Loved our fast paced itinerary!

Whew! to fast for me, but it sounds like you had a great trip and that is what it is all about!

I'm glad to hear you had such a good time on a fast paced trip! I know most of the advice given on here tends to lean toward the side of spending more time in just one or two spots...but we too have a fast paced itinerary for our trip in May. Life circumstance won't allow me to do these kinds of trips very often (if ever again!)...so I really want to make the most of it this time. Nice to hear it was so enjoyable for you. (gives me hope that we're not crazy!) BTW - you're pics are great!

Your trip sounds wonderful, and your pictures are lovely.

Jodi, You're not crazy at all! Or maybe we're both crazy, who knows ;)

But honestly, we did not feel rushed or stressed at all! Our hotels were close to the train stations, and we packed lightly so checking in and out was a breeze. We actually enjoyed riding on the trains (1st class), using the downtime to rest, blog about our trip, meet fellow tourists, or just enjoy the scenery.

Obviously, it would have been nice to have an extra day (or five) in each city, but we saw and experienced enough to feel like we got a nice fulfilling overview of each place.

Hopefully there will be a "next time", but if there isn't, we have so many memories and literally hundreds of photos to look back on. And if there IS a next time, we'll probably come up with a crazy whirlwind itinerary once again ;)

Good luck!!!

Yes, trip sounded lovely, but too rushed for me, but you didn't have to fly from west coast, so started out with less jet lag, and you seemed to use a "private car service" , which seems to me would have also reduced stress quite a bit( do they pick you up at hotel and ferry you directly to next stop, like a limo?)

Hi Pat,

Yes, flying in from the East Coast was definitely a plus. Our flights were direct, so no stress in trying to catch any connecting flights.

We used private transfers 3 times and the vehicles were all 4-passenger sedans. They do pick you up and bring you directly to your next stop.

The first transfer was from Venice airport to our hotel; well, as close as we could get to our hotel without having to drive into the water :) The drive was about 20 minutes and our hotel was another 5 minute walk. For this service, we actually booked a group transfer (there were supposed to be 6-8 people in a vehicle) but we lucked out as it only ended up being my husband and I.

Then we booked a private transfer from Naples train station directly to our hotel in Sorrento which was about an hour drive. And the last private transfer was from our hotel in Sorrento to Naples airport, also about an hour drive.

It was a splurge, but worth it for the convenience and comfort on our honeymoon.

It sounded great to me. I actually like leaving a city thinking we could have been there longer versus feeling like we spent too much time there. In 2003, we spent one whirlwind day in Rome (Took an early morning train in and out) and had a blast.

Connie, ONE day in Rome,, please tell me you have been back , or had been before.. I don't even particularily like Rome, but even I would grant it deserves more then one day!!!

Anne,

Where did you find this private car company? Are you able to tell us the name or website? It certainly would be nice to be able to just sit in a car and be ferried to next stop, and I can understand that for a honeymoon it would be a nice treat, but , I also think it would be nice for some of the posters who come onboard here and ask about ease of travel with mobility impaired companions, to have such a choice sounds ideal.

Pat, No problem!

In Venice, we used Destination Venice:
http://www.destination-venice.com/eng/arrangements_transfers.htm

In Naples/Sorrento, we used Acampora Travel:
http://www.acamporatravel.it/en/index.php

We were very happy with both companies. At the airport, our driver met us in the baggage claim area, and at the train station our driver met us at the end of the platform. Both held big signs with our name on it so we couldn't miss them. Both companies used black Mercedes sedans, and the drivers spoke English.

During the drive from Naples to Sorrento, we felt like we were on a private tour because the driver was telling us all about Sorrento the areas we were driving through. He even offered to stop if we wanted to take pictures, but we declined as the twisty roads were making me a bit nauseous ;) It was so kind of him to offer though!

Pat- In 2033 we did not even plan to go to Rome. Than we realized we were just a little over an hour away in Orvieto and so we rearranged our schedule to go in early on the train, spend the day, and come out in the evening. It was so much fun. I had it planned out to the second and we got to see St. Peters, The Vatican Museum, The Colloseum, The forum, The Pantheon, Trevi fountain (twice) and The Spanish Steps. What it taught me is that you don't always have as much time as you would like for something but if A day is all you have then go for it. (I have to admit that the RS book was encouraging since it said: "To do Rome in a day consider a side trip from Orvieto. Crazy as it sounds, if all you have is a day, it is a great one" That is all I needed to hear, The RS book actually laid out a schedule for us as well) We did return this year and had 3 days in Rome. But my husband and I both agree that our first "whirlwind" day there was very special and not really matched or equaled on this trip. There is just something about the first time you visit somewhere....

Anne , thanks for those sites!

Connie, wow, you did pack in that day,, I am actually in awe, I know , book or not, I could have never gotten all that done, simply because I spend alot of time getting lost every where I go( and I am not saying this is always a bad thing,,LOL )You really had to be organized!

First trips are funny, sometimes a place really is magic the first time, and other times it has to " grow " on you,, and some places just get better and better with each visit. I do know many friends who don't understand my desire to return to certain places , over and over again.. but , I do think your first trip was special, mostly because of the giddyness you must have experienced running around like that ( just kidding!) LOL

Finally someone else with the same mind set as me! People seem so uptight about 'face pace' traveling. I can reflect when I get back to the states that's what travel journals are for. Congrats it sounds like a wonderful trip:)