. Although Lake Como and Cinque Terre are no doubt touristy at times, they are far better than the zoos you typically find in Rome or Florence.

My Italian co-worker seconds Cinque Terre.
 
Originally posted by: WhiteKnight
Any tips for train travel?
Click to expand...

Italian trains are NOT as efficient as the German nor Swiss trains. As soon as you cross the border into Italy from Austria, the train simply slows and the delays begin. That has seriously been my personal experience. I've had three train "nightmares" and two of them occured in Italy. (The other between France and Spain.) Just keep that in mind before setting time deadlines.

Useful site for you: Trenitalia.

Edit: The best train web site in the world is run by Deutsche Bahn. They even give you info on non-German train times: Die Bahn.
 
be very careful of pickpockets the further south in Italy you go.

I just got pickpocketed on my recent trip in rome.

2 attempts on me in 2 days there, 1 successful obviously. I also witnessed 2 run buy purse grabbings while there.

try not to bring out more than 100 euroes and definitely don't bring out your passport.

Keep things in an airport or trainstation safe and wear key around neck, underneath clothes.
 
If you have a chance take a train to Florence, spend a day there then go to Sienna. They are not to far apart. I have family in Italy and have been there many times.
 
Florence is a nice place and Assissi would be good for a day trip. Not much to see there besides the basillica, but it does have that pretty countryside thing going on. Florence, though, should be a must. I would also recommend Venice but it is also overrated. You can do Venice as a day trip, but not sure how the drive and distance would work out.
Venice is going to hell quick-like and I would recommend people seeing it because I would not be surprised if that city is abandoned sometime in our lifetime.
 
Originally posted by: amoeba
be very careful of pickpockets the further south in Italy you go.

I just got pickpocketed on my recent trip in rome.

2 attempts on me in 2 days there, 1 successful obviously. I also witnessed 2 run buy purse grabbings while there.

try not to bring out more than 100 euroes and definitely don't bring out your passport.

Keep things in an airport or trainstation safe and wear key around neck, underneath clothes.
Click to expand...

You mean once of those lockers where you put in some coins?
 
Originally posted by: amoeba
be very careful of pickpockets the further south in Italy you go.

I just got pickpocketed on my recent trip in rome.

2 attempts on me in 2 days there, 1 successful obviously. I also witnessed 2 run buy purse grabbings while there.

try not to bring out more than 100 euroes and definitely don't bring out your passport.

Keep things in an airport or trainstation safe and wear key around neck, underneath clothes.
Click to expand...

You can get a "wallet" sort of deal that you wear around your neck that'll hold all of your money, passport, etc. I can't imagine getting pickpocketed if you're wearing one of those under your clothes. 🙂
 
I have spent a lot of time living in and travelling Italy. Send me a PM and we can exchange IM info and chat from there.

Lucky you...

 
$100US a day for food is enough...eat lots of pasta and pizza lol If you have time I would take the train to up Genoa, its not a long ride, then take a boat across to Portofino..it would seem a waste not to see this town as you are so close. I have roots in Italy and have been there many times. Do a search and read more. Also if you are staying near Florence I would check out Siena, that a quaint town and you can just walk that place for the day. There is a beautiful square with many cafes overlooking a large church, well worth the visit.
 
Originally posted by: mrrman
$100US a day for food is enough...eat lots of pasta and pizza lol If you have time I would take the train to up Genoa, its not a long ride, then take a boat across to Portofino..it would seem a waste not to see this town as you are so close. I have roots in Italy and have been there many times. Do a search and read more. Also if you are staying near Florence I would check out Siena, that a quaint town and you can just walk that place for the day. There is a beautiful square with many cafes overlooking a large church, well worth the visit.
Click to expand...

Do you think that it's just adequate or is it even a bit generous?
 
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