My husband and I are returning to Italy for our 10 year anniversary. We got engaged there and visited the biggies - Cinque Terre, Florence, Rome, and Venice. We want to get into the countryside this time. Our plan is to fly into Milan and day trip to Como and Verona. Then, we'll go to Siena with a day trip to Florence. We'll then go to Orvieto for two nights, down to Sorrento for two nights, and end with four nights in Rome. The question is: with only two nights in Sorrento, can we see Paestum and Positano? Also, we're only spending two nights in Siena. Is that enough time to cover Siena and Florence? This trip feels too packed to us.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32213 posts
Elizabeth, I agree, your Itinerary does seem a bit "too packed" considering the short time frame. How many days are you planning to be in Milan? Will you have time for day trips to both Como and Verona? My preference would be to spend two full days in Siena, rather than take a day trip to Florence. It's a beautiful city and I'd much prefer to relax and enjoy the ambience (and of course some Gelato). With your visit to Sorrento, you won't have a lot of time when the travel time is considered. While it may be feasible to visit Positano and Paestum while there, it wouldn't allow any time to see Sorrento. You'd be travelling for much of your time there. Again, I'd prefer the more relaxing approach of having a look around Sorrento, and of course enjoying some Limoncello! Unless you can increase your holiday time to allow the other visits, I'd skip some of the day trips. Congratulations on your 10-year anniversary! Happy travels!
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23291 posts
My experience is when you ask that question you know the question but are hoping that someone will disagree with you. YES, it overly packed but you knew that. I guessing you have two weeks from adding up the days trying to visit yet trying to visit 10 cities. You will spend the majority of your time traveling. I would reduce it to no more than three or four locations. Save Como and Verona for another trip when you are headed in that direction. Even Sorrento is some distance south of Rome and could be saved for another trip. If it was my trip I would spend a couple days in Milan and go to Florence as base for the countryside for Lucca, Pisa, Assisi, Siena. If you saw most of that on you earlier trip, then head to Sorrento and work that area - Capri, Pompeii, etc. Personally I would reduce by half.
Posted by
Catadupa Alamere, CA
515 posts
Based on RS I've used Sorrento as a base camp and it worked well. If you cut down on all those locations, the Sorrento area has more than enough to keep you busy http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/destinations/italy/amalfi.htm
Posted by
Clermont FL, USA
58 posts
Elizabeth,
I agree with other posters, too much for too little time. I love Siena and would stay there at least 2 nights (beautiful medieval town, especialy at night), but you must stay in the old town. Orvieto was also amazing for such a visitied site, the duomo is fantastic, Not much there to do in the daytime (one day and you have seen the place), but as Rick says, magical at night. I could see staying three nights in Siena and a day trip to Florence, Lucca/Pisa (must bike the Lucca wall - Tower and out in Pisa). Lots to see in Florence, but I did not find the nights particularly charming like Siena. I am not big on southern Italy - much more crowded and hot. Milan is a big city, but the cathedral is quite the site. Verona is pretty and worth the day trip. Best of luck, but I would try and stay at least two nights per stop, otherwise you never feel like you saw anything, preferrably three. It is a long haul from Milan to Siena (all day). Milan (3 nights), TD, Siena (3 nights) (week one), Orvieto (2 nights), Roma etc the rest.
Posted by
Sacramento, California U.S.A.
10235 posts
Keep in mind that for every two nights you spend in a location, that equals only one full day. I don't know that it would be worth the time to do a day trip to Como. Verona would be much more doable. You've been to Florence, so why not just spend your time in Siena? You could spend one night in Orvieto and add the extra time to Sorrento. I would spend no less than 3 nights there.