14 day Itinerary - 30 year anniversary (Quality over Quantity?)

This is my ideal allocation of nights for the places you have listed:
Sorrento/Amalfi: 4 nights
Rome: 4 nights
Florence: 3 nights (Florence only. If you want to take day trips to Tuscan towns, then add a night for each day trip)
Venice: 3 nights
Lake Como (Varenna): 3 nights

Still pretty quick visit, but reasonable to cover most of the important sights without going on a stressing marathon.

If you want to simply check mark a place in a list to say “been there, done that”, then you can cut as many nights as you wish. You can even stop in Rome just one half hour and visit only the train station. For sure I don’t like one nighters. My preference is always at least two nights in each hotel.

If wife wants to visit France, then it doesn’t matter the direction. She’ll have to fly and Rome, Milan, Venice (in this order) are the largest airports with the most flights. Milan’s airport is however far from the city center (and from Lake Como)

Is this spreading too thin?

Yes! With eleven nights do not attempt to visit more than three places so remove Sorrento / Amalfi Coast. Rome requires four nights if you include Vatican City. Florence deserves four nights that includes a day trip to Siena. Venice needs three nights. If you don’t fly out of Milan skip Lake Como that’s a day trip from Milan.

Too many locations
You’re spending more time traveling than bringing somewhere

A 2 night stay is only 1.5 days in location.

Rome 4 minimum
Florence 3 add 1 night for every day trip
Venice 3

Choose either Amalfi area or Como for 3

If you are flying out of Milan you need to be IN Milan night before departure

Roberto, your list was 17 nights so how would you reduce to 14 nights
Mary, I listed 11 nights on my original post but have 3 nights to add so would you still eliminate Sorrento/Amalfi and instead add those 3 nights to Rome/Florence/Venice/Como?

I guess with 14 nights - 4 or 5 locations?

Knowing day trips are inclusive of a location (for example Tuscany day trip from Florence). Is Como a day trip from Milan or if I allocated 3 nights to Milan/Como - would it be 3 to Milan with Como a day trip or 2 nights in Como/1 night in Milan?

If I were to limit to 4 locations - it seems like Rome/Venice/Florence are "locks" and then comes down to Milan/Como or Sorrento/Amalfi Coast - if I'm eliminating geography south of Naples.

I guess 5 locations or 4 is my question and if 4 which location ends up on the cutting room floor. Probably no wrong answer but would lean on people that have travelled to these places before.

Thanks ChristineH for your response :)

I agree with Robert's allocation of nights per location, so you can immediately see that you already need to delete one of your places. Don't forget that your arrival day will be seriously jet lagged if coming from the US ( unless you can snag a blissfully deep sleep on a lay flat BC seat). And you would need to allow for nearly half a day travel time (hotel to hotel) each time you change places. That seriously cuts info your touristy time if you only have 2 nights. The choices of the place to cut is up to you, but if it's your first time, I'd cut either Sorrento or Como.

Quality over quantity - great locations over having lots more time available, as I read this. First of all, Happy Anniversary, and you have a great trip ahead! Your wife must have an additional great trip, since she’s getting to stay longer. But for the 2 of you, don’t try to squeeze in Sicily, too. It’s big enough, and far enough away from the rest of your itinerary, that it’ll cut into the other destinations. For your remaining 3 days, add 2 of them to Rome (making a total of 4 nights there), and the other to Florence (total of 3 nights now). That is, unless you’d both spend your last night in Milan, seeing Leonardo da Vinci’s last supper there, before having your last supper of this trip.

You could do both the Testaccio neighborhood and the Trastevere neighborhood food tours that Eating Europe does in Rome. For a special dinner in Florence, and/or a special cooking class in Florence (we did both in October), contact Riva Lofts https://rivalofts.com/en/ . I’ve taken several classes from Chef Michele, both before he moved there, and last fall. He’s brilliant, and you’ll have real quality, but maybe get some quantity, too :)

Where in FR is your wife flying to?

How fun to plan such a special trip for a special anniversary!

My question is a bit different. What interests you and your wife? Do you like historical sights? Art galleries? Outdoor activities? For example, I discovered that after about 2 art museums or galleries, no matter how famous the pieces, I am pretty much done and everything starts to look the same. Others can spend hours exploring every gallery. How you budget your time for each city should be more than a function of “3 days here, 4 days there”, but of what you want to see and experience in that location. I do agree to eliminate one night stays when possible.

Yes,

Do not know where she is connecting with her group in France - that party has not yet put their itinerary togehter - they are lagging (pot calling the kettle black I suppose)

I would say we lean more food/cooking/taking in sights but definitely don't spend hours in museums/galleries - definitely not our thing - if we go to a new country or even US based - we will usually book a food tour of the downtown area, a cooking class, and then interest, scenic locations. We like to hike but really aren't planning that on this trip unless you consider hiking through cities - just popping into local shops/eateries/cafes - etc... - probably doesn't help much but if folks are saying 4 nights in Rome and that is 3 days of museums then probably would reduce - get that you'll see some cool architecture - the Colliseum, etc...but if I go into a museum - probably can get through it in a few hours - regardless of the museum. Probably prefer a castle over a museum but don't think that is an option for Italy but I figure cool architecture will have also some historical neighborhoods/towns to explore? Not sure if this helps?

If you can fly into and out of Venice and Naples nonstop that would work (multi-city). If you fly out of Venice, make sure it’s a late morning flight so you won’t have to pay for a very expensive water taxi to the airport. Instead, you can take a bus from Piazzale Roma to the airport.

That is good information to know about your interests. I agree, less time needed in some places if museums aren’t a top priority.

For future reference: Sicily is really more like a 2-weeks-or-more destination all by itself. And that's if you choose to rent a car.

Only you can ultimately make the choice depending on your interests.

I gave you the allocation of nights per location that is based on the RS-WTF (Rick Steve's World Travel Forum) Standards.

If, in order to squeeze your trip in 11 or 14 nights, you want to cut some days out of one or more locations in your list (or a location entirely) because you aren't that interested in that location, that is up to you. Everyone has his/her own preferences.

My only recommendation, whatever you choose to cut, is to stay at each hotel at least 2 nights. Changing hotels is time consuming and a waste of precious traveling time.

Waaaay too thin. Based on what you’re after which is similar to my own interests I’d go…

Sorrento / Amalfi - 4 nights
Florence / Tuscan - 4 nights
Como - 3 nights

Or with 14…

Sorrento / Amalfi - 4nights
Rome - 3 nights
Florence / Tuscan - 4 nights
Como - 3 nights

Thank you for all the responses!

4 nights in Rome won’t be 3 days of museums. Well it certainly doesn't have to be!
You can skip the Vatican Museums
Do visit Borghese Gallery- timed entry- 2 hr limit. Worth it.
2/3 of a day for Colosseum/Forum sights. Don’t need a tour if you don’t want.
One of the best food tours we’ve ever had was Eating Europe- Trastevere.
Visit Castel Sant’Angelo.
Too many piazzas to mention. At least walk thru all of them.
Visit the Pantheon.
Churches are free and full of amazing art. Also nice and cool.
(Must have shoulders and knees covered)

Have you found your best flights yet?
You’re probably going to have to choose between Sorrento/Amalfi and Como/Milan.

I’ve been to both- and from your description of what you like, I’d say Sorrento. Fun walking around town, beautiful views, best restaurants, easy transportation to Pompeii, Naples, Capri, Amalfi. We will definitely go back to Sorrento some day.
Milan was not a favorite, although seeing the Last Super and Duomo made it worth it.

For a first trip to Italy I think Venice-Florence-Rome is the way to go. Add 1 other location.

14 nights

If Sorrento
Fly in to VCE
Venice 3
Florence 3- with day trip to Siena
Sorrento 4
Rome 4
Fly home FCO

If Lake Como
Fly into Milan
Lake Como 2 or 3
Venice 3
Florence 2 or 3
Could add a stop in Siena or Orvieto- 2 nights
Rome 4
Fly home FCO

Happy Anniversary!

Christine,

Thank you for such a thoughtful response. I think I will leave Como/Milan for another trip. Two follow ups if I may:

Florence - is Tuscany a "day trip" or just part of being in Florence - I've seen a few times a day trip to Siena (so is this the "Tuscany" day trip so trying to make a distinction and if better to have 4 days in Florence or Sorrento worthy of the 4th day instead. Think I'm locked into 4 nights Rome, 3 nights Venice.

Is Capri worth while day trip (read mixed) or would you have other preferences if you are spending only 3 nights in Sorrento

Fly in to VCE
Venice 3
Florence 3
Sorrento 4
Rome 4
Fly home FCO

Revised plan looks great, but I'd want to see a list of what you want to see/do each place to comment on day allotment.

One question - not sure if its the right question and given tht this is a Rick Steves forum - It was only last week when I told a client that I was going to Italy he told me to check with Rick Steves and another outfit Earthbound Expeditions.

Do the people on this forum plan out your trips on your own or do you secure the itinerary through a third party (Rick Steves) and that way it is all done for you? If through Rick Steves, can you comment on the experience, if you used them over and over etc? I've always done my own travel (except an Israel trip planned by church) research etc but Italy for two weeks just seems overwhelming and I can see spending a week easy going down rabbit holes trying to to create the perfect itinerary but I'd be exhausted and don't have the time. Any tips/advice?

Believe the trip will be:
Venice 3 nights
Florence 3 nights (day trip to Siena or equivalent)
Sorrento 4 nights (day trip to ?)
Rome 4 nights

Eagle you have a mix here--people who do both, people who travel independently, and people who exclusively do tours. You have done most of the hard part in planning your itinerary, so I see no reason for you to join a tour sat this point. You may just need to do some more reading. And if my spouse suggested a tour for an anniversary trip, I'd not be too pleased.

Venice 3 nights Florence 3 nights (day trip to Siena or equivalent)
Sorrento 4 nights (day trip to ?) Rome 4 nights

The list above looks good, but not sure if you have time to see Siena, since that would leave only one full day for Florence. Once again it really depends on your interests. The ideal would be:

Venice 3 nights
Florence 3 nights (without anything else)
Sorrento 4 nights (from Sorrento you can visit Amalfi Coast, Capri, Pompeii, even Naples)
Rome 4 nights

If you want Siena, you should take that day from one of the others depending on your interests.

Maybe not a tour is the right word but perhaps a company that gets everything in advance - hotels, transportation, tickets, excursions, etc...I do think excursions (where someone is guiding you through a food tour for example) are great - but I get what you are saying - a tour where you are on the bus with the same two-three dozen folks and go from place to place "like a field trip" in high school. Not interested in that.

Understood--you can pay for that, but I am a control freak and I know I can find all of those things without paying someone out the nose for it--someone who may or may not be half as knowledgeable as the people on this forum, who will gladly help you for free!

I'd rather do my own research to decide which tours are best for me. Once you've done that, buying the tours shouldn't be an issue. Now, if you've got the money to go with private guides all the way, find a really top-flight travel agent who specializes in Italy and pay for the expertise (and 5-star experiences). I'm just not prepared to assume that a random travel agent is going to make a better selection for me than I can make myself.

Such good advice, I think I've convinced myself to try and do it on my own and with the help of this amazing forum. I was going to go with a travel agency that I didn't really know personally - was a former client (the company was) for a brief time before I left the company (in which the travel company was a client), they priced out the trip at $20K (14 day itinerary). I don't know if that is reasonable or not but the only thing I think they have a leg up is the transportation between locations which I am definitely at a disadvantage - just don't know how much I'm paying for that peace of mind (since nothing is priced out individually). If that was say an extra $2K maybe it worth it but I suppose I should price out the big components - lodging and excursions and tickets and see where I end up and then lean on folks who have done this. I'll be asking more questions - maybe I'll continue this thread or should I start a new one?

Roberto,

Given that my interest are more foodie/cooking/wine - is Siena worth taking a day from Sorrento so Florence is 4 and Sorrento 3? Probably not a "wrong" way to go

I'd continue refining here since you already have people coming along so to speak.
20K for that service is utter madness. You'd be much better off putting money toward an airfare upgrade. All of your transport is fairly simple--just hopping on a train. You can pay about 100 euros for a private transfer to Sorrento.

Yet another quick question - flying to Italy from Seattle - are there airlines to avoid regardless? None of them are recognizable to me other than Delta. (Used Kayak initially).

A quick check of your dates (leaving Seattle May 7. leaving Rome May 22) on Google Flights shows Turkish Airlines with a RT of $893 and Aer Lingus with a RT of 1097. The other Airlines are up in the 1300-1500 range currently.

eaglelion, on our trip this fall, we squeezed in a 1-night stand in Sienna, with parts of 2 days there. We did get to see some (and eat - the Venchi gelato and chocolate shop was a treat), but I’m really sorry we didn’t allow more time there. If you were in Florence for more than 3 days on this trip, you could maybe think about going to Sienna as a very cursory daytrip, but under the circumstances, that would be a mistake as far as I’m concerned. Save Sienna for trip after this one.

The one daytrip (besides Capri) to consider from Sorrento might be Pompeii. It’s a sight, not food destination, but it’s a magnificent sight. It’s sister ruins sight is Herculaneum, both seeable as a daytrip. But then, you’re basically at Naples, where pizza was born, so maybe that’s worth popping into, too. At any rate, save Sienna for your trip after this one. when you can linger for 2 nights or more.

Paying anyone $20K for a planned, organized trip agenda of 2 weeks is outrageous. Unless you’re staying in the Presidential Suite at the Ritz, having champagne and caviar for every meal, and being chauffeured around everywhere in a Maserati limousine (plus private yacht to Capri, if you go), you can do better for a lower cost. A Rick Steves Italy guidebook can really help you determine where to go, in what order, and how to get there. If you don’t want to buy one immediately, I bet your local library has a copy to borrow.

Rick’s dining and meal recommendations 20 years ago weren’t very foodie focused, but the book’s gotten better about that over time. Some pretty good/very good recommendations now, for restaurants. Of course, you may have foodie places already on your radar, without needing to read about them.

I do all my own planning and booking. I have received an amazing amount of help from this forum over the years. I was hesitant to do it all myself for the first trip but it ended up being quite easy- with help from here, Google and RS Italy guide book and others
If you don’t already have it- do get the RS Italy book. I like the Kindle versions better now- easier on my aging eyes!
He has excellent practical info (in particlar on how to get to and from).

I gave you less time in Florence because you said you were not that into museums, Florence is all about the art. There are plenty of other things to see/do there and you could pick just a few lesser museums if you don’t care to spend a lot of time in the Ufizzi for example. We love the Bargello museum and San Marco museum. And you must see the David. Basilica of Santa Croce is super interesting.
Climb the Duomo.
Mercato Centrale is great- have a few meals there.

For “Tuscany”- it is easy to go to Siena on your own to spend the day but if you want more there are guided bus tours that get good reviews- will take you to a few hill towns- and maybe lunch at a winery. The hill towns are difficult to visit without a car.
Walk of Italy has one, there are others.
Siena is definitely worth a night or 2- and if you really wanted you could stay there 3 nights and day trip to Florence.
We love Florence but were there this past May and oh my gosh was it CROWDED!

Sorrento- you need the 4 nights there- mainly because coming from Florence it will take the better part of the day to get there, leaving you only 3 full days.
1 day for Pompeii
1 day for Capri
1 day for Amalfi Coast towns
Spend your evenings in lovely Sorrento.

Sorrento might be a good place to take a cooking class.

We spent our 40th Anniversary there and splurged a bit on our hotel. It was fabulous.
Grand Hotel de la Ville
https://www.delavillesorrento.com/

This area books up completely so you will want to make your decision and book something soon.

Capri- we did the boat trip with Mondo Guides
www.sharedtours.com
It was one of the best days we’ve ever had while traveling. Skip the Blue Grotto- it’s a tourist trap and time suck. The boat trip around the island was actually the highlight of the day for us. The crew was so fun and knowledgeable.

Mondo Guides also offers very affordable day trips to AC towns.

Other things we have enjoyed-

Venice
Get a length of stay vaporetto pass.
Visit the lagoon islands- our favorites are Burano and Torcello
Go across to top of San Giorgio Maggiore for amazing views.

Secret Itineraries Tour of Doges
https://palazzoducale.visitmuve.it/en/pianifica-la-tua-visita/special-itineraries/secret-itineraries-tour/

Alessandro’s Cicchetti tour
https://www.schezzini.it/

Rome
Forgot to mention the Capuchin Crypt- really interesting- if a bit creepy. Not a huge tourist draw either
https://museoecriptacappuccini.it/

I use booking.com - you can trust the reviews there as they can only be left by the who have actually stayed at the property.
Use the filters to narrow down your searches.
You will need Air Conditioning!

Once you are firm about your itinerary- come back and seek help on transportation.
Trenitalia (fast and regional) and Italotreno (fast) are the 2 train companies. Both have easy to use apps.

https://www.trenitalia.com/content/tcom/en.html
https://www.italotreno.it/en

All of your train routes offer fast trains. (From Naples to Sorrento is a local train- Circumvesuviana)

You might want to get familiar with those sites now.
Do some dummy searches to get an idea how it works, cost of train tix, etc - be sure you are using the Italian names for stations
Venezia S Lucia
Firenze SM Novella
Roma Termini
Napoli Centrale

Enjoy the planning! I like that bit as much as the actual travel.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions about anything- lodging, tours, etc.
You’ve got a wealth of free information and help here.

Eating Europe does excellent, fun food tours
www.eatingeurope.com
Use EATWELL10 for a discount

My goodness eagle lion-20K is is is wow! That’s more in the range of what my husband and I spent for 9 weeks in Italy just to give you an idea of what you can do on your own!

Personally, I’ve not felt the tug to go to the Amalfi coast and area, so I would take those nights and use them for Rome, Florence and Venice. Can’t go wrong staying with the trinity! Save the coast for when you have a week or more to just be in that area. I do admit to wanting to go to Sorrento/Naples and all that that area has to offer!!

Thank you for all the great responses - I have dedicated this Saturday to do my own itinerary and book as much as I can and will lean on all of the posts here. I will post back more of a complete itinerary and folks can let me know any holes - I am game to see/do anything and so looking forward to it.

A quick check of your dates (leaving Seattle May 7. leaving Rome May
22) on Google Flights shows Turkish Airlines with a RT of $893 and Aer
Lingus with a RT of 1097. The other Airlines are up in the 1300-1500
range currently.

JMO-
Turkish Air will have a stop in Istanbul
Aer Lingus stops in Dublin. We have flown Aer Lingus a few times and it is a super nice airline- that would be my choice.

Christine H, that is so thoughtful and I appreciate the leg-work - I will book that flight. You will get a credit at the end of the movie :)
I just ordered the Rick Steves Italy 2023 guidebook and it comes Thursday so I will be voracious in absorbing the contents and hope that helps in my planning. As my dad used to say in the military - for a May trip it is "getting late early" so I need to book this weekend.