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Advice and opinions on 2 different itineraries

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Need Advice: 15-Day Italy Itinerary in Late October – Is Sorrento Worth It?

My partner and I (early 30s) are planning a 15-day trip to Italy from October 22 to November 6. We love walking around, exploring cities, and finding unique experiences. We're torn between two itineraries and would really appreciate some help or input—especially about Sorrento in late October.

Itinerary 1 (Beach/Coastal Focus):

Oct 23: Land in Rome, train to Naples

Oct 23–26: Stay in Naples (Pompeii, food, exploring)

Oct 26–31: Move to Sorrento (possibly visit Amalfi Coast + Capri)

Oct 31–Nov 6: Rome (Colosseum, Vatican, Trastevere, etc.)

Main Question:
Is Sorrento (and the surrounding coast like Amalfi/Capri) worth it in late October? I live year-round in a beach town and have been to many beaches in the US. I’m worried it might just feel like another beach town with mostly sightseeing. Is there anything to do other than admire the views and walk through towns?

Everyone seems conflicted online—some say it’s still lovely that time of year, others say it’s half closed. Any honest input would help a lot.

Itinerary 2 (More Cities, Less Coast):

Oct 23: Land in Venice

Oct 23–26: Venice

Oct 26–29: Florence

Oct 29–Nov 2: Naples

Nov 2–6: Rome

Does this seem like too much moving around? We’re a little concerned it might get to the point where it’s not really relaxing anymore. Would love to hear if this pace still feels enjoyable or starts to feel like a travel marathon.

Posted by
387 posts

Sorrento is wonderful but it would be better served in summer to early fall. Water would be too cold for swimming by that time. Naples is great, but with such I short trip, I think time would be better spent in fewer destinations.

What about smaller cities??? If you drop off Naples, you could take your time from Venice to Rome by exploring a couple of smaller towns in Tuscany or Umbria. If you drop Venice, you can really slow down and enjoy the environs but still bookend the trip with stays in Florence or Rome.

Posted by
958 posts

Itinerary 1 is mostly central Italy, and itinerary 2 is mostly northern Italy. I like Itinerary 2 better, but I would drop Naples from that itinerary and add Orvieto or Siena, or or some other charming smaller city in the north. Have fun.

Posted by
2 posts

I never thought to visit some smaller cities and avoid all those crowds all the time! and would make for a more intimate vacation. I will check all those cities out (Orvieto, Siena, Umbria and Tuscany).
Im open to any more suggestions of cities/activities to visit if I work my way down to Rome.

Thank you in advance

Posted by
527 posts

Do you already have an idea of what airports you can fly in and out of conveniently from your home airport? That may help you decide your itinerary in Italy.

Are you planning to drive or do you prefer to use mostly trains and buses to get around?

Posted by
279 posts

Is it your first time to Italy? What are you drawn to? If you live in a beach town, is that because you love the beach/coast/views?

I was in Naples on 11/3/2024. The weather was perfect and we had the best day. Getting around the Amalfi Coast is tricky, so we hired a car and driver for 8 hours. He took us to the Amalfi Coast, stopped to view Positano, stopped to taste limoncello, stopped to shop for ceramics, had lunch in Ravello on a rooftop overlooking the Med, and stopped in Pompeii on the way back to Naples. That was a Sunday and that was the last day that restaurant was going to be open before closing for winter.

I would choose itinerary 1. I think with going to Rome last, you wouldn't find businesses closed, they would be FAR less crowded, in a good way, while the coast would still be open in the first part of your trip. I don't think there is such a thing as just another beach town when you are talking about Italy, especially if you are comparing to the US. I have never made it to Capri, but look forward to doing that when I have more than a day (like you do).

Happy Travels!

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