Best areas for each destination

What do you wish to see/do in Florence and Venice? 2 nights is really 1.5 days at most and not really enough time. What do you wish to see/do in Sorrento for 5 nights? If it were me I'd use the 14 nights spread between Venice, Florence and Rome, but it depends what you want to see. At a minimum I would add 1 more night each to Venice and Florence and do only 3 nights Sorrento.

There is so much to see in Venice and Florence that you should add a day to each and adjust the remainder in Sorrento and Rome. If you can find a flight home from Naples, you could swap Rome and Sorrento to avoid backtracking to Rome. My choice would be 4 days in Rome and 4 in Sorrento which would allow visiting the Amalfi coast, Capri, Vesuvius, Pompeii and Naples.

In Venice I’d say one of the main concerns is to be reasonably close to a vaporetto stop since you’ll need those to get up and down the Grand Canal. Venice is a walking city, but it’s a lot bigger than it seems.

In Florence I’d recommend staying between the Basilica di Santa Maria Novella, Santa Croce, the Pitti Palace and the Brancacci Chapel over in Oltrarno. If you make a sort of circle with those landmarks, it gives you a good idea of where to stay. From there everything is walkable.

In Sorrento, try to stay between Piazza Tasso and the Parco di Villa Fiorentino. That’s the most interesting and charming part. East of Piazza Tasso going towards the train station is boring could-be-anywhere Italy.

In Rome I’ve always stayed in the Monti district and enjoyed it every time. It feels like a local neighborhood, but is near the Cavour metro stop and not too far from the major bus lines. You can see the Colosseum from one of the main squares. Lots of great restaurants and shops.

Travestere in Rome is a very popular destination for tourists.
We like to stay in the area between Piazza Navona and the Pantheon. We can walk everywhere including to Travestere.
Why so much time in Sorrento and so little time in Venice and Florence? That doesn’t make any sense to me! Both cities deserve much more time! Your two days in Venice include those you’ll be dealing with jet lag. Venice deserves more time! So does Florence!
You are skipping beautiful Tuscany? Why?
Why five days in Sorrento? Are you planning to visit the Amalfi Coast and Capri from there? Is this your first trip to Italy? It won’t be your last! Save those destinations south of Rome for another trip and give those days to Tuscany.
In Venice, Doursoduro is a nice area with access to the Zattere. We have spent a lot of time in Cannaregio, in the northern part, out of the tourist areas, more real neighborhoods.

I laughed when you said Trastevere seemed to be out of the heavy tourist area…sorry but it is very popular with tourists because of the number of bars and restaurants throughout the area. I really like the area with its narrow streets, old churches, boutique hotels but it is busy, especially at night.

Last time Iwas in Rome I stayed at Hotel Smeraldo, between Largo Argentina and Campo de Fiori. It’s on a quiet street but close to buses and within walking distance of most of the major sites in Rome.

I have Hotel Smeraldo in Rome booked for December. The location seems perfect to me.

hey hey darla
happy you're planning this long awaiting trip. sometimes researching can drive us "nuts" but you'll be ahead of the game finding things you like amd want to do.
think you are planning too much with little time to enjoy the area. venice is beautiful/magical but 2days? what about jet lag, it's real, like a zombie, could end up wasted day, next day see what you can. following day check out 10-11am, which is packing/morning stuff/train station to next destination. remember check in is between 3-4pm unless early is available. some have rented room night before and informed hotel early morning arrival. are you going to lug/drag your luggage around till checkin, find hotel to store bags until then. many do that but some don't, small bnb's/apartments. pack very light,
hand wash in sink hang to dry. i bring some soap with me.
same with florence, not much time to see/do much.
you are traveling during high season (summer) with many wanting to see/go to same places you want to, crowded attractions, restaurants, tours booked months ahead.
many places may look promising, "non tourist" area, not a thought to think about. many travelers thinking the same as you plus want budget $$$ places. are you in hotel or apartment?
don't want to sound like deloris downer, but these last three years has caused havoc, not knowing what will happen, businesses wanting to make up for so much loses during covid. it's not only in europe, it's all over the world.
make sorrento your third stop then to rome which is better for being close to flight back to states. seen too much heartache when people miss flights with train/car problems rushing to airport for flight.
enjoy and have a great trip. keep asking for tops, these posters are here to help and give you good, bad, and ugly. when all is said and done, you'll appreciate it and plan your next trip on flight home😂
aloha

Thanks so much for the suggestions about which areas to stay! I get a lot of information from guide books and Google searches, but suggestions on forums from people who have been there is so valuable.
I knew when I posted 2 nights each in Venice and Florence that it's not really enough time in either place. I'm just not willing to give up nights in Rome or Sorrento.
Hopefully we can arrive in Venice either morning or early afternoon. I would like to visit Doge's Palace on arrival day, sometime after 4:00. The next day visit St. Marks Square and the Rialto Bridge, taking a vaporetto. Other than that, just wander around, eating, drinking, probably getting lost, and seeing what there is to see. We will not be able to see everything, and I'm ok with that. We will be tired from the flight, but we'll also be excited! I like to have tickets purchased for something on arrival day to keep us up and going until bedtime. That helps us with jet lag!
When we arrive in Florence, we will go directly to our hotel and leave our bags. We travel light, carry on only (backpacks with wheels that we can put on our backs when the terrain warrants). In Florence the must sees are the Academia, the Uffizi, and the Palazzo Vecchio. I haven't delved deeply into whether or not 2 of these can be done in 1 full day, but the plan as of now is to visit one on the day we arrive, and the other 2 the full day. Again, I realize there's so much more to see, but...
Sorrento was chosen for proximity to Pompeii and the Herculaneum ruins. Also, we would love to take a boat to Capri and maybe do some swimming and snorkeling. The 4th day in Sorrento, the day before we leave for Rome, is a no plans day. I like to do a day like this before going to the main big city destination that I save for last.
The final days in Rome will be easily filled, and we still won't be able to see everything. I don't usually plan full days of activities, racing from one sight to another anyway. I like to have time to just BE there and soak it in. I give up seeing more, but enjoy what I do see more.
I'm probably in a minority that I'm not that interested in Tuscany for this trip. My husband doesn't like wine, so maybe I'll return with my daughter some day for that. I understand that the countryside is beautiful, and hopefully I'll see it in the future. Most people probably make it a priority for their 1st trip to Italy, but the destinations I have planned are priorities for me, even though I don't have enough time to do justice to Venice or Florence this time. At least I'll get a taste of both! :-)

Venice—-definitely add a night. As for location, whatever source led you to Dorsoduro east of the Accademia nailed it, in my view. That is our favorite area. We have spent a lot of time in Venice, as long as a month at a time, and we are going to stay in that location (near the Guggenheim) next time.

We stay in apartments, so I have no personal recommendations for that area. But I have always liked the location and look of Hotel American-Dinesen (although I can’t see how the “American” comes into the name). Or if you lean toward boutique hotels with cool, modern style, take a look at Charming House DD723.

I used Sorrento as a base for Herculaneum, Pompeii and Naples (the archaeology museum is a WOW). But anything there is to see or do, you can see and do on your daytripping days. There are no historic sights or museums. Eliminate your free day there and use it in Venice or Florence!

In Sorrento I would recommend staying in a hotel with a view of the Bay of Naples near Piazza della Vittoria and the Villa Communale park which has the Sorrento lift which you can take down to Marina Piccolo - the harbor where the boats leave for Capri. The sunset views over the sea by Piazza della Vittoria are spectacular. You can also easily walk to the Centro Storico area which is charming with shops and restuarants on Via Reginald Guiliani. We loved our time in Sorrento, and it was a great base for going to Pompeii and the island of Capri.

Can't go wrong with Hotel Smeraldo in Rome. Great location for walking to most major sites and neighborhoods. Solid breakfast and great kitchen and front desk staff. Roof terrace is a big plus, too.

Hi You are right that Dorsoduro is out of the crowds however with such a limited time in Venice, I would take a place closer to St Marks and the Doges Palace. You may be tired after an overnight flight and may want to be closer to the attractions for the short amount of time

Thank you so much for your suggestions and feedback! I have noted the information regarding some alternative areas to stay and specific places to stay. I am open to hotels, B&Bs, and apartments, so if you have favorites I would love to hear about them! Thanks again!

Venice: I enjoy staying in the Cannaregio sestiere of the city. It is close to the main thoroughfare heading to the main sights (Piazza San Marco, Rialto Bridge). It is conveniently located near the train station (10 - 15 minute walk), vaporetto and Piazzale Roma (bus depot). I enjoy the area because it is a good starting point for exploring the Ghetto, and the back canals of Venice (which all lead to the main sights).

Florence: The area around Palazzo Strozzi is conveniently near the main sights and easy access to the train station. This is a good place to start exploring the Oltrarno (across the river).

Rome: Campo di Fiori, Jewish Ghetto, Pantheon area are nice parts of the city and nearby many sights. I have not stayed in Trastevere, but have visited the area and as everywhere in Rome - it can be very busy (not a big deal).

Hope you find your perfect place to stay!

My thoughts...been to Italy maybe a half dozen times. Nothing wrong with your planned itinerary. 2 nights in Venice and Florence is fine. You can hit the highlights without getting bogged down and move on. Spending more time in Rome and the Naples area is a good idea, much more to see, especially if you are interested in Pompeii an Herculaneum.

For Venice and Florence, as long as you are reasonably central, it really does not matter where you stay, you will not be there that long. For Rome, I like the Trastevere, prefer to stay there. Figure that access to sights is not a big concern, to me, I want access to places to eat in the evening and a pleasant walk around. Find a place in the Trastevere just West or South of Piazza Santa Maria in Trastevere. It will be quiet, but easy walking into the restaurant area for the evening, and going the other way, into neighborhood areas with many fewer tourists. I have stayed at Hotel Trastevere a number of times, great for me, maybe not for everyone. Lots of Booking.com and AirBnB places nearby as well.

For Sorrento, yes, as long as you are somewhat central, location is not a big issue. Of course if you want ocean view...pay the bucks, I don't.

Do not question your priorities. People on here will say "just spend the whole time in...Venice, Florence..etc" But you put some thought into this, stick to your guns.