Hello fellow travellers,
I have been on the forum researching the many feeds and looking at travel books as per my usual practice prior to planning a trip. This forum has been beyond helpful and thanks to all for the many tips I found already.
My husband and I in our early 60's and are planning our first trip to Italy late September to October 2026.
We are healthy, reasonably active, and love history, art/architecture, food, scenery and of course wine like most who travel to Italy. We are planning approximately 3 weeks (perhaps a few days more) for this trip but hope to get back to Italy as we won't be able to see it all this time or on two trips for that matter. We will plan Venice and more Northern Italy with our next trip, that is why it is not on this trip although initially I was following Rick Steves book plan of starting there...it was just too many stops and not enough of just embracing each place.
I would classify our budge as mid range...we do need to factor in that we are Canadian and sadly our dollar does not go as far as the Euro or USD.
Potential Itinerary Guideline:
1- Florence- arrive
2-Florence
3-Florence
4-Florence
5-Florence
6-Tuscany/Umbria
7-Tuscany/Umbria
8-Tuscany/Umbria
9-Tuscany/Umbria
10-Tuscany/Umbria
11-Tuscany/Umbria (?)
12- Tuscany/Umbria (?)
13-Amalfi Coast
14-Amalfi Coast
15-Amalfi Coast
16-Amalfi Coast
17-Rome
18-Rome
19-Rome
20-Rome
21-Rome- depart
We believe we plan to rent a car for the Tuscany/Umbria countryside although still researching options.
The question marks are there to see if we can find an Agritourismo in either area that accomodates 5 or 7 days that include cooking classes/olive and wine tasting on site that are an option for a few days but not every day like some advertise (any recommendations welcome).
We have tossed around the idea of staying in a hill town vs agritourismo for the advantage of walking around town in the evening..however the quiet evening in the country is appealing as well. Would it be better to split up the Tuscany/Umbria stage between a hill town and an Agritourismo ?
I have been researching where to drop the rental off so we can take the train to Amalfi Coast. Most seem to take rentals back to Florence Airport for ease to catch a train to next destination.
My research on this forum has indicated that taking a train to Salerno (From Florence approx 4hr directi) is a good option, we just need to decide if we want to stay in Salerno or perhaps Amalfi town as a base.
I know it may make sense to fly home (Canada) from Naples and end with the Amalfi coast instead of Rome however that can't be done without a 2 stop flight and 1 stop is all we are willing to put up with in airports. Also my husband has no real interest in Naples or Pompeii at this time (still discussing though).
Does this itinerary make sense to all you seasoned Italy travellers, I welcome any tips or thoughts. I know I have a lot to plan yet and have been on here bookmarking the many comments I have read already.
I appreciate your time and any assistance.
Cheers,
KS