I have an Italy trip planned September 11-20th.
First time traveler to Italy
Plan is to fly into Rome, stay in Vico Equense (visit Amalfi coast, Sorrento, capri) then stay in Florence, and back to Rome.
Looking for all the best tips, especially when it comes to transportation and also a timeline for booking tours or how far ahead of time to book tours, classes ect.
Also any restaurant or beach recommendations and best boat trip in Capri!
Thanks,
D
Not much time, so the fast trains will be your friend, lucky for you the train from Rome to Naples is easy and fast, same with Naples to Florence, and Florence to Rome. You could probably buy your tickets now and save money, since your travel days will not move much.
You are going to be told you are doing too much in less than 9 days, but first trip, I get it, do the whirlwind thing, figure out where to spend your second trip.
As for booking tours or classes, you really need to narrow down your priorities. For the Naples area, Capri will blow a day, the Amalfi a day, and that is probably all you have there. Rome? maybe one or two major sites, for Florence? maybe one or two museums.
Sept 11. Land at FCO, take train immediately to Florence (possible train change in Rome). At best you have 1/2 day in Florence and you're zonked. Sleep Florence 3 nights
Sept 12. Full day in Florence
Sept 13. Full day in Florence
Sept 14. Train to Naples (3 hrs), tfr to local metro (Circumvesuviana) to Vico Equense (1 hr at least). 1/2 day to sightsee. Sleep Vico Equense 4 nights
Sept 15 -17. 3 full days.
Sept 18. Circumvesuviana to Naples, train to Rome. 1/2 day to sightsee. Sleep Rome 2 nights.
Sept 19. Full day in Rome.
Sept. 20. Fly home.
You can subtract a day from one and add it to another. But be honest with yourself and see how much time you will actually have to enjoy. I have chosen to go to Florence first because it is easy to get there from FCO. There are a few direct trains. If you don't get one, there are frequent trains from Rome Termini station and the train change is easy. Going to Vico Equense is more complicated because you have to navigate the Naples station to find the local train platform and buy your ticket.
All this is based on your arriving on the 11th and departing on the 20th. If you are leaving home on the 11th, take a day away, since you only arrive on the 12th.
Once you decide on your itinerary, you should book hotels right away, and trains Florence/Naples and Naples/Rome to take advantages of discounts. And you should book classes and any small group tours as soon as possible. They usually fill up and you are going in high season.
Hones the OP is home by now.
Luehrd43 how did it go?
Don't take the fast hydrofoils to Capri. They are death traps. Take the slower ferries. :)
