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Italy in March

post #1 of 21
12/22/09 at 1:33pm
Thread Starter 
I am looking to put together a one-week vacation for two to Italy this coming March. I would like to spend some time in Rome and at least one other major city in Italy during that week. I am not sure if the best way is to look for some kind of vacation package or buy the individual components (airfare, hotels, train fare between cities, etc.) separately. Does using a travel agent mean that I will pay a substantial markup?

I've tried googling "Italy vacation packages" but that results in tons of nearly useless links. It does appear as if the last week in March, my preferred time, is significantly more expensive than earlier weeks.

If anyone has any experience with this kind of thing, I would be most appreciative of any suggestions or recommendations.
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post #2 of 21
12/22/09 at 1:46pm
Packages could be a good idea ... but they can get very expensive, the one my parents are looking at is 10 days and $9K a person. I can't comment on using a travel agent.

I can, however, offer some money saving tips based on my own experience:
Next time I return to Rome, I'm staying at the Hotel Trastevere. Absolutely beautiful neighborhood (it's where my girlfriend used to live), and the prices can't be beat. See Times article here.

From Rome, it's an easy hop up to the Tuscan towns of Siena or Florence. Both are nice, I stayed in Siena. Beautiful city to romp around for the night. Be sure to take a wine tour. Our hotel was a mere 70 Euro a night, a hilariously low price.

this is a long and somtimes conflict wilted thread, but there is some good information here as well:
http://www.styleforum.net/showthread.php?t=124248

I can give restuarant/activity suggestions as well.
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post #3 of 21
12/22/09 at 1:51pm
Easter this year is on the 2nd of April which will explain why the end of March is expensive in Rome.
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post #4 of 21
12/22/09 at 1:57pm
^

true. You'd be doing yourself a favor by moving a week ahead or after. You'll avoid unruly crowds as well (good luck with the Vatican that week)
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post #5 of 21
12/22/09 at 2:00pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks very much for those pointers. I will take a look at those hotels and I definitely missed whnay's Italy thread.

Also didn't realize that Easter bumped up prices so much. I may have to consider going earlier to keep the trip within my budget.
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post #6 of 21
12/22/09 at 2:01pm
How is the weather during that time, generally? I went second half of April years ago and just remember, that while dry, it was pretty damn cold (Florence and Cinque Terre). Wondering if it's wetter and colder if you go in March.
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post #7 of 21
12/22/09 at 2:04pm
Rome is the epicenter of the Catholic church. People flock from every corner of the earth to be in Rome on some of the big Catholic holidays, and Easter is certainly one of the biggest. Prices will, of course, become much more expensive around this holiday.

If you have any other questions on cheap Rome, just ask. I was able to spend surprisingly little and had a magnificent time.
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post #8 of 21
12/22/09 at 2:22pm
I lived in Italy for 8 years during the 80's and I just went back this summer in July. I spent 19 days. Flew from Houston into Rome stayed 4 days. Train to Florence, 4 days. Train from Florence to Pisa for one day side trip. Only stayed in Pisa a couple of hours. Saw Tower had dinner and then went back to Florence. Took train to Venice 3 days. Took train to Milano 4 days. Took overnight train to Pairs spent 3 days and then flew back to Houston. Check out Tripadvisor.com http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowForum...i20-Italy.html. Look under Forms, Europe Forms, Italy. There is an abundance of information for all the cities that you want to visit from pepole who have been there. For hotels check out Venere http://www.venere.com/ Used this company to see the sites in Rome http://www.througheternity.com/ Used this company http://www.romecabs.com/ to rent a car and driver to take me from airport to hotel. All of these companies can be checked through Triadvisor which I would suggest that you use to research information on your trip. Good luck.
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post #9 of 21
12/22/09 at 2:57pm
we visited rome & the amalfi coast/naples in mid-march '02. weather was warming up nicely, but definitley pre-season for capri, etc., so nice discounts. i remember we were right on the cusp, so you may be over (or perhaps it's the pasqua thing).
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post #10 of 21
12/22/09 at 3:10pm
Rome is cool. Avoid Naples.

Stretch it to two weeks and see the Cinque Terre, you will not be disappointed. Travel by train between cities; cheap, easy, adventurous.

Florence and Venice are great. Sienna is one of my favorites.
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post #11 of 21
12/22/09 at 6:04pm
don't do a package, italy isn't that complicated.

my vote is always for Bologna. good food, nice buildings, almost no tourists.
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post #12 of 21
12/22/09 at 6:19pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by globetrotter View Post
don't do a package, italy isn't that complicated.

my vote is always for Bologna. good food, nice buildings, almost no tourists.

But is there any Foobinaci there?
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post #13 of 21
12/22/09 at 6:21pm
this question is always hard to answer because there are so many "italys". if what you're thinking is the predominant American vision (largely Tuscan), then you could do really well for a couple of weeks in Rome, Florence, genova and Assisi or Sienna with day trips. As you go north, it's almost a different country. Bologna is great, but very different, colder ... more middle class. torino is great, too, but it feels almost French to me. Venice is a country unto itself. The area north of Venice, up toward Trento and then east into Friuli is almost Austrian. It's really under-appreciated by most American tourists, but there's terrific food and scenery.
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post #14 of 21
12/22/09 at 6:23pm
Easter week is also the European equivalent of spring break, so the entire content is traveling.

I was in Rome in mid-March two years ago -- cold and quite rainy. I took a sidetrip to Naples to see Pompeii and loved it, despite the weather.

But if you're looking for a variety, I guess I'd do Rome/Florence. They're close enough to take the train between, slightly different and the big tourist spots in the country.
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post #15 of 21
12/22/09 at 7:42pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mr. magoo View Post
Easter week is also the European equivalent of spring break, so the entire content is traveling.

I'll be on the actual equivalent of spring break in Italy this year, though on a school trip. Rome and Milan. I love Rome, but I've heard Milan described as the Detroit of Italy...
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