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Advice needed - two weeks, Venice--Florence--Rome

Hello fellow travelers! I'm posting in order to hear from seasoned travelers on my proposed Italy itinerary; is it doable, do you have suggestions to make moving around within the country easier, etc. A little background first...

I have been to Italy twice before, the first time in Tuscany (Florence, Lucca, Montecatini) and Rome, the second time in Rome and all over Campania (Amalfi coast, Vietri sul Mare, Pompeii, etc.). I am starting to plan for a trip in September/October 2024 for my husband and me. We'll be celebrating our tenth wedding anniversary and my 50th birthday. He has never been to Italy. We live in the suburbs outside Philadelphia.

My proposed two-week itinerary looks like this:
1. Fri PM - Fly to Venice, arrive Saturday.
2. Sun/Mon - Venice
3. Tues AM - Train to Florence
4. Wed/Thurs - Florence
5. Fri AM - Train to Rome
6. Sat/Sun/Mon - Rome
7. Tues AM - to Positano (train?)
8. Wed/Thurs - Positano
9. Fri AM - To Rome to fly home.

I realize that this is quite spaced out (i.e., travel days are the next morning rather than previous evening, etc.), but I don't want to feel like we'll be running around any more than it may already feel like that. That's why I'm planning on ending in Positano, to have an opportunity to just RELAX for a day or two before the trek home. I added Venice because I've always wanted to go there; I added a third day in Rome as there is A LOT to see there.

Any and all thoughts most welcome! :)

Posted by
1255 posts

Welcome, fellow Philly suburb folks. I would add to keep an eye on flights into Venice - they are often seasonal on AA. I would keep Milan and Rome as backup arrival airports in mind as you get closer to time. Also, don't forget to check out opening and closing days of the week on this website or in RS guide books - for museums and other sites you may set your heart on.

Happy planning.

Posted by
7229 posts

Happy Anniversary and Happy Birthday from another Pennsylvanian!

So you've got:
Venice 3 nights
Florence 3 nights
Rome 4 nights
Positano 3 nights
Rome 1 night

I know you say you want to end relaxing in Positano- but it's such a hassle and time suck getting to and from there and makes you split your stay in Rome.
I would go all the way from Florence to Amalfi- and put all Rome nights at end. This would actually give you more time in Positano.

Venice 3
Florence 3
Positano- 4- fast train from Florence to Salerno then ferry to Positano
Rome- 4 reverse above

Assuming you are flying home on Saturday? You will need to be IN Rome on Friday night

Posted by
11948 posts

... and put all Rome nights at end.

Christine beat me to it.

Positano to Rome is such a multi-modal transportation mess, it ruins the 'relaxation' by having that to look forward to at the end of the trip.( at least for me)

Posted by
872 posts

Better a train from Florence to Naples and a driver to the Positano hotel. The ferry port is in a pedestrian area; you walk to the hotel with a luggage porter.

Posted by
4 posts

It 100% makes sense to put the "relaxing" days in the middle of the trip, so thank you for that suggestion! It will have the added benefit of replenishing us for our sightseeing in Rome.

Has anyone used Day Trip for private transportation? If so, what are your thoughts?