Venice to Rome 2 Week Trip in September

Posted by cuddles on 05/26/15 07:14 PM

Hi -

My husband and I are taking a 2 week trip to Italy in September. We start in Venice and end in Rome. We will be hitting the following cities: Venice, Florence, CinqueTerre, Rome, Naples/Sorrento, and Siena.

I am looking for help on 2 things:
1. What route is most efficient to reduce train time? We are hoping to travel by train mostly. And any reocmmendiations on time in each city. I am using Rick Steve's guide book for the most part in planning our time.

2. If we wanted to see a festival in Greve in Chianti is there any way to get a driver/car service there from Florence? And any recommendations?

Thanks in advance!

Posted by Jean

Idaho, USA

05/26/15 07:57 PM

7314 posts

You can check out the train options on www.rome2rio.com to see how much time between each location. Some of the major cities have faster trains connecting them, so don't just depend on distance to gauge the amount of time. It's easier to go from Florence to Siena by bus. If your 2-week vacation is 14 days including flights, I would drop Naples/Sorrento and add a day to Rome or Florence (to include Greve).

Bus #365 will get you to Greve, if you're interested in all transportation options.

Posted by Laura

Rick Steves' Europe

05/26/15 08:38 PM

16893 posts

Venice-Florence-Siena-Cinque Terre-Naples-Rome is a logical, linear order. To find actual train schedules, I'd skip Rome2rio and go straight to the primary source at www.trenitalia.it or the somewhat more user-friendly (and also accurate) DB train schedule link. Your Italy guidebook provides info for Florence-Siena buses and Naples-Sorrento local connections.

Posted by David in Brisbane

Brisbane, Australia

05/26/15 10:28 PM

7175 posts

For me by train over 2 weeks ...
Venice (3)
Cinque Terre (via Florence) (2)
Siena (via Florence) (1)
Florence (2)
Naples then Sorrento (via Rome) (3)
Rome (3)

Posted by cuddles OP

05/27/15 12:33 AM

2 posts

Thank you all for the great advice. I think I'll be going the Venice-Florence-Siena-Cinque Terre-Naples-Rome route even though I end up going back through some cities on the train.

Posted by Becky

seattle

05/27/15 12:44 AM

2047 posts

Maybe a 3+ day car rental to go to the festiva in Greve? There are no 1-way charges if you rent over 3 days and the countryside is beautiful to drive around in. There are many off the beaten small towns. We used the DK Backroads Italy book and found some great routes in Chianti.

Posted by David in Brisbane

Brisbane, Australia

05/27/15 01:30 AM

7175 posts

Yes, both Siena and Cinque Terre via Florence. That's why I left Florence til after both of them, avoiding a big travel day CT to Naples & on to Sorrento. From CT to Sorrento also means you have beach following beach.

Posted by Chani

Tel Aviv

05/27/15 12:14 PM

15591 posts

There are trains that go to Rome from the CT and do not involve backtracking. Use the Trenitalia website, look for trains within the next 7 days - regional trains usually don't show up after that because tickets can only be bought a week ahead. Weekend schedules may be slightly different, so it's best to choose the day of the week that you expect to travel.

I feel I must add that unless you like whirlwind trips, you have too many destinations. Even though Venice, Florence, Rome and Naples are well connected by fast trains, you will use a lot of time going from one to the next, packing, checking out, getting to the train station, especially in Venice, where it can take a lot of time, then the reverse on arrival. Add a few hours each way to the CT and Sorrento because of connections and slow regional trains. I would go to one or the other but not both. I would stay in either Siena or Florence and day trip to the other by bus (more convenient than the train). If you want to immerse yourselves in Renaissance art and architecture, choose Florence. If you want a quieter, small town experience, choose Siena. You can see the highlights of either one in a day trip from the other.