Hello! I am looking to travel to Italy for more of a sensory experience than historical. I’m not interested in seeing the typical landmarks ( ie…tourist traps). I’m imagining lots of beautiful scenery and delicious food. Prefer less crowds. I’m thinking of Florence as a base and stay there for 5-6 days with some daily excursions to surrounding areas. I’d probably stay checked in to the hotel in Florence and do an overnight trip to Venice for 2 days. (Or fly into Venice, stay one night and travel to Florence from there. Trying to reduce packing/unpacking and want the feeling of a home base). Then from Florence travel to Naples for 2-3 days with possibly an excursion to Amalfi Coast and fly home from Naples,? IAlso, I’d prefer not to drive anywhere myself, so would rely on transport by bus, train or hired driver, if in budget. Does this sound like a realistic plan? Is there somewhere I should add or additional days needed to itinerary? Thanks in advance for any advice:)
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
17062 posts
Welcome to the RS forums, flowersasmedicine!
A couple of comments right off the bat? Florence, Venice, Amalfi Coast.... ALL of these are extremely popular destinations, and especially so for all but the colder months of the year. Let's just say that if you "prefer less crowds", these are going to be challenging places for you.
I’m not interested in seeing the typical landmarks ( ie…tourist
traps).
The 'typical landmarks" in Florence and Venice are anything but tourist traps. In fact, I'm trying to think of anything in either of them that might qualify for that unfortunate label. There are reasons why their treasures (Uffizi, Accademia, SM Novella, Santa Maria del Fiore duomo complex, San Marco, Doge's Palace, etc. ) are most-visited attractions. It's perfect FINE not to care for those things but they're important to the stories of these cities, and most are either very beautiful, contain beautiful/interesting things, or both!
Yes, there are any number of day trips at hand by rail or bus from Florence, and (overloaded) bus/ferry trips around the Amalfi Coast so no issue finding those opportunities. It's just interesting to have chosen the locations you have if allergic to crowds, museums, and/or historic monuments. etc. Can you help us out a bit with your reasoning for these choices? When are you planning on taking this trip?
Posted by
Twin Cities, Minnesota
2142 posts
I agree with comments above, but I want to add 2 nights in one place is really only one full day to experience the locale. Also Venice and Amalfi coast are pretty far apart. If you are only going to stay a week or less, I'd recommend you choose only one place and do day trips. When are you hoping to travel? Summer is not only VERY crowded, but hot. I usually enjoy Italy most in April or October.
Posted by
5753 posts
If you have the time at your disposal and can fly into Venice and out of Naples, that is only three hotel changes, and I would do that over visiting Venice from Florence.
You won't be missing crowds, but most feel those places are worth it. I am sure if you take care with booking your accommodation you may feel less affected by the crowds though.
Posted by
OP
4 posts
The 'typical landmarks" in Florence and Venice are anything but tourist traps. In fact, I'm trying to think of anything in either of them that might qualify for that unfortunate label. There are reasons why their treasures (Uffizi, Accademia, SM Novella, Santa Maria del Fiore duomo complex, San Marco, Doge's Palace, etc. ) are most-visited attractions. It's perfect FINE not to care for those things but they're important to the stories of these cities, and most are either very beautiful, contain beautiful/interesting things, or both!
Yes, there are any number of day trips at hand by rail or bus from Florence, and (overloaded) bus/ferry trips around the Amalfi Coast so no issue finding those opportunities. It's just interesting to have chosen the locations you have if allergic to crowds, museums, and/or historic monuments. etc. Can you help us out a bit with your reasoning for these choices? When are you planning on taking this trip?
Thank you for your response, Kathy. Sorry I wasn’t clearer. What I meant was anytime I say that I am interested in visiting that area, everyone immediately tells me that I need to include Rome and to be sure to see “this and that”. While I absolutely appreciate their historical significance, I’m not looking to visit historical attractions at this time. I’m just interested in beautiful scenery and wonderful food. I love the Italian culture, and I want to immerse myself in that aspect of it. I hope that clarifies it a little better.
Posted by
OP
4 posts
I agree with comments above, but I want to add 2 nights in one place is really only one full day to experience the locale. Also Venice and Amalfi coast are pretty far apart. If you are only going to stay a week or less, I'd recommend you choose only one place and do day trips. When are you hoping to travel? Summer is not only VERY crowded, but hot. I usually enjoy Italy most in April or October.
Thanks for your reply. I was thinking of April or October and am hoping to spend 10-14 days. 10 would be better for budget, but if 14 makes big difference, I’d figure out how to make that work!
Posted by
5753 posts
10 vs 14 might not make a ton of difference in the budget in the big scheme of things, but it WILL make a huge difference in enjoyment! That could allow you more time in Venice and/or time to spend on the Amalfi Coast (vs day trip).
I am very cold-natured, so I'd lean toward October, but I am sure April would be lovely.
Posted by
Canada 1st, not 51st.
4954 posts
If you're in for the sensory experience then Naples will be sensory on steroids, just not the sensory you may be expecting. It is crowded, noisy, dirty and wonderfully fascinating. But it won't be peaceful. The best part of Venice is after hours when all the daytrippers leave so I would highly recommend at least an overnight stay. I can't comment about Florence and Tuscany but you'll easily be able to rely on public transportation in, and to Venice and Naples. The Amalfi Coast may take a bit more coordination because transportation in that region is chaotic.
Posted by
The Heartland USA
9269 posts
I dislike day-trips, especially to major destinations. I think the best times of day to be just about anywhere, is early morning, and late evening. Both of those times are when you can most enjoy the beauty and character of a place, without the crowds. I found that to be true of Venice and Florence.
Posted by
Washington DC
28965 posts
From the way you describe your desires for this trip, I'm not seeing destinations like Venice, Florence and the Amalfi Coast, particularly the last two. I'll grant you that the environment of Venice is unique, and I've spent many days basically just walking around the back streets and little canals in that city.
If you're not going to visit museums and historical sites, I'd argue you can skip Florence and the Amalfi Coast and have a grand (and much less expensive) time in smaller, less-famous places where you'll have the benefits of Italian culture and food but not nearly as many tourists. I'm thinking of places like Padua, Treviso, Vicenza, Brescia and Ravenna, just as a few examples--all of them in northeastern Italy.
Posted by
OP
4 posts
From the way you describe your desires for this trip, I'm not seeing destinations like Venice, Florence and the Amalfi Coast, particularly the last two. I'll grant you that the environment of Venice is unique, and I've spent many days basically just walking around the back streets and little canals in that city.
If you're not going to visit museums and historical sites, I'd argue you can skip Florence and the Amalfi Coast and have a grand (and much less expensive) time in smaller, less-famous places where you'll have the benefits of Italian culture and food but not nearly as many tourists. I'm thinking of places like Padua, Treviso, Vicenza, Brescia and Ravenna, just as a few examples--all of them in northeastern Italy.
I will take a look at those areas.. thank you. I’m intrigued by the canal in Venice…maybe I’ll do like another poster suggested and visit during less busy hours.
Posted by
Oregon
65 posts
If you’re looking for beautiful scenery, you might want to look into the Dolomites. You could combine Venice and the Dolomites and just have 2 bases. The scenery in those 2 places is magnificent. Venice is not renowned for good food but if you do research you can probably find some restaurants with good food. If you are interested in the Dolomites, check weather trends. April and October may not be optimal there.