Good morning!
Headed to Italy next month, planning a last minute trip. Lucky me😊
Current itinerary:
2 nt Venice
2 nt Cinque Terre
4 nt Florence/Tuscany
5 nt Amalfi Coast
2 nt Rome
After reading HUNDREDS of posts across the web, I still need some insight please.
1. I am considering taking CT off and replacing with Santa Margherita/Portofino... thinking walking around from village to village may not be that exciting and after you see one strip of multi color houses they might just look all the same? SM appeals as it looks to be a bigger city with more to do... thoughts either way?
2. Is 2nt Florence then renting car and doing 2-3 nts Siena a good use of time. Purpose is to see the city and also get a couple days of wine touring/biking around/visiting Lucca and Montepulciano etc..and relaxing.
We don't have much interest in visiting anymore museums and churches in Florence besides the popular few. So is 2 nts there adequate?
3. Amalfi Coast- breaking up our time in that area seems like the right thing to do. 2nt Sorrento and 3 nt further south. Positano of course is first choice, but last minute limited options for next month. How is it compared to staying in Amalfi or Ravello or Praiano...can you recommend a city in this area?
Thank you so much for your help!
Posted by
4434 posts
Since you will also be visiting the Amalfi Coast, I think you should definitely remove Cinque Terre (it also takes forever to get there and away by train)--but I would add those days to Venice and Rome. Even if you are not a museum/city person, only one full day for each seems too little. If you are set on just breezing though Venice and Rome, then consider adding those days to Tuscany.
I hope you are scoping out accommodations for all stops already--that will certainly factor in where you stay in the Amalfi Coast. If you are not visiting Naples or Pompeii, then you can stay on the Amalfi coast all five days (you an also see Pompeii en route). I am partial to the low-key villages at the mainland end of the Amalfi peninsula. Look for a place with ferry access: https://www.travelmar.it/en/
good luck!
Posted by
New York, NY
1582 posts
If walking from village to village is not your cup of tea, then by all means drop the 2 nights from Cinque Terre and add those 2 nights to the Florence / Tuscany stop.
3 nights Florence and 3 nights Tuscany
For Amalfi Coast base yourself in one central location then tour the towns. No need to stay in multiple towns while there.
I deducted one day from Amalfi Coast and added to Rome. You need at least 3 nights in Rome or more. 2 nights are not enough.
Modified Itinerary:
2 nt Venice
3 nt Florence
3 nt Tuscany / Montepulciano or Lucca
4 nt Amalfi Coast
3 nt Rome
Amalfi Coast Towns:
Where to stay in Amalfi Coast first time – Sorrento
Where to stay in Amalfi Coast on a budget – Salerno
Best area to stay in Amalfi Coast for nightlife – Positano
Coolest place to stay in Amalfi Coast – Praiano
Best neighbourhood in Amalfi Coast for families – Maiori
Posted by
OP
3 posts
Thank you so much. Can you recommend a neighborhood in Rome close to all the sights but also has great restaurants and not too quiet. We enjoy ppl watching and having some drinks on patios throughout the evenings.
Posted by
Land of La
8688 posts
In Rome the Trastevere neighborhood.
Posted by
Wilmington, DE, USA
1046 posts
Let me jump in here! In Rome I suggest the Trastevere area. It's, as the name translates, just across the Tiber River from roughly Piazza Navona, Pantheon and Campo de Fiori. Lots of great food, easy prices, amazing people watching with a drink in your hand. Easy walk to just about any place in the Centro Storico, the historic center.
Your itinerary is full of packing, unpacking and driving. CT may not be where you want to be unless you are just looking for a break in the activity. Florence can be a good home-base for day trips to Lucca and Siena. I LOVE Sorrento, spend a week there every June. How about using that as a home-base and day tripping to the Amalfi Coast (go by boat, come back by bus), Capri, Pompeii? And Venice and Rome! Only 2 nights each!?! I wager that when you get there you'll want to stay at least 3 or more in each place.
How about: 3 Venice, 4 Florence (with day trips), 4 Sorrento, 4 Rome? This order also helps cut down on the train travel because you can use the Freccia trains except getting from Naples to Sorrento (take the ferry if your schedules coincide). On the plane going home you can plan your next visit to Italy!
Posted by
OP
3 posts
Hmmm....Trastevere seems like a bit of a walk to all the sites??... One hotel (Santa Maria) in that area even says up to 30mins walking distance to major sites. If I can find something close to the centre should I not book there?
Posted by
Wilmington, DE, USA
1046 posts
You'll be surprised with how much you will walk in Rome. The good thing is that there is always something interesting to help keep your mind off your tired feet. Besides, there is gelato to refresh the energy! Look for hotels or even apartments (vrbo.com) for something close to the river on either side of the Ponte Sisto. Trastevere isn't small so make sure you are looking at a hotel on a map. I thought the same as you for several years but then I noticed I kept going back to the area around Santa Maria in Trastevere almost every night. My apartment was near Piazza Navona so that (and a gelato) was always my last stop. One day my pedometer said I had walked 10 miles. Yes, but I was in Rome!
Posted by
Phoenix, AZ
110 posts
May I suggest the Monti neighborhood in Rome. It sounds like it may just be the place for you. I've stayed there and it is lively and within walking distance to most everything. We're going back in July and staying there again. If you're unsure, check out The Roman Guy on YouTube, he has tons of videos and has one for each of the popular neighborhoods. His videos give you pros and cons for each area plus a general feel for what it is like.
Posted by
143 posts
I disagree with having just one base on the Amalfi Coast. I have been many times and I always split my time between two villages, for example Positano and Ravello. I don't mind unpacking and packing, as I travel light. I love the feel of a new place early in the morning and in the evening.
I have stayed in Capri, Ravello, Positano and Amalfi. Never in Sorrento.