17 days in Italy with 2 18 year old girls and 3 50s adults

I guess you could say Cinque Terra is a substitute for the Amalfi Coast. They're kind'a alike.

It depends on when you're going. If it's mid Summer, go north to C/T.

If you're going to Florence, Cinque Terre might be a little more efficient and time saving rather than going 200 miles south of Rome to Amalfi.

Hi Janet--

In my opinion, your inclinations are spot-on. For 16 nights, assuming the trip takes place May-September:

1-3 Rome
Train to Naples, then Sorrento
4-8 Sorrento (day trips Pompei, Naples)
Train to Naples, then Florence
9-15 Florence (day trips choice of Siena,
Pisa, Venice, Lucca, Fiesole)
Train to Rome
16 Rome

An option would be to stop for a night or two in Orvieto in southwestern Umbria on the way from Sorrento to Florence, and get your jones for a prototypical Italian hilltown. Me--I'd rather set up shop for a few days at a time near reliable transportation, taking daytrips from there.

I have you staying in Florence for a week because I would love for you to rent an apartment within walking distance of the train station. This way you have easy access to the train for day trips but at the same time immerse yourself in a Florentian neighborhood, where you can get a lay of the land, finding a favorite cafe for daily espresso in the morning or a go-to spot for gelato in the evening. Those experiences can be fabulous.

If I know what time of year you're traveling, I could let you know where to focus on or avoid in relation to tourists/crowds. And if it's July or August, keep in mind that it could be beastly hot at times.

Do not miss Pompei. Do not miss hiking on the Amalfi Coast, which I prefer over the Cinque Terre any day of the week. Do not miss walking around the nooks and crannies of Florence and the great neighborhoods of Rome.

Enjoy your planning!

Maybe you and your husband should watch Rick Steves videos together about the Cinque Terre and Sorrento/Pompeii/Amalfi Coast areas, and talk about what each of you wants to do on your vacation. And what do the teens say?
Sounds like the kind of decision where either one is a great choice. Happy traveling!

Depending when you are coming, I could eventually let me my apartment which is centrally located in Florence, via Maggio.
Florence can easily be reached by fast train ( freccia Rossa) from Salerno which is very accessible from Sorrento or Amalfi and no need to stop in Naples if you have no time or wish to do it. Naples is a very nice city but also very chaotic. Because Napolitans have their own way of abiding the law or not, do not drive in Naples. Wave your hand when you want to cross the street even if there is a pedestrian. Best time to go to Naples June, September, December.
I prefer the Amalfi coast and if you are fit, it is very interesting to go up in the mountains and see small farmers cultivating organic veg, fruit or producing wine and cheese. It might be too hot in July, August, (35-40 degrees Celsius), depending what you are used to. Also nice would be to take a sailing course.
Florence is a superb small city, you can walk it easily.

janet,

With a time frame of 17 days, my suggestion would be to limit your stay to the north, as there's more than enough to see there in that time.

It would help to have a bit of further information.....

• Does the 17 days include your two flight days?
• Is this your first trip to Italy / Europe?
• How were you planning on getting around?
• When is this trip taking place?
• Are you also interested in visiting any Musuems or other historic sites?
• Do you have a copy of the RS Italy 2016 guidebook?

With more information, it will be easier to offer more detailed suggestions.

I think I'd be able to offer suggestions if I knew the following:

1. When are you going?
2. Are your flights booked or can you change them?
3. Would you consider renting a car?
4. What particularly interests you besides hiking? Roman ruins? Renaissance art? Cooking classes? Wine tours? (wine can be legally served to anyone over 16, any alcohol to 18 year-olds).
5. Have you been to Europe before?

My advice is to send the 18 year olds off for at least part of the holiday by themselves. That way everyone gets to enjoy things.

With 16 nights ...
Rome - 4 nights
Florence - 3 nights
Cinque Terre (or Venice) - 3 nights
Siena - 2 nights
Amalfi Coast - 4 nights

By my count there are five adults. In Europe, 18 is a young adult. The secret to keeping five adults together is to agree that each one can go off alone as desired. Trying to do everything as a group will require annoying compromise. Meeting for the evening meal, or overnight accommodations, will be enough togetherness. And the younger ones should be part of the research and planning now.