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14 Day Intinerary - Rome, Sorrento, & Amalfi Coast

Next late-April, my husband & I are going to Italy for 14 days. we'll have 13.5 days actually in Italy. We fly into Naples & out of Rome. I'd been thinking 5 nights Sorrento, then 9 nights in Rome but have received some feedback that 9 nights in Rome may be too much. Here is a summary of what we hope to experience while there...would appreciate any feedback: Day 1: Arrive noon and get settled in either Positano or Sorrento Day 2: Amalfi Coast Towns Day 3: Pompeii Day 4: Capri Day 5: Pasteum
May consider adding a day here to make day 2 a relax & hang around Positano or Sorrento day...depending on where we finally decide to make our homebase. Rome itinerary is less developed but we know we want to experience the Borghese Gallery, Forum, Ostia Antica Ruins, Colosseum, Appian way, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Vatican, Trajan's Market, Palinetine Hill, Spanish Steps, St. Peter's Basillica, Sistine Chapel, and possibly a day trip to Orvieto?? How many days would it take to cover all of this, assuming we use 1 day to Orvieto? Any hotel suggestions for Rome?

Posted by
238 posts

I've spent more than a month in Rome and it hasn't been enough time. But if you're worried, detour for a night or two in Siena. Tuscany is gorgous. Personally I would get an apartment in Rome, not a hotel. It will cost less and you'll have space to move around, a refrigerator for drinks, etc.

Posted by
61 posts

Good point on the fridge. Most US hotel rooms have a mini-fridge but I hadn't thought about whether that will be the case in Italy. I know personal ipinoins will vary on whether 9 days in Rome is too much or not but welcome opinions. Like to other's reasons for or against. Thanks!

Posted by
11247 posts

We spent 5 nights in Rome last October and are going back for 9 nights in December, so I think you can be very happy there for a good long stay. We like to not be rushed, and it's especially nice to be able to take a riposo (rest) in the afternoon when a lot of places close anyway. Just to give you an idea of how you might use 8 days in Rome:
Day 1 - arrive Noonish from Sorrento; check in, have lunch, take Rick Steves Dolce Vita Stroll in the evening before dinner, have an apperitivo, then dinner. Day 2 - Ancient Rome: Colisseum, Palatine Hill, Forum. End at Vittorio Emmanuel monument. Lunch, rest. Walk to/thru Piazza Navona and Campo Dei Fiori. Stop into Santa Maria Sopra Minerva or San Luigi di San Francisco . Consider Rick Steves Night walk Across Rome before or after dinner. Day 3 - Vatican Museums and St. Peter's Basilica. Get a reservation for the Scavi Tour and build your day around Vatican City. Day 4 - Early AM (before 0800, go to the Trevi Fountain and see it without crowds, Have coffee & pastry at Tazza d' Oro, then into the Pantheon at opening before the crowds). Then on to Early Christian Rome: San Clemente Church, Rick Steves Pilgrims' Walk from San Giovanni in Laterno to Santa Maria Maggiore. Possibly stop into San Pietro in Vincoli to see Michelangelo's Moses. Rest after lunch. Evening: Go to Trastevere for a walk (Rick Steves has a guided one, of course!) and dinner. Day 5 - Borghese in the morning; Lunch near the Spanish Steps. Afternoon and evening: Palazzo Barberini, shopping and/or Rick Steves Ghetto Walk. Have an appertivo at the rooftop bar at the Grand Hotel de la Minerve to be continued

Posted by
11247 posts

Day 6 - Daytrip to Ostia Antica Day 7 - Capitoline Musemm and the Campidoglio in the morning; Pack a picnic and take the Metro out to Acqueduct Park. Day 8 - Appia Antica, a cooking class, a hike up the Janiculum Hill or the Aventine (only takes an hour or two; not a full day for either ), daytrip to Orvieto, National Museum of Rome -- Take your pick!!! FYI, Spanish Steps are on Rick's Night Walk, you can squeeze in Trajan's Market on Ancient Rome day, in all likelihood. Obviously you can mix this up any way your like, paying attention to what is open when, and dependent on reservations you make for the Vatican Museums, Scavi, Borghese, a cooking class, etc. But you get the idea: plenty to do in and around Rome. An apartment will make you feel like temporary locals. Try Palazzo Olivia, near Piazza Navona.

Posted by
61 posts

Thanks Celeste...if you can spend a month, 9 nights is nothing! I know there is so much to experience there, my only concern was that the "rig-a-ma-roll" of Rome would get to be too much over time. I think we're going to be so excited about where we are each day, we'll just be beside ourselves so I'm sure we'll be fine. Laurel - I love your intinerary, what a fabulous way to lay out 9 days in Rome. I really appreciate you taking the time to share it. Can't wait until next April! Yes, we also don't like to be rushed. Will definitely check out Palazzo Olivia, do you have a favorite unit? In our travels, we've found having a comfortable homebase makes a big difference in our experience. Part of that is a place with friendly staff, nice rooms, and in this case, location to sites noted in the posts above and/or metro would be important, as would a place that has Italian charm. Thanks!

Posted by
1 posts

Hi, It sounds like it's better if you find accommodation in Sorrento, since the connections to Pompei, Paestum and Capri are more available there. I agree that 1 day of rest on the Amalfi coast would be a good idea. Most of the attractions in Rome you listed are in the centre or close to it, so you could manage to see most of those in 3-4 days, maybe 5. This would make it possible to go on a 1 day trip to Orvieto. Moreover some extra holiday time is always nice, both in Rome or on the Amalfi coast. I'm confident your travel plan is a good one. :-) Remember that ferries are the way to go to move around the Amalfi coast, or bus if ferry is not available. The road is windy and there's traffic during high season though. Timetables can be found here: http://www.theamalficoastline.com
and here (bus only): http://www.sitabus.it/wps/portal/OrariCampania Have fun!