Wanting to spend 2 weeks in Italy/Alps -- how to divide trip? 5 nights in Rome?

Congrats on your upcoming trip! I have a few questions and observations.

Are you restricted to the end of August? Rome will be hot and crowded then (I've been in Rome in August). It will be doable, but not ideal.

I've been to Switzerland, also in August, but I haven't been to the Dolomites. However, I've seen some spectacular photos of the area. We've actually talked about making our next Italy trip to the Piedmont, then Dolomites.

Your halfway points are good choices, especially if you are traveling by train. Smaller towns and day trips work better with a car. I suggest you stick with 3 changes at most - Rome, Milan/Venice/Genoa, then the Dolomites or Swiss Alps.

Your budget looks about right. We did 10 days in Tuscany all in for less $4K, including airfare (money + Skymiles) and rental car. We went during the off season .

Are you restricted to the end of August? Rome will be hot and crowded then (I've been in Rome in August). It will be doable, but not ideal.

Yes, unfortunately that is what works best with both my schedule and my wife's. Rome appears to be pretty similar to Kansas both temperature & humidity-wise, so hopefully it won't be unbearable to go out exploring. I imagine we would do a lot of our exploring before 10AM anyway, to beat the crowds.

I've actually been thinking I'd rather spend a couple (or 3?) nights in Cinque Terre, and then move on to the Alps. Is that too long to spend there? Or about right? It's right on the way from Rome to the Alps, so it's not too much of a detour.

Thanks for your reply!

edit: btw, whereabouts are you from in rural Georgia? We spent our honeymoon in the mountains of north Georgia in 2018, and it was lovely. Georgia, USA. The drive from the mountains into Chattanooga was spectacular.

I've actually been thinking I'd rather spend a couple (or 3?) nights in Cinque Terre, and then move on to the Alps. Is that too long to spend there? Or about right? It's right on the way from Rome to the Alps, so it's not too much of a detour.

Check the cruise ship schedule. CT can be a nightmare with all the day trippers and cruise ship passengers. Check on alternatives for the charm of CT without less crowds.

edit: btw, whereabouts are you from in rural Georgia? We spent our honeymoon in the mountains of north Georgia in 2018, and it was lovely. Georgia, USA. The drive from the mountains into Chattanooga was spectacular.

North Georgia is charming. We live out in the sticks of central Georgia. Our mailing address is the romantic Juliette, where "Fried Green Tomatoes" was filmed. Set dressing pretty much consisted of throwing dirt on the roads. It still looks about the same. We live on 13 acres in the middle of a hardwood bottom. It looks a lot like north Georgia. I grew up in Macon. I saw Otis Redding, James Brown and the Allman Brothers (with Duane) perform live there.

Yeah, after reading about the popularity of CT and more of its history, I'm not sure it would be enjoyable and more of just a postcard visit :(

All that land in Georgia sounds lovely!

I've done Switzerland and the Dolomiti. You're right, they are different. The Dolomiti are lovely though, and quite rugged and beautiful, and also very Tyrolian. I had to keep reminding myself that we were in Italy. You might find that Austria is the place for you-- not far past the Dolomiti, more like Switzerland, and much more affordable. Or you could try the western side of the Italian Alps, closer to France, where the Alps are very high (I haven't been there yet, so can't recommend anything -- ask me in 6 months).

Have you considered the Italian lakes? They are all a little different from each other, but we've done Maggiore, Lugano, Como and Garda and I loved them all and can't wait to go back. I find them much nicer than the Cinque Terre. The CT is fine, but the Italian Lakes are much nicer, in my opinion.

Welcome to the Forum.

It is good you are giving 5 nights to Rome. It’s a good first-trip-to-Italy length of time.

Venice is, indeed, a good on-our-way-toothed-Dolomites stop. Still hot, though, but so darn memorable. Give it a try for 3 nights.

Then head to Bolzano on the train and transfer (bus or taxi) to the Val Gardena in the Dolomites and spend as many nights (5, 6, or 7?) as possible. Get reservations made ASAP as August is high season there. That might sound off-putting but in the mountains it never seems crowded as people spread out on the trails all day. If you have at least 5nights in this area, I would spend 2 nights up in the Alpe di Siusi at a half-pension hotel and 3 nights down in Ortisei. Each location offers access to great easy (or hard) hiking. Fly out of Milan (easiest) with a last night there. Skip Genoa on a first trip as well as a longer stay in Milan.

The lakes do look lovely. However, I feel like the coastal towns are a much harder experience to replicate in the states - - does that make sense? I was thinking of maybe sticking to Poet's Bay instead of CT, just to avoid some of the crowds although I'm sure it'll be busy there too.

Val Gardena looks amazing! And it seems relatively easy to access. Thanks again everyone for the recommendations!

Should I be you
I would do;
Skip Milan
5 days in Rome
4 days in Florence
3 days in Venice
Rest of your stay in the Dolomites
Then leave from Venice or Milan or Innsbruck (Austria), not too far also from the Dolomites.
You will come back to Italy sooner then 10 years ....

Should I be you
I would do;
Skip Milan
5 days in Rome
4 days in Florence
3 days in Venice
Rest of your stay in the Dolomites
Then leave from Venice or Milan or Innsbruck (Austria), not too far also from the Dolomites.
You will come back to Italy sooner then 10 years ....

That sounds lovely but I am not sure if that would quite work for our schedule. Would probably need to cut out 1 day in Florence. That should leave us 2 nights in the Dolomites and 1 night in Milan. The reason we want to stay in Milan is because our flight home would more than likely be early in the AM.

Alternatively we could fly into Milan and reverse the trip, ending in Rome. Our flight on Saturday, August 22nd should land into Italy around 10AM which would be plenty of time to get to the train station in Milan and head to Venice. But I don't think we would want to go straight from the airport to a lengthy train ride.

That should leave us 2 nights in the Dolomites

Two nights is not enough. It is a bit out-of-the-way and as it takes time to get to and from, why rush it? I have never heard anyone say they wished they had not spent as much time in the Val Gardena but I have heard countless say they wish they had stayed longer.

It also depends, of course, on what you want to do. Do you want to spend your time in cities seeing great art and architecture, or work in some decent time in more rural settings and have outdoors activities? Rome + Florence + Venice is all city/museums/churches and HOT in August. Just saying...

Rome + Florence + Venice is all city/museums/churches and HOT in August. Just saying...

This is a very good point. Plus, we are both outdoorsy people so I know we'd really enjoy the time in the mountains. I was kind of thinking of cutting out Florence initially, but I feel like that would be a great way to experience Italian culture and I don't know if I'd get that in Venice.

If you are out doors people, then I would definitely recommend the Dolomites over the CT. Especially in August. You couldn’t pay me a million dollars to got to the CT in August.

I would allow a minimum of four nights in the Dolomites. Stay in Ortisei and then you can take the lift up to the Alpe di Siusi and hike your hearts content. https://www.seiser-alm.it/en/leisure-activities/mountains-and-hiking/
The town of Ortisei is adorable and it feels more German than Italian, although both languages are spoken there. We have been to the Berner Oberland, as well as this part of the Dolomites. They are both stunning in their own rights. We enjoyed the hiking more in the Alpe di Siusi.

Wherever you choose, I would book hotels soon. August is when all of Italy goes on vacation.

This is a very good point. Plus, we are both outdoorsy people so I
know we'd really enjoy the time in the mountains. I was kind of
thinking of cutting out Florence initially, but I feel like that would
be a great way to experience Italian culture and I don't know if I'd
get that in Venice.

Anywhere you go in Italy will be Italian culture--even if you do not set foot in Rome, Florence, or Venice. Switzerland is probably the most expensive place on the continent, so I think you are overthinking this--why not just go to the Dolomites?
Or, since Rome is your must, there are some lovely mountains to the east in Umbria and Marche (see Gran Sasso, Sibillini). This area would require a car but would otherwise be great for the budget.
With two weeks and wanting outdoors (in August), I'd choose one city for where ever you get the best flights, and then one natural area.

With two weeks and wanting outdoors (in August), I'd choose one city for where ever you get the best flights, and then one natural area.

So you're suggesting just picking two places?

Also, flight-wise, we are almost definitely flying into Rome and flying out of Milan or Rome. It's the cheapest option and the most likely to have non-stop flights back to NYC.

So I guess my final dilemma comes down to this -- do we do Rome + Venice + Dolomites, or something like Rome + Florence + Lake Como? The latter would mean an easy trek down to Milan for the flight home. Or do we try to fit in Rome + Florence + Venice + Dolomites/Como?

Yes, in August I'd prefer a slower pace, and avoiding the big three (maybe one is fine, but I would not do all three, with the heat and crowds) and if you are going to be doing hiking, I feel like you need ample time for access, meandering drives, recovery time.

Also, flight-wise, we are almost definitely flying into Rome and
flying out of Milan or Rome. It's the cheapest option and the most
likely to have non-stop flights back to NYC. So I guess my final
dilemma comes down to this -- do we do Rome + Venice + Dolomites, or
something like Rome + Florence + Lake Como? The latter would mean an
easy trek down to Milan for the flight home. Or do we try to fit in
Rome + Florence + Venice + Dolomites/Como?

That does not sound like the trip you initially proposed, but maybe your thinking has changed and you'd rather see highlights over hiking? The Dolomites are not that far from Milan in the big scheme of things. Adding Venice and Florence looks to be taking the place of the hiking trip--you have to decide what it is you want. I don't think there is anything wrong with either choice, but I have taken many trips where I chose nature over the big cities, and so I encourage others that are interested in doing so--those trips have been true highlights for me. Milan is typically only a night before a flight out (unless you have other interests there), so I am not really counting that. Deduct the time you need for Rome (we're all different, but about three full days would be the minimum), and then choose one other city and one natural area, and you're in business. I have never regretted 4-5 days anywhere.

Consider flying into Venice then train to Bolanzo, bus to Ortisei. 4 Nights.

Back to Bolanzo then train to Rovereto bus to Riva del Garda. 3 nights either Riva or Malcesine day trip to other. Bus 22m.
I'd stay Malcesine to facilitate onward travel.

Malcesine to Venice, train. 2 nights Venice.

Venice to Rome train. 5 nights Rome.

From New York (both JFK and Newark) in summer, you can get nonstop flights to Rome, Milan, or Venice. Prices have been highly variable; sometimes it's much cheaper to use Milan than Venice, for instance, and sometimes they're the same price.

So, check various options that will work with your desired itinerary. Don't assume one route will be easier or cheaper without specifically checking for your travel dates.

I work for a Northern Italian company and go to Italy often. My recommendation would be to spend some time in Riva Del Guarda on the Italian side, it’s lovely, laid back and is as much German as Italian. Hotels are reasonable, you can catch your breath for a couple of days and enjoy the mountains and lake. The drawback is that you have to bus or drive in which is why it’s popular with both Italians and Germans but not so much tourists.
Old castle on the hill, Roman ruins and relaxation.
As far as a base, I find overlooked Bologna to be ideal, 35 minutes to Florence or 45 to Venice by train, the food in Bologna is the best in Italy. The town beautiful and full of history. The oldest university in the Western world is located there so it has a distinctly young and positive vibe to it.
I love Venice but would do it on a day trip or spend 1 night, expensive and touristy , Florence touristy but so much to take your time seeing. Beside the history, there’s great beer and soccer at my favorite Irish bar, choice between Italian food or ramen at the same restaurant off the tourist area ,oh yes, he’s Italian, she’s Asian, a marriage made in heaven eating ramen at an Italian restaurant drinking German beer!
Yes, hit the highlights but just a couple of blocks off the tourist areas, there is a another world to explore.
Walk, get lost in it and enjoy!

Thank you to everyone for all of these replies! I wish it was easier to add quotes, otherwise I'd reply to everyone. I'll be sure to update on what itinerary we ultimately choose!

I have almost as much fun planning the trip as I do going on them, admittedly :)