where to go in Italy

We're considering a trip somewhere Continental perhaps later in the year and while Belgium on the Eurostar is appealing, I'm also considering Italy.  Not having been to Rome it is on the top of my mind but I've also heard Florence is wonderful.

Can you fly from London to Florence or would you most likely fly to Rome or another city?

If you had not been to Italy is Rome basically the "must-do" for first time trip specifically visiting a city?

Or does Venice or Milan or somewhere else take the cake?

Thanks for any input!

Florence is fabulous!  I highly recommend a bike tour in the country side. I used an American company, so the tour guide was American, but fluent in Italian. He seemed to know everyone we passed. We went for a wine tasting and had lunch at a restaurant that we biked to. It was one of the most memorable things I've ever done. We also took the train to Cinque Terre which was right on the sea and gorgeous. I would go there again in a heart beat. Enjoy your trip!

It's a varied country, so it really depends on what you want when you are there.  I've bene to Rome, Venice, Florence, Garda, Como, Milan, and am off to the North again in the summer.  We are probably not going to spend so much time in Milan as I want somewhere a bit chilled, and you can't beat the lakes for that, but if it is your first time you might prefer the history and bustle of Rome or Venice more. 

There are flights all over Italy from the UK, and the train network there is really good too.

Vicky

I've been to Rome and just got back from San Remo and I also lived there for about a year.


I think the country is so wonderful, I doubt there's a place there I wouldn't want to visit.

And Vicky's right about the transportation system -- anywhere you can't get to by plane, you can easily get to by train. Our next trip there is probably gonna be to Bologna, btw.

I've spent a lot of time in Italy and my most favorite parts can be VERY touristy; but if you go at off-times it's not so bad.

My favorite trip was to the Amalfi coast (staying in Sorrento), with side trips to Vesuvius and Pompeii. There is SO much to do in that area, especially if you rent a car. We were there in early May and it wasn't too crowded.

I also really love Bologna and Venice (off-season). Rome and Florence are, of course, not to be missed either - but it will depend on what you want to do and see on your trip. I loved seeing the ancient history, but got tired of going to museums and was glad to get out of the bigger cities.

You most likely can't go wrong with a trip to Italy! The food is to die for and the scenery is stunning. 

I agree with Florence. Lovely. The lakes are lovely too, but we didn't have great weather even in May - it was really, really windy....

Unlike Sevans I'm afraid we hated Bologna! 

I absolutely loved Florence.  I've been twice and would go again.  There is so much to see.  Rome is amazing.  Naples I wasn't so crazy about, nor Capri (but we had cr@p weather when we were there).  We just spent one night in Pisa, which was enough for me. 

Ive only been to the touristy places as well.  Venice and Verona (setting of Romeo and Juliet) in one trip--we went to Venice, stayed a few days and then took the train to Verona which was really a nice trip.... and Rome and the Vatican City in another trip where theres loads to see... all were absolutely fabulous  .

Italy is fabulous!! I just went there 3 weeks ago for the 2nd time. Got a cheap flight on Ryanair to Pisa (they dont fly to Florence from Glasgow, but the train from Pisa to Florence is just about an hour and only costs like £2.50 each way). Pisa was OK, overcrowded with tourists trying to see the leaning tower. Florence was fab, we stayed in an amazing hotel that was quite cheap - the Hotel Machiavelli Palace (spelling is a bit off I think lol). They were so accomodating to us, and the room had a great view and close to the city centre, etc. Rome is also a great place to go visit...unfortuently I only had a day there but it was an amazing time!

Easyjet and Ryanair have tons of flights from different UK/Irish cities to Italy, so I'd check them out. Have fun!!

I agree with Sevans, the Amalfi coast is wonderful. We stayed just outside Sorrento in Sant'Angelo and loved it.

But Rome is wonderful as is Venice. If you're looking to relax more than sightsee, I'd recommend Amalfi though.

We're considering a trip somewhere Continental perhaps later in the year and while Belgium on the Eurostar is appealing, I'm also considering Italy.  Not having been to Rome it is on the top of my mind but I've also heard Florence is wonderful.

Can you fly from London to Florence or would you most likely fly to Rome or another city?

If you had not been to Italy is Rome basically the "must-do" for first time trip specifically visiting a city?

Or does Venice or Milan or somewhere else take the cake?

Thanks for any input!

Belgium is certainly worth a trip of its own and Eurostar makes it easy.

I've been to Venice and Verona twice and taking my sisters this summer to see an opera at the Verona Arena. Venice and its canals are iconic which would be very different than other places in Italy like Rome or the coastline.

My friend and I are going to Florence in June. We bought cheap London-Pisa tickets and will take the train to Florence because it is more expensive to fly directly into Florence (the cheap airlines fly into Pisa).

I probably wouldn't go to Rome for my first time Italy trip especially as the weather heats up.

Consider flying into one city and out of another. The cheap airlines make that a very viable option. I believe the trains are priced on the kilometer so it makes travel quite reasonable.

I went to Florence and Sienna...I love them both...you get modern and old world...such beauty!

I went to Florence and Sienna...I love them both...you get modern and old world...such beauty!

BIG fan of Siena, its wonderful!!

My family live in the North, near Turin.  They live in the mountains near the border with Switzerland and it's absolutely beautiful.  Probably not what most people think of when they think of Italy because the climate is more like Switzerland but it's wonderful there.

Why not go by train if you're looking at Eurostar? Our friends have been to Florence twice by train from Paris.  And if you want to see Pisa, it's worth considering staying in Lucca.

We went to Bergamo a couple of years ago, which is a lovely medieval town close to Milan and travelled around by train. Mantua and Cremona (both lovely towns) were very uncrowded in August.