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Need help planning 12-day trip to Italy: Venice/AmalfiCoast/Rome trip

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My girlfriend and I are going to Italy for 12 days in early October. We arrive in Venice and depart from Rome. Our tentative itinerary is as follows: 4 days in Venice; travel south toward Naples/Sorrento/Amalfi Coast; spend between 4 and 5 days in Naples/Sorrento/Amalfi Coast, with the Amalfi Coast being the biggest priority; travel north to Rome; spend the remainder of the trip (3 to 4 days) in Rome before flying out from FCO. We know for sure that we want to visit and spend big chunks of time in Venice, Positano (in the Amalfi Coast), and Rome, but we are contemplating making time to visit Florence or any other small towns in Tuscany--either for a quick stop or just one night. It should be noted that we have never been to Italy (or anywhere in Europe for that matter), so we could use some help from more seasoned travelers. That said, here are specific questions we have about getting the most out of our trip:

  1. Should we make time to stop in Florence on our way down to the Amalfi Coast? We're not big arts people so our instincts are to skip it all-together on this trip and maybe come back on another occasion. We, however, big foodies and I hear the food there is amazing, but I'm also sure that this is true in many other parts of Italy that we'll be visiting. And, if we decide to make a stop in Florence, it won't be for more than one night. Is that enough time to make it a worthwhile stop? Alternatively, would it be best to take a small detour in a nearby hill town in Tuscany?

  2. To make our way south from Venice to Naples/Sorrento/Amalfi Coast, should we take a high-speed train or rent a car? Which option is more affordable? And, what will allow for more flexibility in terms of being able to stop at cool places we find along the way?

  3. We plan on staying at least 3 nights in Positano, but also are considering spending some time in Naples and/or Sorrento. Can we lodge in Positano and make day trips to Naples and Sorrento, or would it be best to stop in Naples/Sorrento before reaching Positano?

Thanks so much in advance for your responses.

Posted by
8242 posts

Skip Florence. It is too crowded too many tourists you can not walk for a short visit and what people say about food wherever you go that is all subjective. It is always cheaper to take the train than to rent a car in Italy but of course a car lets you stop. Go with what you can afford to do.

Posted by
1135 posts

Yes, definitely skip Florence this trip. I think that your travel plan and time in each destination is appropriate. Yes, you can day trip to Sorrento from Positano. Naples too, but that may be a bit far for a day trip, given the short amount of time you have on the AC. If you must visit Naples, I would try to do that on the way back up to Rome. Take a look at Ravello. That's our town of choice when we go to the AC.

As for transportation, I would actually fly from Venice to Naples and then rent a car there for the AC. I know that many people here frown on driving the AC, but we've done it in April, June and September and have been fine every time. Just take your time and pay attention to the road. When your done in the AC take the car back to Naples and then train to Rome.

Posted by
7175 posts

Something like this would give you a glimpse of both Florence and Naples.

Day 1. Arrive Venice (3N)
Day 4. Early train to Florence (1N)
Day 5. Late train to Naples (1N)
Day 6. Afternoon transfer to Positano (3N)
Day 7. Capri
Day 8. Amalfi & Ravello
Day 9. Via Pompeii to Rome (4N)
Day 13. Depart Rome

Posted by
18 posts

Thanks for the great insight! We have Capri in mind as well and were thinking of making that a day trip from Positano or Sorrento. Is that doable or should we stay there for at least one night?

Posted by
1135 posts

Capri is a perfect day trip from Positano, Sorrento or Amalfi. You have several options to take the hydro foil over in the morning and come back in the afternoon.

Posted by
5 posts

We are taking a cruise out of Venice and ending up in Rome. Does anyone have suggestions for a moderately priced hotel near the Vatican or suggestions as to a better location? We'd prefer one with breakfast included. We're staying 6 nights and plan to take a day excursion on the train to Florence, but staying near the train station seems too far away from most of the sites.

Posted by
487 posts

dordie.lamphier, you should start a new post with your question as it does not pertain to the OP's question and responses will get confused.

Posted by
1045 posts

It's great to get different opinions, then you can work out your own plans with all the advice and insights. We have been once for 10 nights (excluding travel), and decided to skip Florence, as we wanted to go to Positano instead.

We did Venice > Rome > Positano....last night in Naples and left from there. are your airline reservations already made?

You will be walking a lot, and Rome is so busy, we loved ending our stay on the coast enjoying the sea. But I don't know what the weather is like in Positano during October, son,aybevthevestlier you get there the better, but here is my suggestion.

Venice - 3 nights. I personally think 4 is too much, not a lot to do.
Rome - Rome - 5 nights
Positano - 3 nights
Naples - 1 night and leave next morning.

If you have to leave from Rome, I'd do

Venice - 3 nights
Positano - 4 nights
Rome - 5 nights...do some close day trips

I'd lessen the stress by taking fast trains and no car...they are not only easy to use, but it actually gives you a mini break to relax. Someone mentioned flying from Venice to Naples, that could be an option.

Posted by
18 posts

Thanks for the great suggestions Lulu348. I should clarify that we are only spending 3 full days in Venice (we arrive early on the 3rd and leave early on the 6th). We have our airfare already booked so leaving from Rome is a must. Still, I love your suggestion of ending the trip by relaxing by the sea. Many thanks!

Posted by
1045 posts

It's 3.5 hours by fast train from Venice to Rome...its very relaxing. It was nice to do that before the hustle bustle of Rome. After Rome, we then took the fast train to Salerno..about 2 hours, then caught the ferry over to
Positano...beautiful way to see the amalfi coast. a bus goes from Salerno to Positano also, in case it's not running do to inclement weather. There are a lot of different ways to get from Point A to Point B. Why don't you decide the order you want to tour, then we all can help,you with the logistics

.http://www.travelmar.it/en/

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