smsheldo

My wife and I (both in our late 20's) are going to Italy in September for 11 full days (and 2 travel days), and were hoping to visit Rome (destination of arrival and departure), Venice and Florence as well as one other location (perhaps Amalfi Coast). Does anyone have any thoughts on whether this plan is logistically feasible (we plan to travel by train) in 11 days, and if so, in which order, and how many days do you recommend we spend in each location? Can anyone recommend any alternatives to Amalfi Coast that may make the logistics easier.

Thanks in advance

ekscrunchy

With only 11 days, my preference (of the places you mention) would be to either visit Rome and the Amalfi coast. OR Venice and Florence. I think you have too little time to do all of these in any meaningful way.

Can you fly into one place, for example Venice, and fly home from Florence or Pisa?

There is no real alternative to the Amalfi Coast. It is unique and there is no other place similar.Your only issue is whether or not to include it on this trip.

Do you want beach/relaxation time? If so, do Rome and the AC.

kja

Hi, smsheldo -

It depends on what you want to see and experience, but with 11 days, visiting Rome, Venice, and Florence would be potentially do-able; adding something else would really rush you. Just visiting Rome, Venice, and Florence in that timeframe will likely mean a busy schedule! If you decide to aim for these 3 cities, try to fly into Rome and out of Venice or vice versa.

ekscrunchy notes that the Amalfi Coast is unique - it is! But so are Rome, Venice, and Florence. The good news is that they are all wonderful. (I'm not sure I would go to any of these places for beaches - just my opinion, with all due respect to ekscrunchy. And personally, I found Venice as relaxing as the Amalfi Coast, but that depends on what one chooses to do and what one finds relaxing.)

Hope that helps!

ellenem

I would limit myself to three hotel locations n 11 days.

Florence (3), Amalfi (3), Rome (5)
or
Florence (3), Venice (3), Rome (5)

I put Rome at the end since you have to fly home from there--it's best to put all your Rome time together to save time for vacationing rather than training. Each time you change hotels, you will use up at least half a day, probably more, with checking out, traveling, checking in, and such.

I'd travel to Florence the day you arrive since it's a relatively quick train trip with frequent departures.

If you really feel you need to see someplace else, you could take a daytrip while in Rome to Orvieto (quaint hilltown 1 hour away) or Ostia Antica (like Pompeii but close to Rome).

zeppole

Since you're flying in and out of Roma, I would eliminate Venezia.

Instead of the Amalfi coast itself, I would pick an island -- either the untouristed part of Capri (Anacapri), Ischia or Procida, or I would even consider Elba.

I would head directly to Firenze by train (since you're young!) and do 3 Firenze, 5 Roma (with a daytrip to Orvieto) and 3 island.