10 Days Italy
Apr 6th, 2017, 06:19 AM
#1
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10 Days Italy
My husband and I are traveling to Italy the last week or so of September and are looking for help with the itinerary of our trip! We like eating, drinking, and doing more of the local things! We can be outdoorsy if necessary 
Here is what we are thinking -
Fly ATL --> Florence - 3 Nights in Tuscany
Travel to Amalfi Coast - 4 Nights
Travel to Rome - 3 Nights in Rome (both have been before, so we dont have to do all sites at length)
Fly out of Rome --> ATL
Questions -
1) Does our allocations of nights look right? Best way to travel between cities.
2) Suggestions on where to go in Tuscany to see wine country - we like reds!
3) Where should our base be in AC and what day trips would you suggest?
Any help/suggestions would be GREAT!
Here is what we are thinking -
Fly ATL --> Florence - 3 Nights in Tuscany
Travel to Amalfi Coast - 4 Nights
Travel to Rome - 3 Nights in Rome (both have been before, so we dont have to do all sites at length)
Fly out of Rome --> ATL
Questions -
1) Does our allocations of nights look right? Best way to travel between cities.
2) Suggestions on where to go in Tuscany to see wine country - we like reds!
3) Where should our base be in AC and what day trips would you suggest?
Any help/suggestions would be GREAT!
Apr 6th, 2017, 07:33 AM
#2
It's hard to talk about transportation options without knowing where you'll stay in Tuscany and whether you'll have a car. There is no shortage of red wine anywhere in Tuscany, but if you want to tour a winery (ala Napa), you'll need to make a reservation in advance. For the Amalfi Coast part, you should decide what you want to do while you're there. Day trips include Pompeii, Herculaneum, Capri, Naples, Vesuvius, Paestum, exploring coastal towns, hiking the hill trails, etc., but you can't do it all (or even half) in 3 days so you have to choose. Staying on the coast (as opposed to not on the coast, in Sorrento or Naples) puts you far from some of these sights, so you also have to decide what your priorities are.
Only you can allocate the days based on what you want to see and do. Personally, if I was exploring small Tuscan towns and scenery, I'd want more than two days. Then again, I probably wouldn't put the Amalfi Coast in this trip because of the time eaten up getting there from "Tuscany" and then moving onward to Rome. But this is your trip, so my preferences don't apply.
If you don't have hotel reservations yet, you might look into availability in your budget range on the Amalfi Coast.
Only you can allocate the days based on what you want to see and do. Personally, if I was exploring small Tuscan towns and scenery, I'd want more than two days. Then again, I probably wouldn't put the Amalfi Coast in this trip because of the time eaten up getting there from "Tuscany" and then moving onward to Rome. But this is your trip, so my preferences don't apply.
If you don't have hotel reservations yet, you might look into availability in your budget range on the Amalfi Coast.
Apr 6th, 2017, 08:03 AM
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Hi Atlanta,
I would spend more time in Florence and the Tuscany region and skip the Amalfi Coast.
There is so much to see that you should spend 2 or 3 nights in Florence then 3 or 4 nights in the Tuscany region, staying in or near Siena (only an 80km drive from Florence), and you can then do day trips from there and see the lovely countryside.
Then end off with either 3 or 4 nights in Rome.
I would spend more time in Florence and the Tuscany region and skip the Amalfi Coast.
There is so much to see that you should spend 2 or 3 nights in Florence then 3 or 4 nights in the Tuscany region, staying in or near Siena (only an 80km drive from Florence), and you can then do day trips from there and see the lovely countryside.
Then end off with either 3 or 4 nights in Rome.
Apr 6th, 2017, 08:29 AM
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I'm sorry, but I didn't notice that you both had been to Rome before so if you have not booked your flights out of Rome yet, go to Naples instead and fly home from there.
Naples is incredibly fascinating.
Naples is incredibly fascinating.
Apr 6th, 2017, 09:18 AM
#7
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Thank you for all the suggestions - much needed!
We both only were in Rome for day and LOVED it, so we would like to go back and explore a little more.
After most of my research, I'm thinking...
Tuscany - stay area around Montalcino, Pienza, and Montepulciano
--> If we fly into Florence, should we rent a car for a few days.. or is there a better way to travel?
A/C - stay in Postiano or Amalfi - day drip to Naples?
--> What is the best way to get here?
Rome - haven't done much here.
--> What is the best way to get from AC to Naples.
--> Any recommendations on where to stay?
We both only were in Rome for day and LOVED it, so we would like to go back and explore a little more.
After most of my research, I'm thinking...
Tuscany - stay area around Montalcino, Pienza, and Montepulciano
--> If we fly into Florence, should we rent a car for a few days.. or is there a better way to travel?
A/C - stay in Postiano or Amalfi - day drip to Naples?
--> What is the best way to get here?
Rome - haven't done much here.
--> What is the best way to get from AC to Naples.
--> Any recommendations on where to stay?
Apr 6th, 2017, 10:14 AM
#8
There is no better way to see Tuscany than by car, esp. for the area you're considering and the amount of time you have. If you pick up the rental car after you land at Florence, you'd have a nearly 2-hour drive to the Val d'Orcia. Not everyone thinks that's a good idea after a long flight. (I don't see direct flights ATL-FLR, so how long is your outbound journey?)
(As an aside, if you plan to drive, you'll need an International Drivers Permit, and you should learn all about limited traffic zones (ZTL).
An excursion to Naples from either Positano or Amalfi will be a long day with multiple transportation steps unless you hire a driver. There are no ferries between the AC and Naples. From Positano, you'd likely take the bus to Sorrento and the commuter train to Naples. It would probably take 2.5 hours each way. From Amalfi, probably the bus to Salerno and the train to Naples which might take a little less time each way but not much. There's also ferry service connecting Sorrento, Positano, Amalfi and Salerno, but you'd have to see if the ferry and train timetables work well for a Naples day trip. For example, how long is the wait between ferry and train. The ferry from the AC to Sorrento drops you at the bottom of the town, and you'd have to taxi to the train station to catch the train to Naples. Or you could possibly ferry to Sorrento and then ferry to Naples if the schedules work. Perhaps you could utilize the ferry in one direction and the bus in the other.
In other words, you need to research bus, train and ferry schedules to see what works best from wherever you'll be staying on the AC. And I really encourage you to start looking now at lodging in your budget range; you're going at a very popular time.
To get to Rome from the AC, you'd follow the same options to reach Naples and then catch the fast train to Rome.
(As an aside, if you plan to drive, you'll need an International Drivers Permit, and you should learn all about limited traffic zones (ZTL).
An excursion to Naples from either Positano or Amalfi will be a long day with multiple transportation steps unless you hire a driver. There are no ferries between the AC and Naples. From Positano, you'd likely take the bus to Sorrento and the commuter train to Naples. It would probably take 2.5 hours each way. From Amalfi, probably the bus to Salerno and the train to Naples which might take a little less time each way but not much. There's also ferry service connecting Sorrento, Positano, Amalfi and Salerno, but you'd have to see if the ferry and train timetables work well for a Naples day trip. For example, how long is the wait between ferry and train. The ferry from the AC to Sorrento drops you at the bottom of the town, and you'd have to taxi to the train station to catch the train to Naples. Or you could possibly ferry to Sorrento and then ferry to Naples if the schedules work. Perhaps you could utilize the ferry in one direction and the bus in the other.
In other words, you need to research bus, train and ferry schedules to see what works best from wherever you'll be staying on the AC. And I really encourage you to start looking now at lodging in your budget range; you're going at a very popular time.
To get to Rome from the AC, you'd follow the same options to reach Naples and then catch the fast train to Rome.
Apr 6th, 2017, 11:54 AM
#9
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Jean -
We will arrive in Florence around 2 PM - our flight is through the night, so we should be fine to drive!
Do you recommend the Val d'Orcia area for Tuscany? I have read great things!
We don't have to do Naples. What would be the best way to get from Tuscany to A/C, and what would you suggest for the 3-4 days we are there? Seems like you are very familiar with the travel!
We don't have our heart set on any particular place in A/C - we would rather pick the best place with little travel headache.
We will arrive in Florence around 2 PM - our flight is through the night, so we should be fine to drive!
Do you recommend the Val d'Orcia area for Tuscany? I have read great things!
We don't have to do Naples. What would be the best way to get from Tuscany to A/C, and what would you suggest for the 3-4 days we are there? Seems like you are very familiar with the travel!
We don't have our heart set on any particular place in A/C - we would rather pick the best place with little travel headache.
Apr 6th, 2017, 01:00 PM
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Best way to travel between cities.>
Trains for sure - cars are not even allowed in many city centers. For lots on trains check www.trenitalia.com; www.seat61.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.
We don't have to do Naples. What would be the best way to get from Tuscany to A/C, and what would you suggest for the 3-4 days we are there?>
Train from either Salerno or Naples to Rome -change to local trains that stop at Orvieto - rent car and motor thru Tuscany for 3-4 days ending in Florence.
Trains for sure - cars are not even allowed in many city centers. For lots on trains check www.trenitalia.com; www.seat61.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.
We don't have to do Naples. What would be the best way to get from Tuscany to A/C, and what would you suggest for the 3-4 days we are there?>
Train from either Salerno or Naples to Rome -change to local trains that stop at Orvieto - rent car and motor thru Tuscany for 3-4 days ending in Florence.
Apr 6th, 2017, 01:06 PM
#11
I love the Val d'Orcia area. But I may be the wrong person to ask because I love every region of Italy that we've visited! I wouldn't include the AC on this trip, but that's me.
The "best" way from Tuscany to the AC depends on where you decide to stay on the AC.
Where to stay and what to do in 3-4 days on the AC depends on your interests, not mine which lean toward history and archeology (Pompeii, Naples Archeology Museum, Naples, Amalfi), exploring Capri, walking between villages and definitely not shopping, lazing around a pool or on the beach, etc., which appeal to a lot of people. There is no one, perfect answer that suits everyone. You have to decide.
The "best" way from Tuscany to the AC depends on where you decide to stay on the AC.
Where to stay and what to do in 3-4 days on the AC depends on your interests, not mine which lean toward history and archeology (Pompeii, Naples Archeology Museum, Naples, Amalfi), exploring Capri, walking between villages and definitely not shopping, lazing around a pool or on the beach, etc., which appeal to a lot of people. There is no one, perfect answer that suits everyone. You have to decide.
Apr 6th, 2017, 01:20 PM
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The Amalfi Coast is the most overrated region in all of Italy. I would not waste a day there with all that Italy has to offer, especially when you are already in the Tuscany region and Umbria and Le Marche are closer and far more genuine and interesting.
Apr 6th, 2017, 01:43 PM
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SentimentalLady - I totally appreciate your opinion!
As much as we love the countryside and our wine, we do really enjoy coastal cities. Is there another area you'd recommend that would fit with our trip?
As much as we love the countryside and our wine, we do really enjoy coastal cities. Is there another area you'd recommend that would fit with our trip?
Apr 6th, 2017, 02:46 PM
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We haven't booked anything - here is the back story.
I have been to Naples (cruise stops) - loved them, and wanted to see more around this area so we picked AC.
My husband and I both spend a short time in Rome and Florence, and liked what we saw of Rome and was intrigued to see more!
I have been to Naples (cruise stops) - loved them, and wanted to see more around this area so we picked AC.
My husband and I both spend a short time in Rome and Florence, and liked what we saw of Rome and was intrigued to see more!
Apr 7th, 2017, 07:11 AM
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<< We will arrive in Florence around 2 PM - our flight is through the night, so we should be fine to drive! >>
This just means you'll be sleepy as well as jet lagged -- unless you can sleep well on a plane. Consider spending a day or two in Florence before picking up the car and driving.
For visiting the beautiful countryside and hill towns in the Val d'Orcia, I like Pienza and San Quirico d'Orcia as bases. Both these towns are on the flat so easy to drive in and out of. I love the scenery in this part of Italy.
This just means you'll be sleepy as well as jet lagged -- unless you can sleep well on a plane. Consider spending a day or two in Florence before picking up the car and driving.
For visiting the beautiful countryside and hill towns in the Val d'Orcia, I like Pienza and San Quirico d'Orcia as bases. Both these towns are on the flat so easy to drive in and out of. I love the scenery in this part of Italy.
Apr 7th, 2017, 10:02 AM
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<<our flight is through the night, so we should be fine to drive!
>>
You are SO wrong about that! You won't be fine to drive, even if you think you are. Do NOT drive upon arrival. You will be a threat to yourself and everyone else on the road. Seriously. I live in Europe now, after making hundreds of trips here before I left the USA, and you cannot believe how many jet-lagged American idiots mess up the traffic here, thinking they're "just fine" after a night on a plane. They're not "fine to drive" at all and often cause havoc or worse.
>>
You are SO wrong about that! You won't be fine to drive, even if you think you are. Do NOT drive upon arrival. You will be a threat to yourself and everyone else on the road. Seriously. I live in Europe now, after making hundreds of trips here before I left the USA, and you cannot believe how many jet-lagged American idiots mess up the traffic here, thinking they're "just fine" after a night on a plane. They're not "fine to drive" at all and often cause havoc or worse.
