16 days in Italy- need help with Itinerary

Well, we all have different travel styles, and you don't even know what yours is yet, so my suggestions may not work for you.

But, with two weeks (13 nights in Italy?) I'd say you have plenty of time to have three bases - Florence, Rome, and Naples.

Personally, I would start your trip in Florence, because it's much smaller than Rome so easier for you to adjust to on a first trip. You can take a train from the FCO airport to Florence with a change in Rome (there are a few direct trains a day from the airport directly to Florence, if you are lucky enough to time it right to catch one, but otherwise plan to change trains in Rome). Yes, Florence makes a fine base to get your feet wet in Tuscany. Second, take the train back south to Naples. And then end in Rome.

So you might do:

Florence (5 nights)
Naples (3 nights)
Rome (5 nights)

I know you say you don't want many days in Rome, but it's an enormous city. Many people love it. Personally, it wasn't my favorite, but there is a ton of things to see. If you still think that's too long, I'm guessing you might add your time to Florence. There are a lot of day trip opportunities, and as an artist you might never run out of things to see/do there.

Naples is more of a "real" city than a tourist town. Some find it kind of gritty. Perhaps for a first trip you shouldn't stay there - maybe stay in Sorrento instead, as it's more of a tourist town and probably less stressful. But I have no idea what your comfort level in cities is; if you are comfortable with big cities, maybe Naples would be fine for you. I stayed in Sorrento on my first trip to Italy a long time ago, but didn't really care for it; I day tripped to Naples and liked it better. Today I would stay in Naples in a heartbeat, but as a rookie traveler you might find it intimidating. I don't know.

At this point, I would pick up a Rick Steves book and start reading about all of these places and see what really interests you, then re-allocated you time based on your reading.

You might also watch these videos (I haven't yet myself):

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/books-movies/italy-s-invisible-cities-prime-video

No more than 3 bases, IMO. Otherwise travel days are lost days. You will need to high grade your art museums of choice. Some need advance reservations like Vatican museum withSistine chapel, Berninis
In Rome and Florences top 2 art museums. Hopefully you have Rick Steves guidebook to help u decide in advance.it will all fall into place if u plan carefully ahead. Standing in line for hours is a waste of valuable sightseeing time.

However you put your trip together, do yourself a favor and have all your days in Rome at the end. Simplifies your departureand saves one hotel change.

I find Andrew's outline, one I cannot fault.

Have you made a list of the art you wish to see while you're there? This may help you decide how long to stay in each place as well if you know that certain mornings/afternoons are going to be dedicated to seeing specific works/sites.

I recommend 5-6 days in Rome, there is much to see in that wonderful city.

Florence, you should spend minimum of 3 nights, with more for day trips to Sienna and Pisa.

Naples Area, suggest staying in Sorrento, visit Capri, Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast, need 4 nights there. There is a great archaeology museum in Naples.

Thank you to everyone. I actually did buy the Rick Steves Italy 2020 book and find it incredibly helpful.

I have 16 days not 13, and that is taking in account for the day I arrive and the day I leave, it is still 16. So , Andrew’s suggestion of Florence first, then Naples, then Rome sounds good to me, however I may stay in Florence longer and Rome maybe 4 days.

I’m from NYC so gritty doesn’t bother me - as far as Naples May be. But I do not speak fluent Italian and heard this could be a problem in Naples. Is that true?

Do you think it’s necessary to stay in Naples in order to see Amalfi and Pompeii? Where else can you stay nearby? I appreciate everyone, thanks

Sorrento as we've said is a typical alternative place to stay over Naples - that's where I stayed. I can see some people feeling more comfortable in smaller Sorrento. It's easy to visit Pompeii by train from either Naples or Sorrento - I didn't visit Amalfi but I think it's easy to get there from Sorrento also.

I've personally never worried about visiting places in Europe where the locals don't speak much English. I don't speak any Russian but got by just fine in St. Petersburg, where few people speak English. I know this is your first trip so you might be nervous, but I wouldn't avoid Naples for that reason. I do recommend a smart phone if possible for various reasons, one of which is having something like Google Translate on your phone.

Count your trip in NIGHTs. It days
Looks like you have 16 nights IN Italy?

Head to Florence on arrival 6 nights there allows for 3 days just Florence and 3 day trips

Train to Sorrento 4 nights allows 1 day Pompeii, 1 day Capri, 1 day Amalfi coast
(add a night here if you want to visit Naples, easy day trip from Sorrento)
Sorrento will be a nice laid back location between busy Florence and Rome
Not many sights of its own but great for just chilling in the evenings, transportation hub, great restaurants, fun shopping, fantastic views
Check out the inlaid wood museum

Train to Rome
put all your Rome nights at end don’t shortchange Rome
You have 5 nights left if you stayed 5 in Sorrento
There is so much to see and do and LOTs of free art, just pop into any of the beautiful churches (all free)

You mentioned that you would like to meet some Italians. It’s difficult to go beyond greetings if you do know the language. But, one way is to take a class, such as a cooking class. I can recommend the class in Rome with Chef Andrea at www.cookingclassesinrome.com. Or you might search for an art class or similar or even an art day tour to provide an opportunity for some memorable conversations. I always learned so much beyond just cooking when taking cooking classes or bike city tours, etc. in Europe.

Just in case you’re not aware, don’t pass up the opportunity to walk into numerous churches to see their spectacular art!

If you love art - especially the Renaissance period then Florence is the place to visit - however do remember that the largest collection of works by Raphael will be in Rome at the Scuderie del Quirinale. Over 200 works for the largest exhibition on Raphael ever in one place, which closes the celebrations for the 500th anniversary of his death. From March 5th - June 2nd. Many paintings will be on loan from the Uffizi and Palatine (Pitti Palace) - so don't expect to see them in Florence.

This is all such helpful information! Thank you!

Since you live in NYC, the first thing you should do is find the next meeting of the RS travel group there. Harold is the organizer and he is one of the best people on the Forum to tell you all about Naples.

If you want to see art you could not pick 3 better places in Italy.

You will need 3 full days (more wouldn't hurt :-) in Florence to enjoy the Renaissance paintings, frescoes, and especially the sculpture.

The Archaeology Museum in Naples is a wow. Harold will fill you in on the rest. Pompeii and Herculaneum are easy to get to by the local Circumvesuviana "train." (it's a suburban metro).

Do not short-change Rome for art. The Borghese Galleries, the Vatican Museums, the Capitoline Museum, the Museums of Rome (especially Palazzo Massimo), the Caravaggios in San Luigi de Francesci Church, and much more.