Italy Anyone?

[ShotoJuku]

It really isn't necessary to use a tour group, unless you want to. Most Italians 30 or under speak fine English and things are fairly well marked. We did our summer trip through all the countries totally on our own. We just rented a GPS for our rental car and off we went. Driving in Europe and Italy especially is very, very agressive and fast, so if you don't want to do your own driving just plan to use buses and trains. Their train system is great and very easy to use. Just some more to think about.

Yet another valuable tip - I think I'll gve that a try....BUT....where to stay (hotel wise) along the way?

[skyfall123]

Since you have so much time to plan I would also recommend getting a rail pass or do a combo of driving and taking the train. Italy is awesome. Besides the usual Florence, Venice, Rome etc......if you want a romantic getaway check out Cinque Terre 36 Hours in the Cinque Terre, Italy - NYTimes.com
Do a Google Images search using "cinque terre italy"

I would look for bed and breakfasts, but this hotel group is well known and has hotels in every price range and location (like the Marriott brand with anything from the Ritz Carlton to Fairfield Inn). Hotel Reservation : Book hotels online with Accorhotels.com

[bkahuna]

I went to Italy in 2000. At the time we decided to fly in to Barcelona and take a Royal Carribean cruise that stopped:
Barcelona
Nice/Monaco (France)
Florence / Pisa
Rome
Naples
Malta
Barcelona

It was an interesting way to see a country, you really got the feel for all three places. And you had a choice, say in Naples, of going to Mount Vesuivus or choosing a different activity for the day. It was really kind of a "sampler" of what Italy has to offer.

[ShotoJuku]

I went to Italy in 2000. At the time we decided to fly in to Barcelona and take a Royal Carribean cruise that stopped:
Barcelona
Nice/Monaco (France)
Florence / Pisa
Rome
Naples
Malta
Barcelona

It was an interesting way to see a country, you really got the feel for all three places. And you had a choice, say in Naples, of going to Mount Vesuivus or choosing a different activity for the day. It was really kind of a "sampler" of what Italy has to offer.

[SIZE="3"]Actually, as a [COLOR="Blue"]Carnival Cruise "Platinum" member I would jump at the chance of doing the same thing. At present Carnival will only have ships sailing in and around Italy until 2012. Perhaps that will change between now and May 2013![/COLOR][/SIZE]

[ShotoJuku]

Since you have so much time to plan I would also recommend getting a rail pass or do a combo of driving and taking the train. Italy is awesome. Besides the usual Florence, Venice, Rome etc......if you want a romantic getaway check out Cinque Terre 36 Hours in the Cinque Terre, Italy - NYTimes.com
Do a Google Images search using "cinque terre italy"

I would look for bed and breakfasts, but this hotel group is well known and has hotels in every price range and location (like the Marriott brand with anything from the Ritz Carlton to Fairfield Inn). Hotel Reservation : Book hotels online with Accorhotels.com

Thanks for the great links!!

[Lyanne]

Rome In Limo

I heard back from my friend. This company comes highly recommended. I looked at it and I think it's too expensive, but it's much cheaper than a full blown tour.

[ShotoJuku]

Rome In Limo

...I think it's too expensive, but it's much cheaper than a full blown tour...

[COLOR="Navy"]
Cheaper is always better....most of the time - Thanks![/COLOR]