15 Day Itinerary Feedback - PLEASE!

Judy, My honeymoon in Nov 1996 was almost exactly the same: 3 nights Venice - 3 nights Florence - 3 nights Rome - 4 nights Amalfi followed by 3 nights with my husbands Italian family near Naples. It was magnificent. I only wish we'd had a litte more time in Venice. The first day you get their you'll likely be exhausted and it will likely be late in the day so you really can't count that day. Not that there's so much to see/do in Venice. It's just so cool there! So, we are finally going to go visit Venice again next summer! I think your itinerary looks great! I think either Sorrento or Positano are great, it's possible that Sorrento may be an easier base for public transporation purposed; but I'm sure someone else can tell you better. We had a car while we were in Amalfi; will you?

Hi Kerry - We will not have a car. I am having a really hard time deciding between Sorrento and Positano. I have read that Sorrento is easier because of public transportation and day trips but Positano has more character. Decisions, decisions....
Was 3 nights in Rome enough for you? Should I allocate the extra night to Venice or Positano/Sorrento?

Looks great, Judy -- I am so glad to see that you don't have a single one-night stand in your itinerary! We were just in Venice and Rome 2 weeks ago -- fantastic. Your dates are a wonderful time to be in Europe, too.

We thought about including the Amalfi Coast on our trip, but didn't have the time. I would've picked Sorrento due to public transport ease. It seems easier to go to Positano on a day trip than to base at Positano, if that makes sense. Buon viaggio and congratulations!

PS - Extra day? Hmmmm... I think I'd pick Rome, due to the insane amount of things to see there. Depending on your taste, of course. You have a nice array of quieter places, so the pace of Rome for an extra day may really suit you.

Personally, I think you're trying to plan too much into a two week honeymoon. You'll be tired from the wedding and all that involves, you'll also be jet lagged.

I would cut out the trip to Sorrento/Positano and split those days evenly between Venice, Florence and Rome. Checking out of your hotel, taking the train and then checking into the next hotel will eat up the better part of a day, cutting down on time you have to explore the city and relax. You're on your honeymoon. I would spend several days in each city just relaxing and taking in the wonderful sites with my new husband. All of those cities are very romantic and lend themselves to just wandering around, holding hands and being together. No sense rushing from one to another and not having time to enjoy them.

You can always come back to Italy to explore other regions.

Donna

Thanks everyone for the feedback so far!

Cranberry - I was afraid someone would say we were trying to squeeze too much in. Would you think the same thing if I told you we weren't going on our honeymoon until over 2 weeks AFTER our wedding? We're getting married September 25th.

Hi again Judy,

Of the four bases, my least favorite was Florence. Part of that is because I am not a museum lover; it takes me about two minutes to get from the entrance to the exit - for which my husband teases me. I much prefer being "out and about" on the streets, particularly in beautiful exotic places. The other reason I did not enjoy Florence may be that it rained every day while we were there and thus appeared kind of gloomy to me. I did find Rome facscinating and worth the four days you will spend there and Venice of course is incredible. Finally the Amalfi Coast is truly spectacular and in my opinion not to be missed. I am one who likes to enjoy a place without worrying about rushing thru it, so it's not a bad idea to skip one of your stops. For me, however, it would be Florence. If you are an art lover, you would probably disagree. It's also lousy when you feel to tired to sightsee when you arrive someplace with only a few days to enjoy it; or worrying because you have so much to see in so little time.

Opinions are going to differ. IMHO this is not too fast a pace. My preference is for at least 3 days in larger cities (which leaves 2.5 after transportation) and you're doing that. About transportation time -- a plan for 4 nites in Florence really means 3.5 days because the morning you leave Venice it will be lunchtime or later by the time you get there, get to the hotel, etc.

As for time per city, a lot depends on what you want to do; see just the city, or see some of the surrounding area too? If the latter I'd add on another day or two. My starting preference for 3 days means 1.5 days to see the city itself (walk around, a few hours at museums, etc) and then another day to either see nearby areas or spend more time exploring the city.

You'll enjoy the 3 nites in the Amalfi region; it is beautiful and relaxing (depending on how much you do!). If anything since it will take at least 1/2 a day to get their from Florence I would add a day to Sorrento and take one away from Rome or Florence. I suggest Sorrento as a base for that region over Positano since it is both easier to reach coming from the North, and more centrally located. The weather is uncertain that time of year and I'd make a set of plans so you can play it by ear. Among possible activities would be a day trip to Capri, a bus ride down the Amalfi coast, going to Pompeii or Herculaneum to see the ruins, a day at the beach, or just relaxing in town.

Certainly is doable. Lots to see and do in Venice and Florence. I would skip Rome and go for Amalfi since it is your honeymoon. (You will like Italy and Rome will still be there when you go back--it will just be 2200 years old instead of 2199 years old!)

I would choose Positano over Sorrento. You can get around on bus from there just like you can from Sorrento and it is halfway between Sorrento and Ravello, the two places you probably want to visit.
It is much more romantic (my wife's favorite place).

If someone else is paying for the trip, stay at the Il San Pietro just outside Positano. If you are paying for it and have some budget, go for a drink on the terrace at the Il San Pietro (or lunch by boat from the beach at Positano) and for a drink on the terrace at the Sirenuse in Positano.
If you are paying for it and have no budget, stay at the Il San Pietro.

I like your plan. Your scehdule gives you at least two full days in each place, with three in Florence and Rome. Venice is a good place to get over the jet lag. The only awkward jaunt in your plan is Florence to Sorrento/Positano. We've never gone north and south of Rome in the same trip.

I'd pick Positano. It is one of those places we spent an afternoon and now can't wait to go back to for a few days. Don't try and do long side trips though - just explore the towns along the Amalfi Coast and enjoy everything you see!

If you want to see Pompeii and Capri as well as the Amalfi Coast, stay in Sorrento as there are more options for travel.

Congratulations on your upcoming wedding!

Safe Travels

Looks great!! I second staying in Venice one more night as you will be pretty jet legged the first day.
Enjoy!

I just returned from my first visit to Italy. I stayed in Sorrento and visited Capri and Amalfi coast by boat. I would spend more time in Florence, visiting the coutryside.It was beautiful!