vic56

I just start planning my next year vacation in Italy. It will be 12days in September with my wife (we are in 50s and in good shape). We plan to do more outdoor activities this time. Our first trip to Italy covered Rome Florence and Venice.
This is what I have planed so far:
Arrive Genoa or Milan.
1 day in Genoa
1 day in Cinque Terre
Rent a car and drive to Amalfi cost, thru Tuscani and I would like to spend couple of days in Tuscani. Stay in Luca and take daily trips to explore some wineries.
Return my rental car in Sorrento and stay in Sorrento (I have heard so many horror stories about driving in the coastal area – is it true?) and use public transportation.
Spend 5-6 days exploring Amalfi coast. I do not have specifics yet.
Take a train to Rome and spend 2 days there
Fly back to Chicago from Rome.

Please give your suggestion and recommendation.

Thanks

Gwendolynn

Well....Genoa has been on our list but have never gotten there. If the CT is a priority that's where I would head. Lucca is a wonderful little town. I think if you stay inside the walls you'll have to park your car outside.... but we were there awhile ago so things may have changed. My husband has driven the Amalfi drive at least 3 times (with me clutching the door handle on the right).. and loved it. You just have to be stalwart and careful. Also, we were there off season. Driving at the high time is a nightmare I've heard. On the otherhand... there are lots of horror stories about bus travel. Good luck..... -

tuscanlifeedit

My choice from Sorrento would be neither car nor bus. Ferries work best for me. Both car and bus made me horribly ill with motion sickness.

bobthenavigator

Why only one day at the CT and Genoa. If you land in Milan it will take you most of day one to get there, leaving no tourist time. I would avoid any one niters.

Why Lucca if you want to see the Tuscany wine country? Nice town but not among the best wine towns in Tuscany. And, a much longer drive to Sorrento. Stay further south in the best wine areas.
I would set your itinerary only after you have your flights booked. I think you need some more homework. We can help.

vic56

Thanks for the feedback guys.
Bobthenavigator your comments are very valuable.
You are correct, I still have lots of homework to do, and this is just a beginning
I thought that 1 day each CT and Genoa is plenty.
About Tuscany- it looks like Lucca is on my way to the Amalfi coast (according to mapquest.com) and it’s a cute small town.
I’m really open to suggestions and appreciate your input.
I have so many questions: where to stay, where to rent a car and of course where not to drive?
Thanks

mamcalice

As Bob the Navigator says, you won't have any time in either Genoa or CT for seeing them Spend at least two nights and one day in each or don't bother traveling to either. You express interest in "outdoor activities". You should spend two full days in CT to enjoy the hiking trails.

If you are interested in Tuscan wine country, consider the Chianti area or further south - Montepulciano or Montacino - spectacular wine.

If you give us an idea of how long you plan to be in Italy, lots of folks can make suggestions that include the places you have expressed interest in.

bobthenavigator

Get you car in La Spezia fom Kemwel or Autoeurope and stop in Lucca or Pisa if you want, but I would stay much further south in Tuscany---around Pienza or Montepulciano. That will save you 2 hours driving time to Sorrento---you want to take A-1 to A-3 toward Naples. Avoid that coast road south to Rome. Drop the car in Sorrento--check the drop times and plan well.

charnees

Why not fly home from Naples? Then you don't have to backtrack to Rome. Most airlines now have enough partners that they can build a package of flights from almost anywhere.