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Itinerary Review of Mother and Daughter Trip

Posted by on

Hello,
My mum and I are planning to visit Italy in May from Canada. We'd like some advice on the itinerary below. For context, we both want to see the touristy sights in the big cities, but also want to get lost and discover cool towns and experiences along the way. We're both versed travellers so are open to any suggestions or tips this group may have on places to see, visit and/or stay in.

  • May 18 - Arrive in Rome
  • May 19 - Rome
  • May 20 - Rome
  • May 21 - Assisi

AM - Take the train to Orvieto early in the morning and tour around

PM - grab our rental car and begin the drive to Assisi (via Todi, Spoleto, Spello) where we will stay for two nights

  • May 22 - Assisi
  • May 23 - Siena (leave early in the morning for Siena (visiting Montalcino) where we will stay for two nights)
  • May 24 - Siena (maybe head to San Gimignano)
  • May 25 - Sienna/Florence Drop the car off in the afternoon in Siena and take the train to Florence
  • May 26 - Florence
  • May 27 - Florence or take the train to Venice (we're not sure this is worth the hassle)
  • May 28 - Florence or Cinque Terra via train
  • May 29 - Florence
  • May 30 - take a super early train back to Rome for our flight out at 12:00 pm (if this risky or are we better off staying the night in Rome?)

Thank you in advance for your suggestions and review!

Cheers,
Two Canadians on their first trip to Italy :)

Posted by
7288 posts

Welcome to the forum!

Staying in Florence night before departure is far too risky

Can you adjust itinerary and put all Rome nights at end?

Head to Orvieto on arrival day stay 1 night then get car and continue as planned
Assisi-Siena-Florence

Back to Rome for final nights
And Rome could use another night (or 2)

Venice day trip probably not worth it
Not crazy about CT day trip either
Both locations will be very crowded during the day so you are only there with all the other tourists

We found Montepulciano to be much more enjoyable than Montalcino FWIW

Make sure you research and understand all about driving in Italy
Have you checked auto rental rates yet? ( super expensive this year)

Posted by
5588 posts

IMO neither Venice nor CT are good day trips from Florence, since it's over 2 hours each way just to get there and back. Leaving very little time to see anything. Either plan to spend 2 nights or leave for another trip. Lucca and Pisa are easy day trips, though.

Posted by
1191 posts

Agree with Christine. Don't attempt a train from Florence to Rome on day of departure. I like the idea of Orvieto as well. Adding CT is just too much. Because you have so much time in Florence, a day trip to Venice is doable. There is a lot to do for day trips from Florence and you won't have the hassle of changing hotels all the time. Personally, I would knock a night of Florence and add it to Rome.

Posted by
16 posts

Hello Canadians!

What a great trip you have planned. I definitely agree that taking the early morning train to Rome (and then
trying to make it to the airport by 10am) is too tight.

If it were me, I would definitely go to Venice. It's always worth it...magical.

If you have not purchased your plane ticket I would look at flying open jaw (ie into Rome and out of Venice or reverse).
Florence is amazing but 4.5 days is a lot. Spend 1.5-2 days in Venice and you won't regret it.

Recommend website rometorio.com for travel option planning.

Caio,
Leslie

Posted by
2 posts

Thank you for the advice. We hadn't even thought about ending in Rome (doh!)
We're aware of the car rental costs, but feel that without a car we may miss on some of the opportunity to get lost, so to speak, in the Umbria and Tuscany areas. Any thoughts on renting a car directly from the Rome airport? There seem to be some direct routes to Orievto via the E80 or A90 from there (I've managed to find a relatively cheap rental from the airport).

Posted by
7288 posts

Usually not advisable to drive after an overnight flight BUT OrVieto is not much more than an hour (and your rental options in Orvieto are limited to hertz) so it’s up to you and your comfort level

( we’ve changed our May plans due to high rental costs but have visited Tuscany/Umbria already- we’re watching the rates still anyway)

Posted by
3315 posts

A day trip from Florence to Venice is better than not seeing it all. There is a direct train (2h 15m). Turn left when departing the train station and follow the people to San Marco Square. Do visit the basilica while there.
To get back to the train station take a water bus (vaporetto) to the train station from San Marco. Best to do so at dusk so you don’t see the decay on the exterior of the Venetian Gothic architecture on the palaces that line the Grand Canal. This way you‘ll see the illuminated foyers instead so you can voyeur inside. The experience took me back in time.

Posted by
4105 posts

This is a more straightforward route for your locations.

  1. Arrive Rome train to Florence.

  2. Florence.

  3. Florence. Day trips by train.
    Bologna, Pistoia, Lucca, Monticattini Terme. Colle Val d’Elsa, Certaldo Alto. All around an hour travel time. Florence-Venice R/trip is 4 hrs 27m.
    Doable, just want you to know transport times for a 10 hour visit.

  4. Bus Florence-Siena 1 night Siena.

  5. Rent car. Siena-Montalcino, the town leaves me a little cold, but the wines are spectacular!
    I personally would prefer either Pienza, or Montepulciano. Below reflects my preference.
    And towns to visit. Do visit Montepulciano after dropping your luggage.

  6. Pienza easy day trip - San Quirico d’Orcia (12 min) San Quirico - Bango Vignoni. (15 min ) Bango Vignoni-
    Monticchiello (15min) back to Pienza (13min)

  7. Pienza -Assisi.

  8. Assisi - Spello - Bevegna - Montefalco

  9. Assisi - Spoleto - Todi - Orvieto.

  10. Orvieto. Late afternoon train to Rome.

  11. Rome.

  12. Rome.

  13. Rome.

  14. Travel

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