Feedback on itinerary plans: Florence, Sorrento, Rome

It all depends on what you want to see. If you want to see Naples, Capri, Pompei or the Amalfi coast, spend your time there. If there’s highlights in Rome that you don’t want to miss, add the day there. As it is, you’re traveling long distances so your time is going to be quite rushed at all these places but you pointed out thats what you are doing. Have a great trip!

I'm going to work with your original schedule. You'll land in Rome in the morning. You can take the train or taxi to Roma Termini, where you'll catch the Freccia train to Florence. It's a 90 minute trip. You'll get there right about checkin time at your hotel. Freshen up and take a walk (it helps with jetlage). Your vacation has started! I love Sorrento!!! The travel time from Florence to Naples is 3 hours. You could take another train from Napoli Centrale (the train station) to Sorrento or you could take a ferry. The views are amazing. Two nights in Rome . . . ouch! Sorry, I never spend less than a week. Plan well. There are lots of places to see that can be done by just walking around. You'll pass dozens and dozens of churches - stop in to sit and see some art. You'll also see monuments, fountains, statues, and Roman ruins. There will be plenty of places for a quick coffee or wine . . . and definitely gelato! On the plane ride home you can start planning your next trip . . . hopefully with more time in Rome!

You need three nights in Florence and four nights in Rome if you include Vatican City. If you cut out Vatican City that leaves six nights when combining both Florence and Rome.
Why are going to Sorrento? I spent three nights in Sorrento but used it as a transportation hub to visit the Amalfi Coast, Pompeii and Capri. Furthermore, Sorrento is not on the Amalfi coast. Sorrento is touristy with bad food.

Thanks for the quick feedback. The choice of Sorrento was to be a base for seeing Amalfi and maybe Pompeii. I was thinking one day for a full boat tour. The rest is still up for debate. Based on input I’m debating on cutting 1 day in Sorrento and adding back to Rome. The bad food comment in Sorrento is surprising based on what I’ve read but I’ll take that into consideration.

As far as eating in Sorrento ask locals where to eat.
Also, someone told me to take the scenic route by taking a ferry from Naples to Sorrento and I expected a lot more. You’re far out on the water and the shoreline is nothing dramatic.
Another idea is instead of staying in Sorrento take a direct train from Florence’s (Firenze) SM Novella station to Salerno (4h): https://www.trenitalia.com/en.html. From Salerno hop on a ferry to Amalfi and sleep there. Amalfi is on the Amalfi Coast with good access to the bus and ferry.

I realize I am pushing it wanting to see 3 areas but assuming that is a requirement, what do you think about the 3/3/2 split?

If that's a requirement, then go for it - but I agree with Robert's comments above re Rome - avoid the high demand ticketed sites like the Colosseum and Vatican, which are major time sucks. You can see a great deal by just walking around - do several RS walking tours. One easy visit with an advance ticket is the Borghese Gallery - great art and only two hours.

Also, research your return flight - if it's early in the morning, have a plan to get to FCO.

I would return to Sorrento just for the chance to eat at seaside Bagni Delfino again!

Hi Mike:

3 nights in Florence then bullet train to Sorrento....

As far as I know there's no such train between these two cities; you're going to have to make a change somewhere along the way, likely in Naples. If you know something I don't, it would be great if you'd share!

So you're going to lose sightseeing time transferring from Fiumicino to Florence, Florence to Sorrento, and Sorrento to Rome. I'm curious why 3 different areas is a "requirement"? For sure, you're going to want to give most of your time to the location that appeals the most but gosh, 1.5 days in Rome is not very much time for a city with oodles to offer. You knew that but still, the larger the city, the more time it can take to acclimate to where things are and how things work.

We personally liked Sorrento; it was a good base for exploring the region, and we weren't subjected to any bad food! HA! We had 3 nights there too but ferried from Capri so a much shorter distance - just 20 minutes or so - than rail from Florence. There is no wrong answer unless it's wrong for you but I guess I'd consider the types of things you want most to see/do, and allocate your time appropriately? Having been to Rome multiple times, I think you're going to end up time-challenged trying to fit the "major attractions" in with just a day and 1/2 (or less) to work with. If you think you might return to Italy in the future, I'd save Naples, the Sorrentine and Amalfi Coasts for when you can give them more time to explore AND relax.

Your 3/3/2 split gives you two days in Florence, a moderately full travel day to Sorrento, two days in Sorrento, and then a day where you travel to Rome ( from Sorrento with a train transfer in Naples) and a full day in Rome. Plus, a morning in Naples or Pompeii or an afternoon in Rome

That’s 4-1/2 days of being somewhere (plus another 3 evenings) on a 9 day trip. BTW, that first eve in Florence probably will not be a happening thing for you because you’ll likely be feeling like a zombie from Night of the Living Dead, at least if you’re flying from the west coast of North America.

Does the 3/3/2 plan allow the time you want to see Florence and Rome?

You’re really better off dropping Sorrento. If there’s two cities anywhere in Europe, or possibly the world, you could throw an extra night on its Rome and Florence. Maybe having that extra time means you’re not hustling so hard, is relaxing in itself?

If you’re dead set, I would only stay two nights in Sorrento. It’s nice in the evening, and dinner at the old port will be worth the trip. But I would focus on seeing Pompeii if that’s why you’re down here, and spend a little time in Naples. If you’re traveling light, and can move efficiently enough between here and Florence you might be able to do some of this en route or in the late day. I would take a day in Rome over trying to see the coast for a day. It can be a long rough jam for some (admittedly spectacular) views.

We had great food in Sorrento, and absolutely the best gelato I have ever had, at David's Gelato by the Sorrento train station.
Have a great trip!