Post Grad 14 day Europe Trip

In 14 days you are trying to cover a lot of ground. Amalfi to Tuscany and getting to your lodging (especially if an agritourismo) is most of the day. From there to Slovenia is easily another day.
in 14 days focus on one area. Such as flying into Rome and heading to Amalfi for first 3 nights, Then transfer to the Agritourismo for 3 or 4 nights or more (lots of culture and food in Tuscany--Florence, Siena, etc) and maybe try Lucca for a base for a bit (access to beach, great food) then train back to Rome to finish.
Sace eastern Italy, Slovenia and Croatia for a seperate two weeks.

Just focus on Italy. 14 days can go fast especially when you’re including the Amalfi Coast. Croatia and Slovenia are kind of clumsy places to add on. Connecting to them and between can get a little complicated. After two trips to the Balkans, I can’t imagine trying to see any of it without at least a week. They deserve their own trip, so just put a pin in it for next time.

How fun to celebrate your achievement this way. Congratulations.

I’ll be honest, I would skip the Italy portion and focus on the Slovenia/Croatia portion. I find those two countries so interesting. You can see a great deal in 14 days, however consider viewing the trip as Italy only or Croatia/Slovenia only. There is plenty in either location for 14 days.

If Tuscany is a must, and you’re already planning for an area similar to the Amalfi Coast— I agree with the others who suggest Italy exclusively for this trip.

Croatia and Slovenia both are time-consuming destinations ( two weeks for just them would be the minimum). because they are mountainous and lack high-speed trains. Italy does have a great high-speed train system which makes it easy to cover a lot of ground in two weeks.

Take a look at Vieste and Gargano National Park in
Puglia to substitute in for the overtouristed Amalfi Coast. High-speed trains from Rome reach Bari in four hours. There are great beaches on both the east and west coasts of Puglia which make up the heel of “the Boot.”

Have fun planning!.

So maybe a little more than a week in Tuscany, then if I remember correctly there is an overnight ferry from Ancona to Split, Croatia that might be a good experience. A little less than a week in Split and Dubrovnik and points in between. That way you get a little of two different experiences.

Also, nothing wrong with two seperate regions far apart. A week in Tuscany and then a discount airline to another place of interest. You can get to a lot of Europe under $100 and under 6 hours door to door. So think out of the box.

The Ancona to Split 12-hour ferry is limited to three sailings per week. To get from Tuscany, add at least another 4 hours for the train from Florence to Ancona and more time to get to Florence from wherever it is the O.P. Is based in Tuscany,

For most, that would be too much of a time sink.

Ancona is worth a night or two. I was there a lifetime ago. Great escape the tourist mob, coastal city with tons of history and sights. https://youtu.be/mUfug4Ext1g?si=Uis9rwoAe-2XNcZv A 4 hour train rides are reasonable in the minds of most RS types. The night boat would be a great experience and save a hotel cost.

But most of all, I thought one response that sought to find ways to fulfill the ambition of the OP would be a nice change from the negativity. If it's a good idea or not, it is up to the OP.

So with 14 days that mkbomann has available, you would suggest a week in Tuscany, a “night or two” in Ancona where you were “a lifetime ago” ( a city BTW, that I’ve never heard anyone anywhere recommend during the 21st century) followed by 5 days in Croatia.

That may be more time-sinking than the Titanic.

Wait, you said post graduate trip. You might be looking for something with people of like age and experience. Morning train to Aconona, spend the day and most of the next, then the ferry to Split would be a good idea as Split attracts a lot of post graduate celebrants. 2 or 3 nights in Split. But then instead of Dubrovnik, look at Makarska for 2 or 3 nights. Google it and see if it works for you. Maybe 1 night only in Dubrovnik to catch a flight if you cant find a good one out of Split..

If you want to do some cooking classes, I have a couple of friends i can check with in Croatia.

update: If we ditch amalfi, where else would you reccomend to get a
coastal hiking or outdoorsy vibe?

Just saw this. Can you write a few paragraphs describing the perfect trip. What would you do? You gotta have a dream or thought in your head?

Hi! Thank you so much for the reply!
We bought just our one way in for late may into Rome. Our ideal trip would have 1 week in Tuscany with time spent at multiple vineyards, including staying in Florence for 3 of those nights. We want to stay at atleast one agriturismo and take a cooking class. We are deciding whether to spend one more week in Italy vs elsewhere. Elsewhere we want to hike, be outdoors, eat good food, and see scenic views or beaches!

Hi mkbowmann, I read your new post tonite. That should draw new interest and get better input and answers for you.

Congratulations on your approaching graduation!

This post mentions coastal and beach, and your other doesn't. But if that is still an interest, and if you want to combine that with nature, food (especially Mediterranean seafood) wineries (consider tasting on an olive plantation too), then your thoughts of Croatia are very valid.

As pointed out, there is no instantaneous way between Tuscany and Croatia, but with 14 days still very doable and not a bad idea, but it does require some planning and thought. If the idea of Croatia is still on the table, let me know as I have a friend that splits her life between the Balkans and Italy and I can ask her for ideas.

I like the idea of two cultures because I always try to plan trips with varied experiences. If one destination or culture turns out to be underwhelming, the other destination can compensate for it. But thats a personal preference, dont overlook that everything you have mentioned is available in Italy .... so ask it in the Italy forum as the forum has a few Italian locals that know what they are talking about.