Hi folks
I'm posting for friends who are taking their first trip to Europe ever and have decided to do 3 weeks in Italy. Based on my own wonderful experience on 3 RS tours they decided to take the Sept 27-Oct 5 Heart of Italy in 9 days tour. They are active (late 60s) and need suggestions for what to do when the tour ends in Florence on Oct 5th before they need to be in Rome Oct 15th for their flight home provided they figure out a plan for 3 weeks. Otherwise they are considering going home early at the 2 week mark. The only thing I've been able to confirm and help them with is they want at least 5 nights on the Amalfi coast so I've recommended Sorrento. That still leaves 5 other nights. I suggested Florence to Venice and then Sorrento but they aren't keen on Venice. They have no desire to rent a car so wherever they head it needs to have good bus or train connections. I'm looking for ideas for other options and look to your expertise and experience.
Thank you very much,
JoAnn
Posted by
North Carolina
2448 posts
How about Siena and Orvieto?
Posted by
Maryland
865 posts
After a nine day tour, they may (I would) like a breather at my own pace.
Find a agritourismo in Tuscany that has meals, can arrange cultural/wine tours, etc, and hunker down for a relaxed stay in one place before heading to Sorrento.
Or, go back to the CT, since a single day or so hardly does it justice, and it is a great place to chill and walk around as much as you want.
Posted by
Fort Myers, FL
1671 posts
Between Florence and Rome are many accessible towns and villages by train. I would suggest they research the Tuscany and Umbria regions and base themselves in a central city with good train transportation for day trips throughout one of those regions.
Posted by
Idaho, USA
7282 posts
Hi JoAnn, first I was thinking Siena and other towns, but I’m tending towards this option:
Oct. 5 Florence. Spend another night in Florence and see more sites.
Oct. 6-8. Sorrento or Salerno. (Salerno if day-trip to see Paestum. If staying in Salerno, give the third night to the next location.)
Oct. 9-11. Amalfi or Positano.
Oct. 12-14 Rome. There’s so much more to do in Rome than when you had your first two days there with the RS tour. Possibilities- Ostia Antica, Tivoli, a cooking class, Borghese Gallery, more museums & churches, etc. Also, you won’t be jet lagged during these days.
Oct. 15 fly home from Rome
Posted by
OP
82 posts
Thank you for all the great suggestions. Has anyone based themselves out of Cortona? Anyone tried Salerno as a second Amalfi coast location? Would it be good to spend time in both Sorrento and Salerno? Thank you
Posted by
Gettysburg PA
6052 posts
Sorrento is not on Amalfi coast although it is a good base
We split our time between Sorrento 4 nights, Amalfi /Ravello 3 nights and Salerno 2 nights.
Visited Paestum from Salerno-which was fabulous- easy trip back to Rome from Salerno as well
We enjoyed all locations very much, all are a bit different and offer diff day trip options, transportation options etc.
If they want Pompeii, Capri, Naples do those from Sorrento
See Amalfi, Ravello, Positano, etc from a coastal town like Amalfi
See Paestum from Salerno- very easy/cheap train
Posted by
OP
82 posts
Thanks Christine. I've private messaged you with questions regarding accommodations in Sorrento, Amalfi and Salerno.
JoAnn