airport suggestions: first time ever out of country

You might want to at least give some thought to putting this trip off since you have NO plans for airfare & lodging. You mentioned " countless hours on the computer", but was this doing any real research?

From my heart, I hope that you wait at least a few more months & do this trip justice for you & your daughter.

I hate to tell you this, but you may end up paying out the nose for airfare because you have waited so long to book it. Do you have the Rick Steves Italy 2015 guidebook yet? If not, please buy it. It will help you with all the logistics that you'll be facing in your trip.

As far as which city to fly into and out of, you should start by looking at flying into Rome and then returning from Naples. Choose the "Multiple Destinations" option on the airline website.

You don't say where in Texas you'll be flying from, so we can't tell you if there are any direct nonstop flights. (There might not be any, meaning you'll need to change planes along the way.)

Good luck.

Leaving from SAT (I see many round trips to FCO). Just not sure if that is best, taking the train back to Rome, or to fly home from somewhere south? Yes, I have Walking Rome, by National Geographic and have been reading this forum on all the Italy posts for the past three weeks. I did notice the airfare is significantly higher since our trip is so close at hand. This is when life made it possible.

To plan a getaway for a family this size is tricky. We have plans as in dates: leaving the July 6, returning July 20th. VRBO makes accommodations readily available during those dates and areas. We have things we KNOW we want to see. Inquiring of this forum is a vital part of my research, hoping to get some input on the best route back as well as suggests for where to best plant ourselves for the Southern Itlay week?

Hi Shelia,

Here's a checklist of the things you'll need to decide in order to make this trip possible:

1. Passports (do you have them already?)

2. Nail down your itinerary (sounds like you've already decided on the cities and how many days. Just stick with it but have a written itinerary of 1-2 things you plan to do each day typed in a word document).

3. Book your flights (kayak, google flights, hipmunk and skyscanner are all good places to look).

4. Book your hotels in each location. Booking.com is a good place to see reviews from actual people who have stayed in the hotels. Trip advisor reviews are less reliable because they are posted by anyone (not just those who have stayed in the hotel)

5. Figure out the logistics of how to get from one daily activity to the other (for example, will you take the train, metro or walk on foot? Do you need to buy tickets in advance?) Add these details to your word document on the appropriate days.

6. Buy backpacks and pack.

7. If you don't already own them, buy digital copies of Rick's Italy, Rome and Europe through the Back Door guidebooks. This way you'll have them in your smartphone or tablet for use while you are on your trip. These can get you out of most pickles and will be good reading material beforehand. Ideally, try to read them cover-to-cover before you go. Add notes to your word document as you read, keeping everything organized on their assigned days. The more educated/prepared you are the more enjoyable your trip will be.

IF you can manage to get these things done, your trip will be feasible and still fun. If any of these items aren't possible in the time you have left, your trip will need to be put off till you can complete them.

RS suggest Sorrento as a good home base to see the Amalfi Coast, Capri, and Pompeii. We stayed there for 5 days in May, it was a perfect location. I would immediately look for lodging before booking your flights. I agree with the others you need to get RS Italy tour book. He gives you all of the details on traveling! Sounds like you deserve this trip of a lifetime! Have fun!

Regarding flights.

Try this:

http://matrix.itasoftware.com/

Put your departure airport (for Example - Dallas)
Your destination airport (Put Rome initially)
Click the option next to Rome in blue that says "nearby"
Then in the yellow box select a range of "200" miles from the dropdown menu.
Then, in the yellow box hit the checkbox to "select all"
Enter your travel dates and then search.

This search tool allows you to find the most affordable flights from your home airport to anywhere within 200 miles of Rome.

To plan a getaway for a family this size is tricky.

Could you elaborate there, Sheila? Your first post sounds as if it's only you and your daughter who are taking this trip?

If you're not going farther south than the Sorrentine/Amalfi, I'd probably return to Rome the evening before a flight out of Fiumicino. You'll have a much better selection of flights from Rome, and I can pretty much bet there are no direct flights from Naples (the nearest airport to that area). In fact, I'm guessing you'd have at least two changes to reach San Antonio from there.

We did take a flight back to the US from Naples once but had to change planes in Rome. We also had to take an expensive transfer service from the Sorrentine/Amalfi region to Naples airport as our early flight and train schedules didn't coordinate. More trouble than it was worth.

What a wonderful opportunity! flying into Rome and out of Naples would make sense, minimizing transit time. Search the websites under the category called something like "multicity"). However, since you're booking air reservations relatively late, a round trip to and from Rome might be cheaper (but not always). When you're comparing cost, be sure to include the cost of rail transportation returning from Naples to Rome – you can find that on the Italian raii website (Click on the British or US flag to get English if necessary)

I suggest also spending time with the Rick Steves Italy guidebook. Most libraries would have it if you don't want to buy one. It is much better than the guidebooks you mentioned for the logistics of how to travel – navigating airports, hotels, local buses/Subway, long-distance rail, self-directed walking tours, etc. There are also podcasts that you can find via this website that have audio walking tours are quite good. In addition, get small but detailed paper maps or good electronic maps – that is a crucial help in planning your days in a city the size of Rome.

Enjoy! You can make this happen in July. You just need to move fairly quickly and be flexible.

For trains each way between Rome and Naples or Salerno, budget approximately $55 per person, base/full fare in the cheapest class. You'll do that one-way for sure and would pay the same if you return to Rome to fly out.

As you book through VRBO or any source, try to confirm that the residence is close to your sightseeing or on a public bus or subway line.

Glad that you have a guidebook for Rome - also for the south? I do recommend the efficiency of a guidebook to have much of the info you need in one portable unit, more linear and easier to search and study than an online forum.

I haven't been to Italy so I can't help you with any "on the ground" ideas, but I see on kayak.com a number of flights between San Antonio and Rome, via Charlotte, on American and US Air. I picked an arbitrary two-week round trip in mid-late July and got fares in the $1800-1900 range for one person. This is a little more than what we normally pay these days between Seattle and Europe, but we buy six months or more ahead. So the fare seems reasonable for a trip this soon.

I agree with others about the value of a good guidebook and lining up your accommodations ahead of time if you can. Since you live in Texas, you probably won't be bothered by the heat in July in Italy, but keep in mind that air conditioning will be less common than you may be used to.

I'm surprised that some posters are advising you to postpone your trip unless you can make a lot of arrangements ahead of time. Life doesn't always allow for the timetables we might prefer. "Loosely planned" travel can be fun and rewarding, as long as you stay flexible and take things in stride. It's supposed to be an adventure, after all! I hope you and your daughter have a wonderful trip, the first of many for both of you!

Congratulations on arranging for your trip, and for getting a place in Trastevere. We had an apartment there for a week, and it was an ideal base for visiting Rome, with ATMs, markets, grocery stores, a pasta shop, etc., and the police department was just around the corner, so it was safe, too! :-) I hope you're planning on getting Roma Passes to save on sightseeing and transportation within Rome.

Later, we stayed at a B&B in Piano di Sorrento (a "suburb" of Sorrento), from where we made trips for a week to Naples, Pompeii and Herculaneum, Capri, and an Amalfi Coast drive. Are you renting a car at any time of this trip? If so, make sure you have your International Driver's Permit(s).

We had round-trip flights from the USA to Rome and back. Had we been visiting say, Italy and Germany, we'd want "open jaw" flights arriving in Italy and flying home from Germany, but the timing and price worked for us to fly both in and out of Rome. The day before we flew home, we took the train from Piano di Sorrento towards Rome, but got off an toured the Roman ruins at Ostia Antica that afternoon. They let us stow our suitcases in the guard's office at the entrance gate. Afterwards, already on the west side of Rome, the guard phoned us a taxi to the Hilton Hotel at the FCO airport, literally a few steps from the terminal, where we'd booked a very convenient room for our very early flight out the next day. We didn't use their pool that last night, but their restaurant served an excellent dinner, and their breakfast buffet was phenomenal.

We're flying from Dallas too, but in early September. Prices are great to Milan, and we'll rent a car to do Parma - Bolonga - Tuscany for about a week - Cinque Terre - and back to Milan. RT flight times are in the 13~17hr range bouncing through Newark or DC, Brussles and Frankfurt.

We always make a list of the things we want to do and I put them in excel. I have a "Master" list of everything and then break them down by city and map out from there. I include Venue, hours/dates of operation, location/address, metro/bus line, ticket prices, and misc. It's helpful to see it all written in one place and then broken down. Even if you are travelling with no set plans, you said you have things you want to see, jotting them all down will help. We usually pull the list out over breakfast every morning and then decide what to do. This can also be helpful to see which museums/places might be closed on certain days or have extended hours on certain days. Even just making a list with the places you want to visit will be helpful we did our third trip to Paris with no agenda or plans and I almost felt like it was

I saw someone mentioned backpacks I'm not sure if they meant for daytime Rick Steves who is always filmed with that blue backpack thrown over his shoulder recommends a cross body bag or purse because many museums will make you check a backpack but not a purse. I've always traveled with some type of purse and I've only had to check it at a handful of places. My husband is always having to check his backpack and then pull out things to put in my purse.

On booking late and spending more, Its summer its peak travel, you'll spend 1800-1900 per ticket. I priced Austin to Paris in February (for June) it was 1800, I priced it again a few weeks ago and it was still 1800. Even if its more, what's a few hundred dollars for the trip of a lifetime! Have fun you deserve it.

There are no direct flights from Texas to Italy. From SAT you don't even have direct flights directly to anywhere in Europe. You need to change planes in a hub somewhere in the East Coast (JFK, EWR, PHL, ATL, IAD). Your best bet is flying round trip to Rome FCO (via a East Coast airport) to minimize the number of layovers since there are no U.S. bound flights from NAP.

Since your flight back will be likely from FCO, it is best to leave Rome for last to minimize hotel changes. Therefore upon arrival to FCO (likely a morning arrival) take the train straight to Sorrento (via Naples).

You waited a bit long to book your flight, so prices will likely be in the $1800-2000 range.

Sheila,

Congratulations on taking your first trip abroad and to Italy. With such a large family, you most certainly deserve a break!

It would have been prudent to have arrangements such as flights in place long before now. At this late date, you may pay more for flights and also for things like rail tickets as you probably won't be able to take advantage of the discounted Super Economy tickets. There are a lot of other small details you'll need to learn quickly, such as how to use public transit in Italy without incurring fines.

With the places you mentioned, you might consider using Rome for your "home base" to see that area, and Sorrento as the base for southern Italy. If you book flights inbound Rome and outbound Naples, that should work well, as you can use the Curreri Viaggi Bus from Sorrento direct to the airport (€10 PP as I recall).

Given the short time until departure, you may want to contact a travel agent to book the flights as they may be able to find you a better price than you'll get on the booking sites. If you'd rather book flights yourself, I find that it's better to book directly with the airlines.

As someone else mentioned, I would highly recommend packing along a copy of the Italy 2015 guidebook, either in hard copy or E-book format. There's a tremendous amount of information there that will help you trip go smoothly, and it will be a good resource to have on hand during the trip.

Be sure to pack (and use) Money Belts, as there WILL be pickpockets and other scammers operating (peak tourist season). If you're taking any electrical or electronic gadgets, you'll need to ensure they're designed for operation on 220 VAC electrical systems. You will of course need Plug Adaptors. Finally, don't forget to notify your banks and credit card firms that you'll be travelling, so they don't freeze your cards when they detect transaction activity in Europe.

Good point to figure in the price of train tickets if considering flying out of Rome.

But even if you fly from Naples, though, I'm cautious enough (now) to suggest staying closer to rather that father away from your departure airport the night before in case of some unseen sort of complication. If for any reason you find that due to a strike or departure time earlier than the first trains can get you there, you can rely on a cab, plus not fork over a fortune for a long-distance ride.

Since you have spent a lot of time on this website, I assume you have the EUR/USD issues under control, but just in case, here's the link to what RS has to say: http://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/money.

Of particular importance, make sure your financial institution knows you will be traveling, when and where so that they won't block any credit card purchases or debit card ATM withdrawals of cash. Find out how much that ATM card will let you withdraw and try to get the amount raised if needed. Of course, make sure that you have enough in the account it draws from to cover the transactions. You will be primarily operating in EUR cash, so this is very important. That linked page above covers just about everything you need to know. Believe what is said there and follow those great guidelines.

Hello again, Sheila!
Thanks for the very nice note, and a little more information about your situation. My goodness, it sounds like trying to orchestrate the daily comings and goings of the tribe at home while the usual chauffeur (you) is away makes things ESPECIALLY challenging? You WELL deserve this holiday so let's see what we can do to help!?

I'm answering some of your questions here only so the good folks on this thread know where you're currently at with your plan, and can offer good suggestions accordingly. Otherwise, future replies may not be especially relevant/helpful. Make sense?

You are leaving the U.S. on July 6th - flying in/out of Fiumicino - and have two weeks for your trip.

You're now thinking of going straight to Sorrento from the airport, and then spending the latter part of your trip in Rome.

You have two questions:

1) What means of travel is best/cheapest/convenient/timesaving to head to Sorrento once we arrive? (And do you have a name or link for that?)

2) If you could ideally divide up the 14 day stay between Sorrento and Rome, would you allot a week to each?

There are almost always multiple ways to skin a cat, and we all have different ideas about 'bests' but here's my take on #1:

There is cheapest, fastest, and/or convenient: you usually can't get all 3!

The cheapest way is to take one of the shuttle buses (Terravision or SIT) to Roma Termini. They are clean, safe and air-conditioned, and often costs as little as 4 euro PP. Tickets are easy to purchase at kiosks outside of the luggage carousels, and they'll direct you to the proper stop outside for the next bus. The trip takes about an hour. See info here:

https://www.adr.it/web/aeroporti-di-roma-en-/pax-fco-bus

The faster but more expensive option is to take Leonardo Express train to Termini: 14 euro pp, and the trip takes 30 minutes.

http://www.trenitalia.com/cms/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=dd2aeb82a8fbf310VgnVCM1000008916f90aRCRD

From Termini, you'll want to take a train to Napoli Centrale. For trains/prices you'll want to use the Trenitalia (Italy's national rail service) website:

http://www.trenitalia.com/cms/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=4ddd1a035296f310VgnVCM1000005817f90aRCRD

As you'll want to get there quickly, look only at Frecciarossa (high speed) trains with no changes. The cheapest tickets sell out fast but the caveat to purchasing in advance is the risk of missing a train you've reserved if your flight is delayed so you may want to buy them at Termini or the airport when you arrive. The ticket-buying process is a separate topic so best to post specific questions on a new thread?

From Napoli Centrale, the cheapest option to Sorrento is the local Circumvesuviana (not Trenitalia) train. That one leaves from Garibaldi station, which is connected to Centrale . This is a bare-bones commuter with a somewhat shady reputation but we've used it without issue. You just have to keep a hand on your valuables: another topic for a new thread, and a discussion that'll be useful for sightseeing Italian towns and cities as well. Tickets are inexpensive, are purchased at the station, and the trip takes 75 minutes or so with a lot of stops.

Alternately, some RS members believe that convenience trumps price for this leg of the journey, and recommend springing for a private transfer service. We haven't done that so I'm sure those who have will provide some good suggestions.

A shuttle service will, of course, deliver you to your Sorrento accommodation. If you take the train, there's only one little station in Sorrento, and it's centrally located. Try to book something closer versus farther away?

Question #2: yes, I'd split the time equally. There are any number of easy day trips from Sorrento, and a GREAT deal to see in Rome (new topic).

So do start some new threads on individual topics? That way people can answer them in detail without overshooting the max. character count!

My experience with flying out of Napoli is that you will have to transfer at another airport to connect with your international flight. I would figure the flight times PLUS waiting for connections, security lines, etc. Roma is only 1.25 hours by train from Napoli, and trains are frequent (about every hour), so it may be easier to take the train from Napoli to Roma, spend the last night there if your flight is early the next morning, and take the Leonardo Express or a taxi (depending on departure time) to the airport for your flight to the U.S.

Have a great trip!

Kathy and Zoe, (and well, everyone)

First, let me thank each one of you who took time to post and the additional info that was PMed. I tried to respond to most of you in a private message, maybe with more relevant questions, noting details in my quickly growing spread sheet of info. I took the advice and purchased the Steves 2015 Italy book, but after more Amazon.com reading, I then orderd all three in a package deal (his Rome and Italian Phrases book, too!) They arrive in 2 days. Whoop!

I dove into more research, using all the links and info shared until nearly 4:00 a.m. Starting fresh again, this morning. Last night reading the details of the incredibly confusing train/bus/ticket validation system overwhelmed me and small panic set in. Trying to save $ doing this budget style makes me worried I'm going to end up wasting what I'd save on fines or lessons learned the hard way.

I hear tackling the trip to Sorrento first after landing will be arduous, but it sounded like a good suggestion since a draining first day will hopefully lead to some relaxed ending travels. It may end up that I wished I heeded that warning. (I'll be sure to find this thread and write about our adventure if we live to tell.)
I was messaged with detail train info for the trip to Sorrento and that was like penned gold!

I've embraced the vital advice of attire, safety, checking electrical systems on our gadgets, plug adapters, notifying banks and Credit cards, and getting travelers checks for start. All things I'd have never thought of without this forum! I LOVE this place!!!

I've got the first week lodging booked in Sorrento, rented a room found on airbnb (site suggested by RSteves) with great reviews and a family that all speak English relatively well. (An added bonus: It has AC :) under $100 a night.) They also offered to pick us up at the Circumvesuviana train stop in Sorrento! It is close to public travel/bus, too.

The next few nights, I'll be deciding on a place in Travestere and nailing down a few things that are "absolute must sees", filling in the blanks with our books when they arrive.

Just a bit about us (I've 5 bio children, 6 adopted-- China, Ukraine, Liberia, Dallas) but never did we travel out of the country since my man doesn't fly. Our children were escorted stateside. I've home schooled 16 years, and right now, have three boys 10, 12, 12, and six girls 15, 16, 17, 17, 17, 21) still at home. Two sons, fine young men on their own. We've traveled budget style all over in a 15 passenger typical white van, but never anything like this. My 16 and 21 year old girls are pilots with private pilots licenses for small Cessnas, but THIS... this flight and dream of hers will be a memory of a lifetime for BOTH of us.

Any info sent my way is truly appreciated. I am sure I'll have more specific questions in the next few days.
So excited I could burst :)

Sheila

Sheila, we're all just so excited FOR you!!!
First rule? Do. Not. Panic. Sometimes things make a lot more sense once you're THERE than on paper. You'll have lots and lots of help.

Blimey, after coordinating a household like yours, organizing this trip will be a piece of cake!!! :O)

You are going to have a ball! We just returned from 11 days in Italy with 4 being in Rome. I did tons of research online too, and this site was valuable. I found it hard to estimate how long each "attraction" would take even though the guidebook and forums gave a helpful range. Since you're in Rome for 7 days, you can move slower, but here's what we did. Hope it helps!

Fri 29th Fly To Rome 3:31pm-7:40am, 10 hr 9 min flight time given. Only took 9 hr 10 min? Tailwind 7 hr time change

Sat 30th Arrived Rome airport 6:40am Pickup by private car.
Arrived outside apartment 9:15am, but couldn't check in until 11. Went to Quelli della Pizza across the street for drinks/WIFI. Walked to Piazza Navona with luggage. Checked in at 11 then napped till 3:30.
Got groceries, did Pantheon, ate at Pasquino by Piazza Navona, gelato at Giolitti (excellent!!!),
Pantheon at night, Trevi Fountain, went to bed 10 or 11pm.

Sun May 31st Rome – Walked to Capitol Hill, ate at food truck, did Through Eternity Tour of Colosseum, the
Forum, and Palatine Hill 3-6:30pm , then walked to Spanish Steps, dinner
McDonalds, gelato at Giolitti again. Yum!!

Mon Jun 1st Rome - Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica Tkts for 11:30am,
bought online prior (so glad I had read to do this. The line was amazingly long, and in the hot sun), drinks in Vatican at outdoor cafe, ate at L’Insalata Ricca, Old Bridge gelato, home for rest. Evening: Campo di’Fiori, Piazza del Campidoglio.

Tue 2nd Checkout 11am, left luggage, walked to Trastevere and back. Got luggage and taxied to
Roma Termini; Trenitalia train to Florence 2:50-4:22pm, Frecciargento 943.

We would have loved more time at St. Peter's and the Vatican area, but still felt we saw a lot there.

Sheila,

As you're flying in / out of Rome, one more point to mention. There was a fire recently at FCO and things are not back to normal yet, so getting through the airport in both directions could take a bit longer than usual. I haven't seen any recent updates here on the Forum, so not sure what the current status is.

"I've embraced the vital advice of attire, safety, checking electrical
systems on our gadgets, plug adapters, notifying banks and Credit
cards, and getting travelers checks for start. All things I'd have
never thought of without this forum! I LOVE this place!!! "

Traveler's checks are no longer recommended as it is very difficult to find anyone that will accept them. It is better to depend on a debit card/ATM for withdrawals.

All fears are gone now and anticipation reigns in its place.
I've broken the trip into a seven night stay in Sorrento and then 7 in Trastevere. More reading is making me wonder if I should take one or two of the Sorrento nights, maybe midweek and actually stay somewhere near the Amalfi Coast. All those bright stacks of homes on the shore reminds me of a boquet on the edge of a cliff and I'm wondering if a day trip there will be enough. If we want some slow down and rest beach time, is that the best place to do it?
A few more questions, where is the best place on this trip to spend at a beach or near water relaxing? Are there any snorkeling (not with BCs) places to enjoy under water? The Capri and Blue Grotto are things that appeal to us. I'm finding boating tours of the island but I'm not finding snorkeling.
What are the kind of things you find in Italy that you wish you could pick up in America when you want? Souvenir suggestions? Wines only found there, etc.

If you have 6 full days (7 nights) in each place then make Day 4 a free day with nothing scheduled. Chill out, recharge, or act on a whim. Have fun.

Sheila,

I definitely agree with the previous comment. Traveller's Cheques are an antiquated relic of the past, and you'll have trouble cashing them. ATM withdrawals are the best way to obtain cash.

However, a few points to mention......

• ATM's normally access your primary account. You'll have to check with your bank to find out which account that is (normally a chequing account).
• You might want to review your daily withdrawal limit with your bank, and possibly get it increased at least for the duration of the trip. However, local ATM's may have their own withdrawal limits also.
• It's a really good idea to take at least two ATM cards on different accounts, in case of problems with one (I've had that happen). For example, if you and your daughter have separate cards, that should work. Be sure to have someone at home that can make deposits in case you need extra cash.
• At least one credit card is also a good thing to have.

I probably wouldn't change locations for a couple of days as it could be hard to find accommodations. It's also going to add to your transportation times and costs.

The Blue Grotto will probably not be a pleasant experience at this time of year, as it too will be extremely crowded. Aside from the content of this article, the photo shows what the crowds may be like....

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/blue-grottos-crystal-waters-contaminated-by-raw-sewage-1777741.html

For beach time you could take a day trip to Positano by Bus, as that has a nice beach. I don't know about areas for snorkelling as I've never looked.

Your anticipation will grow as departure date draws closer.

Ah! I've learned about per "etto".
I tell my kids there are two ways to learn something. 1) from making a mistake 2) from others making a mistake. Usually I was taught by #1.
Reading more threads, I learned to avoid this one by #2

OH, happy day!

I find good wines at grocery stores, but you may want to visit an enoteca that lets you sample several wines to make up your mind. I take photos of the wine labels and order online if I want to ship six or more bottles back to the U.S. (Some states don't let you import wine.). Grocery stores also have good selections of other items you can't find in the U.S. Every town has its special products, look for signs that say "prodotti tipici" (typical products) or "sapori di..." (tastes of whatever place you are in).

I like to buy scarves, olive oil soap, things that are small and easy to pack. Keeping the tourist maps as souvenirs helps you remember your highlights and the routes you took.

I noted the travelers checks warning. Thank you!

You guys have my back :) I feel like I should send baskets of fruit and chocolates to all your homes for Christmas. Hhaha!

I'll be tackling banking ATM cards now. I've lived a long time. I've never used an ATM machine because it kills me to pay a withdrawal fee. Also never bought bottled water, and I've only paid for oxygen during labor. It seems though this is what is the best suggestion for $ needs while there.

What is an ideal amount of $ to start off with in pocket? (I've read the gypsy/scam/pickpocket alerts, too, so we'll be cautious)

First thing, start thinking in €, not $. Learn the exchange rate so that you don't have to be fumbling around at the ATM. As in my withdrawal limit is $$$ and that equals €€€. The ATMs will not list $$$, only €€€. I think this all should be covered in the RS info on money.

About ATM/debit cards, I belong to 2 credit unions neither of which charges a fee for withdrawing cash in Europe, and I only use ATMs affiliated with banks, well, about 98% of the time. They both charge 1% for the exchange part of the transaction. I always decline the DCC (dynamic currency conversion). This should also be covered in Rick's info on money.

If your bank charges a fee per transaction, it's obviously cheaper to take out more €€€ fewer times.

How much money you need to get at first will depend on how much the apartment owner wants and when, that is if you are paying them with cash. You will most likely need cash for transportation from FCO to your Rome apartment, however you go. You will need cash for the grocery store, meals out, etc.
I have a stash of leftover €€€ from each trip, but I still get about €500 when we arrive at the airport. Then it's all a matter of paying attention to how fast it's going through my fingers. When I'm down to €100, I get more. I'm sure others have have their own triggers for when to replenish the moneybelt. You do have moneybelts, right?

"What is an ideal amount of $ to start off with in pocket?"

I'd suggest that each of you have at least €50 for travel funds until you get settled and can access an ATM. Splitting it up will be safer than keeping it all in one place.

ATM's are called Bancomats in Italy.

As Lo mentioned, you'll need to be vigilant to avoid Dynamic Currency Conversion, which seems to be more prevalent in Europe every year. If a merchant or hotel asks if you want your credit card transaction charged in your home currency, decline the offer and have it processed in the local currency. You'll pay more with DCC as the exchange rates won't be as favourable if the merchant does the conversion.

Ditto on the advice about travelers cheques: no one uses those anymore because most businesses will not accept them, and it can difficult to find a place to cash them. Use an ATM, and try always to use one connected to a bank should you have problems. Yes, it works better for us to take out a few larger amounts than many smaller ones. We also increase our withdrawal limit at the bank before we go, and let them know where and when we'll be traveling.

Drinking water: bring your empty bottle! Rome has some of the best water in the world, and public fountains are plentiful. We also drank tap water in Sorrento without any problem. Just don't drink from anything marked "Acqua non potabile."

Stay put where you are in Sorrento: you've landed a very good rate for the last minute during high season. You'll have better transport options around the region from there than from some other locations. It's a good spot for first-timers.

As stated, Positano has the biggest beach, and there are some smaller ones around but in July expect all of them to be packed and not especially "relaxing". Many of them are also more pebble-y than sandy, just to know what to expect. There is supposed to be a great little swimming spot called Bagni della Regina Giovanna that we haven't been to but would like to sometime. It's reported to take a bit of work to access but gets high marks from people who have done it so look it up? Can't help you with the snorkeling question, sorry.

Blue Grotto: we skipped this one for a couple of reasons - the main one being to avoid the masses. The cave also cannot be accessed if the seas are rough, and there are a fair amount of tourists who've gotten all the way to the entrance only to have the trip abruptly aborted. Tickets prices are not refunded if this occurs so if you do it, choose a day with little wind or chance of a turn in weather. There are other interesting things to do on the island.

Gifts: choose lightweight, east-to-pack items. As suggested, scarves are great, as is candy or lemon-scented items from Sorrento, as the Sorrentine is known for its lemons. Little boxes decorated with inlaid wood are nice as well (Sorrento). Groups playing in the piazzas often sell CDs so purchase one of those for yourself or for a music lover. One of my favorites from anywhere at all is a Christmas ornament: our tree is covered with baubles from places we've been. They may also be nice to give to your children as 'starters' for their own trees someday (assuming, of course, that you celebrate that season). Young men might like Italian soccer jerseys.

I don't know if this is the place to post this new set of questions since my original topic was airports, but since I have your ears and have appreciated all you've offered, I am. Let me know if I should have begun a new thread.

I keep reading other PMs and posted threads and want to add more to our trip. I'd never heard of Orvieto until Roberto mentioned it. Amazing beauty!

Originally my daughter wanted to do Venice and her fantasy gondola ride as well as climb the steps of the Tower of Pisa. I steered her to Capri, the Blue Grotto, and Pompeii further south and then shut the mental door on anything north of Rome. I just finished reading a thread by a woman name Shirley who shared her detailed trip report and am thinking about adding Pisa and Venice.
I have three more days to change my room arrangements and there is still availability to get dates near the ones we have.

I KNOW we can't see everything. I also know, this will be a once in a lifetime trip for me... not my daughter, but for me. So if I were to add more to our itinerary without making is so full and miserable (because strolling, sauntering, reading, relaxing- I feel those are important to soak in the ambiance and enjoy this trip) what would you sages suggest?

Right now for our 14 total day trip 7/6-7/20, we arrive at FCO (one layover in US), head straight to Sorrento for 7 days, then back to Rome for the last 7. But it could go something like this:

Arrive in FCO, head straight to Sorrento for 5 days,
(Is there fast night train to make it all the way to Venice/Florence) stay 3-4 days
Down to Rome for 6-7.

I like the idea of ending in Rome since I will have no worry about being there for flight home on the 20th.

Ok, start throwing your suggestions at me!

Sheila

Kathy,

I just googled Bagni della Regina Giovanna. That look more relaxing and just as beautiful as the Grotto. We may make that switch.
Thank you for gift suggestions, as well.

Sheila

Sheila,

I wouldn't suggest changing any hotel arrangements until you get your Itinerary sorted. Would something like this work for you.....

• D1 - Jul.6 - Flight to Italy
• D2 / N1 - Jul.7 - Arrive Italy; train to Roma Termini / Napoli Centrale / Sorrento (last segment via Circumvesuviana or private car service).
• D3 / N2 - Jul.8 - Sorrento
• D4 / N3 - Jul.9 - Sorrento
• D5 / N4 - Jul.10 -Sorrento
• D6 / N5 - Jul.11 - Sorrento
• D7 / N1 - Jul.12 - Train to Napoli Centrale and then Florence (Don't use a night train - it's only about a 2H:50M trip from Naples - You can use either Freccia or Italo trains on that route).
• D8 / N2 - Jul.13 - Florence
• D9 / N3 - Jul.14 - Florence (Possible day trips: Venice, Siena, Lucca, Pisa or perhaps even the Cinque Terre)
• D10 / N4 - Jul.15 - Florence
• D11 / N1 - Jul.16 - Train to Rome (Firenze SM Novella to Roma Termini is about 90 minutes).
• D12 / N2 - Jul.17 - Rome
• D13 / N3 - Jul.18 - Rome (Possible day trips: Orvieto).
• D14 / N4 - Jul.19 - Rome
• D15 - Jul.20 - Return flight to U.S.

One comment about the time in day trips in Florence. The trip to Venice is about 2 hours each way so it will be a long day. It would be preferable to avoid another change of hotel, as that will reduce your sightseeing time. Also, with such short notice it may be difficult to find a hotel in Venice. Florence is a much more central location and offers more day trip possibilities.

Visiting the Cinque Terre on a day trip will also be a long day, but it's definitely possible (I know as I've made that trip). If you decide to take that trip, I can provide a suggested Itinerary. One point to mention is that in July it will likely be very busy, but it's a somewhat unique location. While there you can try Pesto in the area where it was invented.

A few comments based on one of your earlier posts....

" I've never used an ATM machine because it kills me to pay a withdrawal fee."

I suppose one can view the withdrawal charge as a fee for the convenience of getting cash on demand at the most favourable exchange rate. If you change money at a Travelex or other currency exchange place, you'll be paying a higher exchange rate.

"I've only paid for oxygen during labor."

That's absurd! I've never heard of anyone being charged for oxygen.

A week in each location is how I like to travel. However, Venice is a truly unique an incredibly beautiful city, so it is worth adding if it interests you enough. Your plan of Sorrento to Venice to Rome is reasonable, as is your allocation of days in each city. I'm not aware of night trains, but that's not an option I pursue. Check the bahn.com website for train availability; you will spend much of a day getting from Sorrento to Venice. When you go to the website, enter your country as the UK; if you enter it as the US, it will dump you into a second party vendor website that only lists some of the trains and charges more. Bahn.com provide schedules, but you'll need to buy the tickets from the Italian rail system.

I wouldn't choose to spend a half a day or more getting to Pisa to climb the bell tower, but only you can judge if it's worth that time. How about instead going to the top of one of the bell towers in Venice; the views are stunning.

Finally, you mentioned Orvieto. That can easily be done as a day trip from Rome. It takes just a little over an hour on a regional train, so you can decide to do it at the last minute. The cathedral is my favorite in Italy, with beautiful gold-ground mosaics on the façade. Inside are lovely frescoes by Signorelli of judgment and eternity. It would also give you a chance to explore a hill town, which isn't part of your current itinerary.

Aw boy, advice about changing your itinerary is a tough one because any I'd give you is based strictly on personal preference. That said…

I would not go to Venice just for a gondola ride (actually I wouldn't ever fork over for one of those), and I would not go to Pisa just for the tower but others have enjoyed both experiences. Budget can figure into adding destinations as well as the more moves you make, the more money - not to mention time - is spent relocating.

At the same time, if you really think this will be your one-and-only shot at Italy, I'm tempted to go with adding another city. The thing is, Rome is not Florence is not Venice so it's not as if you've seen one city, you've seen Italy. All three of them have unique histories, architecture and culture. The same can apply to other cities/towns in different regions in the country. I may have substituted Florence for Sorrento as, for my own interests in architecture and art, I think it has more to offer, and as many - if not more - day trip opportunities, plus maybe a few days on the Ligurian coast for some time by the sea. Or the classic Venice/Florence/Rome first-timers itinerary with those same couple of coastal days thrown in.

But this is not MY trip, and not based on MY interests. Having beach and swim time - neither of which we've chosen to spend time on in Italy - is important to you. Having this rare opportunity to RELAX after years and years of running a very large family (!!!!) is very important as well so picking just a couple of places to unpack, unwind and enjoy some of those favorite activities is just fine. Don't think about what you may be missing - nope, it's not possible to do it all - but all the fun you'll have doing exactly as you please for two whole weeks? You'll get PLENTY of contrast between the Sorrentine/Amalfi Coast region and Rome, be able to take some great day trips, and have a wonderful time if you decide to just stick with that plan.

Sheila,

When I was planning and reading on other people's trip, I was tempted to change my itinerary each time. After changing back and forth many times, I had to stop myself and just be content with what we planned without adding more. So don't change your plan because of my trip report, do what you want to do and what is best for your. I agree with Kathy that each city is unique in its own way, so it'd be nice if you can fit another city into your itinerary. But you will have a great time with your daughter even if you don't. The trip is more about seeing places, it is also a time to experience the adventure together and to build memories. Like my dd said, even when things went wrong it was still part of the adventure. : ) My kids loved our time in Rome because of what we have studied in ancient history. Words cannot describe what it was like to stand on the floor of Colosseum that we read so much about, or being in the Forum and pictured what it was like in an average day in Rome. I don't know how well you deal with jet lag. It may hit you hard the first few days so be sure to take it easy. You will also return from the trip to a busy household, so enjoy yourself and don't pack too much into your itinerary. Blessings to you and have a great time in Italy!

I am answering your questions about beaches.

Sorrento- does not have beaches but has docks where people rent chairs and then walk down the stairs into the water. There was a sort of beach area area by some of the docks that were small pebbles but not really sand. But it was very relaxing and lovely water.

Amafli and Positano (both easy day trips from Sorrento) both have beaches as well. I only saw the beaches- didn't actually spend time there or go swimming. Amalfi looked more like a white sand beach. Positano has more dirt/rocky sand but it was more "play-able" sand than Sorrento (thinking of your kids wanting to build sand castles). For Positano, it would be easier to take the ferry from Sorrento to get to the beach because it is a walk down (and then back up) from where the bus would let you off. For Amalfi, the beach was easily accessible from the bus stop.

Rome- An easy day trip is Santa Marinella, about a 40 minute train ride outside of Rome. Train station is right by the beach. IF you haven't discovered the "Ron in Rome" website, he has a list of beaches and pools near Rome.

There were some kids with masks and snorkels when we were swimming in Sorrento. But I don't know where the good snorkeling sites are.

I hope you enjoy your trip!

Personally, I would not spend time at the beach on this trip, but I lived in Miami for most of my life, so I am spoiled. Still, so much art, history, culture, I would not suggest beach days. But that's my preference.

Whatever you choose, have a great, well-deserved trip!

If you have 14 nights on the ground in Italy, why not ...
Sorrento (5 nights) trips to Capri/Amalfi/Positano/Naples/Pompeii
Florence (2 or 3 nights)
Venice (2 or 3 nights)
Rome (4 nights)
Trains are very fast Naples-Rome-Florence-Venice.