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Italy: 3 weeks(?) in October for 50th birthday (2017)

Posted by (Chicago) on

Dear fellow travelers,

I'm turning 50 in October, my sister and I have settled on Italy to celebrate (she's 56, we're both single and need two beds accommodations). We're​ experienced travelers and did the "big" stops in Italy years ago backpacking through Europe (each separate trips), so we've been to Rome, Florence, Venice, Pisa, don't necessarily need to go back and wanting new locales. We enjoy road trips, it's not one of our trips unless we get lost :-), so don't mind driving, we've done plenty, know how to drive stick/manual and capable of reading (paper) maps. We like history, culture, good food/drink (no shortage of that here, I know), walking/hiking, museums not critical to see, but like churches and interesting sites. Approximate length of trip 3 weeks leaving around October 7 from Chicago.

We're thinking of doing Amalfi Coast first for better weather, fly into Naples (no car), take ferry and base in Sorrento for approx 8 nights, be there over my birthday (14th). We're considering splurging for this part and staying in nice hotel (w breakfast included) with nice view and walkable to city center. Day trip the AC, Pompeii, Herculeum, Capri, Paestrum, maybe side trip to Sicily (I'm probably getting spelling wrong on some places). Good amount of time, too much? Hotel suggestions in Sorrento (keep under $250 - $300 per night)? I know apartment cheaper, but we want a bit of pampering on this part and fed a nice breakfast to start the day. So this would be approx Oct 8-16. I've seen online Hotel Ambascitori, good/bad, other options? Some suggestions in other posts I've looked up don't have availability for the dates.

Back to Naples and pick up rental car for road trip. I want to go to Bologna for sure, I've read good things about it. There's the Eurochocolate Fest in Perugia Oct 13-22 that might be fun stop for a few hours, maybe stay overnight in area. Trying to decide if go to Cinque Terre (if yes, where to stay?), and/or Tuscany (neither of us got there before,if yes, where to stay?) or where else to go in time remaining. We have no interest in Milan, but may fly out for convenience/better flight options out, unless another suggestion.

Hopefully I gave enough info for feedback. Feel free to offer restaurant recommendations too. Rest of trip is flexible on costs, not super expensive, we'll splurge if we feel it's worth it, but also open to lower cost things.

We haven't booked flights yet, but know need to do soon. We're​ used to not pre-booking accommodations and winging it or call ahead from the road if we find something. We do plan to pre-book Sorrento though if we do that at front​ end.

Thanks!

Posted by
490 posts

It sounds like a wonderful birthday celebration!

Sicilia as a side trip is not advisable as it needs at least 2 weeks in IMHO. From Cinque Terre to Sicilia is a lot of ground in 3 weeks

Maybe create a list with your sister of your must sees...and go from there...based around the chocolate festival that you want to see!

Early October is still beach weather...typically on Amalfi Coast, although last year it was wretchedly wet and cold. End of October still mild weather but things do start closing down toward Nov. Cinque Terre will also start to shut down a bit in late October...but nice for hiking... starting up there if you get a cheap flight to Milan may work. I personally think that CT and AC on the same trip is too similar and would cut one and save for another trip.

With the time that you have basing in Sorrento for part of the trip makes sense, but constant day trips are time consuming and costly...since you have the time why not settle in somewhere else for 3 nights or so, like Matera, or Ischia ( spa island with many historical sights...most hotels have indoor and outdoor spa pools so anytime of year is good for that) Then use Sorrento for archeological sights and visiting Naples, if you don't want to stay in Naples proper.

My other suggestion is don't drive from Naples to Bologna...take a train and pick up a car...for smaller towns ( you won't need it in Bologna itself, but Tuscany and Umbrian towns it will come in handy) 3 weeks will go very fast...I spend 17 nights on Capri, Ischia, Positano and Naples alone and wish I had another week!

Enjoy!

Posted by
12108 posts

Sorrento--- We stayed at ilnido.it. Has fantastic view, excellent breakfast and reasonable price. It has free shuttle bus service to/from town ( the only criteria that is outside your specs) We found the view more than compensated for the slight inconvenience of having to hop a bus to town. Sitting on the balcony with a glass of wine looking across the bay with Vesuvius in the distance was GREAT. Their webcam view is accurate.

Have you looked at driving up the Adriatic coast. I did it on our way back to Milan from my grandparents village in the south. Went through many interesting beachfront towns. Couldn't stop to really explore as we were at the end of our trip and had a deadline looming. From what we saw as we drove through made us wish we had more time.

Happy Birthday.

Posted by
5313 posts

Paestum is a bit of a trek from Sorrento, but if you add a second base in there, these are places it is more reachable from: Naples, Salerno, and any of the towns on the mainland end of the Amalfi coast.
Unless you are stopping somewhere en route, I think I would take the train north and then get the rental car.
I'd skip CT, as you have ample opportunity for coastal hiking on the Sorrentine and Amalfi coasts.
You've still got tons of options--I'd peruse Tuscan books/websites to see what sticks out to both of you.

Posted by
907 posts

Looks like a great trip. Your Amalfi Coast section looks good to me. I wouldn't bother with Sicily as it is bombastically a whole trip in itself..
Let's talk Tuscany. As some suggested a train to Rome would be better. The drive between Naples and rome is pretty basic. I have driven from Florence to Naples (actually Positano) and was bored between Rome and Naples, but then I was booking it too.

Rent a car in Rome. Now you have wonderful flexibility. You should see Hadrian's Villa and Tivoli if you haven't already. We stayed in Tivoli for a night and had a great time. Then go north into Umbria. I like the cross country trip from near Terni, north on E45 toward Perugia. Or, off a little to the east to Spoleto which is a great visit, Montefalco is as well, Carsulae, Deruta (ceramics), Assisi are all good stops on the way to Perugia. If you cut across to the west you can go through Todi and over to Orvieto. Then up to Tuscany. I would not bother with a chocolate factory visit though, just eat the stuff as someone else here suggested. Perrugia chocolate is quite good. North of Orvieto you are in the famous hilltwons like Montepulciano, Montalcino, Pienza, San Gimignano, Volterra, Certaldo, Monteriggioni, and so forth, all worth a visit. To east of those, in Tuscany, is the Chianti region, towns like Greve, Panzano, etc.

Good spots to stay are Assisi, Orvieto, Pienza, San Gimignano, Cortona.

You can Google all these and check RS's books too. Just figure out what you want to see and go there.

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