Planning a trip to Italy - Suggestions?

[dom6996]

My wife and I are planning to fly into Rome, Italy on a seven day excursion. Has anyone ever been there? Any suggestions on places to stay, visit, etc.?

[cooplax]

My wife is from Sicily. I will ask her for some suggestions that might be off the beaten path.

[ericdude]

I've been to Europe twice, have a shitload of family in Italy and Germany. Unfortunately the last time I went I must have only been about 13 or 14. I'm going again this year to see my grandfather (He is 92 years old and doesn't think he has much time left :( ) but I've never actually made it to rome.

My family is in Northern Italy near Venice, my grandfather and father lived in a small town Called Campagna and if my memory serves me right, grandfather and my other relatives live in a town called Maniago. Maniago is a really cool town, the market comes in on the weekends and you can find all kinds of awesome stuff to buy. Lots of neat coffee shops around town and definitely some good eating.

Venice is really neat also, however if you visit during the summer be forewarned, it's hotter than shit in the canals and it stinks. Venice isn't known for being the most sanitary location in europe, but they do offer some really neat attractions. Most notably is the glass blowing that they do there (which only adds to the heat index) which is really wild. Some of the most Intricate glass-works you will come across are there. I wish I could be of more information for you on this, but you planned your trip just a little too soon. Once I come back this year I'll be a wealth of information on Italy and Germany :)

Ciao! Enjoy your trip!

[ericdude]

Maybe this will help you also!

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations/europe/italy/

[Surfski]

I have two suggestions of where to go and neither of them are Rome I'm afraid. Rome is ok, lots of nice old buildings but very busy. The Vatican is there of course and interesting to look around, if you're Catholic then obviously it will have greater importance - personally it made me sick to see many roman catholic priests walking past an elderly woman, clearly crippled, lying on the pavement outside the vatican walls begging for money from the queues of visitors and just ignoring her and doing nothing to help anyway I digress!

Suggestions on where to go:

1. Florence - beautiful city, less crowded and lots to see.

2. The Island of Sardinia - although I have not visited it myself (yet) I have it on good authority from an Italian Tour Guide that it is one of the most beautiful places in Italy!

Maybe you should tack on an extra 7 days and go to Sardinia as well! It all depends on what interests you! Hope this helps.

[Reiher]

I personally am a fan of the city of Portofino. Quaint, semi-off the beaten path. Pretty.

[wes mantooth]

Went to Europe 2 years ago, amazing time. Italy is absolutley beautiful. My suggestion of course is to go and see the typical "tourist" sites before going off on your own. I mean the leaning tower of pizza and the collesum are amazing. I suggest the treevi fountain area at night, most amazing restaurants and atmosphere.....guranteed any lady you are with will fall in love with you there....heh happend to me lol...i dunno you really can't go wrong with rome, beautiful....vatican city...wheather you are religious or not is an amazing sight.....have fun

[wes mantooth]

oh check out florence if you have time beautiful church there