Italy Travel Itinerary

You might want to indicate what airport you want to use. For my budget, it would only work to fly in and out of Rome. Perhaps from your location you could use the Florence airport within your budget. You also might want to say time of year and does the 2 weeks include your travel days. If you can use Florence, I would think about something like 4 nights in Florence 7 nights in Rome 3 in Positano. You probably want to be in Rome, the night before you fly home.

Welcome to the Forum! Can you give us some more information about your trip? When are you travelling? Is this your first time? How many people? Age? Mobility issues? Where are you travelling from?

That said, remember that 2 weeks in Italy is a very short time and you'll lose a good part of a day each time you change hotels. But it can be done with minimum loss if you plan well. If this were me, i would fly into Rome and head immediately to Florence for 3 or 4 nights. The train from Rome is fast, comfortable and frequent. Florence gives you access to Siena, one of my favorite places. Next is a bit challenging: head to Sorrento (I think it's a better base for your visit to the Amalfi Coast). The fast train from Florence to Naples is only a couple of hours then change to the local train to Sorrento. This would be your longest travel day but I think it's the best use of time. Sorrento, and the variety of day trips from there, could easily take 4-5 nights. I never tire of Sorrento. i would finish my trip in Rome. Getting to the airport for your return flight home is easy by train or taxi, even if your flight is early in the morning. At least your last night will be part of your vacation. Your last night, especially in Rome, is a wonderful way to end (sniff, sniff) your vacation. BUT do, give us more information - there's plenty of us who are more than willing to help you out!

If flying in and out of Rome, I would do Florence first - I like to travel as much as possible on my jet lag day. Spend 4 nights in Florence. Then travel to positano, get a little relaxing break in there, 2 or 3 nights. Then 5 nights in Rome. Then you can easily get to the airport to fly home. Exact numbers depends on how many nights you have, so adjust accordingly!

Thank you for your replies and help! I already prepaid and received a voucher at a hotel in Positano so I will have to go there instead of Sorrento unfortunately. I will be traveling from Newark, NJ out of the United States. 2 adults travelling and both our first time. There are no mobility issues. We will be travelling in late September-early October.

How many nights is the Positano voucher for?

How many NIGHTS will you have IN Italy?

RT Rome will likely be your best flight choice
United from EWR
Book a non stop and it will be a COVID tested flight IF that is still required in the fall

Is this trip this year??

Great! Positano is indeed beautiful AND it gives you easy access to Amalfi, Ravello, Capri and Sorrento. I suggest taking the boat if the weather allows. The scenery from the water is very impressive.

What about Florence and Rome? It Is possible to fly into Florence from Newark if you are willing to have at least one connection. I don't think it will save you any money or much time. Flying home from Naples is not my recommendation. It's a long trip from Positano to Naples so it would mean staying in Naples the last night of your trip. Rome is still my best thought for you. Have fun planning!

I would make Positano my first stop, then Florence and end in Rome.

Ending in Rome makes departure for home the easiest.

I think Positano first gives you a place to get over jet lag and not have any structured activity the first few days, while you get acclimated to time and place.

How many nights do you have for Rome and Florence? Not knowing how many nights you have and what you want to see makes 'how long' hard to answer. My 'in the blind' suggestion is for every night in Florence, plan for 2 in Rome.

Happy travels!

If it was me I would fly directly to Florence. After Florence I would take the fast train from Florence to Naples and hire a driver to take me to Positano. Would finish in Rome so convenient for flight home out of FCO.

If you can fly into Naples I’d agree with Joe
Transit to Positano on arrival to Naples will be decidedly easier than Rome to Positano

I would concur with the recommendations to reach Positano from Naples. So much closer. I would opt to hire a driver. We’ve been to both Positano & Sorrento. Enjoyed both very much. Positano is also convenient if you plan a visit to Capri. I would be inclined to leave Florence out and concentrate on Southern Italy for 2 weeks?

https://www.planetware.com/italy/from-naples-to-positano-best-ways-to-get-there-i-1-84.htm

I think the easiest itinerary would be to take this direct train from Fiumicino Airport to Firenze.

FRECCIARGENTO 35523

13:53 →16:11
Fiumicino AeroportoFirenze S. M. Novella
FIUMICINO AE

13:53

FIRENZE SMN

16:11

Duration: 2h 18m FRECCIARGENTO 35523
Servizio di 1ª e 2ª classe. No changes.

From Firenze head directly to Salerno. Again 0 changes.

FRECCIAROSSA 9515

09:14 →13:02
Firenze S. M. NovellaSalerno
FIRENZE SMN

09:14

SALERNO

13:02

Duration: 3h 48m FRECCIAROSSA 9515

FIRENZE SMN
09:14
ROMA TIBURT.10:39
10:42
ROMA TERMINI10:49
11:00
NAPOLI AFRAG11:56
11:58
NAPOLI C.LE12:12
12:25
SALERNO13:02
Stops, you stay on the train.

From Salerno, ferry to Positano. Schedule here.

https://www.positano.com/en/t/salerno/positano

For Rome, ferry to Salerno, train Salerno to Roma Termini 1Hr15m. Edit: 1H27m.

Frankly, is split my time @ 4 days each location.
This will give you 3 1/2 full days in each area.

Just keep in mind if you decide to travel from Salerno to Positano via ferry that it may not dock in Positano if seas are rough (it happens!). You will then need to travel Salerno to Positano by bus.

Or Salerno to Amalfi then bus to Positano
If ferry can’t dock in Positano it should still be able to dock in Amalfi