Travel advice?

[meanfreepath]

I've started to think a little about what I'd like to do in the 5 full days I have (technically, Friday night to Thursday morning) I have to travel in Italy after the light scattering meeting. I'm certainly dividing my time between Florence and Rome -- indeed, while searching around, I found a steal of an air fare from Catania to Florence (

Comments

[sildra]

Maybe because I was there twice as long, but Rome made a much bigger impression on me--at least in terms of tourist sites--than Florence. I mean, when I think of Florence I think of the really filthy hostel I stayed in, an evening walk and gelato with Kyra, and standing on line for hours waiting to get in to museums while my sister whined that we were wasting our time--but not much about the museums themselves, except that Kyra and I enjoyed them and my sister was bored. Whereas in Rome I was basically alone (Kyra hadn't arrived in Italy yet, and my sister was drinking with other tourist kids at night and then sleeping late), so I have all of these memories of places to see

[adfamiliares]

I second the vote for more time in Rome than Florence. Florence is wonderful, but Rome is much bigger and fuller. You could spend the entire 5 days there and feel like you've only scratched the surface. Reserve ahead for the Uffizi, and arrive early for the Vatican Museums; the lines for both get long.

In Florence, we stayed at the Hotel Globus (http://www.hotelglobus.com/). In Rome, the Hotel Domus Tiberina (http://www.hoteldomustiberina.it/index_en.html) in Trastevere. The Domus Tiberina is simple and charming, the Globus a little posher but still not too expensive. We liked them both.

[aridice]

I recommend spending a little bit more time in Rome as well. Florence is charming, but I think you can see most of the highlights in 2 full days (you'll feel a lot more rushed in Rome if you only spend 2 days). Lines for the Uffizi and Academia are much less painful if you reserve ahead of time (whereas you HAVE to spend the time in line for the Vatican).

Oh and a quick rec: If you don't mind hostels, the place I stayed at in Florence, http://www.locandadaniel.it/, is absolutely charming and friendly and will make reservations for you at the museums. I met some very cool people there, too. Plus, the awesome view of the Duomo from their back balcony is real.