Looking for Advice, Comments or Concerns on Itinerary with Rome/Tuscany/Amalfi Coast

Tim, it seems too rushed for me, especially your time in Roma and Firenze (unless you have been there before).

I would choose Siena or Montalcino for the second Tuscan city.

To maximize time in Rome do not spend time at the beginning of your trip. Rather spend there the last 3 nights of your trip. Therefore upon landing take a train to Florence. There are at least 2 high speed Frecciarossa per hour to Florence till late evening. Two depart from the airport (11:08 and 15:08) therefore require no train changes. You can be in Florence within 2.5 hours from collecting your bags at the carousel.

Your time with a car in Tuscany is insufficient. Find a place in the Siena province and use it as a base to visit the area. No need to switch towns. Changing accommodations is a time consuming process. The Siena area is within 2 hour drive from most of Tuscany and Umbria. The base doesn't have to be Montepulciano, there are hundreds of places that are just as pretty and not overrun by Americans which somehow drive the prices of everything up. Drove to Montepulciano Thursday from my home and prices aren't what I can find elsewhere. Stay at least 3 or 4 nights in Tuscany.

In your shoes I'd probably visit Capri from the mainland (Amalfi Coast or Sorrento). Not sure if the weather in October will hold up. You can return the car in Sorrento instead of Naples. Easy to reach and easy to take the ferry to Capri.

Don't forget that two nights actually means one full day in a city. You have many one day visits and lots of travel. Seems rushed. Unless you like to be moving all the time I would try to spend more time in the places you really want to see rather than trying to see the entire country in 13 nights (12 days).

Spend two nights in a Tuscan town and do day trips with your car. Much more efficient than packing up and moving to a new location. That is easy to do in Tuscany.

Agree with above, visit Capri from the mainland. Also, run up to Ravello when near Amalfi. Enjoy the spectacular views of the coast from there.

Agree with Roberto, go directly to Florence.

This path may be easier.

Rome-Florence-Tuscany-Sorrento drop car-Amalfi by ferry-ferry or bus-Sorrento-Capri ferry -
Naples-Rome.

Would save expense of private driver to Naples.

Thank you everyone for your replies. Is Capri really that over rated? I've read that the only way to get a good feel for the island is to stay there for a night or two. If a day trip would suffice, I suppose I would take that night and add it to Tuscany. And as for Tuscany, I believe I will also take the advice on picking one town as a base and drive out from there. I'm a city person at heart and I really like the idea of spending a couple nights in Florence to wander about, see the sights and sample the various cafes and trattoria's. Does anyone have a suggestion for a good Tuscan town that has good options walking, eating and drinking?

Thanks again for the responses.

-T

We did a day trip to Capri from Sorrento and felt that it would have been better to stay over one night. I would say that you probably don't need two. I also think your 4 nights on the Amalfi Coast could be cut to 3. Add one of those nights to Rome, either at the beginning or at the end. Add the other to Montepulciano. Pienza is close and very nice to visit for a day. No need to change hotels. Siena , Cortona, and Montalcino are all close enough for day trips.