To Joe Member regarding where to go in Rome, Italy region when on a 20 day tour and whether to stay in Rome or outside of Rome in Frascati (hill town above Rome to the south):
It depends on your price range regarding hotels in Frascati or Rome.
Re Frascati, I usually have family stay at a nice central hotel Antica Colonia. Clean small mom and pop but right in the middle of the city. Hotel Flora is nice as well and a 5 min walk up to the main piazza. Click here for more info about hotels in Frascati.
Depends if you want to stay in a small town and access Rome every day by train or stay in Rome and access Frascati for a day trip and not be married to the train schedule. Either is fine and workable.
I would vote for Florence then Cinque Terre then Verona & Venice. Honestly Pisa, once you have held up the tower with your arm and taken the photo you wonder what all the excitement is about. Lucca is interesting for a short day trip because of the architecture but I would do both of those in a day and make Pisa a short stop then spend a couple of days in Cinque Terre. September will be excellent for Cinque Terre. I have never been but am dying to go and will do so soon with the family.
I would plan 3 full days/2 nights at least in Venice with travel day including a day trip to Verona.
Como 2 nights/3 days would be ideal
So here is what I suggest once you get to Florence: 2 nights/3 days in Florence. stop in Montalcino/Montepulciano (Brunello territory) and pretty drive in the Tuscan hills en route to Pisa, stay the night then visit Lucca and get to 5 Terre and spend at least 2 nights/3days and relax and walk the towns. Then Lake Como 2 night/3days. drive to Venice and stop in Verona for 4-5 hours or so>>> end up in Venice that night. This is a long day but nice comfortable drive across the Po valley. Stay in Venice at least 2 nights 3 days (anywhere in Rialto is great and Hotel Rialto is nice as Lisa stayed there recently (Click here for more info about Hotel Rialto ) and then travel back to wherever you need to fly out of I am guessing Rome.
Renting a car in Rome the day you leave there to get around in the north would be a good idea. Bring your own gps that does Europe. Then bring the car back to Rome, spend the night and get the train out to fco in the am or grab a cab for about 40-50 (train tickets are 16 Euro now to the airport from termini station) since you are in 3 a cab or shuttle is more convenient. If by yourself then the train would be the best bet.
Note: We didn’t discuss Siena and San Gimignano, must stops in Tuscany, because the IVUSS conference was already going there.
For more info on Italy and key places to stay and dine see the lifestyles section of SonoPath.com
Eric Lindquist DMV (Italy) DABVP
Cert. IVUSS
Director SE NJ Mobile Associates, Founder/CEO SonoPath.com