How insane is this itinerary?

It's not bad, but there are a couple of things I notice worth mentioning. When you spend 2 nights somewhere you only have one full day. You plan 2 nights in Naples, so in one day you want to go to Capri and Pompeii/Sorrento/Poisitano. You will need 3 nights to accomplish that. Why not stay in Sorrento to do those things? I think it would be nicer than Naples. The other thing I would comment on is your breaking Rome up into two segments. I would travel from Florence to Naples (or Sorrento), spend 3 nights there, then go to Rome for the remainder of your trip.

Have a great time!

Not insane at all for how you have described yourselves, congratulations! I might schedule a night in Positano or Ravello rather than a daytrip because these places have a high romantically beautiful factor - enhanced if you can miss the daytrip traffic for a night!

Andrea,

Thanks so much for your reply.

About Naples: We arrive in the morning Day 1 and plan a day in city. Sleep there that night. Day 2, we head out Capri, return to Naples for our 2nd night. Day 3, the driver picks us up for a drive to Pompeii in the morning, lunch at Positano, early dinner in Sorrento, and then we'd be dropped off at Naples train station, where we'd take an evening train to Rome, sleeping there. So we can do two day trips in 2 nights. :)

That said, is it crazy? Haha, yes, quite possibly.

I definitely would consider going straight to Naples. We were on the fence about whether breaking up the long train ride would be better or not.

But you are also absolutely right that we are often only getting one full day in places. This is the case in CT and Florence.

Hmmmm.

Susan

I understand the desire to break up the trip to Naples, but look at the extra time you spend in transit by traveling that extra day. Every time you have to check out, make your way to the train station, then do the same in reverse when you arrive at your next destination, you lose at least half of a day. Have you looked at how long it will take to get from Florence to Naples? And why Naples?

Naples for two reasons: one, as New Yorkers, we feel like we will appreciate the rough edges and street life of a place like Naples. Two, because we're going to Pompeii, we wanted to see the Archaeological Museum in Naples.

But we are open to a night in Sorrento or Positano. And yes, you make a good point about all the check- ins/outs and trips to/from train stations. We will reconsider breaking up the stay in Rome. Thanks, Andrea!

And thanks for your thoughts on staying a night on the Amalfi Coast, Zoe! Definitely a consideration now!

Cheers,
Susan

I would suggest going straight from Florence to Naples and ending in Rome for your last 5 nights. This will make the trip not so choppy by eliminating one change of hotels. It's only one hour more on the train but it will save you a bunch of time by not having to change hotels an extra time.

I would tend to eliminate any area where you only have two nights. It really means you have one full day and one partial day. That's not really a lot of time and with the number of cities you're trying to fit in it means a different trains and hotels.

Donna

Keep Naples, if you like New York you will like (if not love) Naples.

Definitely go Florence to Naples and then back to Rome. It's not that long of a trip: 1.5 hours Florence to Rome and 1.5 to Naples from Rome on LOVELY Frecciarossa trains. buy in advance so you save some €€ on the fares. I would treat myself to Premium if not Business Class on this trek as buying in advance makes it quite affordable. I fyou do not have lodging yet, you;ll bneed to get moving on it. I have heard from many people that options are filling up. Seems it is going to be a big travel year in Italy!

Don't forget to buy a Vaporetto Pass in Venice!

Ah, the vaporetto pass in Venice! Great idea and it pays for itself rather quickly (individual rides start at €7). be sure to scan it at every stop you use it (unlike many transportation passes in other cities that you just stamp on the first trip).

We stayed in Sorrento and sis a day trip to Pompeii . Was easy on the train

Thanks for all the great advice! It seems Florence to Naples is the way to go!

And thanks for the tip on the Vaporetto pass, Laurel and Zoe. That's something we can just get when we are there, right?

So, other than changing this around to go straight to Naples, most of you seem to think this is a workable itinerary, which is so good to hear. I was concerned we might be cutting ourselves short in some places, especially CT and Florence. Or just trying to cram a lot in overall.

Laurel, that's interesting about the busy year of trips to Italy. I wonder why? Maybe because the U.S. economy has picked up?

We do have all our accoms booked, but may need to switch up some nights in Rome/Naples to make that one change. Fingers crossed we can do it!

Thanks, all!

Susan

You can buy the vaporetto pass as soon as you arrive in Venice (at the train station) and start using it immediately.

Great Trip. I would recommend adding a day in Cinque Terre. It is a long train trip from Venice and with only one day you will wish you had longer. We went to Cinque Terre for two nights on our first trip and hated to leave so this September we are adding a day. Have fun!

I love this itinerary.... it's similar to how I saw Italy for the first time. One suggestion, I might cut out one night in Venice... 2 nights is enough... and I would add that night to the Amalfi coast area. And I disagree regarding CT. We stayed 2 nights and we felt it was perfect. Had a great dinner the day we arrived and explored Monterosso, then hiked the entire next day (the whole 5 towns).... then took the train to Florence.

Have fun!!!!

Oh and YES! Stay in Sorrento and make your day trips from there. You'll be able to see Naples, Pompeii and also Positano, Ravello and Capri! Which are all a must. I'll be there on a similar trip arriving in Venice a little after you guys. I'm also in my 30's and taking my mama on this trip to Italy. We rented a great apartment in Rome (with laundry) through Homeaway. So much fun planning!

Yay! Thanks for all the pointers, everyone! Getting excited!