Help Please with an Italy Itinerary.....

My first thought is that Lucca is small, and I'm not sure it's well placed for day trips by bus/train, except to Florence and Pisa. Double check the connections before allotting 5 nights there. I loved my day in Lucca, and could see spending 2-3 days there if relaxing was the goal. But, coming direct from the Cinque Terre, you may be relaxed enough. Ditto for Arrezzo, Cortona and Assisi - check the mass transit connections before committing to staying in any of them for 4 nights. I'm one of the few people who didn't like Bologna, but it's wonderful for day trips. I saw Ravenna, Ferrara, and Parma/Modena as day trips, and highly recommend them all. You can easily do a day in Florence, too, if you wish. If you do go to Bologna, I still remember the names of two wonderful restaurants: Gianni (in the center) and Gigina (on the outskirts). I'd go back just to eat at either one.

Thanks Harold - that's very good advice. I will check the connections.

drc, Your Itinerary looks well organized, however I'd probably make a few revisions..... Have you allowed for the fact that you'll arrive in Italy the day after you depart? I'd add 1 night in the Cinque Terre and skip 1 night from Lucca, for several reasons: - you'll be jet lagged and won't be up to "touring speed" for a day or two. - after you arrive in Monterosso, you may wish you'd booked more time (that was my feeling last year, something which I'll correct on my next visit). - While activities in the C.T. may be a bit limited, it's a great location for day trips to Portofino, Portovenere or other places in the area. For the stop after Lucca, I'd stay in Verona if possible. When deciding whether to stay in Arrezzo, Cortono or Assisi, be sure to consider subsequent transportation to Sorrento. Travel to Sorrento will likely involve a train to Termini, then Napoli Centrale and finally the Circumvesuviana, which will probably take the better part of a day. You may find it very helpful to read the excellent Ron In Rome website. The Italy Guidebook has lots of great information for sightseeing, etc. in most of the places you listed. Have you looked at accommodations yet for any of your stops. Especially with the Cinque Terre and Monterosso, I would highly recommend BOOKING EARLY! It typically takes me several weeks to get that organized, even when starting six months before travel. There are good Hotels listed in the Guidebook, but if you need suggestions, post another note. You shouldn't need a Car for any of your stops. If you decide to rent for a short time, be sure you're aware of the "issues" when driving in Italy (there have been a few posts about those recently). Happy travels!

Thanks Ken. The Ron in Rome website is an excellent tool - especially the articles on using the trains. I've been having the CT/Lucca debate in my head as well and I appreciate that in Monterosso we'll need to book early - helps with airfare too. In any event all of the help on this board is very much appreciated - I'm going to spend some time this weekend shaping the itinerary into a more finalized format so that I can start booking air and accommodations. Thanks again!

I love staying 5 or 6 nights in a place, becoming just a little bit "local" for that time. We did all of December in Italy without a car and it was great. You set your expectations to a slower pace because you are dependent upon feet, busses and trains. Just be sure to research those connections and options so you know what's possible. The one place in your itinerary I might contemplate a car is Lucca and environs. A car will allow you to see more of the small towns more easily, to change your mind quickly and head off in a new direction. I have in mind some time on the Versilian coast (Pietrasanta, Forte dei Marmi) this fall, and that is within reach of Lucca for a day trip.

Thanks Laurel, I appreciate your comments. We too like the longer stay as a base and have been looking at apartment rentals through VRBO rather than a B and B or hotel. After seeing the wonderful markets and all the fresh produce and cheeses etc. it really makes you wish you had a way to do some cooking - even on vacation! I will definitely be checking out bus and train connections. Happy Travels!

My two cents are that Bologna can be seen in a few hours and is not necessary to spend much longer there. I would take a look at the "other" leaning tower and walk some of the cute streets near the universities and eat at a very nice restaurant. The first time I went to Italy I was a student and we ate very inexepensively most of our meals EXCEPT the evening we took the train to Bologna. I would splurge on a good meal there. Secondly, I can't say enough positive things about San Gimignano. I also say this town as a day trip (from Florence) but would love to have stayed a night there as I'm sure it had a different vibe in the evening when the day trippers depart. Also, while I have not been there yet myself I have heard many, many good things about Verona and would spend at least a night there. On my next trip I plan to visit Verona. Lastly, if it were my trip I would spend the nights in Capri rather than Sorrento. Capri is a wonderful, almost magical, place and has a very special vibe in the evenings.