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May 2017 Italy Itinerary

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I will be going on a solo trip to Italy in May. I have read that Europe can be quite safe but you must stay vigilant. I want to make sure the towns are "solo female travel" friendly. I read that it is more common to find a solo female traveler in Southern Italy than Northern. Should this be of concern. I have listed my suggested itinerary below with lodging details.

May 3: Arrive Rome; fly to Venice (Sleep Venice 2 nights @ Airbnb)
May 4: Venice
May 5: Venice to Florence (Sleep Florence 3 nights @ Airbnb)
May 6: Florence
May 7: Museums in the morning (Free first Sunday); afternoon trip from Florence to Pisa
May 8: Florence to Siena; day trip to Chanti with wine and dinner (Sleep Siena 1 night at Meuble IL RICCIO)
May 9: Siena to Sorrento (Sleep Sorrento 2 nights at La Tonnerella)
May 10: Sorrento; Day trip to Capri
May 11: Sorrento to Rome (Sleep Rome 6 nights @ Hotel Lancelot)

ALTERNATE ITINERARY FOR MAY 8-17
May 8: Florence to Sorrento (Sleep Sorrento 2 nights Grand Hotel Riveria)
May 10: Sorrento to Rome (Sleep Rome 7 nights @ Hotel Lancelot)

Questions:
1. Do you think I have too many nights in Rome?
2. Should I add a day before Rome to explore the Amalfi Coast? I did not choose Cinque Terre because I am not a big hiker.
3. Should I brave renting a car and driving from Florence or Siena to Sorrento?

Any suggestions/revisions regarding these questions, lodging options or the itinerary will be greatly appreciated.

Posted by
1079 posts

I like your itinerary. I would make one suggestion. I would take one of the days from Rome and add it to Venice. You will be very tired by the time you get to Venice. Venice is unlike any other city in the world. You will do a lot of walking in Venice so I think another day will serve you well. I would not rent a car. Navigating on your own will be challenging especially in Italy.

Posted by
8243 posts

Add a an extra day in Sorrento or someplace else and subtract one from Rome.
Don't drive take the trains it is cheaper and safer for a solo traveler.

Posted by
15798 posts

Arrive Rome, fly to Venice. Is the FCO-VCE flight part of your US-FCO ticket or is it booked separately? If it's on the same ticket, then your luggage is checked through and it's pretty simple. If not, things get tricket. You have to collect luggage and recheck it, and if there's any delay in your arrival and you miss the flight to Venice, then neither airline is responsible and you could be up a creek - having to buy a new ticket at full price (and hope that there's an available seat).

Free Sunday is usually the worst time to visit a museum. Lots of crowds so you may have to stand in line for a long time to get in, and then it could be so crowded you can barely move through or see anything. If you are planning to see "minor" museums, you may be okay, but the Academia or the Uffizi . . . ugh.

Sorrento is too far, in my opinion, for 2 nights. You'll use up too much time just getting there and back. Either spend at least 3 nights (4 would be better) or skip it, adding a night to Venice and one to either Tuscan city. I don't see a great advantage to sleeping in Siena. Can you not find a day trip to Chianti from Florence? Also, it will be more complicated/time-consuming to get the Sorrento from Siena than from Florence.

Lastly, don't bother with a car, it's more trouble than any possible benefit.

Posted by
7175 posts

May
8. Day to Siena
Return to sleep a 4th night in Florence
9. Train via Naples to Sorrento (4N)
10. Day to Capri (ferry)
11. Day to Pompeii & Naples (train)
12. Day to Positano & Ravello (bus)
13. Train to Rome (4N)
14-16. Rome & Vatican
17. Depart Rome

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