14 days in Italy

Hi, Jo-Ann, from a fellow (former) South Jersey-ite (Turnersville / Wash. Twp.). 2 years ago, we did 2 weeks in Italy, but DID go to Venice. We spent 4 nights in Rome (actually outside Rome in a wonderful B&B called Anne's Place in Palestrina); then took the train to Sorrento (Il Nido - great price and service) for 2 nights; then did an all-day train to Venice (2 nights at Al Teatro B&B); we picked up a rental car there and then wrapped it up with 6 days at a fantastic agriturismo in Pienza (Cretaiole). If you were to knock out Venice (WHY???), you could do something similar.

I was most worried about the train from Sorrento to Venice, but we splurged on first-class tickets from Rome - Venice and had a delightful day of rest from the hectic pace yet got into Venice around 5 PM.

Do not miss Tuscany! Find a central location and day-trip to Florence, Siena, Montepulciano, etc. By knocking out Venice, you could add to your stay in Sorrento...we would have liked to have stayed longer.

Jo-Ann, feel free to e-mail me and I can offer you more ideas.

another nod for il nido. hard working staff, great views and food. we spent 15 day's last spring in italy and visited the cinque terre, pisa on the way to florence, siena, rome, and sorrento. we did however fly into milan and out of rome. it was a great trip but would not want to try to pack anymore into the intinerary. you have so many options and alot of that depends on what you are interested in and what you want to see. i'm sure you will get alot of great feedback that will help you decide. good luck :):)

In Sorrento we stayed at a small hotel named Mignon Meuble and found it quite comfortable. No sea views as it is located squarely in the middle of the town but convenient to train station, all of the town (a minute or 2 walk to il Corso) restuarants etc. Clean, not fancy, nice breakfast and free internet on their 2 computers. Easy to visit Pompeii (train) and Amalfi coast spots via bus or boat.

We spent 14 days in italy this past October. We flew into Milan, spent the night, trained it to Venice, spent two nights, then trained it to Florence, spent two nights, then to Cinque Terre
spent two nights, then to Siena spent two nights
then spent 3 nights in Rome. If we could do it over again we would spend a day and a half in Rome and
add an extra day in CT and Siena. Trains are easy
to take from place to place. We did a wine tour out of Florence through the Accidental Tourist Tours that
was incredible. They also do cooking classes, bike tours & walking tours. We took a walking tour through this group as well in Florence, also an excellent choice. I found most of my hotels & B&B's by reading this Rick Steve's site. It was most helpful.

Connie
Minnesota

Here's one possible itinerary:

Fly into Rome. Take train to Naples, and have a private taxi take you to Sorrento. 4 nights in Sorrento, including a day trip along the Amalfi Coast and another day trip to Capri. Take the train back toward Rome (stopping at Pompeii for a few hours), and then on to Florence (through Napoli). 3 nights in Florence. Then bus to Siena. 3 nights in Siena (with a day trip to another nearby Tuscan Hill town or two on one of your days). Bus Siena to Rome. 4 nights Roma. Fly out of Rome. Buon viaggio!

Yes, we run into the same issue. Will fly in and out of Rome in mid-march for 2 weeks (we are exciting!) Still thinking what would be the best itineraries. My initial thought is Rome -> Florence -> (day trip to Siena and another day trip to Pisa since don't want to carry our luggage around) -> Venice -> back to Rome.. but don't want to do a straight 4.5hr train though... I was reading other itinerary and seems for bus tour, they will go to Venice -> Assisi -> Rome? We are planning to go with Train only. How does this sound? any other good suggestions/ideas? Appreciate your help in advance. get to finish this "big plan" and go into detail plan for each cities.. ha.

Piggy (that is your user name, right?): Yes, you can do that itinerary by train only, although many find that the bus is more efficient for the day trip from Florence to Siena.

Hi Jo-Ann, I like Gio's suggested itinerary. If I were making the trip I'd delete one night from Sorrento (still using it as a base for the Almafi Coast and Capri) and add it to Rome at the end of your trip. On your arrival, I'd look at taking the train or bus from Rome to Sorrento rather than a hired car from Naples. It sounds like a great trip!

It totally depends on when you're going to be there and what kinds of things you enjoy doing. Although Italy may be shaped like a boot, that doesn't mean one size fits all.

(Please reply to the posting with that info. Please do not PM me. Thanks.)