2010 Italy Visit Rome + one other stop

Posted by Wally (Greensburg) on 10/12/09 05:28 PM

We were on a package tour in 2008. 3 nights in Rome, 3 nights on the Amalfi (Maiori), 2 nights each in Florence and Venice. We fell in love with Italy.

We are looking to return to Italy either in 2010 or 2011. 3-4 nights in Rome is mandatory. We are considering the following for 4 nights:

1) Siena
2) Cortina d'Ampezzo (Dolomite region)
3) Portofino

We would navigate Rome using public transportation. My question surrounds my other three options above. Are these destinations possible via trains or other public transportation? I really don't want to rent a car and I also don't want to take another packaged land tour.

Lastly, If I get to these locations, how best to see the sights without a car rental.

Any suggestions are welcomed. Thank you.

Posted by Ken

Vernon, Canada

10/13/09 09:50 AM

32353 posts

Wally,

Given the short duration of your trip, you'll want to minimize transportation times. Therefore, Siena would be the best choice of the three places you listed. Travel by train would simplest method. The trip is about 3.25H with cost as low as €13.10 (PP, second class), and usually one change. The station is at the bottom of the hill so you'd have to take a Taxi or the "C"(orange) mini Bus up to the town. You could also travel by Bus as Steve mentioned, and you'd disembark at Piazza Gramsci (in town) as I recall.

Portofino would be a reasonable second choice, but as Steve mentioned it tends to be a bit on the "pricey" side. Cortina d'Ampezzo is a bit "off the beaten" track so would be more challenging in terms of transportation. It's also the farthest from Rome, so I'd suggest planning that for a future visit.

Have you considered either Orvieto or the Cinque Terre? Both are easy and relatively short trips from Rome. Orvieto (Umbria) is only about an hour from Rome by train, and if you're able to stay a few days you could visit one of Rick's favourite hill towns, Civita di Bagnoregio.

Happy travels!

Posted by Greg

Palm Beach, Florida, United States

10/16/09 12:55 AM

536 posts

Hi Wally - I certainly agree with most of what the other posters have said - One thing - Portofino is VERY expensive!! How's 20 euro's for two cocktails? If you decide to stay in that area go around the bend to Santa Margherita - A Beautiful city and The Hotel Metropole is Fabulous!
My absolute best suggestion would be Le Cinque Terre - easily accessed by train from Roma and a tremendous area to explore - certainly the trails are incredible and each village has a lot to offer.
http://www.nerinarooms.it/ Located on the harbor in Vernazza and a great base of operations to explore the villages.

Ciao, Greg

Posted by Audrey

Singapore

10/16/09 11:32 AM

354 posts

hi Wally, I notice that you asked "how best to see the sights without a car rental". If you're spending time in Siena and you're planning to see Chianti country without renting a car, I'd recommend a one-day walking tour with Gianni who runs Walk About Tuscany (http://www.walkabouttuscany.com). He's received many excellent reviews on Tripadvisor (including one from me). He's knowledgeable, professional and takes your interests into consideration in planning the walk. He offers several tours including half-day and one-day Chianti wine country walks, San Gimignano walk, Montalcino walk, and others. It's easy to visit a few of the Tuscan towns using the bus service from Siena. To travel to Siena from Rome, the SENA bus departs from the bus terminal next to Rome's Tiburtina station and takes about the same time as the train. The bus is a direct service and drops you inside the city of Siena. The train station, on the other hand, is outside the city walls and you have to take a taxi or bus ride into town.