Hi there, I'm finally realizing my dream of visiting Italy this May, and want to do it right! I had planned 14 days but it looks like I've got to cut it down to 12. Is this a good itinerary in that amount of time? Fly into Venice, 2 nights there (do we stay around on check-out day or go directly to ...) Tuscany region is next, so train to Florence in order to get rental car and head out to explore? I think we'll skip Florence and head straight to Tuscany, for 3 nights. (Here, I'd like to take a cooking class, my husband to perhaps golf.) Drive to Rome and drop car there, then spend 3 nights (want to see Colosseum, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, and just wander to cafes and take in the sights). Train to Amalfi Coast (travel agent suggested Sorrento instead ... thoughts on that? We're interested in a laid-back exploration of the coast but want some things to do, but don't need tons of action). 3 nights there. On my original 14-day plan, I believe we had an extra night in Tuscany and Rome. Is this critical? I.E., should I fight for the 14 days? Or even 13? Thanks for input!
Posted by
Haslett, MI, United States
26 posts
I think you've got a pretty solid itinerary there. I'm not sure I'd skip Florence, but I'm not sure where else you're heading in the Tuscany region. Depending on how much moving about you're doing there, it might be worth another night. And if you could get it up to 14 days, I'd vote for another in Venice (2 nights might be kind of rushed, but possible). You could spend a week in Rome, but I think 3 nights will allow you to see what you want to see. Sorrento makes an excellent base for the Amalfi Coast, so that was definitely a good recommendation. You can easily take buses or trains to Amalfi, Positano, or Pompeii.
Posted by
OP
Bradford, MA, USA
63 posts
Hi Tim, Thanks so much for your input! I think we're skipping Florence simply because, when I'd started planning this trip, I hadn't realized what was there and knew we didn't want to do too many museums (is that insane for an Italy trip?!). I would love some tips on where to focus our Tuscany time, as that was also a recommendation by my travel agent, though she hasn't actually been to Italy. While in the Tuscany region I imagined wine tasting and a cooking class, and my husband finding a golf opportunity. Any other tips or advice if this isn't realistic would be great. (I do have the Rick Steve's Italy 2011 ... I've so far made it through Venice....) Thank you again!
Posted by
Los Angeles, CA, USA
1003 posts
I'm possibly biased because to me Florence is one of the world's best cities, and I do not like art or museums. I had explored Florence for maybe a total of 7-8 days before I finally went into the Uffizi. If your reason for skipping Florence is for some other reason, that's up to you, but if it's just because you don't care for the museums there, I urge you to read more about it, and more than just what's in Rick's book because he introduces his chapter on Florence by saying something to the effect of Florence being worth one full day on any three-week Italian itinerary. I personally find that absurd and could spend my whole life wandering, eating, nursing a gelato, people-watching, looking at architecture, shopping on the ponte vecchio, etc. on my first trip I was there for 5 nights, took one day trip to Siena, and was left wanting much much more. But again, that's me. As for the number of days, I think you should fight for as many as you can! It's Italy! ;)
Posted by
scarsdale, ny, us
7 posts
See what i posted to the person who had question: many questions for 2 week trip in October 2011. Feel free to call for contact info. Our guide also said there were more hotel choices in sorrento. We are doing 14 days with flying.
Posted by
Texan in CA
4407 posts
I would go straight to Sorrento, assuming you'd fly out of Rome. Since I don't know where in Tuscany you may end up, I had to pick a weekday in May and a departure city of Florence; there are trains from Florence to Naples every hour on the hour and exactly 3h long; they stop in Arezzo and Rome only. From Naples, train to Sorrento. Stay in Sorrento if you're planning on seeing the sites of Pompeii and/or Herculaneum; the train connections are good from Sorrento. After Sorrento, then I'd train to Rome. If possible, you don't want to have to stay in Rome, go to Sorrento, train from Sorrento back to Rome, spend another night there, then fly out. Lots of wasted time Which leads me to... Yes! Fight for extra time! I'm not sure who you're fighting, though...don't get divorced over this ;-) Get those hotel reservations ASAP; it's getting very late!