Hello - My wife and I are traveling into and out of room for the last two weeks in May. While we certainly want to spend at least a couple of days exploring Rome/Vatican, etc. we really are trying torn between spending +/- 10 days in Tuscany or the Amalfi Coast. We have been to neither but understand the distinct and different charm to each. Looking for any sage advice or insight into specifics around either. Our preference would be to not move through a bunch of overnight locations but anchor in one or two place and spend a lot of exploring via foot travel. We are both physically in good shape and are looking forward to better understanding the culture, art, food, drink and the many magnificent vistas. We'd appreciate your learned input and thank you.
Posted by
5356 posts
Amalfi coast = better without car
Tuscany = better with a car
Being a large area, it is easier to escape the crowds in Tuscany, and the AC seems to really be experiencing a surge that can be at times unpleasant. If you set aside the majors, you might not see another tourist in some Tuscan towns.
You can find Tuscan towns that you can walk between, but it is maybe not quite as easy as along the AC where there are trails linking several.
I am really glad I have been to the Amalfi Coast, but there are other beautiful coastal spots in Italy. There is only one Tuscany!
PS Tuscany has some gorgeous coast as well, and it's marvelous in May. Drive the Argentario coast and have it all to your selves (rather than be stuck on or behind a bus on the AC).
Posted by
Colorado Mountains, USA
8057 posts
IF you want to visit the Tuscany that many visitors prioritize (Florence, Siena, other hill towns) AND have some time along a coast, you can do that without leaving Tuscany. The Etruscan Coast, running between Livorno and Piombino, offers beaches and seaside views, and potential island trips (like Elba), while still staying well north of Rome. We’ve stayed in Castagneto Carducci, just inland from Donoratico on the coast, which is also the heart of the Bolgheri Super Tuscan wine region. Nearby towns include Cecina, Bolgheri, and Bibbona. Lots of ancient Etruscan architectural sights, if you’re interested in that, as well as, yes, more hilltowns if you drive into the mountains. There are spa towns, as well.
Posted by
Wyckoff, NJ, USA
8091 posts
Do you understand that the towns in both places are mostly too far apart to do walking daytrips? There may be a shortage of safe trails in both places, forcing you to walk along roads. (No personal experience) In late May, both places will be crowded, with limited bus services too crowded to fit all passengers onto "the next bus". It is often impossible to fly out of Rome the same day you wake up on the Amalfi Coast
Posted by
Gettysburg PA
7389 posts
Welcome to the forum!
Could you clarify what you mean by “foot travel”
As mentioned above neither area is really “walkable” other than while IN the towns
For Tuscany you’ll want a car and I’d recommend 2 bases-1 in Val d’Orcia like Pienza or Montepulciano
And another further north between Florence and Siena
For Amalfi coast area- 2 bases as well
Sorrento works for visits to Pompeii, Naples and Capri
Then a town on the coast -Amalfi is transportation hub with ferry and bus
You do not want a car on AC
You will need to be in Rome night before departure so you could put all Rome nights at end of trip
( travel to Florence/Tuscany on arrival-then AC then back to Rome)
Rome needs at least 4 non jet lagged nights
Posted by
Bay Area SF & Uppsala Sweden
1091 posts
Hi there and welcome! Lots of good advice above, and I would add that you can easily take day hikes in either AC or Tuscany. We walked for 3 days in mid December along part of the Chianti Classico, stopped for magnificent lunches, found places to stay, but I'm not sure about May, it will be a lot busier. I've also done a number of day hikes in Capri & the AC, and man were they ever HILLY. In fact, let's use the word 'stair master', but just for a day at a time.
Perhaps have a look at where you might like to base yourself in Tuscany with a car, or in the AC without one, as suggested. The views in the AC are truly magnificent, but the transport by bus is pretty lousy, we took the ferries. Thinking about it, I would say Tuscany will just be easier to sort out, consider staying at an Agritourismo, drive somewhere for a day's walk, return to base perhaps? Or one of innumerable amazing smaller towns, Have a great trip!
Posted by
Atlanta, GA area (USA)
151 posts
We just got back from Italy and did a day trip to Positano by car. It’s beautiful, but during high season the traffic would be brutal. And the only way to get around town is to walk up and down steep staircases.
If you base at Sorrento you could travel by ferry or boat tour, and if climbing to the top of St Peter’s dome sounds like your morning warmup then you could definitely explore those towns. There’s also Capri, Sorrento beach clubs, Vesuvius ruins and Naples that are reachable by some form of transit.
Tuscany is also beautiful, and different. You can visit all the main cities by train but to reach all those little villages and hill towns you’ll need a car.
Either way you should have a great trip! Good luck!