I am going to Italy for a week.. Any suggestions about what to see/do and where to get good deals on hotels?

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shuk-yin

if you are going to the Dumo Church in Milan, you have to go to the roof of the church, it's a forest of colums and colums of carvings, amazing. Take a train to go to Venice, it's well worth it if you have never been there. Florence is good too, stay for a day, grap a guide book and pick the most important thing to see, like the statue David in Academia and the Dumo Church. then off to Rome, again pick the main point of interest, such as Colosium, Forum, Patheon, Bernini fountains, Vatican. Your time is very tight, so stay close to the train terminal which is close to everywhere.

mrr86

I posted this same question a couple months ago. I was flying to Israel, and my flight stopped in Milan for 15 hours so I decided to spend the day there. You absolutely have to see the Duomo church in Milan. It is absolutely beautiful.

kgamboa2

If you want to save money, look at hostels instead. As for what to do/see, it depends on the time you're going. I have a friend out there now who was in Milan a few weeks ago, and it was just dead because it seemed the whole city went on a vacation! Enjoy yourself though! I'm going to Rome for a month! =)

desertmoonwoman

If I had a week, I would stay 2 nights in each city. Florence, Siena, and Rome. Keep in mind that distances between cities are not very far, but it takes time out of the day to arrive at the station, and then find a hotel.

Remember to make reservations for the museums to save you time. Your hotel can do this and you will avoid the costs that agents will charge you.

The dollar is so weak that if money is an issue be aware that your hotel could be 150 euros and it exchanges to $215.

Florence The Duomo, Uffizzi, National Gallery, Pont Vecchio
Siena gives you a chance to experience the hilltown areas.
Rome- The Vatican, Colloseum, Pallatine Hill,Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps

Many of the sites are in concentrated areas, so they are easy to get to but give yourself time to relax and enjoy, and of course mangia bene!

strangefruit

I agree that with a only week you should divide yourselves between the two cities - and even then you still might find it feels rushed!
I recommend B&Bs - they're not too expensive, there's that homey feeling and normally people that run them have great advice and updates on activities.
I never went to one in Milan since I have family there, but in Rome I tried out a few very nice ones...
As far as what to do, add some details on what sort of things you are interested in.... there's so much that you'll HAVE to make some selections...

definitely travel by train, take an EuroStar train if you can - it's the fastest way from downtown to downtown.

enjoy your trip!

eyedoc999

Florence is my favorite spot on Earth. If you like the art in Rome, you will love Florence. Everything is within walking distance there. It is fast and easy to take the trains to anywhere you want to go in Italy.

For food, don't ask the concierge where to go-- it is his job to point you to the touristy places. Ask other people that work there where THEY eat.

I'm jealous of you. I hope you have a great time!

Matteo M

SHOP till you drop in MILANO.....check out Corso Buenos Aires, Piazza Lima, Corso Vittorio Emmanuelle.

OH, and to avoid other Italians, including myself, make fun of you, PLEASE, leave the American flip flops at home! Or for the beach at least!

Ciao, ci vediamo!

bob t

Since you'll be there only a week divide your time in these 2 cities. The Duomo, la scala opera house, shop in the stores under the portico by the duomo. In Rome St peter's trevi fountain, spanish steps the colisium. There are many towns near Milan also Como

Genius Cook

Yea, don't stay at the American Hotel in Milan. A buddy tells me that the owner is a jerk.
Milan has much to offer and the fist place to visit would be the Cathedral in center city. The La Scala Opera House is close by and you should really take a look at that too. The entire area around the Duomo (Cathedral) is a busy area and you'll find much to see and do (and shopping is one of the main attractions). You'll also want to walk up over to the Castello Sforzesco - it's got a very good museum (and book shop) to visit. Oh, the Museum in the Palazo Reale to the right (if you are facing the church) of the Duomo, usually has good shows going on. Check out what the venue is when you arrive.
Train from Milan to Rome takes about 5 hours.
Rome.... if you follow the advice from any tow bit travel book you'll have a month full of things to see and do.

Famous_Girl

The Trevie Fountain and Venice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tummi

When in Rome, check out the Galleria Borghese...it's a small museum in the Borghese parks with lots to see.

Jane

What to do in Rome? Well, there are lots of amazing things that I remember, even just walking around! But when you go to Rome you HAVE to climb the cupola of San Petro's Basillica!

D S

Try to see Venice - and if you can't go that far east because of time, at least stop off at the Cinque Terra on your way to the south. If you are going to Rome via Train, there is a nice small hotel a couple of blocks from the main train station. Hotel Kennedy. Not expensive and they speak English and are VERY nice.
Check out www.hotelkennedy.net

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