My husband and I are beginning to plan a 2 week trip to Italy. We'll probably go the first two weeks of October and want to begin north ie. Venice and end with one or two relax/regroup days somewhere in the Amalfi Coast perhaps Positano. My initial thought is Venice, Florence, Tuscany, Rome and Alalfi. We've never been to Italy and know this trip will allow us to only brush the surface. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Posted by
Pa and Italy
4152 posts
5 locations in just two weeks is too much travel without enough reward. I would choose 3 locations and visit those. A week in Tuscany will give you a good amount of time to explore that area. You don't say where you're flying int/out of but I suggest flying into one city and out of another. If you want to visit Venice I would fly into there, spend a few days, train to a town in Tuscany, spend a week there, then train to Rome and fly out from there.
You'll need to rent a car to get to some of the smaller towns in Tuscany but if you decide you only want to visit some of the larger "small" towns such as Pisa, Siena or Lucca you can do that via public transportation.
I would save the AC and Positano for your next trip when you have more time.
Donna
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
Since you've been to Italy before, which of the cities you mention are new for you?
If you can be happy with two nights in Venezia, then six nights in Tuscany (including Firenze), you would have five or six nights (do you have 14 nights on the ground, or fewer?) for Roma and the Amalfi Coast (two for Roma if you've been there before). Otherwise, I would cut something.
Posted by
Portland, Oregon, United States
907 posts
What do you want to see?
Venice is unique and worth a visit, 3 nights.
Now, Roman history and Christianity? Go to Rome and use a guide.
Renaissance art and architecture? Go to Florence
Rural Italy, wine, food? Tuscany (hills and wine), Umbria (green and wine), Emilia Romagna (food and wine).
Mediterranean beauty and the life stye of the rich and famous? Amalfi Coast, Positano and Ravello
Pick your priorities and plan your trip. I recommend driving in Tuscany and Umbria but trains elsewhere. The Amalfi Coast is a tough one for transport so be aware of that. One night or two may not give you the relaxation you want. Maybe the Lazio coast somewhere would be better.
Posted by
5320 posts
I would choose between rural Tuscany and the Amalfi coast. Otherwise, it is not enough time for it all. However, if I chose the Amalfi coast, I would try to do that first for weather reasons.
Posted by
OP
8 posts
Thank you all for your good input. This is a work in progress for sure.