Itinerary help - 2 weeks solo in Italy

What a problem! :-)

I am crazy about Venice, so it hurts me just a little that you only plan two night/1 day there, but it is your trip! Given your interests, another day in Sorrento would not go amiss. Villa Jovis, the ruins of Tiburius house on Capri, woudl be worth your time (although I am otherwise not a fan of Capri). Paestum is a bit far for a daytrip from Sorrento, but you might be able to make it work if you have enough time to devote an entire day to it. Then there's the archeological museum in Naples, Ercolano, etc. Add the night in Sorrento.

FYI, Assisi is a long daytrip from Rome, at least 2 hours each way. There's enough to do in Rome. You can go to Assisi another time.

If you need accommodation in Florence, I have a Friends why should open a brand new b&b in central Florence some time in May.

I would take one night from Roma and spend two nights in Assisi. Or leave Assisi out and spend one more night in Sorrento.

Oooh, great trip!

I think as well that you should throw some more time at Sorrento. Knowing your interests, you can spend an entire day just at Pompeii, and you definitely should do Herculaneum (Ercolano); that one could be done on the way from Rome or combine it with the museum in Naples. The hike up to the ruin of Villa Jovis on Capri is fun, and the view from up there is great.

http://www.capri.com/en/s/villa-jovis-mount-tiberio
http://www.capri.com/en/e/the-villas-of-tiberius

In Rome, take a day to walk a good chunk of the Appia Antica, exploring the wealth of ruins along the way. To date, that was the best day we've had in Rome (and EVERY day has been great!) We can also give you the names of some very old churches built upon Roman ruins if you haven't started a list yet.

Hi! I'm a solo traveler too. I love Italy!!
I would add at least one night in Venice! I had 5 nights in Rome last year and love it. I think 7 nights is a lot in Rome. I was in Venice for 4 nights. That seemed like a good amount of time.
Carrie

One night more in Venice.
One night less in Rome.
One night more in Sorrento.

Thanks!

Definitely adding a day to Sorrento. Is Pasteum worth an seeing (knowing that it takes an entire day)? I'm hesitant to give up a day in Rome. There are so many things there I want to see!

I'll actually be in Venice effectively more than 2 full days (arrive early morning / full day / leave late evening). I'm taking one of the last flights out since I don't have to work until late the next day near London. I think I could do Florence itself in 2.5 days, the extra day is for side trips (apparently a lot of options but I haven't decided yet). I'm just planning to see a couple major art museums and walk around the city. Are potential side trips worth another day?

Rome: 7 nights, 6 days
Sorrento: 4 nights, 3.5 days
Florence: 4 nights, 3.5 days
Venice: 2 nights, 2 days

I would add another day to Venice and shorten Rome by one day. Venice is an amazing city unlike any other city.

Rome: 7 nights, 6 days
Sorrento: 4 nights, 3.5 days
Florence: 4 nights, 3.5 days
Venice: 2 nights, 2 days

Looks good. Since you explained your time in Venice early arrival and late departure), and given your interests, it is a good balance.

IMO the long trip to Paestum is not worth it. The ruins take about two hours to explore, the musuem perhaps another hour. You can stretch it to half-a-day but then you are out of things to do in Paestum. There are (IMO) better Greek ruins on Sicily. Maybe go to Sicily on another trip in the future.

Oh gosh, Laurel and I disagree on something!

In addition to the ruins and the museum, Paestum has a nice beach, and mozzarella farms that you can visit. I spend a couple of hours at the museum and about a half-day at the ruins. The ancient wall is really interesting, too.

So many different opinions! I'm just scared I'll get stuck somewhere for too long and wish I was somewhere else (still nervous about 4 nights in Sorrento, especially if I don't go to Pasteum). Maybe 3 nights in Sorrento (skip Pasteum) and add a night to Venice?

That's a tough call because we don't know what you might or might not 'take' to. I'm a huge fan of Rome- no problem finding things to do for a week or more - and love Florence but others are crazy about Venice so it's trying to match your interests with what separate locations are strong on?

Keep in mind that every time you make a move, you lose at least 1/2 day so 4 nights in Sorrento and Florence translates to 3.5 days, and 7 nights in Rome will probably be closer to 6.5 days. Venice? 1.5 days on the itinerary you have.

Don't be scared, your major bases all have easy access to cities that make greater daytrips. You won't run out of places to see. For example, the town of Tivoli is near Hadrian's Villa.

Kathy, the times I have listed already take into account traveling. Rome is a full 6 days because I get in late the previous day. I'm leaving Venice late in the day so I'll have a full 2 days of tourism. I subtracted half a day from the others.