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Rome, Tuscany, Amalfi Coast

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We're planning an 11 day trip to Italy in July - We're flying into Rome, spending 2-3 nights exploring, then heading up to Tuscany for some wine-country time (and exploring Florence possibly? (3-4 nights). Then finally down to Amalfi for 5 nights and flying out of Naples.

I'm trying to figure out transfers between the cities. I'm thinking trains are the easiest/hiring a car ahead of time for anything difficult. I'm not opposed to renting a car in tuscany, but don't want to be driving all the time (esp at night!). We're pretty competent travelers, so I'm not worried about planning logistics, but I'm just trying to figure out the best way to do it!

Also - would LOVE suggestions for preferences on where to stay in Tuscany as a home base (deciding between 2 nights in 2 spots, or 3 nights in one spot... the extra night would give back to Rome). Thinking we're staying in Amalfi to be central to a lot (hoping for day trip to Capri, Naples, and do path of the gods; to name a few...) but open to suggestions about that as well!

Thanks!!

Posted by
4105 posts

Fly into Rome. Head by train immediately to Florence or Siena. 1-2 nites. Your first day is kind of wasted, use it to go to most distant location. Pick up rental car. Spend 2-3 nites in or near Castellina in Chianti or Montalcino. Drive to Rome 3 nites. drop car at Tiburtina station. Taxi to lodging. Train to Naples. Transfer to Amalfi 4-5 nites. Fly home.

Posted by
354 posts

Are your flights in and out finalized? If not, I would consider flying into Florence (3-4 nights and stay in Florence), train to Rome (4 nights) then Amalfi. I would take 1 night from Amalfi vs Florence to add to Rome. You could rent a care from Florence to visit wineries or take scheduled tour. Also easy to get to Lucca from Florence.

Personally, I would hate to have to hop on a train after a transatlantic flight to reach my final destination.

Posted by
907 posts

Personally I would drop a day on the Amalfi coast. It is hard to get around and you can hit the highlights in three days (4 nights), Capri, Amalfi, Ravello, and Sorrento.plus other places you want to see. Hiring a car and driver there works really well to maximize your experience.

Take the extra day in Rome. Consider hiring a walking guide here.

Otherwise, I think it looks good.

Tuscany, Siena is always a good location. Orvieto, Spoleto, or Assissi might good for an overnight in Umbria. They are an easy trip to Tuscany.

Posted by
2 posts

Yes, flights are finalized - we wanted to do Rome first when we had the most energy, and get a direct flight TO Italy. I don't want to change the order, because I agree, I wouldn't want to hop on a train right after the transatlantic flight either!!

Our plan is to do Rome, then tuscany, and end in Naples. I didn't realize Amalfi had too much time, you suggest 4 nights in Amalfi, 3 nights in rome, and 4 nights in Tuscany? If we have 4 nights in Tuscany, would you suggest staying in Florence for 2 nights & wine country for 2? Or 2 spots in Wine county somewhere?

Posted by
354 posts

My personal preference would be to stay in Florence for your stay in Tuscany. I would not want to switch hotels too frequently and I think Florence deserves the 4 nights. You can take a tour of Chianti as a day trip, go to Lucca or Siena as a day trip, take a cooking class, have a Florentine dinner with wine paring in the hills above Florence, or rent a car for a day and venture to some hill towns on your own. But I would base myself in Florence.

Whatever you do, I am sure you will have a great trip.

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