Hello there,
Planning our first trip to Italy for either April or late September 2026.
I believe we’ve settled in Rome, Venice, Florence as our must-see areas, however, my grandfather grew up in a small village -Pizzoferrato, Chieti. Looking for advice on how to also visit this area and where/how to work it into an itinerary.
Thanks in advance!
Posted by
Ontario, Canada
6681 posts
From Rome. Can you rent a car? That's fastest,but still over 2 1/2 hours each way. I believe
There is a once daily bus from Roma Termini Giolitti, taking almost 5 hours, and requiring a taxi at the end.
Posted by
Edmonds, WA 🌨 ☂
13005 posts
Have you decided on your direction/order of travel. Rome- Florence -Venice or the reverse?
Many ( most) would suggest Venice-Floerence-Rome as it is easier to arrive in Venice than to depart.
Depending on how much time you have and your willingness to drive, you could pick up a rental car in Florence and take the "mountain' route to Chieti and then drop the car in Rome
How much time you have and what other places beyond the 'must haves' are part of you plans will affect 'when' to do Chieti.
Chieti is about 60 road miles north of my grandparents home town. Pretty country and I enjoyed driving the 'not Autostrada' roads.
Posted by
OP
Seattle
2 posts
Not sure the order of locations or where we will fly in and out of yet since it is so early and just starting our research and planning.
Adding a half day+ in Chieti region, is it too much to also do Rome, Florence and Venice? We love history but also like to unwind and have at least a few slower days to explore a smaller town or really get the feel for a place. Food and wine, scenic locations, some museums, and hidden gems have been some of our favorite travels. For example we loved the smaller town of Porto Portugal more than Lisbon and enjoyed exploring all the small shops and cafes hidden among the narrow windy roads.
Open to exploring any options and ideas.
Posted by
Abruzzo Mountains
1150 posts
How much time will you have? 10 days / 11 nights is a squeeze for Venice-Florence-Rome, but if you had a full two weeks, I would do Venice-Florence-Chieti-Rome. You can take trains from Florence to Pescara in about 4 hours if you choose the right connections. From Pescara Centrale you can take a commuter train or a bus to Chieti Scalo in 20-30 minutes. But since you really want to get out to smaller towns, I suggest you rent a car at the Pescara train station or airport (short bus or taxi ride between the two), and drive around for a few days to see Pizzoferrato and surroundings. 2 nights minimum, more if you can squeeze it in. It's beautiful all around there but transit is scarce.
Then drop the car back in Pescara and take a coach bus (DiCarlo bus, Prontobus, Clikbus or Flixbus) from Pescara train station to Roma Tiburtina. Takes 3 hours, is convenient and comfortable, and puts you in Rome to wrap up your trip. Fly home from Rome if at all possible. (Trains east to west in central Italy are S.L.O.W.)