Need Itinerary Advice

I'll let some other posters chime in on Florence vs. Amalfi, and just say that Florence is one of the most expensive cities in Italy. It's a very special city and I like it a lot, but I can't imagine your budget will feel any better in Florence over Amalfi.

One budget-friendly suggestion would be to drop Florence AND Amalfi from the plan and go to a smaller hill town such as Orvieto, Siena, Perugia, or Assisi. This would be an interesting contrast to Rome, and smaller cities tend to be easier on the pocketbook.

Christina,

Since you'll be on a "beer budget", my suggestion would be to drop the Amalfi Coast this time and focus on Rome and the north of Italy.

The previous post had some good suggestions on place you might visit. I didn't find Florence any more expensive than other locations. I did find Venice quite expensive though. As you'll be based in Rome, a day trip to Pompeii will be a LONG day. Try to leave as early as possible.

I'd suggest packing along a copy of the Italy Guidebook, as it will be a good source of reference during the trip to determine opening & closing times for Museums, transportation, costs, etc.

Congratulations and Happy Travels!

I agree with Liz

Train to Orvieto is easy. Maybe use it as a base and take the bus from Orvieto to Civita for a day and also you could take the train into Siena.

As other posters say always say you will be back. Do Amalfi first when you do come back.

I may get into trouble for this one. I have been to italy a few times and Perugia one of the least favorite places to see. What is your budget? I spent lots of time researching where to stay in Sorrento and taking a train to Pompeii. The budget gets dicey when you convert our dollar to the euro. A room that is 65.00 euro will cost sbout 92.00 american dollars.
I loved Florence. I think the rate in Florence will be the same as the Amalfi. It also depends what your likes are....Museums, churches etc. I am going to the Amalfi coast and to Unbria in 1 week from today.
Can let you know what I thought.

Hi Christina - From Rome you can take the train down to Naples - then the hydrofoil to Sorrento for 8 euro's per person. Enjoy the old section of Sorrento which is fantastic then walk up to the main square(5 minutes) and take the Sita bus to positano in 20 minutes - A FANTASTIC RIDE!! From Positano you can hydrofoil it back to Naples OR take the bus back to Sorrento and back to Naples. Inexpensive but great.
Going North to Liguria take the train to La Spezia - then the local to La Cinque Terre - 5 amazing villages!! You can walk the trail on the cliffs from village to village and then train it back to Rome - Inexpensive but Wonderful!!

Ciao, Greg

Hi Christina,
It all depends on what the 'beer budget' is- domestic or imported! Seriously, we got better rates in Sorrento for 3 nights in October (first week) than we did in Florence or Venice. We are going to Venice, Florence, Rome and then on to Sorrento and from Sorrento will take day trips of the Amalfi Coast but I think if you find the right place to stay, you can do the Amalfi coast on a budget and definitely in 2-3 days. Check out Hotel Il Nido in Sorrento- rooms with a view for around 80 euros per night. Good luck and happy travels!

Wow! Everytime I think I have made up my mind, there's another great suggestion. Terry: I'd say we have an imported beer budget. I just want to spend it wisely. I was told that it was more expensive to go south to Amalfi in transportation costs than to go to Florence. I want to go to churches, museums, etc., but my husband wants to be outside doing things as he put it. Thank you everyone for your input. I have to keep reminding myself, I can always go back.

Hi Christina,
Considering that this is your honeymoon, you will have a fabulous time no matter what. Since you will be spending time in Rome, you will certainly get your chance to spend time in the museums, churches etc, and in Florence, there will be much more of the same, while the Amalfi Coast will allow your new husband to do the outdoors thing he is looking for. Much of the Amalfi Coast involves wandering around in the beautiful towns which doesn't cost much more than the transportation getting there. Congratulations and have a wonderful honeymoon wherever you decide to go.

Have a great trip,
Terry and Jeff

Thank you so much. You are very kind. I truly appreciate your advice and I know my husband will love it too since that's really where he wants to go! Thank you again. Christina

Christina,
Check out this place in Sorrento:
http://www.oldtavernasorrentina.it - I was reading reviews of the restaurant and found that they also have rooms (bed and breakfast) for 60 euros per night with availability in October. Looks really nice! Restaurant got great reviews (#1 place on tripadvisor list of restaurants in Sorrento).
Terry

Another vote for Il Nido in Sorrento as a great budget stay. They also have great dinners. I don't know that Florence is that much less expensive than the AC. Day trips to the AC from Rome do not seem to be a good use of time.

"Restaurant got great reviews (#1 place on tripadvisor list of restaurants in Sorrento). Terry"

The latest good reviews for this resto came in a sudden flurry so am a bit sceptical. Have not eaten there, the guy standing outside inviting people inside always puts me off, so maybe unfair.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g187782-d1231142-Reviews-Old_Taverna_Sorrentina-Sorrento_Campania.html

The trouble with trying to do the Amalfi region in 2 or 3 days (Capri, Positano, Pompeii, etc) is that you have to factor in the time it takes to get from one place to the other. It will be go, go, go all the time. You really won't be able to enjoy it all. Pompeii easily takes half a day to really do it justice. You have to factor in travel time by bus as the roads are very twisty and narrow, and traffic jams can occur. Also, depending on the ferry, it can take a while to get to and from Capri. I would try to concentrate on a smaller chunk of the Amalfi coast and not be so ambitious. Make a list of your "must sees" and then if you have time take in some of the other sites. Making a "day trip" from Florence to Pompeii might not be as easy as you think. It is quite a long ride and will take several hours to get there by train, and then once you get there you have to find your way to Pompeii and do the same in reverse to get back. You also have to factor in time for eating, etc... Try not to bite off more than you can chew, because things don't move as fast as they do here in the U.S. If you want to stay in the Amalfi region and are up for a challenge but want a nice place to stay on a beer budget, then I have a recommendation for you. Last year I stayed in Amalfi at a little B & B called "Le Palme Amalfi". Their rooms start at 40 Euro. Here is the catch: Their place is located on the side of a steep hillside amongst the lemon groves. It is 300 steps down from the Hotel Excelsior above and another 656 steps down to the road below leading to town. They have a porter service for your bags. If you would like, I can send to you pictures of its location so that you can see for yourself. The owner's have a restaurant in town and can have dinner brought to you. They have the best lasagna and eggplant parmigiana I have ever tasted.

If you choose Florence, I stay at the B & B "Il Salotto di Firenze" which has very nice and reasonably priced rooms.

If you want spectacular...Florence is your answer. Find an inexpensive place to stay and walk the most beautiful city in the world. Dine late in the evening and people watch listening to the muscians in the Piazza Repubblica. Florence is so walkable and the Hotel Pendini has a breakfast room on top of the arch overlooking the Piazza Repubblica below. It is inexpensive and cenrally located.

Know what your groom likes, fresh air...then take him to the Bobbli Gardens, and if he can take another painting, the the Uffizi Gallery is a must. Why waste your time traveling from city to city...go to Florence and relax and see what you can.

In the evening eat gelato while people watching in Piazza Repubblica and listening to the strolling musicians will be one of the most romantic memories you will ever make in Italy.

Claudia

An alternative to visiting Florence and the Amalfi coast might be to take several day trips from Rome. I found the following in researching our own planned trip and will add one or two of the following suggestions to our itinerary.

http://www.italyheaven.co.uk/daytrips.html