We will be 5 adults for the first two weeks, then our adult daughter, SIL and my husband's sister will leave us and we'll fly to Sicily for the last 7 nights. Trains only until Sicily. We have varied interests and are willing to go our separate ways, but generally we're interested in FOOD, historical sights, FOOD, a limited amount of art (Uffizi, Accademia), FOOD, and relaxation where we can fit it in. Here's what I have planned. Suggestions welcome.
Fly into Rome and train to Bologna - 2 nights (we'll be celebrating a couple of birthdays so special restaurant recommendations welcome even though in Bologna that's like shooting fish in a barrel)
Florence - 4 nights
Sorrento or Positano - 3 nights (really torn about this, a room with a view appeals to us, only day trip is to Pompeii and we'll do Path of the Gods one day, of course Sorrento is cheaper)
Stop over in Naples for a pizza on the way to ...
Rome - 4 nights
The others will fly home and we'll fly to Sicily, probably into Catania and out of Palermo because the flight times work better.
Rent car at Catania airport, visit Etna on the way to Siracusa (or Ortigia) for 3 nights.
Agrigento - 1 night which is Easter Sunday-Monday, booked at agritourismo so we can have dinner there
Palermo - 3 nights
Our flight home from FCO is at 9:45 am. Are we nuts to take a 6:00 am flight from Palermo to FCO that gets in at 7:20? There is a 7:00 am flight as well, so two chances for success! I hate the idea of our last night at an airport hotel.
I'm sure I'll have more questions as we get closer. Trying to nail down accommodations while there's still good availability. Thanks!!
Posted by
Sioux Falls, SD, USA
3051 posts
If you want a great food experience, consider Restaurant ZEB in the Ultraarno part of Florence. We went there, and had our best dinner in Italy in 3 weeks of dinners. A little expensive, but it is definitely a great experience food-wise.
https://guide.michelin.com/us/en/toscana/firenze/restaurant/zeb
Posted by
381 posts
I hate the idea of our last night at an airport hotel.
You could stay in Rome. Catching a taxi to FCO is easy
Posted by
Washington DC
27217 posts
Yes, I think it would be nutty to spend your last night in Sicily when your flight home departs from Rome at 9:45 AM. What are you going to do if your crack-of-dawn flight from Palermo to Rome gets canceled? I'd be a nervous wreck from the moment I arrived in Italy.
Posted by
Seattle
56 posts
Our best meal in Bologna. We were there last week. 4 nights eating out, our last night - this was the most tasty, comfortable, and delicious ravioli with mortadella and pistachios.
Trattoria Nonna Gigia
Make reservations.
Posted by
Portland
3607 posts
Your week in Sicily includes a lot of moving around. Agrigento, in particular, deserves more than the fraction of a day you have allotted to it.
I wouldn’t bother with a visit to Etna. You can see it from below, as you drive; and the towns along the way up are unremarkable. If it’s erupting, you won’t be able to go there. If quiet, it’s just not that interesting.
To answer your question regarding your return flight plans, you called it. Nuts! 😆
Posted by
871 posts
For two full days, Sorrento has many more options than Positano—day trips to Pompeii or maybe Naples; ferries to Capri or Ishica. Also note the Positano port is in the pedestrian area.
Posted by
OP
North Georgia, USA
1097 posts
Thanks for the restaurant recommendations. Checking them out!
Regarding moving around in Sicily, I know we could easily spend a month but unfortunately we only have six nights (now that we have been convinced to go back to Rome the night before our flight home, lol). Would you skip Agrigento completely? The Valley of the Temples was one of the things we were looking most forward to and seeing it in part of a day seems better than not seeing it at all.
Thanks for letting me know Etna is skippable. We'll admire it from the car!
We're definitely leaning toward Positano over Sorrento. We are planning just one day trip from there to Pompeii and with a private tour so hopefully we can arrange pickup. On the other day we were going to do the hike.
I don't understand the comment about the port in Positano being in the pedestrian area. Do you mean we'll have to walk to our accommodation when we arrive?
Thanks for the feedback thus far, I appreciate it.
Posted by
Gettysburg PA
6215 posts
I don't understand the comment about the port in Positano being in the
pedestrian area. Do you mean we'll have to walk to our accommodation
when we arrive?
Yes.
Positano's tiny ferry dock is at the bottom of the hill. All pedestrianized from there uphill, so you will have to walk up to your accommodations.
Ferries typically begin running in April and it looks like your dates have you in Positano in late March, not sure you will even have the ferry option. They don't run in inclement weather and Positano's dock is one of the smallest so often ferries can't even dock there.
If you are coming from Florence and staying in Positano it might be wiser to take train to Salerno- then bus or ferry to Positano or hire a driver. If your accommodations are at top of town a bus or driver makes more sense. (No need to go thru Sorrento if you are not staying there)
Posted by
OP
North Georgia, USA
1097 posts
Gotcha! I knew everything was uphill both ways, lol.
I feared that the March timing would make things difficult but I'm willing to spring for a driver since there are five of us. Appreciate your remedial explanation! :)
Posted by
Rural Georgia
2123 posts
I hate the idea of our last night at an airport hotel.
I understand. However, there was peace of mind by staying at the Hilton FCO and just walking over to the terminal. When we stayed they offered a free shuttle, but no longer. I still recommend you book at the Hilton FCO, then either take a bus or train into the city for a nice last evening. Here are choices.