Planning our trip (9 nights) to Rome + "undecided" in October

Welcome, Ben! You’re quite right that it wouldn’t be a good idea to book your train ticket in advance, in case of flight delays. I’m wondering, do you want to actually visit Naples, or are you just thinking of it as a jumping-off point for the Amalfi Coast? If it’s the latter, you might consider taking the train to Salerno instead, and either stay in Salerno or wherever you prefer. Since you’ll be on the Coast in October, you can avail yourself of the Travelmar Ferries to get around (www.Travelmar.it). Anyway, I hope you have a lovely time!

I agree with the above. Naples has a wonderful archeological museum, but I wouldn't stay there. Actually, you could spend your entire trip in Rome. Do a day trip out to Ostia Antica and so much more!

We’re going to Rome on our trip #2 this October, but are staying in Rome the whole week. Trip #1 was back in 2012, also taking a full week for Rome. The museums, remarkable churches, and other sights took up a whole week, and we still had places we didn’t get to see.

That same 2012 trip, we also stayed a week in Sorrento, which was our “Amalfi” location. We used it as a base for the actual Amalfi coast, as well as Capri, and Naples/Pompeii/Herculaneum. Are you planning on a day or two on the actual Amalfi (Town of Amalfi, or Positano, etc.) or the general area? Are art and historical museums in Rome (or Naples) a big draw for you, or will that not be a priority?

For museums, Rome needs a minimum of 3 days/nights. Split your time evenly between Rome and Amalfi if Amalfi is a major priority. Otherwise, 5 days Rome and 2 days for a quick Amalfi experience. Enjoy your trip - I hope we both get good weather and Covid procedures don’t make things too challenging.

Correct, you would not want to book a train in case you are delayed. Most people seem to prefer the train, but just so you know, there is a direct bus from the airport. I like the idea of just hopping on a bus and napping on arrival, though I have not used this particular service: https://www.fiumicinoexpress.com/?lang=en
However, you should consider taking the train to Salerno if your ultimate destination is on the Amalfi Coast and you did not intend to see anything in Naples. The ferry is a short walk from the bus station, so if the schedules align well enough, I'd choose that over a driver. Do be sure to check schedules, as the ferry service ends in October, but I think after your dates.
https://www.travelmar.it/en/index
I would wait to book until closer to the trip when you have checked a ten day forecast. If the weather does not look promising, I'd stay in Rome or check out Naples. Weather will probably be good, but nothing is more depressing than a beautiful place in the rain!
Last, who is "we" as that may affect advice. There is really no amount of time that will give you everything in Rome, yet I would not want to travel all that way just to spend only a couple days at the coast. Perhaps list all you want to see or do on the coast so we can better advice the amount of time you should allot. Do you want to see Pompeii, etc., or are you just going for the beautiful views? Any interest in hiking?

@lnbsig - You are right, we do not have much interest in Naples with our limited time, so we were using it as a midpoint to get to Positano. However, if I understand you correctly, you are saying to take the train straight to Salerno and then a ferry(if it's running at time of year) or bus to Positano.

@Cyn - I think we could do our whole week in Rome, but I've always heard about the Amalfi Coast and was able to get a great deal on a B&B there for 3 nights to start off our trip.. Since we are only going there for some sightseeing and to check it off our bucket list, maybe we shouldn't stay more than two days there and should use the extra day to head back to Rome. Yes, archeological sites and museums are a big draw for me and my wife.

@valadelphia - that is a good tip about the weather forecast as the trip gets closer. Thankfully our hotel reservations in Rome and our B&B in Positano have free cancellations so I have some flexibility to move those dates/nights around. We are just going to Positano for the views and maybe a hike or boat trip around Capri.

Three years ago we had 8 nights in Rome and 4 on the Amalfi Coast (as well as 2 in Naples and 1 in Pompeii). Given your 7-night limit, I think either a 5/2 or 4/3 split would work, although I'd personally lean toward 5/2 because we really loved Rome. As others have said, a little more information about your interests might lead to a clearer decision. If you love lively cities, you will love Rome.

@Barbara - Our interests include awesome food, good coffee, gelato.. haha. Basically all things related to food. Plus beautiful views and visiting as many of the archeological sites in Rome that we can. Would you recommend just staying the whole week in Rome?

I think if I only had 7 nights, I would spend it all in Rome and eliminate the travel time. If I had 8 nights, I'd consider a 5/3 split, but to go to the AC for just 2 nights doesn't quite seem worth it to me given how much there is to see and do in Rome, and the food is fantastic in both places. We roughly sketched out our Rome and Amalfi days in advance (although we always leave ourselves some flexibility). Maybe doing that would help you figure out what would work best for you.

Hi Ben, your enthusiasm is contagious! It reminds me of researching our first trip to Italy in 2006. I read several RS guides and recalled how excited we were to start in Rome. We took a 2 week tour of Tuscany & Umbria. We spent 5 nights in Rome and wished we had more time. As far as Naples & Amalfi Coast, that trip didn't come until 2014. That was a 3.5 week tour that started in Rome (once again) and ended in Sicily.

My thoughts: due to limited nights take the time to explore Rome and perhaps a day trip to Ostia Antica. As much as I love Amalfi I think it warrants more time. I like the idea of "less is more." October should be lovely!

It's a tough one for me because I'm more of a nature nut, but I think I'd save the Amalfi coast. Come back next year (fingers crossed) and see one of the greatest archaeological sites on Earth and really enjoy the area leisurely.
You could absolutely do both, but a full week in Rome is a luxury few get to enjoy. There are lots of food tours, and you would really be able to enjoy the city without rushing around too much.

Thank you to everyone for the replies. Planning the trip and researching is really half the fun of it all.

Upon further thought, I think we will try and spend the whole week in Rome with a possible day trip out somewhere. There are just too many things to see and I wouldn't want to spend 8 hours out of hour 6 to 7 days there traveling down to the Amalfi Coast.

Since a couple of people of mentioned it, what's the draw for a day trip to Ostia Antica? Is visiting anywhere in the Tuscany region worth a day trip?

@valadelphia - The only thing I have booked so far is the Travestere Twilight food tour. Are there any others you have done that you'd recommend?

Would you recommend just staying the whole week in Rome?

YES

visiting as many of the archeological sites in Rome that we can

Check out Ostia Antica; --- https://www.ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/read/articles/ostia-antica-near-rome

Ben,
I think Ostia Antica will only add to your experience in Rome. We enjoy returning to Rome to revisit our favorite ancient sites. We enjoyed Pompeii on our second visit, but Ostia is closer for a first time visit. Worth the short trip.
https://thewanderingwanderluster.com/ostia-antica-from-rome-day-trip/

The only thing I have booked so far is the Travestere Twilight food
tour.

Excellent choice! If you didn’t use the discount code EATWELL10 I believe you can email them and they will add it.

First question- who is we?
Second question- is there any way at all that you can add a night or 2 to your trip?

If not- you have 7 nights.
You don’t mention visiting anywhere but Positano (no Pompeii, no Capri, right) so I’d have to agree with others that a trip all the way to Amalfi for just 2 nights there- one of which is a jet lag/travel day- is not worth the expense, time or trouble, especially not mid October when weather might be a factor. You won’t arrive at your lodgings til dinner time at best, it will already be dark.

However if your heart is set on seeing/chilling in Positano and just enjoying the views I’d give it 3 nights, make it worth the trouble.
Even though Rome could use all 7 of your nights.

I think going to the Salerno route is best- from there you have options- bus, ferry or private driver.

For Rome- make a list of all you want to visit- most sights if not all require advance ticketing now- and the major sights each need a good half day or more- and see if you can accomplish enough in just 3.5 days. (It will take half a day to get back to Rome from Positano).

Assume you will return to Italy and specifically to Rome. Our first trip to Rome was 5 nights- it wasn’t near enough, we have returned and will return again. Just so much to see and do there.

ETA: Ahh! I see you have decided to stay in Rome.
Ostia Antica would be a great- easy to get to on public transportation- about an hour.

A day trip to Orvieto would work well- It's Umbria- not Tuscany but it’s a hilltown experience and a day out of the city. Also about an hour on train.

Second the recommendation to visit Orvieto - not only is it gorgeous, but it has a nice little archeology museum, and some Etruscan ruins.

@Christine - thank you for the tips. I wish we could add a day or two, but since we're leaving baby with grandma, there's only so long we can be gone :).

I will look into both suggestions you mentioned - Ostia Antica and a day trip to Orvieto!

Ben
Don’t forget to allow time to get your COVID test before you fly home (I doubt that requirement will change)

There’s a few threads here on forum that address how and where to do that

Unfortunately my week in Rome was foiled by a government shutdown (thanks Cruz), but I read Elizabeth Minchilli and Katie Parla for food info in Rome (both have food blogs, offer tours, and have guides to Rome). I had booked with Gina Tringali: https://gtfoodandtravel.com/
I'm a fan of birra artiginale so I corresponded with Parla about some brew pubs.
I'd google something like "day trips from Rome" to find what appeals most, but Ostia Antica and Orvieto are certainly good choices.If you like archaeology, the Etruscan sites are definitely worth looking into, and there are several in Lazio.

Well - good news. Thanks to travel insurance and some looser airline regulations right now, we were able to reschedule our flights and give ourselves more time in Italy. We are still flying in and out of Rome, but now have 9 full days and 9 nights. I already had an itinerary planned with 5 full days in Rome, but now with this extra time I am trying to decide where to spend the extra 4 days (one would be the day we land). Having never been to Italy, I originally thought the Amalfi Coast would be neat since I've seen it in so many pictures, but now I'm leaning more towards Florence or Tuscany or even making the trip over to Venice, although that would be a big commute. Any additional thoughts on where to go with the extra time? I know I am going to get questions about our interests and the only good answer I have is we like seeing unique sites and we like good food. I do like history, but we don't know enough about art to want to spend days and days wandering through museums in Florence. Thanks in advance for any more feedback.

You could hop on a train to Venice, though that does waste some time (fast train is ~four hours), it is time you can spend napping. It is elegant in its simplicity--not a ton of day trips to fuss with. I find it mighty appealing to try to see Venice right now, when it may be slightly less crowded than usual.
Naples is a quicker train ride, and you could squeeze in Pompeii and the Amalfi coast.
If you are interested in Tuscany, you do not necessarily have to stay in Florence. It's a lot of leg work to figure out what works in Tuscany without a car. Lucca is a place that many love, and you can day trio to Pisa and the coast.