Quick reply for now…

I think the week in Rome then week in Florence/Venice would be a good plan if you are with your parents and they want a relaxed. When I was in high school I did a similar trip with my parents, grandmother (70 at the time) and 6 year old brother. So, it was a pretty relaxed trip. We did a week in Rome and a week in Florence, although we were there before and during Holy Week, so there was a lot of stuff related to that going on.

I’ll post more details/ideas later tonight when I get more time.

ok thanks. But my parents will be with me only for the first week

Cinque Terre is well worth the time. If you are wanting to relax this is your place. I loved it there and wish I had more time there.

There was a farmstay that someone had talked about that was outside of Rome for only $15 and it sounded amazing and might be something you and your parents would love especially if they are into agriculture. I sent the info to a friend who is going to Italy next year I can get it from her if you are interested.

Yes please send it to me quickly if possible

www.parcoabruzzo.it

another place for farmstays is:

www.italyfarmstay.co…

Hope that helps

Sorry I got the websites mixed up

The farmstay for 15 euro is :

www.italyfarmstay.co…

and the national park is

www.paroabruzzo.it

Sorry it took me while to get back to you.

quote:(2) Plus, around Rome, what would you recommend to do with my parents. Vatican and Colusseum are 1.5 days, but how would you spend the week?

I think you could do more than 1.5 days to see the Vatican and Colusseum. We did a tour of the Colusseum/Arch of Constantine and Forum one day. Also took some time walking around the city. Vatican you could do a Papal Audience (Wednesday) and walk the grounds/St Peter’s. Do the Vatican Museums on another half day. There are various sights around town (Spanish steps, Trevi Foountain, Capitoline Hill, various meseums…) You could also to the Catacombs (which I really wasn’t that impressed by, but that may have been since the bus drivers went on strike and I had to walk the Appian Way back to my hotel and was upset about that). Also litterally a church on every corner you can chek out.

quote:(5)Since my parents have an agriculural background, is there anything in the radius of Rome that might be interesting? …

There probably is a dairy farm/cheesemaker somewhere, I don’t know of any specifically. Maybe a winery tour…

Also as far as Rome a good friend of mine said that it was worth every penny to get a personal tour guide for Rome. He said he got so much more out of his day than had he just walked k=himself and he liked that it was still at his own pace since it was his personaly guide.

A personal guide would be nice in Rome, but very expensive. I’d recommend one of the guided walking tours. Enjoy Rome is fine. Context Rome is supposed to be superb, but very costly.

for r&r try sorrento. i went there in august and it was hot but not as hot as other cities more inland i would imagine because it’s a coastal town. i forgot how far it is from rome though sorry.

I wanted to go to sorrento but, I thought it was difficult to fit venice in too. So in the end we choose venice and florence. I have one more question. Where have you stayed while in Rome. I bought a book this time cause when I went before I was going around looking at buildings which I didn’t have a clue about… colluseum? … just kidding. But in the book it said that B&B .. bed and breakfast is as competitive as hotels and is alot cheaper. So when I go I will stay in a hotel. It costs 2700Eur for two double rooms for one week in Rome..3star. However for B&B, its like 50Eur per nite each so 1600Eur.

I know that hostels would be cheaper but I would not like this and my parents certainly wouldn’t either, so I think I have done my homework, at least on this.

I will write on my experience of this when I come back. I have been to Rome once so I know my way around a little and thanks to everyone who have given advice.

I have one final question. The second week is still open and my parens are gone home. So up north I will see florence and Venice. I’m not sure if this is a good idea as I might get bored of the city.

I see alot of posts about cinq terre but what is the attract. What is it. coastal or what??

Questions are not organised that good but thanks anyway in advance

Mickalin, maybe you should consider an apartment for Rome.
Check the http://www.slowtrav…. site for info about apartments.
I strongly suspect you could meet or beat the 1600E/week figure.
Also look into convents (but they’re often booked way in advance) listed at the www.santasusanna.org site.
Also check out these places:
http://www.hoteljuli…
http://www.domusjuli…

That sounds good traveler but B&B is for two apartments for the week and I don’t want to be crammed in to an apartment with four people. That for the tips though