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Italy Itinerary 2020

My wife and I are planning to visit Italy in September and would love advice/input on our itinerary. We only have 10 days and want to see as much as we can, but also do not want to be too overwhelmed. We appreciate any advise!

Day 1: Arrive in Bologna. Rent a car and drive to Dolomites (3.5 hour drive??)
Night 1: Sleep in hotel at Dolomites (Val Gardena)

Day 2: Explore Dolomites…relaxed day exploring towns at our own leisure
Night 2: Sleep in hotel at Dolomites (Val Gardena)

Day 3: Explore Dolomites..hike Altopiano
Night 3: Sleep in hotel at Dolomites (Val Gardena)

Day 4: Leave AM for Venice (3 hour drive) . Return rental car and explore Venice in the afternoon/evening
Night 4: Sleep in hotel in Venice

Day 5: Explore Venice
Night 5: Sleep in hotel in Venice

Day 6: AM train from Venice to Pisa. Spend 2-3 hours in Pisa visiting the leaning tower, etc.
Train from Pisa to Cinque Terre town of Riomaggiore, arriving in the late afternoon/PM
Night 6: Sleep in hotel in Riomaggiore

Day 7: Explore Cinque Terre
Night 7: Sleep in hotel in Riomaggiore

Day 8: AM train from Riomaggiore to Rome
Night 8: Sleep in hotel in Rome

Day 9: Explore Rome (Vatican AM and Colosseum PM)
Night 9: Sleep in Rome

Day 10: Explore Rome (Trevi Fountain, various piazzas)
Night 10: Sleep in Rome

Day 11: Depart for Home

Posted by
5311 posts

My max drive upon landing is 1.5-2 hours. If you are coming from overseas, I'd do Venice first, by train--picking up the car when departing Venice.
The rest is much too rushed for me, but we all like to travel in different ways. If you'd like to add more time to Venice and Rome, then save Cinque Terre and Pisa and get your peace+nature fix in the Dolomiti. Do Tuscany and the coast next time.

Posted by
7339 posts

Where are you flying in from? US?
Many-including myself- would consider a 3.5 hour drive in jet lagged state unwise.

Venice is a great place to arrive and get over jet lag- I'd give it 3 nights- take valadelphia's advice- train there then get your car as you leave.

Both the Vatican and Colosseum are exhausting sights. I would split those- do one each day, use the afternoons to wander and explore.

Posted by
8474 posts

Your itinerary skips Florence, which is one of my favorite cities in Italy. Avoid all the travel that you plan, such as driving to the dolomites.
Stick with Venice, Florence and Rome.

Posted by
2 posts

Thanks for the help. We are coming from the US and I have experienced jet lag flying from Asia back to the US but didn't know what to expect flying to Italy. I like the idea of starting in Venice and then going to the Dolomites as the rental car would not be needed until we have a few days to settle in.

Posted by
5286 posts

...like the idea of starting in Venice...as rental car...not be needed until we have a few days to settle in.

Good thinking. Driving while tired, sleepy, jet lagged, and on unfamiliar ground may not be the best. Some people aren't bother by those things. Personally I don't need to be around sharp instruments after a long flight.