Hello travel friends!
I love this group! I have been lucky enough to visit Italy before and am planning another trip in early May. I will have 10 full days. I have been to Milan, CT, Venice, Rome, Amalfi Coast, Florence, Siena (briefly) and taken a day trip to the Tuscan countryside. I love Florence but have spent a good amount of time there in the past. I prefer small towns to big cities. I am an experienced solo traveler and like to move fast and light but not feel rushed. Due to a medical condition, I can’t drive but am very comfortable with trains. On my last trip, my time in Rome was limited so I want to go back for a bit but I want to explore new places. I am very open to suggestions or other places to visit that make more sense logistically and would very much appreciate your thoughts on this draft of my itinerary:
Whitney
May 3 – Land in Rome at 8:00 am (Sleep in Rome)
May 4 – Rome (Sleep in Rome)
May 5 – Day trip to Orvieto (Sleep in Rome)
May 6 – Rome to Bologna (Sleep in Bologna)
May 7 – Day trip to Parma (Sleep in Bologna)
May 8 – Morning in Bologna, afternoon in Florence (Sleep in Florence)
May 9 – Daytrip to Lucca from Florence (Sleep in Florence)
May 10 – Small group tour to Tuscan countryside and winery (Sleep in Siena or Florence)
May 11 – Small group tour to Tuscan countryside and olive oil experience (Sleep in Siena or Florence)
May 12 – Back to Rome (Sleep in Rome near airport)
May 13 – Depart FCO 10:10 am
Posted by
Edmonds, WA 🌨 ☂
12006 posts
Given your arrival time in Rome I would go to the farthest point that day and work back toward Rome and do all the Rome days in a single stay. Save one hotel change.
Overall looks well planned
Posted by
Gettysburg PA
7280 posts
Looks nice!
Any interest in Ravenna?
If so, add a night to Bologna and day trip to see the mosaics. I have a feeling Ravenna is going to get busier and busier now with cruise ships docking nearby.
We will be there at mostly same time/ same places. We are flying home from FCO on 5/13 as well. We did put all of our Rome nights at end, our flight is 11 so we’ll stay in center on last night.
Posted by
OP
USA
21 posts
Great idea to combine days in Rome at the end! I hadn't thought of that.
Posted by
Gettysburg PA
7280 posts
We are heading to Orvieto on arrival
Not too far and seems a good place to get over jet lag
You’d have to redo your itinerary but that should be easy enough
Posted by
Fort Myers, FL
1916 posts
I agree with Joe. Always best to travel back to your departure city. This will also give you excellent evening bases, Bologna, Florence, Siena and Rome, all excellent train routes for day trips or tours.
May 3 – Land in Rome at 8:00 am--Train to Bologna (Sleep in Bologna)
May 4 – Bologna (Sleep in Bologna)
May 5 – Day trip to Parma (Sleep in Bologna)
May 6 – Bologna to Florence (Sleep in Florence)
May 7 – Day trip to Lucca (Sleep in Florence)
May 8 – Florence to Siena (Sleep in Siena)
May 9 – Small group tour to Tuscan countryside and winery (Sleep in Siena)
May 10 – Small group tour to Tuscan countryside and olive oil experience (Sleep in Siena)
May 11 – Siena to Rome (Sleep in Rome)
May 12 – Rome (Sleep in Rome near airport)
May 13 – Depart FCO 10:10 am
Posted by
Irving
3315 posts
May 3 – sleep in the Trastevere neighborhood if possible. If not stay at the nearby Hotel Smeraldo across the River Tiber.
May 10 – sleep in Siena. I prefer this town at night.
May 11 – sleep in Siena.
May 12 – I stayed at the Hilton once and had a nice dinner there.
Posted by
OP
USA
21 posts
Wow! Thank you all so much for your fantastic suggestions. I'll be adjusting my plans based on your input.
Posted by
Arizona
128 posts
We arrive in Rome at 8:00 AM on May 3rd too. We're heading straight to our first stop, Assisi, and then ending our final trip days in Rome. I would suggest, as others have, that you head straight to your first destination. I would go to Orvieto first for at least two nights. We spent three nights there and loved it. The Cathedral is amazing and there are other worthwhile museums too. There are several wonderful restaurants and amazing ceramic shops. Have fun!