My wife and I are traveling to Italy (from Houston, TX) for about 9 days and have decided to visit Rome, the Amalfi Coast (Positano) and the Siena/Florence/Tuscany area. I am trying to decide what order to visit these areas in since we fly in and out of Rome. My initial thought was to visit Rome then travel to Amalfi and then Siena, ending back in Rome the night before our flight home. Obviously this leaves us going back through Rome to get from Amalfi to Tuscany. It would be easier when leaving to save Rome for last (so we can stay in the same hotel 3 nights) but I'm not sure about the wisdom of flying in and then leaving immediately for Siena or Amalfi. It also seems like a good idea to get your feet wet by seeing Rome first. Any thoughts from those who have been there before?
Posted by
Philadelphia, PA, United States
174 posts
We've landed in Rome, taken the Leonardo Express to Termini, and gotten on the train to Florence, which run about every hour. We were tired and it was a bit stressful, but since we knew where we were going in Florence it wasn't too bad. It is quite do-able. Once we planned really well and had reservations at Mario's hotel a block from the Florence train station; a general strike was called (no trains) and we had to rent a car at the Rome airport and drive into Florence. Now that was stressful. Barring horrible experiences like that, you can do it.
Posted by
Portland, OR
282 posts
Upon landing in Rome, I would go immediately to Positano. Depending on the time of year you are going and the time you arrive in FCO, you can either train to Salerno and ferry to Positano, or train to Naples, then train to Sorrento, then bus to Positano. Then I would train to Siena and then end with your 3 days in Rome. Personally, I think you are trying to fit too much in with only 9 days, as your schedule will really look like this, resulting in at most 2.5 days in each location: Day 1 - arrive FCO, get to Pos, check in to hotel, unpack, dinner, sleep Day 2 - Positano Day 3 - Positano Day 4 - spend most of the day getting to Siena, check into hotel, unpack, etc., dinner, sleep Day 5 - Siena Day 6 - Siena Day 7 - spend morning getting to Rome, check into hotel, eat lunch, wander Rome, dinner, sleep Day 8 - Rome Day 9 - Rome
Day 10 - fly home.
Posted by
OP
Pearland, Texas, United States
5 posts
I really appreciate your replies. Yes my wife and I have been discussing whether we're trying to do too much. We're going in May and using frequent flyer miles which is why I figured we'd need to fly through Rome. I just looked into the possibility of flying into Naples and then out of Florence, so we could do one continuous trip from South to North and the flights work. That would leave less travel within Italy (since instead of going from Naples to Siena we'd just be going from Naples to Rome) and still give us 2 nights in Positano, 3 nights in Rome and 3 nights in Siena. So many options it hurts my head sometimes to think about!
Again thanks for any and all opinions.
Posted by
Centennial, CO, US
2195 posts
I think flying into Naples and out of Florence would be a great idea, if it's possible with your miles. For a really luxurious way to start your trip, consider contacting your hotel in Positano and see if they can arrange a taxi to pick you up at the Naples airport. We've done this for 90 euros to Marina del Cantone (south of Sorrento) so Positano would be a bit more. But after a long flight, there is nothing better than to see someone waiting for you, with your name on a sign, to take you right to the door of your hotel.
Posted by
Huntsville, AL, USA
8371 posts
Douglas: You're right about taking things slowly the first day after a long journey to anywhere in Europe. Nine days in Italy is not very long when there is so much history, architecture, art and culture to soak in. Your itinerary is a little too much for the time allotted, especially when Rome alone is good for a week's time. You'd get more out of your trip if you went directly into Rome and spent 4 nights there. Then take a train to Florence for the rest of your time. Take a bus down to Siena from Florence on a day trip, as it's just a 1 hour ride.
After all, Italy is much better when traveled through slowly.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32402 posts
Douglas, Based on your first Itinerary, I also feel you're trying to fit too much in. The trip from Rome to Positano and back is going to use the better part of a day in each direction. You only have a VERY short 9 days, so maximizing your touring time and minimizing your travel times is highly advisable! I'm assuming that your 9 day time frame doesn't include your two flight days? Your second proposal is more reasonable, but keep in mind that you won't have as much time in each location as it may seem. In Positano, you'll only have about 1.5 days, in 2.5 in Rome and maybe 2 in Siena (depending on whether you have to go to Florence the day before your flight home). This is still too much moving around for such a short time frame (IMHO). In the same situation, I'd skip Positano/Amalfi and focus on Rome and Siena. Depending on flight availability, you could also reverse the order and arrive in Florence and depart from Rome. Good luck with your planning!