Is it better to fly into Rome with non stop from US and take fast train to Florence, or connect in Munich and then get to Florence?
We love Florence so want to stay there for maybe 5 nights, and take 2 day trips: Siena and San Giginamo and maybe Ravenna with driver guide?
Then 3 nights in Umbria
Then Sorrento and Ravello, Pompeii day to Capri? 4 -5 nights
We are thinking last 2 weeks in September or last week in Sept and first week in October? Or would it make sense to reverse this trip.... fly into Rome and go directly to Amalfi Coast and then travel north.
We like have 3 distinctly different areas to explore when we travel: a city(culture, museums), countryside(walks, maybe a cooking class or visit an olive grove), coastal( views, boat ride, romance)
Suggestions?
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23240 posts
Probably easier into Rome. Since you are at the airport you might look at flying to Florence with a connecting flight. About the same as connecting through Munich. You could go to Florence and come home from Rome.
I don't think it will make much difference whether you are a week earlier or later. A month would make a difference but not a week. I personally would start north and work south.
Posted by
Ontario, Canada
4824 posts
I think your starting point is personal preference. Flying direct is always better IMO. You need a fairly generous connection time in Munich in case your first flight is late. Plus you'll have to clear immigration there. Flying into Rome, you clear immigration and then get on a train (most require 1 train change, but there are 2 direct trains daily if the timing is right). 2 1/2 hours later you're in Florence.
If you choose to go to the Amalfi coast first, then you'll have a longer day. First a train into Rome. Then a train to Naples. If you want to stay in Sorrento, you'll need either a train, bus, or hired car from Naples. If going to Ravello, it would be more complex, since there is no direct transportation from Naples. That might be asking a lot of yourself when you're jet lagged.
Posted by
Edmonds, WA 🌨 ☂
11154 posts
Did you look at flying into Naples and working your way north and flying out of Rome or Florence?.
When looking at the airfare be sure to factor in ALL your ground transport costs to see how what the total is. If the total is fairly close it could be worth a bit extra to not be wasting time backtracking.
Posted by
Chicago
8035 posts
We didn't even visit Rome till our fourth visit to Italy. Flying into Rome and taking the train immediately to Florence works well. If you do want to see Rome end there before flying back. Otherwise your idea of spending a few days in a couple of places works well. Late September is IMHO better than early September unless you like it hot, which we don't.
Posted by
Washington DC
27057 posts
I liked Ravenna a lot and have often recommended it on this forum, but that was generally for people planning to say in Bologna. It's awfully far from Florence for a day-trip. Via Michelin estimates the drive at 2 hr. 19 min. one way, which means it will probably actually take a bit over 2-1/2 hours. While Ravenna is special, that 5 hours of travel time would allow you to see several nice places in Tuscany. If you happen to be staying very near S. M. Novella station in Florence, there's an 8 AM weekday train that would get you to Ravenna at 9:51 AM after a change in Bologna.