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Seeking Itinerary - first timers in Italy

Posted by (Portland, Oregon) on

Greetings, we are a family of four (me, hubbie are 60 and my two kids are 24, from Portland, OR) Looking for folks to add their top advice on things to do and see, given the time in each city/area we'll be in.

Trip is SOON! September 3rd - 17th...Flying into Venice, Flying out of Naples

Venice; stay 2 days/nights - first day there 4 hours after we touch down we are doing a short foodie tour to get familiar with the city Next day murano and burano on a small boat tour.
Also, wish to catch a gondola ride after walking around the Biennale if I can find it.

Q: Can I fit anything else in in Venice?

Then: From Venice take Train to Florence to pick up car to drive in Tuscany - staying 5 nights in Lucca.
Hopes are possibly: Bike Lucca, Beach, Cinque Terre, any Castle/Hill town, and Farm/winery/food/music experience, and Florence.

Question: What makes sense to do in Tuscany for 5 days ? (we are active and nature lovers) And should we really get a car then??

Then on to Rome, 3 days and then Naples area and maybe Sorrento, Ischia? 3 days and fly home from Naples

Q: What to do in Rome and Naples area?

Many thanks for your advise!

Posted by
8075 posts

Are you spending any time in Florence? Don't miss this wonderful city.

You need more than three days in Rome. The big items in Rome are the Coliseum and Forum, then St. Peter's Basilica and the Sistine Chapel. Don't miss the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps. Also, take in Trajan's Forum, The Capitoline Museum.

There are several other sites to see as well. Check out TripAdvisor "things to do" for the city.

As for the Naples are, don't miss Sorrento, Capri, the Amalfi Coast and Pompeii. Also, there is a great museum in Naples.

Posted by
11636 posts

Sounds like much of what you do will be decided on the fly. Suggest you arm yourselves with Rick Steves’ Italy guidebook and peruse the sections for your destinations. May be have each of the kids pick something important to them?

Posted by
505 posts

Venice is gonna be thronged, hot and short-tempered. Be patient, try to find a quiet table for a spritz, enjoy your time on the water. Escape with a waterside lunch over on Guidecca, or visit the amazing San Michele island cemetary,

I love Lucca but it's not a great base for Tuscany exploration. It's too far north and having a car is kinda inconvenient in the city. Lucca is awesome and I can make some specific reqs if your eventual itinerary takes you there. There are wineries around there that will arrange drivers or you can do that on your own. There will be music every day in Lucca and there may be wine tastings going on.
Beach towns and Cinque Terre are reachable via train from Lucca. Traffic along this area gets ridiculous at times so I would absolutely NOT drive. Day trips to Florence from Lucca are easy.

Central Tuscany sounds more like what your are envisioning though. If you want golden fields, hill towns and tile roofs - maybe shift your focus there for those 5 days? You could check out Siena or Montalcino or an agriturismo farmstay.

I don't love Rome; especially in the heat of early September. If it were me, I'd totally skip it for this trip and allocate those days to the Lucca. That way you get 3 nights in Lucca and 5 nights in the heart of Tuscany.

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