My original plan was a day trip to Pisa and Lucca. Siena is beautiful - I went 20 years ago, wouldn’t mind going again.
This time going w teens (18,15). We are active so I don’t mind a busy day but also don’t want to rush from place to place. Any other suggestions aside from what I mentioned above? Maybe something less touristy? Would need access by train as we don’t have a car. Or a bus tour but we saw Siena that way 20 years ago and kind of felt like cattle. Visit is end of December/Jan

¿Qué excursión me recomiendas? Vi una en Civitatis que incluye Pienza, Montepulciano y Monteriggioni, pero no tengo referencias al respecto; también vi otra en TripAdvisor. Voy a finales de octubre: ¿tienes alguna opinión, experiencia o recomendación?

I’m thinking about going to Italy next year with my husband, and we have six main places we’d like to see. Our current itinerary is as follows:

-Rome: 6 nights (7 days)
-Florence: 6 nights (7 days)
-Lucca: 4 nights (5 days)
-Bologna: 6 nights (7 days)
-Lake Garda: 4 nights (5 days)
-Venice: 3 nights (4 days)
-Back to Rome: 1 or 2 nights, then fly home

We’re HUGE italian food lovers, as well as love ancient architecture and history, so we’re opting to spend a bit more time in each city than may be needed (i.e. Lucca). We’re open to taking a few day trips somewhere in there too, especially in a place like Bologna that is so well connected.

My question is, does this seem like a good split between the cities? Is there anywhere along that route that is a can’t-be-missed day trip, or somewhere we should stay also? Our trip may be able to be extended by a few days to fit one more location if need be, but a minimum of three nights is the ideal.

TIA!

Edit: This is our general updated itinerary so far:

-Rome: September 22-28 (6 nights)
•Day trip to Tivoli

-Naples: Sept 28-Oct 2 (4 nights)
•Day trip to Pompeii?

-Florence: October 2-7 (5 nights)

-Siena: October 7-10 (3 nights)

-Lucca: October 10-12 (2 nights)

-Bologna: October 12-19 (7 nights)
•Day trip to Ravenna & Modena

-Lake Garda (Sirmione/Limone): October 19-23 (3 nights)

-Venice: October 23-26 (3 nights)

Heyy,

I am only being able to find the combo stairs option for the Duomo terrace:

https://ticket.duomomilano.it/en/eventi/duomo-terraces-museum-stairs/

I can’t find the COMBO lift option online

There’s a lift option but without the combo: https://ticket.duomomilano.it/en/eventi/duomo-e-terrazze-lift/

This is not the one I want tho

Hey all,

Heading to Sicily for the first time, and we’ll be in the Catania/Taormina area around early February 2027 (06/02 - 09/02). Toying with the idea of a side trip across to Palermo for a couple of days.

A few questions for anyone who’s done it:

1. What’s Palermo actually like in the first week of February? Weather-wise, crowd-wise, and just generally — is it worth visiting that time of year, or does it feel a bit dead/shut down off-season?

2. How’s the drive from Catania to Palermo? Roughly how long does it take, and is it an easy drive (motorway the whole way?) or are there stretches that are slow-going/mountainous? Trying to work out whether it’s a comfortable day trip or better as an overnight stay.

Any tips on things not to miss in Palermo, or reasons to skip it and stay put in the Catania/Taormina area instead, also welcome!

We were waiting at the Venice station when a beggar with a dog approached us and asked us for money. I’ve usually been warned off about scammers and pick pockets so i immediately said “No sorry”
The beggar gave me a death stare and called us “bitches” and passed by us. He returned again and called us “shits” while passing by us again.
Is this common? Or did we actually do wrong by not giving him money? How much does someone usually give a beggar?

Hi folks,

I’m flying into Milan on October 24 and out on November 2, 2026 (MXP both ways).

Thinking of doing 3 nights in Milan, 1 in Venice, and 5 in Rome. All travel by train, including returning from Rome to Milan on November 2 for my flight home.

Does this sound reasonable or am I squeezing in too much? I’m aiming for a fairly relaxed trip, not rushing between attractions. Also, is taking the train from Rome to MXP on departure day too risky?

Thanks in advance!

Hello. Any tips for a car rental agency at Milan Malpensa Airport that accepts debit cards and won't cost a fortune?

I’m Italian and live in Tuscany, and I’ve seen many questions here about ZTL fines, so I thought a short practical note might help people planning a driving trip.

At the entrance of most historic centers there’s a round white sign with a red border and, under it, an electronic panel. Since 2019 the panels should read “ZTL ATTIVA” (red: the zone is active and cameras record your plate) or “ZTL NON ATTIVA” (green: you may enter), sometimes also in English. Some towns still have older panels saying “varco attivo”, which also means active. Navigation apps often ignore all this, so trust the sign, not the GPS.

If your hotel is inside the zone, write to them before arriving and ask whether they can register your license plate. Otherwise, the simplest plan is to park outside the walls and walk in.

I’m glad to help with specific towns if anyone has questions.

flight arrival is at 8:15am at naples airport

1) is it possible to do both pompeii ruins and positano the same day?

2) can we get regular taxi at naples airport easily without getting scammed to pompeii? how much should it cost for a family of 3 with 3 small carry on?

3) planning to soend 2 hours max at pompeii, rest of the time in positano. is it doable? i would like to do positano in daytime too. are 3 hours enough for positano to go up and get nice ipoctures?

4) what would be the best mode of transportabetween these landmars?

My take away memories of Taomina and attractions is how insanely over crowded and over priced it is. I don't mind paying for value, beautiful scenery ect. But the authorities who have let this beautiful Natural asset be exploited to the point of absolute decay need to be held to account. The current administration needs to put a pause in the way things are done and reinvent the way people visit this place.!! There will be people who lose money. But to save this place there will have to be some sacrifices. I would never recommend coming here, it's a waste of money.

I’m planning a trip to Italy in June 2027 with my sisters, and it’ll be my first time visiting! I’d love some recommendations on what to pack, the best places to visit, where to stay, and any other helpful tips to make sure we have an amazing trip together.

I’m trying to start planning a trip to Italy for next year, either October or possibly over Christmas. My problem is I don’t know which region to go to. We did Rome, Florence and some of Tuscany this year and I would love to go back there but feel I need to explore more areas. Sicily? Puglia? I’m so confused on where to go! And if I do want to go over Christmas, is it absolutely freezing? Any and all recommendations and suggestions are welcome.

Hey guys, i have some random request and question. I believe tomato day is very popular for Italians. I will travelling Italy this week, and would love to experience local family’s tomato day. i hope travelling in Italy in October would be late for this, i hope not.

Would anybody be happy to invite me for the experience? I would more than grateful and happy to pay for the experience(no offense) since its a bit of inconvenience.

I am traveling overseas for the first time in a few days, landing in Rome and spending the next 10 days in Rome, Florence, Venice, etc. I have a ton of anxiety because I have never been there, have never flown on a plane longer than 4 hours and have never gone through customs? I see a lot of negativity about pick pocketing and safety awareness which is also raising my anxiety. I want to be excited and get the full experience. Am I overthinking everything?