Please sign in to post.

Late September Italy Itinerary. Does this work? Any suggestions?

Posted by on

We are 60, very physically active. First time to Italy but have traveled to several different countries.

Have 12 to 14 days
Arrive Rome: Spend 3 days/4 nights. (we arrive in the afternoon and would like to just chill at our hotel)
Want to visit the Coliseum, St. Peter's Basilica, the Trevi Fountain.

(If we have time for something else that's great, but would be just as happy walking around exploring)
Train To Naples: 2 Days
Visit Pompeii 1 Day
Ferry/or Bus down the Amalfi coast 4 Days
Stay in Positano possibly?. Just hang out. Walk around could possibly visit/or stay another place if we wanted tp..
Back to Rome to fly home.
Thinking it might be fun to squeeze in a day trip to Florence one day.

Question:??? Was told we have to purchase tickets to the Vatican Museums in order to see St. Peter's Basilica. That's fine, just wondering if that information is correct from friends that went to Italy last year.

Sadly due to a medical condition I am no longer able to drink wine. We are not shoppers. We love to try food but we are mainly people who like to see historical sights, off the beaten path sights and museums. Don't want to overload our schedule but open to suggestions.

Thanks for any positive suggestions.

Posted by
11805 posts

Rome: Visit Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum.
Great views.

Posted by
7490 posts

No
St Peters is not part of Vatican Museums
Sistine Chapel is

St Peters is free
Expect huge crowds in Rome due to Jubilee

A good guide book will be very useful

If your departure flight is out of Rome you need to be in Rome night before
For that reason you might consider heading to AC/Naples on arrival and put all Rome nights at end of trip

Another option
Train to Florence on arrival-spend 2 nights
Then train to Naples/AC
End in Rome

4 days in Positano would be about 3.5 days too long for me-not much there other than high end shopping
Consider Sorrento ,Salerno ,Amalfi instead

Posted by
5987 posts

Agree with Christine- Positano is not a good base and isn't very accessible. Please research the congestion and traffic problems in the AC, along with the poor state of public transportation.
You are considering all very crowded , hectic places and September is no longer shoulder season. I would recommend at least one smaller town in which to relax.
I'm assuming you know about the Pope's Jubilee this year and the extra millions due in Rome.
But if this is your dream, planning for the realities on the ground will make it a more pleasant trip.

Would you consider:
Rome to Salerno ( good train connections, and not nearly as crowded as the rest of the AC.)
Salerno as a base for the AC.
Train to Naples for Pompeii.
Naples to Rome, then fly home?
Wishing you a great trip. Book accommodations asap, as these areas are in high demand.
Good luck !

Posted by
32 posts

Pat,

Yes we had considered working the trip that way and yes I think staying in Solerno would be much better. Was going off friends who had been last year. thanks

Add Reply

Please do not reply to violations of our Community Guidelines.