Itinerary: Venice to Rome to Sorrento, 2 weeks. Advice? Stops to add?

Two nights in Venice is NOT enough, as discussed above, esp. since your mom considers it a "must". Do get away from the crowded areas to really appreciate Venice. Don't add Lake Como because it's very inconvenient to fit into your itinerary. At least you're not considering the Cinque Terre, which would be even harder to include. What about Florence or Siena between Venice and Rome? If you go to Florence, consider having dinner up in Fiesole, overlooking the city. It's one of my favorite memories of Florence. The RS book tells you how to take the bus there. If your heart is set on the Amalfi area (which is beautiful, as you know), do base yourself in Sorrento. I doubt it will be too warm in May - it will probably be absolutely beautiful.

First of all, you mentioned two weeks, which is 14 days. From this 14 days you must subtract 2-3 days for travel and possible jet lag. So, removing 2-3 days leaves you with 12-11 days for touring. Since mom is 70 it would be wise to be flexible in terms of down time. You could do Venice, Rome, and the Amalfi, but no more destinations. You could sub Lago di Como for the Amalfi. Traveling on Italian trains is comfortable and usually efficient. I would use Sorrento as a base if you decide to go to Amalfi. It is easier to reach and then you could use public transportation to visit the cities along the coast. If you fly multi-city or open jaws you could arrive in Venice and fly home from Rome eliminating time consuming backtracking. We are in our mid 60"s and we travel to Italy every year,but we take down time when we feel like it to just kick back. If you have that agreement with mom your trip should be more successful. She could return to the hotel as the need arises and you could go off on your own. Buon viaggio,

1) No, unless 3 and a half hours is too long. Its a lot shorter than the flight from Boston. 2) No, its out of the way. You would have to go all the way north west past Milan when what you want to do is go south. It would take you as long to get to your town to "break up the journey" as it would to make the journey. 3) If you like the Amalfi Coast then go. Its not much past Naples which is an easy train ride from Rome. 3b) Yes. 4) 2 nights means only one single solitary day in Venice - too little in my opinion for the most wonderful city I have ever been to. If I were doing that trip I'd have at least 3 nights minimum in Venice, 5 in Rome and 4 in Sorrento. May could be a little warm in Sorrento but it will be lovely with the lemons, blood oranges (may have finished), all the lovely smells and sights. That would do me to a turn. 12 days, add along the way a couple of days maybe in Florence or Ovieto. Or just stretch out and enjoy, enjoy, enjoy.

Thank you all for your advice. Great to know Lake Como is out of the way. I had considered the Cinque Terra, but an Italian I was speaking to recently suggested it's not a great time to visit, given the mudslides that occurred. She said Sorrento would be better. I agree adding a third night in Venice is a good idea. Now that I think back, I never made it out of the St. Mark's area in the two short nights I was there, and then was astounded to see what I'd been missing as we made our way to the train station. In terms of my questions about Amalfi, I guess I'm wondering if I'm crazy to not visit any new spots this trip, as I was there last May and went to Venice, Rome and Sorrento. However, as I said, I felt I was torn away from Sorrento far too quickly (especially after losing one of my two full days to torrential downpours). I suppose I'm just looking for a nudge that it's OK to go back to the same places, or, a suggestion of another third stop other than Sorrento. For instance, should we do Lake Como instead of Sorrento? Is it something that should not be missed, or is the gorgeous Sorrento area worth exploring further? We never did get over to Capri ... Perhaps I've figured it out, then! But, suggestions are welcome! Grazie!

Renee, stop torturing yourself. It's your trip and you can go wherever the heck you want. :-) We've been to Italy three times and have included both Rome and Venice both times. We're now planning our fourth trip and Rome is back on the itinerary. We're also planning to go back to Verona for a follow up visit because we enjoyed it so much last time. Still torn about Venice. As for places that someone will tell you are a "must see", I can give you a list of 100. Only you can decide what's a "must see." Happy travels.

I have been traveling to Italy since 1980 and trip #16 is coming up on July 25th. I just like being there and have never had a problem finding places to go and things to do. In 2009 we went to Sorrento/Costiera Amalfitana for the first time and returned in 2011 to spend more time. We may go back during the summer of 2013 to find things we missed. It is your vacation, so see and do what you want. Sometimes we like just sitting at a cafe sipping an expresso watching the world go by. Keep in mind that this is a legitimate vacation activity...il dolce far niente=the sweetness of doing nothing. Buon viaggio,

Hi Renee, We are going tp Venice -- 3 days, Florence -- 3 days, Rome -- 3 days, then off on an adventure to Sorrento -- 2-3 days as a base to Pompeii, Almalfi and Capri, then briefly to Naples -- all within two weeks including 1 day for jet lag and 2 days for travel. Just want to give you an idea of our itinerary in case it could be of some help to you. It sounds like you like the idea of visiting Lake Como, since you mentioned it twice. Maybe do Lake Como instead of Almalfi this time around. Just an idea . . . seasoned travelers may have more sound advice! Happy travels! Ruth

Great point, Michael. I appreciate it. And, I do need to stop torturing myself! Ruth, I'd suggest three days in Sorrento for sure. I was there last May and only had two and it was the biggest regret of my trip. We'd done four nights in Chianti and three in Sorrento, and I'd wished we'd done the inverse. Thank you all for your insights!

"I suppose I'm just looking for a nudge that it's OK to go back to the same places" Let me tell you, going back to the same places, but seeing them through your mother's eyes this time, will NOT be "the same places"! It will help you move about more quickly and easily since you'll already be familiar with those places, because she'll be depending on you to be her tour guide. You'll have time to focus on your (plural) trip, not trying to figure things out. And that means things will be more relaxed for both of you. I would definitely suggest Florence and/or Siena as a middle location. Don't go to Venice for less than two full days - minimum. Or...you could arrive in Rome, go straight to Sorrento (l-o-v-e it!), on to Rome, then to Venice. That first day would be a killer; perhaps a night in Rome to get some rest. The two of you will enjoy just being together (hopefully!), so don't get too plan-happy with the excursions and must-dos. Anything the two of you do together will probably be fantastic for her anyway ;-) (and btw, many of us go to the same places over and over and over and over...we have our favorites, too!)

Hi Renee, I agree with Eileen. Going to Sorrento will be great because you will be seeing it from a new perspective. Personally, I vote for you going to Sorrento because I think that is where you left your heart. Lake Como can wait. Best wishes in making your decision! I am sure you will have a lovely trip no matter where you decide to travel. Buon viaggio! Ruth

Eileen, What great points about seeing Sorrento through my mom's eyes. And all of the other places. So well put! And I love your point, too, about my knowing where I'm going this time around, thus making for a better trip for us both. Thank you for your insight! Ruth, You may be right that I left my heart there. I remember telling my husband, "If I ever come back, I'd just come here to stay," when were standing on a cliff overlooking the ocean. I think you've all helped me make up my mind ... and, most importantly, feel good about it. Grazie!

RB, Thank you for your 16-trip perspective! I never dreamt I'd be going back to Italy again a year later ... I wasn't sure I'd ever get back there at all (though of course you know I sure wanted to!). This time around I think I'll give myself more time to enjoy "doing nothing." Great suggestion!