Italy itinerary for April 2025

You will only have two full days in Venice. Some will say that's enough, but I really think it deserves at least three full days as it is a truly unique city. Perhaps take one day from Florence and use it for Venice. One of the days can be used for trip to Murano and Burano. They are much like Venice, but more laid back and without the hustle and bustle of Venice proper. Otherwise it looks ok. Just offering food for thought.

Another thing to mention about Venice is that you're going to be there on Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter Sunday, so sights might be closed. Monday the 21st (you've jumped 3 days in your date numbers after Easter) and Friday the 25th are also public holidays so crowds might be bigger.

Thank you guys. Jeff-nice observations. Now, I think we will return from Venice instead of Milan.
Here is the new itinerary:
Day 00, Tuesday, April 1, 2025: Flight from Austin to Naples
Day 01, Wednesday, April 2, 2025: Arrive in Naples. Transfer to Amalfi (4 nights in Amalfi)
Day 02, Thursday, April 3, 2025: Lunch in Ravello, Dinner in Amalfi.
Day 03, Friday, April 4, 2025: Positano
Day 04, Saturday, April 5, 2025: Day trip to Capri
Day 05, Sunday, April 6, 2025: Taxi to Salerno, Train to Rome (5 nights in Rome)
Day 06, Monday, April 7, 2025: Rome (Colosseum-placeholder)
Day 07, Tuesday, April 8, 2025: Rome (Vatican-placeholder)
Day 08, Wednesday, April 9, 2025: Rome (Centro Storico-placeholder)
Day 09, Thursday, April 10, 2025: Rome (Other places-placeholder)
Day 10, Friday, April 11, 2025: Train to Cinque Terre (3 nights in Cinque Terre)
Day 11, Saturday, April 12, 2025: Cinque Terre
Day 13, Sunday, April 13, 2025: Cinque Terre
Day 14, Monday, April 14, 2025: Train to Florence (4 nights in Florence)
Day 15, Tuesday, April 15, 2025: Florence
Day 16, Wednesday, April 16, 2025: Day trip to Pisa/Lucca
Day 16, Thursday, April 17, 2025: Florence
Day 17, Friday, April 18, 2025: Train to Varenna (3 nights in Varenna)-Good Friday
Day 18, Saturday, April 19, 2025: Lake Como area – Holy Saturday
Day 19, Sunday, April 20, 2025: Lake Como area – Easter Sunday
Day 20, Monday, April 21, 2025: Train to Milan (2 nights in Milan)- Easter Monday
Day 21, Tuesday, April 22, 2025: Milan
Day 22, Wednesday, April 23, 2025: Train to Venice (4 nights in Venice)
Day 23, Thursday, April 24, 2025: Venice
Day 24, Friday, April 25, 2025: Venice- Liberation Day- Chill day
Day 25, Saturday, April 26, 2025: Venice
Day 26, Sunday, April 27, 2025: Flight back to Austin

Public Holidays in Italy - 2025: https://publicholidays.it/2025-dates/
20 Apr Sun Easter Sunday
21 Apr Mon Easter Monday
25 Apr Fri Liberation Day

If you’re interested in a phenomenal ancient sight, and would consider breaking your “no sightseeing on travel days“ policy, on Day 5, the amazing Greek temples at Paestum are a bit south of Salerno. You could then continue noo o ruth to Rome.

We stayed in the Cinque Terre on our first Italy trip, too (in Riomaggiore), but that was in 2001. It was wonderful. Second time there was 3 years ago. It was unpleasantly crowded, especially the literally packed-shoulder-to-shoulder streets in Vernazza, and much less wonderful. If you haven’t ever had a chance to be there before, I won’t say never go, but we won’t be returning for a third time.

Thank you Cyn. We plan to stay in Monterosso. I am told this place is flat, no steps to climb with luggage. Considering Hotel Baia, close to the train station.
With due respect, no, cannot add Paestum or Pompeii.

TC: Can you please suggest good hotels or other B&Bs in Venice? Budget about $250/night.

Day 16, Wednesday, April 16, 2025: Day trip to Pisa/Lucca

We recently visited CT/Monterosso and then went on to Lucca for two nights.

Lucca is worth an overnight stay, if not two nights, IMHO. It's an easy train ride from CT, and the same going on to Florence.

Several people discouraged us from bothering with Pisa.

Edited to add: the New Town in Monterosso is relatively flat along the water. The Old Town, which is at least a 10 minute walk away, quickly rises in elevation.

I was just in Monterosso for 3 nights. I strongly recommend to stay in the old town part of town vs the new part.

From the train station to the old town is a 10 minute (easy) walk. From the train station to my hotel there were only 2 steps and the steps were going down.

The new part is mostly residential and not nearly as nice as the old part.

I stayed at Stella della Marina Albergo and liked a lot.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/NNqRA66utA6adrEt5?g_st=ic

Do check flight prices and routes for Venice. Milan, Rome and Naples are major international airports. Venice is quite a small airport not able (AFAIK) to accommodate larger aircraft. Flying into or out of Venice usually means changing planes somewhere in Europe. Marco Polo is also a somewhat difficult and/or expensive airport to get to/from, especially if you have an early morning flight. While Venice itself is quite small (you can walk from one end to the other in about an hour), transportation is very slow or very expensive (water taxi).

Marco: Are there any taxis in Monterosso to take us to the old town? If not, then we would prefer to stay near the train station. We are seniors 65+.

I would recommend Hotel La Spiaggia in Monterosso. It is an easy short flat walk from the train station and right on the waterfront. Request a sea view room with a balcony. The breakfast was very good also.

Thank you all of you for your suggestions.
On second thoughts, I am considering splitting my itinerary into 2 separate trips of 2 weeks each, instead of one long 4-week trip. Maybe first trip in October 2024 (Oct 17-Oct 31) and the second one in the first half of April 2025.
First trip to Amalfi Coast, Rome and Florence only. Second trip for the rest (CT, Milan, Venice). Feedback??
I'd appreciate suggestions for Hotels/B&Bs in Rome and Florence. Thanks.

Day 00, Thursday, October 17, 2024: Flight from Austin to Naples
Day 01, Friday, October 18, 2024: Arrive in Naples. Transfer to Amalfi (4 nights in Amalfi)
Day 02, Saturday, October 19, 2024: Lunch in Ravello, Dinner in Amalfi.
Day 03, Sunday, October 20, 2024: Day trip to Capri
Day 04, Monday, October 21, 2024: Positano
Day 05, Tuesday, October 22, 2024: Taxi to Salerno, then Train to Rome (5 nights in Rome)
Day 06, Wednesday, October 23, 2024: Rome (Vatican area)
Day 07, Thursday, October 24, 2024: Rome (Colosseum area)
Day 08, Friday, October 25, 2024: Rome (Centro Storico)
Day 09, Saturday, October 26, 2024: Rome (Piazza Venezia area)
Day 10, Sunday, October 27, 2024: Train to Florence (4 nights in Florence)
Day 11, Monday, October 28, 2024: Florence
Day 12, Tuesday, October 29, 2024: Day trip to Pisa/Lucca
Day 13, Wednesday, October 30, 2024: Florence
Day 14, Thursday, October 31, 2024: Flight Back to Austin

Flight out of Rome(FCO) is at 6:10 AM. Flight out of Florence(FLR) is at 6:35 AM. I felt it was easier to reach the airport in Florence compared to Rome. Please let me know of your experiences. Thanks.

taurus0515,

Our favorite place to stay in Venice is Pensione Gueratto in the Rialto Bridge area. It is away from the big crowds, but very close to a vaporetto stop and so it's easy to get to anywhere from there. The only possible drawback is that it does not have an elevator. Reception is on the second floor and your room may even be another flight up. If you do stay there, I can give you some short cut advice to cut down on walkint to the place with luggage.

Marco: Are there any taxis in Monterosso to take us to the old town? If not, then we would prefer to stay near the train station. We are seniors 65+.

I don’t think there are taxis, I don’t remember seeing any. I loved CT, the views are spectacular. But something to consider is that all the towns except for Monterosso are very hilly, if you’re moving, you’re almost surely going uphill or downhill.

This is what I have finally decided. Booked flights.
Day 00, Saturday, October 19, 2024: Flight from Austin to Rome
Day 01, Sunday, October 20, 2024: Arrive in Rome, transfer to Amalfi (4 nights in Amalfi)
Day 02, Monday, October 21, 2024: Ravello/Positano
Day 03, Tuesday, October 22, 2024: Day trip to Capri
Day 04, Wednesday, October 23, 2024: Sorrento
Day 05, Thursday, October 24, 2024: Taxi to Naples/Salerno, then train to Rome (5 nights in Rome)
Day 06, Friday, October 25, 2024: Rome
Day 07, Saturday, October 26, 2024: Rome
Day 08, Sunday, October 27, 2024: Rome
Day 09, Monday, October 28, 2024: Rome
Day 10, Tuesday, October 29, 2024: Train to Florence (4 nights in Florence)
Day 11, Wednesday, October 30, 2024: Florence
Day 12, Thursday, October 31, 2024: Day trip to Pisa/Lucca
Day 13, Friday, November 1, 2024: Florence (All Saints Day- Not sure what we can do??)
Day 14, Saturday, November 2, 2024: Flight Back to Austin