Boredom gone! just booked our summer hols :) :) We're going to Italy for 11 nights, 4 nights in Siena, Tuscany, then 3 nights in Venice then head over to Lake Como for 4 nights of relaxation! :) Can't wait & managed to get it all for a decent price!!

So come on oh wise CDers, what should we expect? What should we not miss? All recommendations welcome!

Sienna is magical, a beautiful city to walk around, the food is good and the shopping even better :)  Venice, is probably one of the most beautiful cities that I have visited, you will not be disappointed.  The only down side of Venice is St Marks Square, it is always so busy, in fact too busy that sometimes it is almost impossible to move and it will probably be the first thing you see when you arrive as that is where most of the water taxis drop  off, once out of the hustle and bustle of the square there are hundreds of places to explore, amazing shops, wonderful restaurants, cafes, and of course the architecture is beautiful, you WILL have a brilliant time :) :) :)

Never been to Lake Como so can't tell you anything about that!

i have never been to Italy but on the 23rd i fly alone for the first time to Genoa where i will meet my fella and we will spend the weekend  sightseeing...cant wait...

> Sienna is magical, a beautiful city to walk around,

Can I ask what you did in Siena? I know a lot of the trip will be walking around & soaking up the history (comfy shoes a must), did you go to Pisa? I've read that other than the tower there's not much else to do & it's been suggested to tie this up with a visit to Lucca.  Did you go on any of the tuscan tours? Me & OH are keen wine drinkers & have done wine tasting on the last 2 hols (South Africa & San Francisco) but we didn't have to drive afterwards, looks like a lot of the vineyards are out in the countryside so either a car or tour would be better.

Can't wait for Venice, had some very good tips about not eating on the Square unless we're loaded (& we're not :(), we're thinking of a day trip to Lido as the beaches look amazing - did you go here? What else would you recommend visiting?

> Never been to Lake Como

I think this part of the hols will be relaxing by the lake, eating ice cream & drinking prosecco (at least I hope so) & maybe a day trip to Switzerland.