My mom lives near Venice , Italy , so I've been 4 times recently. I've been to Rome 3 times-it is awesome!!! I agree, don't go on a tour. Or, go on a longer one to one country , like Italy only. Rick Steve's guidebooks are great but get a Knopf guide, too, if you like more upscale.
Okay, my mom lives 45 minutes out of Venice in the Friuli region. It is really neat-there are also some great pottery places that make for Tiffany's of New York. And there is some workshop that makes Bottega Veneto handbags - you can get them for 120 dollars compared to 1200 dollars here!!! There are some neat fortified hill towns nearby like Asolo & Bassano di Grappa. Once I read this great website about a walking tour thru Asolo & towns close to Venice. I just found it thru a seach for Asolo.
www.sheraton.com/villacipriani is a fabulous place to stay.
Venice is amazing but so crowded. I would avoid the summer if possible in Italy. Try the shoulder months: April , May, Sept. , Oct. The winter was really cold to me, but I live in Mobile, Alabama.
We also went to Germany in the Alps- Garmisch-Partenkirsch? , Oberamergau(sp)- saw all those famous castles. Amazing- I loved what I saw of Germany. Also Austria-Saltzburg Hope to go back this May 2002- had to cancel our Nov. 2001 trip due to scared hubby about 9/11
