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HELP and SUGGESTIONS on places to stay and ESPECIALLY train and transport suggestions. We are college students on a TIGHT budget, any help will be greatly appreciated. We also DO NOT speak Italian, if that means anything when giving advice.
13 years ago, June 29th 2010 No: 1 Msg: #114337  
Ok, so my friend and I will be traveling to Italy on July 22, 2010-August 10. Here is the "planned" itinerary that I have put together thus far;

Day1: Arrive in FCO (Rome) Train to Genoa, where we will be staying with a family friend.
Day2: Explore Genoa
Day3: Leave in the EARLY A.M. to Venice (do in one day come back very late)
Day3: Venice to San Marco
Day 3: Venice to Murano
Day 3: Venice to Rialto
Day 3: Venice to Genoa
Day 4: Genoa
Day 5: Genoa
Day 6: Genoa to Milan
Day 6: Milan to Genoa
Day 7: Genoa to Montecarlo
Day 7: Montecarlo to Genoa
Day 8: Genoa
Day 9: Genoa to Florence
Day 9: Florence
Day 10: Florence to Pisa
Day 10: Pisa to Florence
Day 10: Florence to Bologna
Day 11: Bologna to Florence
Day 12: Florence to Rome
Day 13: Rome
Day 14: Rome
Day 15: Rome
Day 16: Rome
Day 17: Rome
Day 18: Rome Airport (FCO)

Obviously these can be modified should you think something is not feasible. I got this plan from someone who used to live in Italy for 40 years. We are also looking for a good and cheap (SAFE) place to stay for 2-4 days in Florence, suggestions?
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13 years ago, July 2nd 2010 No: 2 Msg: #114605  
Wow Kassem that's a lot of citys in the time you have. Are you planning on renting a car or motos or are you going to use the trains? the Italian train system is not as precise as the systems in France or Germany and you may spend more time in the stations than you would care too. When you are in Pisa the five villiages on the coast known as La Cinqua Terra are not too far from Pisa. The dewellings there are charming pastel structures that seem to hang off the cliff face overlooking the Ligurian sea. I don't have the names of any specific places you can stay but if you do some searching on the internet you should be able to find some nice and reasonably priced places to stay. When you are in Rome don't miss the Piazza Navona, it will be full of turist in August but the Bernnini Fountain in the center is worth braving the crowds. Good luck and post lots of pictures if you can. Reply to this

13 years ago, July 2nd 2010 No: 3 Msg: #114668  
B Posts: 277
Hi there,
Seeing your schedule I think that going from Genoa to Venice in one day is too much. Venice if expensive but you should be able to find affordable accommodation on the mainland in Mestre for example or in nearby Padova. Venice is a lovely city that should be enjoyed without rush, on foot and by boat - the vaporetto, not the gondolas which are expensive. Don't know if you want to go to Murano, what I have heard it is very much geared towards selling expensive glassware. It makes sense to go from Genoa to Milan and then to Venice, though frankly I would skip Milan and spend more time in Venice and Florence. Bologna should not be of so much interest. When in Rome you should do a trip to Pompeii, it is quite doable via Napoli by train in one day. And, I don't know if Monte Carlo is worth the trip although there is a famous aquarium there. But to me it was a disappointment and you probably need to be rich to be able to enjoy the casino etc. An alternative could be to go to the lakes Como or Garda, those are really beautiful places.
In general I think it is better to see fewer places instead of rushing to see everything. Italy is such a lovely country and just walking around the neighborhoods and markets can be great fun and doesn't cost anything.
Enjoy your trip
PS Seeing that you are going in July-August be aware that the cities will be hot so you may want to try and get out into the countryside. August is the month of vacation for most Europeans so it will also be crowded, you should book trains and accomodation in advance.
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13 years ago, July 5th 2010 No: 4 Msg: #114889  
N Posts: 2
ciao,
if you want to visit Milano look at this website:

http://www.milanobynite.altervista.org/

I've just discovered it, it's a guide for Restaurants, Discos, Club, Aperitives in Milano. It's very useful because it's totally illustarted.
cheers Reply to this

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