8-10 Night Italy Itinerary-Please Help!

You want to enjoy a slower-paced lifestyle and yet you want to go to seven destinations in eight nights? Pick three at most, but only after looking at a map and studying travel times between them.

Michael, Visiting all the locations you mentioned in an eight day time frame is going to be more than a "challenge", it will be virtually impossible (IMHO), especially as you also want to enjoy a "slower paced lifestyle with locals". To begin with, I'd suggest skipping the Amalfi Coast, Naples and Sardinia this time, as transportation to those locations will use a lot of time (and money). An Itinerary that includes Cinque Terre, Tuscany and Rome should be relatively easy to work out. For travel in June, I'd highly recommend getting some hotels booked SOON, especially in the Cinque Terre. That time of year is towards the end of the spring shoulder season and heading into PEAK season so it will likely be hot and crowded in Italy. There are some "caveats" to be aware of when using the trains in Italy (and apparently in Switzerland now also). If you need further details, post another note. I'd suggest checking the websites to get some idea of the rail travel times and other pertinent details. As this will be your first time in Italy, you may want to pack along a copy of the Italy Guidebook for reference during the trip, and also a Phrasebook. You'll be able to get along fine with English, but it's a good idea to learn a few of the common "polite words" (please, thank you, etc.). Good luck with your planning!

You are only 33 years old, chances are you will live a long life, with time to come back. Why rush through Italy? You say " I am more interested in natural beauty, slower paced lifestyle with locals, maybe a beach day, and plenty of culture." You don't get that rushing around Italy. Pick
A-Rome, Naples, Amalfi Coast B-Tuscany and Cinque Terre, Rome Something like that, otherwise you are playing tag with Italy.

I don't mind whirlwind trips, but this itinerary would even make me crazy. I would visit Tuscany and definitely Rome (as you depart from here) but have you considered adding Venice? As far as overcrowded, tourist places... those are the only places you have listed, so unless you get a car and travel off the beaten path that is what you will find...but there is a reason these places are filled with tourists:) If you want a more laid back approach for your 8 days, then spend most of the time in Tuscany with a car and just explore the little towns and villages... that is one of my favorite things to do and if you don't mind missing the 'tourist spots' you will have a great trip.

Thank you for everyone's thoughtful responses. I understand now that this is much too hectic of a travel plan. The good news is that I found out I actually have 10 nights, not 8! The bad news is this is making my ability to schedule more challenging. I have decided to take your advice and simplify this by location and savor each place rather than speed through it. Any itinerary suggestions starting from Milan and ending in Rome over 10 nights are greatly appreciated! Thanks again, everyone!

Michael,
Plan on at least 3 nights in Rome, giving you two full days, which is just a good start on touring this grand city. Given that will be the end of your trip, back up to the start and allocate the rest of your nights. (I prefer to count in nights in a location as you last day is outbound and not really a part of your available time.) Pick Venice or the Cinque Terre. They are too far apart to do both efficiently in a short trip. Venice is amazing: 3 nights there is good, a quick high speed train trip from Milan, BUT the CT offers a nice change of pace for you from city to seaside. If you can get accommodations, and if you like to hike, go to the CT. Spend three nights in one of the little villages. Tuscany is a nice way to transition from the CT to Rome. Firenze is a good base without a car, but is a madhouse in summer. If you can manage a car, stay in a hilltown such as Siena, Montalcino or Montepulciano and spend 3 nights. Just pick up the car in La Spezia as you leave the CT, then return it in Firenze or Orvieto before training into Rome for your last 4 nights. You need to act as fast as possible to secure accommodations. Once you have those set, you can contemplate pre-reserving train tickets to take advantage of discounts. Take along Rick Steves' Italy guide. Buon viaggio!

Michael, You mentioned a route from Milan to Rome. I'd suggest skipping Milan and spending your time in other parts of Italy. You could consider something along these lines..... > Train from Lugano to Monterosso (easiest will be a departure at 10:36, arriving 15:02, one change at Milano Centrale) > Monterosso - 3 nights (tour five towns, hike or possibly take a day trip to Porto Venere or other nearby community - boat is the easiest method, if they're operating) > Travel to Tuscany - it would help to know where you most want to visit in Tuscany? One possibility would be two nights in Florence and one night in Siena. > Train to Rome - 4 nights. You could possibly take a day trip to Naples, although there's LOTS to see in Rome. At the conclusion of your trip, take the Leonardo Express from Roma Termini to FCO for your flight home (DON'T forget to validate!). If you have a very early flight, you may have to use another travel method. Cheers!

Michael, If you'd rather add a stop to have a look at the Amalfi Coast area, it would be a good idea to skip the Cinque Terre this time. Would something like this work.... > D1: Train from Lugano to Florence SMN (Dep. 09:48, Arv. 12:55, one change at Milano Centrale) > D2: Florence, touring > D3: Florence, day trip to Siena by Bus (Bus station is close to Firenze SMN rail station; DON'T forget to validate Bus ticket; BE SURE you don't miss the Bus back) > D4: Train from Firenze SMN to Napoli Centrale (Dep. 09:04, Arv. 11:55) - At Naples, go downstairs and buy ticket for Circumvesuviana to Sorrento (frequent departures, they have several lines so be sure to board the correct train, trip is about an hour) > D5: Sorrento, touring > D6: Sorrento, day trip to either Positano (Bus) or the Isle of Capri (Hydrofoil) > D7: Train back to Rome - Circumvesuviana to Napoli Centrale (Dep. 08:52, Arv. 09:55) and then Freccia to Roma Termini (Dep. 10:38, Arv. 11:55) > D8: Rome, touring > D9: Rome, touring > D10: Leonardo Express from Roma Termini to FCO and then flight home There are numerous train departures on each of the routes you'll be using. I used similar times to what I would choose based on time, cost and number of changes. That should allow you to still have breakfast at your hotel (since you're paying for it anyway). There are many ways this could be arranged, and this is only one suggestion. Buon Viaggio!

Obviously there's no right answer on this one, as everyone will have their opinion of their "favorite" places to go. When I was researching where to go, I used the Rick Steves guide to get more of an objective opinion on what each area has to offer and then made the call based on what I was looking for (i.e. a lot of people said not to waste my time in Venice, but I personally loved it). I used friends more for how much time I might need to hit sites and for restaurant recommendations more so than cities themselves, though I do agree that you probably want to bunch your itinerary between north vs. south. For us, we found Florence and Rome to be the noisiest between traffic and hoards of tourists. While it was also worth it to see the sites and art and don't regret going for our first trip, we don't feel an urge to go back like we do with Tuscany and Cinque Terre, which were far less crowded and chaotic than the cities. I will admit that Tuscany may be harder on your own, as it would be difficult to drive/navigate some of those roads at the same time, so you would probably be more reliant upon buses. In terms of talking to people, we never really wound up speaking to anyone in Rome -- found people in the other areas to be a little more warm.