Italy itinary oct18-29

Can only tell you about fast train from Rome to Naples about hour and fifteen minutes. Local train downstairs in Naples trains station is about an hour to Sorrento. In Sorrento you can take train to Pompeii , about half hour away. Also get buses from train station to Positano, Amalfi. It is about an hour from Sorrento to Positano but can't remember how much further to Ravello or Amalfi from there. If you get off at Positano, get off at second bus stop.

Personally I would drop one night from Florence and add to Venice. With two nights in Venice you only have one full day there, not enough time to see Venice proper, much less to go to the islands. While in Florence, forget the CT. It's a lot of train time to merely have a look. Plus weather can be iffy in mid October. Some businesses are already shutting down for the season by the time you would go to the CT. Do a wine tour, though. Great way to spend a day with someone else doing the guiding and driving. It is 5 - 5.5 hours from Venice to Naples, another hour to Sorrento. That's a whole day given to getting to the AC. With 3 nights you will have two full days: Maybe one for Pompeii and Sorrento, one for either the AC or Capri. Your trip might look something like this: Oct 19 - arrive Florence, hug daughter, get oriented Oct 20 - Florence sights Oct 21 - Wine tour Oct 22 - Go to Venice (2 hours on high-speed train, arrive noon-ish); Get oriented Oct 23 - Venice sights Oct 24 - Daytrip to Laguna islands Oct 25 - Go to Sorrento (if you leave early, arrive by 3:00PM or so); get oriented Oct 26 - Pompeii, Sorrento Oct 27 - Either Amalfo Coast sights or Capri (weather dependent esp for Capri) Oct 28 - return to Florence
Oct 29 - Return to US Rick Steves' Guide has good planning advice for your time in Venice.

Sue, If I read this right you will be leaving for Naples from Venice Correct? Instead of a 6 hour train ride, I would check Easy Jet from VCE-Nap, then the curreri viaggi bus from Naples to sorrento. The plane leaves at VCE at 10:35 arrives Naples 11:50 price w/luggage 58.40Ei 1hr 15m. Bus is 10,00E and takes 1h20m You walk outside the airport and it's right there...buy tickets on bus. Total time 2h35m The train leaves VCE 8:57 arrives Rome 12:40 leave Rome 13:00 arrives Naples 14:10 5h13m price 46,00E you would then take the circumvesuvian to Sorrento-1h 4E Total time 6h13m. Time is too precious in this instance to waste it on the train. Have a great trip,
Gerri

Thanks all for your input (and future replies). Laurel, I am thinking seriously of dropping 1 night in Florence and adding 1 night to Venice. I knew we were cutting it close in Venice, but trying to squeeze more in around Florence (CT). Gail, thanks for info about the plane, I will look into that tomw. The agent at AAA wants me to prepay now for these items. Trying to do my homework and be sure so there are no change fees. Does anyone have experience with private transfer fees (airport to hotel,etc) and what are fair prices?

A taxi from the Florence airport tothe city center runs 20E plus baggage supplement. It's about 7 miles and takes around 15 minutes

You don't need a travel agent to book Trenitalia and/or air in Italy. You can do-it-yourself online. If you are sure of your schedule, you can get big discounrs on Trenitalia. Otherwise pay full fare for the ability to change plans.

Sue,
Agree with Laurel about droping a night in Florence and adding it to Venice. After the time "lost" getting from one to the other you will still have only two and a half days in Venice itself. As much as I like Murano & Burano I think I would skip them and devote all the time to Venice proper. Depending on the departure point in Venice M & B will consume at least 3/4 of a day or more if you get a late start. TC