7 days in Italy - itinerary help

Posted by shieldslv on 06/04/16 08:18 PM

Hi, my husband and I (early 30's) are going on a 2 week Europe vacation (first Germany, then Italy) and need some Italy planning help. We will be in Venice the nights of Sept 30th and Oct 1st. We fly back to the US on Oct 8th from Rome and I know 6 days in Rome will be a lot. I was thinking Florence in between but we aren't really into art - even when I showed my husband the pictures of the art galleries and things, he said he'd rather be out in the countryside. What cities are part of the Tuscany countryside with beautiful views and maybe hikes, and best places to stay? 2 nights at the most. That gives us 4 full days in Rome. I was thinking a day trip to Naples from Rome would be cool too (Pompeii or the Amalfi Coast), but that would then give us 3 full days in Rome. Thoughts on that?

Any tips are welcome! Thanks in advance.

Posted by donna

Pa and Italy

06/04/16 08:27 PM

4152 posts

7 days really isn't enough time to visit 2 major cities, do a day trip and plan for another location as well. This is a big country and travel time between cities will take hours. If you really need to add another location you might consider somewhere in Tuscany but two days there really isn't enough time to explore, especially when you add the travel time.

Donna

Posted by David in Brisbane

Brisbane, Australia

06/04/16 10:38 PM

7175 posts

Two nights in Florence makes a short break on your journey to Rome. Even without an interest in visiting museums, the city does have a great atmosphere because of its (artistic) Renaissance past. An option would also be to take the day to visit Siena. Unfortunately 2 nights doesn't give you much time to get in to the countryside, especially without a car.

If you are happy with only 3 nights in Rome, then 3 nights in Sorrento is indeed an option, with visits to Capri and Pompeii for example.

Posted by Connie S.

Atlanta Georgia

06/05/16 02:59 AM

20 posts

Just got back from a 30 day trip to Italy. It was wonderful. I wasn't big into art myself but have to say Florence was pretty amazing. I enjoyed the Accademia ( where statue of David is) and honestly the original bronze doors that are in the Opera Del Duomo were stunning. I was schocked that I spent 5 hours in the Uffitzi Gallery looking at paintings . Anyhow , the walk up to Michalengelos piazza and the view is incredible. Lots to just walk around and see there.

One of my most favorite places was Assisi in the Umbria area , we. Stayed at the Hotel Ideale ( room with a view) think our room was #26. The balcony was so lovely. Assisi is worth a visit. It is about 2 hours 15 min from Rome. Very hilly town with a great nature trail St. Francis used to walk on . Hands down BEST FOOD EVER there. Umbria region was beautiful. Spent time in Siena which was also lovely.

I do one of those three cities and end up with Rome since you fly out of there.

Posted by Chani

Tel Aviv

06/05/16 07:47 AM

15602 posts

I was just going to suggest Umbria instead of Tuscany. Assisi is only served by regional trains, so going there eats up a lot of time. Orvieto is a lovely hill town, with beautiful views. It's around 5 hours by train from Venice with a change in Bologna, so you could buy separate tickets and spend a few hours seeing Bologna . . . or not. From Orvieto, it's only 1-1.5 hours by train to Rome. 2 nights there would be just fine.

Instead of going all the way to Pompeii, you can see the smaller, albeit less impressive, Ostia Antica in a 1/2 day from Rome by local train - cheaper, not nearly as crowded. It is the ancient seaport Rome, and I understand you can take the local train to the beach for the rest of the day.