SUGGESTED ITINERARIES - Frommer's EasyGuide to Rome, Florence and Venice 2017 - Stephen Keeling, Melanie Renzulli, Donald Strachan

Frommer's EasyGuide to Rome, Florence and Venice 2017 - Stephen Keeling, Melanie Renzulli, Donald Strachan (2016)

2. SUGGESTED ITINERARIES

By Donald Strachan

Italy is so vast and treasure-filled that it’s hard to resist the temptation to pack too much into too short a time. It’s a dauntingly diverse destination, and you can’t even skim the surface in 1 or 2 weeks—so relax, don’t try. If you’re a first-time visitor with little touring time on your hands, we suggest you max out on the classic trio: Rome, Florence, and Venice could be packed into 1 very busy week, better yet in 2.

How can you accomplish that? Well, in addition to offering some of mainland Europe’s best-maintained highways (called autostrade), Italy also has one of the fastest and most efficient high-speed rail networks in the world. Rome and Milan are the key hubs of this 21st-century transportation empire—for example, from Rome’s Termini station, Florence can be reached in only 91 minutes. In fact, if you’re city-hopping, you need never rent a car. Upgrades to the rail network mean that key routes are served by comfortable, fast trains; the key connections include the Venice-Florence-Rome line. You only require a rental car for rural detours.

The following itineraries take you to some of our favorite places. The pace may be a bit breathless for some visitors, so skip a stop occasionally to have some chill-out time—after all, you’re on vacation. Of course, you can also use any of our itineraries as a jumping-off point to develop your own adventure.

ROME, FLORENCE & VENICE IN 1 WEEK

Let’s be realistic: It’s impossible to see Italy’s three iconic cities fully in a week. However, an efficient, fast rail network along the Rome-Florence-Venice axis means it’s surprisingly easy to see some of the best they offer. This weeklong itinerary treads the familiar highlights. But these are the most visited because, time after time, they provide memories to last a lifetime.

Italy in 1 Week

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Days 1, 2 & 3: Rome Red-Star3_redstar3

You could spend a month touring the Eternal City, but 3 days is enough to get a flavor of it. There are two essential areas to focus on in a short visit. The first is the legacy of Imperial Rome, including the Forum, Campidoglio, and Colosseum (p. 98 and 96). Bookend your day with the Forum and Colosseum (one first, the other last) to avoid the busiest crowds; the same ticket is good for both. On Day 2, tackle St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museums (p. 89), with a collection unlike any other in the world that includes Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel. On Day 3, it’s a toss-up: Choose between the underground catacombs of the Via Appia Antica (p. 122); or spend the day wandering the Centro Storico (p. 46) and the Tridente (p. 110), on the well-trod streets connecting Piazza Navona, the Pantheon, the Spanish Steps, the Trevi Fountain and more. Spend your evenings in the bars of Campo de’ Fiori or Monti (p. 154) and the restaurants of Trastevere (p. 65) or Testaccio (p. 80). Catch the late train to Florence, but be sure to book tickets in advance: Walk-up fares are much more expensive than advanced tickets on the high-speed network.

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Rome’s Flavian Amphitheatre, better known as the Colosseum.

Days 4 & 5: Florence: Cradle of the Renaissance Red-Star3_redstar3

You have 2 whole days to explore the city of Giotto, Leonardo, Botticelli, and Michelangelo. Start with their masterpieces at the Uffizi (you should definitely have booked admission tickets ahead; see p. 181), followed by the Duomo complex (p. 179): Scale Brunelleschi’s ochre dome, and follow up with a visit to the adjoining Battistero di San Giovanni, the renovated Museo dell’Opera del Duomo, and the Campanile di Giotto (p. 178). Start the next day with “David” at the Accademia (p. 194). For the rest of your time, spend it getting to know the art at the Palazzo Pitti (p. 199), the intimate wall paintings of San Marco (p. 195), and Masaccio’s revolutionary frescoes at the Cappella Brancacci (p. 201). In the evenings, head south of the Arno, to San Frediano or San Niccolò, for lively wine bars and better restaurants than you generally find in the historic center (p. 209). Head to Venice via an early train on the morning of Day 6.

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Interior, St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City.

Days 6 & 7: Venice: The City that Defies the Sea Red-Star3_redstar3

You’ll ride into the heart of Venice on a vaporetto (water bus), taking in the Grand Canal, the world’s greatest main street. Begin your sightseeing at Piazza San Marco (p. 267): The Basilica di San Marco is right there, and after exploring it, visit the nearby Palazzo Ducale (Doge’s Palace; p. 265) before walking over the Bridge of Sighs. Begin your evening with the classic Venetian aperitivo, an Aperol spritz (Aperol with sparkling wine and soda) followed by cicchetti (Venetian tapas) before a late dinner. Make your second day all about the city’s art: the Gallerie dell’Accademia (p. 194), the modern Peggy Guggenheim Collection (p. 272), and San Rocco (p. 275). Catch the latest train you can back to Rome. Or add another night—you can never stay too long in Venice.

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The façade of Florence’s duomo.

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Michelangelo’s David in the Accademia, Florence.

A 2-WEEK ITINERARY

It’s obviously difficult to see the top sights of Italy—and to see them properly—in just 2 weeks. But in the itinerary below, we lead you around the best of it all in 14 days. We’ll go beyond the well-trodden (and spectacular) Rome-Florence-Venice trail to include the southern region of Campania, specifically Pompeii, which has Europe’s most complete Roman ruins. Additional stops in the center and north are Pisa (for the Leaning Tower and more), Padua (with its Giotto frescoes), and Verona (city of lovers since “Romeo and Juliet”).

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Venice’s Grand Canal.

Days 1, 2 & 3: Rome Red-Star3_redstar3

Follow the Rome itinerary suggested in “Italy in 1 Week,” above. Because an extra week allows you a day trip to Pompeii, on Day 4 and Tivoli on Day 5, use Rome as a base for the first 5 days. A longer stay means you should consider apartment rental rather than a hotel room in the capital; see “Self-Catering Apartments,” p. 52.

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The Bridge of Sighs, the Doge’s Palace, Venice.

Italy in 2 Weeks

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Day 4: Pompeii: Europe’s Best-Preserved Roman Ruins Red-Star2_redstar2

Early on Day 4, take the high-speed Frecciarossa or Italo train from Rome to Naples, then a Circumvesuviana train 24km (15 miles) southeast of Naples to spend a day wandering the archaeological remains at Pompeii (p. 138). It’s better if you have packed water and some lunch, because onsite services aren’t especially enticing. The city was buried for 2,000 years, having suffered total devastation when nearby Vesuvius erupted in A.D. 79. Some of the great archaeological treasures of Europe—including the remarkable patrician villa Casa dei Vettii and the frescoed Villa dei Misteri—are found here. Return to Rome for overnighting: This is a very long day. Alternatively, you can do the trip as an escorted visit by bus from Rome. Several operators offer it; ask at your hotel or at one of Rome’s tourist information points (see “Visitor Information,” p. 140).

Day 5: Tivoli: A Day Trip to Rome’s Imperial Villa Red-Star2_redstar2

Take your foot off the gas with a more relaxed day trip, 32km (20 miles) northeast of Rome to Tivoli (p. 141). It was out here that Emperor Hadrian built his serene rural retreat, known now as the Villa Adriana (p. 142). It is the grandest retirement residence you’ll ever see, complete with theaters, baths, fountains, and gardens. This emperor had a good eye for design.

Days 6 & 7: Florence Red-Star3_redstar3

Take an early train to Florence (or depart the evening before). Follow the itinerary suggested in “Rome, Florence & Venice in 1 Week,” above, and use Florence as your base for exploring Siena, San Gimignano and Pisa.

Day 8: A Day Trip to Gothic Siena Red-Star3_redstar3

It’s just over an hour to Siena (p. 211) on the rapida bus. Leave early and set out immediately on arrival for Piazza del Campo, the shell-shaped main square, including its art-filled Museo Civico (inside the Palazzo Pubblico). This is a flying visit, but you still have time to squeeze in a fast look at the Duomo and Museo dell’Opera Metropolitana, where you’ll find Sienese master Duccio’s giant “Maestà.” Stop on the Campo for a late afternoon drink and then head to a restaurant in Siena’s atmospheric back streets. Reserve an early table: The last bus back to Florence departs at 8:45pm, arriving back in Florence at 10pm (Sunday’s last bus is usually 7:10pm).

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The 1st-century A.D. Roman Arena on Verona's Piazza Bra.

Day 9: San Gimignano: A Town Stuck in the 1300s Red-Star2_redstar2

It’s another long day on the buses, but well worth it to see one of the most perfectly preserved Gothic towns in Europe. You’ll change buses in Poggibonsi for the last, ridiculously pretty leg through vine-clad hills to San Gimignano (p. 219). The “city of beautiful towers” had over 70 of the things spiking the sky in its medieval heyday. Now just a handful remain, including the Torre Grossa (which you can climb). The frescoed Collegiata is the essential art stop. You can dine early at Chiribiri (it’s open all day), then leave on the late bus. Also consider renting a car: The roads of central Tuscany are pretty at any time of year, and parking on the outskirts of San Gimignano is well provisioned and signposted.

Day 10: Pisa & Its Leaning Tower Red-Star2_redstar2

The set-piece piazza here is one of the most photographed slices of real estate on the planet. Pisa’s Campo dei Miracoli (“Field of Miracles”) is home to the Leaning Tower (p. 216), of course. You can visit the Duomo, with its Arab-influenced Pisan-Romanesque facade; the Battistero with its carved pulpit and crazy acoustics; and the rest of the piazza’s monuments and museums on the same combination ticket. You should book a slot ahead of time if you want to climb the Leaning Tower, however. For dining alla pisana, head away from the touristy piazza. The “real Pisa” lies in the warren of streets around the market square, Piazza delle Vettovaglie. Finish your visit with a stroll along the handsome promenade beside the River Arno. Take a late train back to Florence (the last one departs at 10:30pm), and set out early the next morning for Venice.

Days 11 & 12: Venice Red-Star3_redstar3

Follow the itinerary suggested in “Rome, Florence & Venice in 1 Week,” above. Unless you want to overnight in Padua or Verona, you’ll spend the next 4 nights in Venice.

Day 13: Padua & Its Giotto Frescoes Red-Star1_redstar1

Lying only 40km (25 miles) to the west, Padua (p. 289) is a straightforward day trip by train. In one fairly relaxed day, you can visit the Basilica di Sant’Antonio (p. 290) to see its Donatello bronzes and the Cappella degli Scrovegni (p. 290), or Arena Chapel, with its Giotto frescoes—perhaps the most important paintings in the history of Italian art. Also look next door at the Chiesa degli Eremitani. One of the saddest sights in Italian art is here, the Ovetari Chapel, where Mantegna’s frescoes were almost totally destroyed by a World War II bomb. Return to Venice for the night.

Day 14: Verona: City of Lovers & Gladiators Red-Star3_redstar3

Although he likely never set foot in the place, Shakespeare placed the world’s most famous love story here, “Romeo and Juliet.” Wander Piazza dei Signori and take in another square, Piazza delle Erbe, before descending on the Arena di Verona (p. 293): Evoking Rome’s Colosseum, it’s the world’s best-preserved gladiatorial arena, still used for monumental opera performances in summer months. Head back to Venice for the night. It is well worth booking your tickets for the high-speed train ahead of time. The journey is just 1 hour, 10 minutes, compared with over 2 hours for the slower regional service.

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Palio horserace in Siena's Piazza del Campo.

ITALY FOR FAMILIES

Italy is probably the friendliest family vacation destination in all of Europe. Practically, it presents few challenges. But if you’re traveling by rental car with young children, be sure to request safety car seats ahead of time. Let the rental company know the age of your child (up to 12), and they will arrange for a seat that complies with EU regulations. Rail travelers should remember that reduced-price family fares are available on much of the high-speed network; ask when you buy your tickets or contact a booking agent.

As you tour, don’t go hunting for “child-friendly” restaurants or special kids’ menus. There’s always plenty available for little ones, even dishes that aren’t on offer to grown-up patrons. Never be afraid to ask if you have a fussy eater in the family. Pretty much any request is met with a smile.

Perhaps the main issue for travelers with children is spacing your museum visits so that you get a chance to see the masterpieces without having young kids suffer a meltdown after too many paintings of saints and holy bambini.

Remember to punctuate every day with a gelato stop—Italy makes the world’s best ice cream. You will even find creative soya flavors for anyone with lactose intolerance. We also suggest planning fewer long, tiring day trips out of town, especially by public transportation. And end your trip in Venice, which many children may assume was dreamed up by Walt Disney anyway.

Italy for Families

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Day 1: Rome’s Ancient Ruins Red-Star3_redstar3

History is on your side here: The wonders of Ancient Rome (p. 94) should appeal as much to kids (of almost any age) as to adults. There are plenty of gory tales to tell at the Colosseum (p. 96), where the bookshop has a good selection of city guides aimed at kids. After that, little ones can let off steam wandering the Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill. (The roadside ruins of the Imperial Forums can be viewed at any time.) Cap the afternoon by exploring the Villa Borghese (p. 115), a monumental park in the heart of the city. You can rent bikes, and there is also a small zoo in the northeast of the grounds. For dinner, head for some fluffy crusts at an authentic Roman pizzeria, such as Li Rioni (p. 70).

Day 2: Rome: Living History Red-Star3_redstar3

Head early to St. Peter’s Basilica (p. 48), before the lines form. Kids will find it spooky wandering the Vatican grottoes, and few can resist climbing up to Michelangelo’s dome at 114m (375 ft.). After time out for lunch, begin your assault on the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel (be sure to book advance tickets; it’s worth the 4€ to avoid the lines). Even if your kids don’t like art museums, they will probably gawk at the grandeur. Later in the day, head for the Spanish Steps (a good spot for some upscale souvenir shopping; see p. 110) before wandering over to the Trevi Fountain. Give the kids coins to toss into the fountain, which is said to ensure their return to Rome—perhaps when they are older and can better appreciate the city’s many more artistic attractions.

Day 3: Rome: Underground Red-Star3_redstar3

There are, literally, layers of history below the city streets, and kids will love to explore the catacombs of the Via Appia Antica (p. 122), the first cemetery of Rome’s Christian community, and where the devout practiced their faith in secret during periods of persecution. Context Travel (p. 127) runs an excellent tour of the city’s subterranean layers, which takes in San Clemente (p. 103) and SS. Giovanni e Paolo. It costs 285€ per party. Eat more pizza before you leave; Rome’s pizzerias are bettered only by those in Naples, to the south. And the next recommended stops all lie to the north.

Days 4 & 5: Florence: City of the Renaissance Red-Star3_redstar3

Take the early train to Florence. It is usually thought of as more of an adult city, but there’s enough here to fill 2 family days, plus a couple of day trips. With 4 nights here, you should take an apartment rather than a hotel room, to give you all the more space to spread out. Check out GoWithOh.com for a good selection of quality places. Close to the Duomo, Residence Hilda (p. 159) is a family-friendly hotel that rents large, apartment-style rooms. Begin with the city’s monumental main square, Piazza della Signoria, now an open-air museum of statues. The Palazzo Vecchio (p. 187) dominates one side; you can all tour it on special child-friendly itineraries, including a chance to explore its secret passages. You won’t want to miss the Uffizi. With young children, you could turn your visit into a treasure trail of the museum’s collection by first visiting the shop to select some postcards of the key artworks. On the second morning, kids will delight in climbing to the top of Brunelleschi’s dome on the Duomo for a classic panorama. Get there as early as possible—lines lengthen very rapidly. If they still have energy to burn, climb the 414 steps up to the Campanile di Giotto, run around in the Giardino di Boboli, eat some of Italy’s best gelato, and stroll the Ponte Vecchio at dusk. Add the following two day trips—to Pisa and Siena—on to your Florence stay, returning each evening to your Florence apartment.

Day 6: Pisa & Its Leaning Tower Red-Star2_redstar2

If your kids are 7 or under, you should consider skipping Pisa (p. 214): 8 is the minimum age for the disorienting ascent up the bell tower of Pisa’s cathedral, which more commonly goes by the name the Leaning Tower. Elsewhere in the city, kids will love the hyperreal monuments of the Campo dei Miracoli and learning about the city’s Galileo links: He was born here, and supposedly discovered his law of pendulum motion while watching a swinging lamp inside the Duomo. Before heading back to Florence, take them to taste a local specialty, cecina—a pizzalike, garbanzo bean-flour flatbread served warm—at popular slice parlor Il Montino. Rail connections between Florence and Pisa are fairly fast (60-80 min.), frequent, and affordable (under 9€ each way).

Day 7: Gothic Siena Red-Star3_redstar3

Count yourself lucky if you can visit Siena (p. 212) around July 2 or August 16 for the famous 4-day Palio celebrations, when horses race around Piazza del Campo. Year-round, a couple of epic climbs will thrill the kids. The Torre del Mangia—the bell tower of the Palazzo Pubblico—yields a dramatic view of the city and the enveloping countryside. Through the Museo dell’Opera Metropolitana, they can scale the “Facciatone” for an alternative, dizzying view down into the Campo. At Santa Maria della Scala, they will find Bambimus, the art museum for kids, with paintings hung at child-friendly heights. The zebra-striped Duomo is jazzy enough to pique their curiosity. Siena’s bakeries are famed for their sweet treats. Take the bus back to Florence after an early dinner. (Try not to make this day trip on a Sunday, when bus service is much reduced.)

Days 8, 9 & 10: Venice, City on the Lagoon Red-Star3_redstar3

Leave Florence early for Venice, the most aesthetically kid-pleasing city in Italy. The fun begins the moment you arrive and take a vaporetto ride along the Grand Canal. Head straight for Piazza San Marco (p. 267), where kids delight in riding the elevator up the great Campanile. Catch the mosaics inside the Basilica di San Marco, which dominates the square. At the Palazzo Ducale, walk over the infamous Bridge of Sighs after checking out the pint-size knights’ armor. As in Florence, make time for the priority art: Visit the Gallerie dell’Accademia (p. 194) and San Rocco, where kids view the episodic Tintoretto paintings like a picture book. Take a modern break at the Peggy Guggenheim Collection for pop art, an open courtyard, and a rooftop cafe. In summer, save time for the beach at the Lido (p. 280) or for a different angle on Venice’s canals from the seat of a gondola (p. 231).