13 nights in Italy - let me count the ways...
Jan 5th, 2014, 02:19 PM
#1
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13 nights in Italy - let me count the ways...
...to divvy it up. 12 days. This is actually time IN Italy. Arrive FCO end of March; depart 8 April.
We have never been before. We are interested in: architecture; history; food and art.
We need help dividing up the days - thinking we want to start in Rome; head to Florence; then on to Naples [Sorrento?] and end up back in Rome to leave.
We want to day trips -
-- in Florence to Siena; Pisa
-- in Naples to Sorrento [or do we want to stay IN Sorrento and day trip to Naples??]; Pompeii, a bus ride along Amalfi coast.
We do not want to rent a car so will use public transit.
I have been reading lots of threads on here and know that lots of you have great suggestions on traveling in Italy!
Once I know how we will spend the days; I will work on nights and seek suggestions on where to stay [areas] in each city and for specific recommendations for accomodations [B&B; hotel; or apartment.
Mille grazia~
We have never been before. We are interested in: architecture; history; food and art.
We need help dividing up the days - thinking we want to start in Rome; head to Florence; then on to Naples [Sorrento?] and end up back in Rome to leave.
We want to day trips -
-- in Florence to Siena; Pisa
-- in Naples to Sorrento [or do we want to stay IN Sorrento and day trip to Naples??]; Pompeii, a bus ride along Amalfi coast.
We do not want to rent a car so will use public transit.
I have been reading lots of threads on here and know that lots of you have great suggestions on traveling in Italy!
Once I know how we will spend the days; I will work on nights and seek suggestions on where to stay [areas] in each city and for specific recommendations for accomodations [B&B; hotel; or apartment.
Mille grazia~
Jan 5th, 2014, 02:27 PM
#3
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You have 12 days so don't try to do too much.
4 x nights Florence
4 x nights Naples
4 x nights Rome
So fly in and get straight to Florence.
Train from Florence to Naples, stay there (not Sorrento - too touristy and expensive with no real sights to speak of). Day trip from Naples to Pompeii/Herculaneum on the train and to the Amalfi Coast using water transport via Sorrento.
Train from Naples to Rome takes 1 hr 10 minutes and then you have your four nights there before heading home.
4 x nights Florence
4 x nights Naples
4 x nights Rome
So fly in and get straight to Florence.
Train from Florence to Naples, stay there (not Sorrento - too touristy and expensive with no real sights to speak of). Day trip from Naples to Pompeii/Herculaneum on the train and to the Amalfi Coast using water transport via Sorrento.
Train from Naples to Rome takes 1 hr 10 minutes and then you have your four nights there before heading home.
Jan 5th, 2014, 02:33 PM
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We arrive at 4 pm in Rome [from CPH]; I was concerned that we may not make a train to Florence that first night, so I figured we start trip IN Rome and then do Florence and on to Naples.
On the way home; figured we would take a morning train from Naples to FCO and fly out on our 12:20 pm departure to CPH. Although for some reason I can find trains from Naples to Rome Stazione Termini but not from there to FCO!! Strange...
On the way home; figured we would take a morning train from Naples to FCO and fly out on our 12:20 pm departure to CPH. Although for some reason I can find trains from Naples to Rome Stazione Termini but not from there to FCO!! Strange...
Jan 5th, 2014, 02:58 PM
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What is your backup plan if there is a Trenitalia strike on April 8th?
The Rome last plan protects you easily from this problem.
There are at least two trains to Florence per hour.
For example, on March 28, in worst case, you can even take the last airport express from FCO 19:38 arriving Termini at 20:10, then change at Terminal to 20:50 Eurostar to Florence arriving at 22:22. Surely you can make this train if not much earlier. There are train combination with 10min train change at Termini. This is feasible if you are traveling light, be at the head of the airport express as you get off the train to reduce the time you walk on the platform at Termini, know how to read the departure board quickly and use the under passage to quickly get to your waiting Eurostar train to Florence.
The Rome last plan protects you easily from this problem.
There are at least two trains to Florence per hour.
For example, on March 28, in worst case, you can even take the last airport express from FCO 19:38 arriving Termini at 20:10, then change at Terminal to 20:50 Eurostar to Florence arriving at 22:22. Surely you can make this train if not much earlier. There are train combination with 10min train change at Termini. This is feasible if you are traveling light, be at the head of the airport express as you get off the train to reduce the time you walk on the platform at Termini, know how to read the departure board quickly and use the under passage to quickly get to your waiting Eurostar train to Florence.
Jan 5th, 2014, 03:29 PM
#7
Are you overnighting in CPH?
You need to put Rome at the end as everyone else has said and head to Florence upon arrival (or Naples). Even arriving 4pm you can still catch the Leonardo Express to Termini and on to Florence. The historic center of Florence is a short walk from the station.
FCO is Fiumicino aeroporto. When searching for trains on Trenitalia you must use the Italian spellings (Firenze, Napoli, etc.). The Leonardo is a regional train and there are two departures per hour
08 and :38). No need for advance tickets as there is no reserved seating and no discounts.
For Naples or Sorrento, it would depend on just what you want to see. Sorrento might be more convenient (ferry service to Capri, buses to Positano/Amalfi, train to Pompeii/Naples). I've been at that time of year before and there were lemons already huge on the trees.
Divide your trip into number of hotel nights. If you will have 4 nights in Florence, you will only have three sightseeing days.
You need to put Rome at the end as everyone else has said and head to Florence upon arrival (or Naples). Even arriving 4pm you can still catch the Leonardo Express to Termini and on to Florence. The historic center of Florence is a short walk from the station.
FCO is Fiumicino aeroporto. When searching for trains on Trenitalia you must use the Italian spellings (Firenze, Napoli, etc.). The Leonardo is a regional train and there are two departures per hour
08 and :38). No need for advance tickets as there is no reserved seating and no discounts. For Naples or Sorrento, it would depend on just what you want to see. Sorrento might be more convenient (ferry service to Capri, buses to Positano/Amalfi, train to Pompeii/Naples). I've been at that time of year before and there were lemons already huge on the trees.
Divide your trip into number of hotel nights. If you will have 4 nights in Florence, you will only have three sightseeing days.
Jan 5th, 2014, 03:55 PM
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Yes, we are overnighting in CPH each way.
I have been using the Italian spellings on Trenitalia; it's just easier to use English spellings on here.
I have been using ManinSeat61, so have pretty much figured out trains. The Leonardo gets us from airport to Stazione Termini in Rome; we will use one of the high speed trains to get to Florence and to Naples.
The strange part is getting from Naples to FCO.
I see this:
FROM NAPOLI CENTRALE TO FIUMICINO AEROPORTO
and this:
Train # 9518 FRECCIAROSSA Departs Napoli Centrale at 08:00 and Arrives Roma Termini at 09:07
with a selection of seats in various classes and prices.
Then I see this:
Train # 3290 LEONARDO EXPRESS Departs Roma Termini at 09:20 and Arrives Fiumicino Aeroporto at 09:52
but it then says:
<i>No availabilty for this train.</i>
Is this happening because the Leonardo is local? Does that mean there are 2 fares ?
When I did Roma FCO to Florence; the 2 parts showed up [FCO to Termini and then Termini to Florence] for one fare.
I have been using the Italian spellings on Trenitalia; it's just easier to use English spellings on here.
I have been using ManinSeat61, so have pretty much figured out trains. The Leonardo gets us from airport to Stazione Termini in Rome; we will use one of the high speed trains to get to Florence and to Naples.
The strange part is getting from Naples to FCO.
I see this:
FROM NAPOLI CENTRALE TO FIUMICINO AEROPORTO
and this:
Train # 9518 FRECCIAROSSA Departs Napoli Centrale at 08:00 and Arrives Roma Termini at 09:07
with a selection of seats in various classes and prices.
Then I see this:
Train # 3290 LEONARDO EXPRESS Departs Roma Termini at 09:20 and Arrives Fiumicino Aeroporto at 09:52
but it then says:
<i>No availabilty for this train.</i>
Is this happening because the Leonardo is local? Does that mean there are 2 fares ?
When I did Roma FCO to Florence; the 2 parts showed up [FCO to Termini and then Termini to Florence] for one fare.
Jan 5th, 2014, 03:56 PM
#9
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Actually, Naples Central Station is even a shorter ride from Roma Termini than is Firenze SMN, so it makes not much difference which way you go at first. You'll be fine either way. Maybe you check for concerts or events in one or the other place, to decide.
Also, I have two don't-miss experiences in Naples to recommend:
1. the Archeological Museum
2. the pizza, with fresh mozzarella di bufala. I am serious about this!
Also, I have two don't-miss experiences in Naples to recommend:
1. the Archeological Museum
2. the pizza, with fresh mozzarella di bufala. I am serious about this!
Jan 5th, 2014, 04:01 PM
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Is Eurostar the same as "Freccia"trains??
It does make sense to avoid possible strike and do Rome last.
{We do travel light and have traveled quite a bit in France and Scandinavia, so we can move quickly thru airports, terminals etc as I tend to prepare well in advance
}
It does make sense to avoid possible strike and do Rome last.
{We do travel light and have traveled quite a bit in France and Scandinavia, so we can move quickly thru airports, terminals etc as I tend to prepare well in advance
}
Jan 5th, 2014, 04:10 PM
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Yes, Freccia is one of the Eurostar fast trains. The Leonardo to FCO is shown as no availability because it's a local, you can't book it ahead of time (or certainly don't need to, even if you can). It'll be a separate small fare.
Jan 5th, 2014, 06:14 PM
#12
I would do Rome last, as others have recommended, and add a night to Rome, subtracting from either Naples (have not been in many years) or Florence. Granted, I am a Rome lover, but I find it is easiest to enjoy it at a more relaxed pace. I may have been lucky, but my Feb/Mar/Apr trips to Rome have all been perfect, weather-wise.
By the way, I owe a brief write-up of my time in NM. I haven't done a trip report in years and am way behind, but the recs here, including yours, were fantastic. I LOVED New Mexico! We flew into and out of ABQ. First meal from the Grove, last from Farina, both wonderful!
By the way, I owe a brief write-up of my time in NM. I haven't done a trip report in years and am way behind, but the recs here, including yours, were fantastic. I LOVED New Mexico! We flew into and out of ABQ. First meal from the Grove, last from Farina, both wonderful!
Jan 5th, 2014, 06:45 PM
#14
>>>Train # 3290 LEONARDO EXPRESS Departs Roma Termini at 09:20 and Arrives Fiumicino Aeroporto at 09:52
but it then says:
No availabilty for this train.
Is this happening because the Leonardo is local? Does that mean there are 2 fares ?<<<<
The Leonardo is a regional train as I mentioned above. You can't book a regional train more than 7 days in advance and there is absolutely no point in booking it. In fact, there are more restrictions for regional tickets purchased online. Buy it at the station (14€). Usually if you book the Leonardo online (or even if you purchase at the station from a machine) you will only have a two hour window to use the ticket. You should not be booking arrival day tickets in advance in case you are delayed.
The Eurostar term is old (referred to ES trains which used to be the fastest, later AV or ES/AV) and the term is no longer used. The fastest trains are Frecce (only stop in a few cities). Next are the IC trains. Regional trains are the slowest and don't have amenities or reserved seating and often only one class (cattle).
It's not just strikes (they are scheduled well in advance so you can look them up), but train delays can happen. I've had my fast train be as much as an 1 1/2 hours late departing. Not good if you are trying to catch a flight.
If you are departing terminal 5 at FCO, it's a process to get there. You must catch a bus to the check in area in front of the airport (sometimes it's packed and you must wait for the next one). After passport/check-in/security, you catch another bus to the terminal.
If you want to see prices/schedules for regional trains, enter a date within the next 7 days.
but it then says:
No availabilty for this train.
Is this happening because the Leonardo is local? Does that mean there are 2 fares ?<<<<
The Leonardo is a regional train as I mentioned above. You can't book a regional train more than 7 days in advance and there is absolutely no point in booking it. In fact, there are more restrictions for regional tickets purchased online. Buy it at the station (14€). Usually if you book the Leonardo online (or even if you purchase at the station from a machine) you will only have a two hour window to use the ticket. You should not be booking arrival day tickets in advance in case you are delayed.
The Eurostar term is old (referred to ES trains which used to be the fastest, later AV or ES/AV) and the term is no longer used. The fastest trains are Frecce (only stop in a few cities). Next are the IC trains. Regional trains are the slowest and don't have amenities or reserved seating and often only one class (cattle).
It's not just strikes (they are scheduled well in advance so you can look them up), but train delays can happen. I've had my fast train be as much as an 1 1/2 hours late departing. Not good if you are trying to catch a flight.
If you are departing terminal 5 at FCO, it's a process to get there. You must catch a bus to the check in area in front of the airport (sometimes it's packed and you must wait for the next one). After passport/check-in/security, you catch another bus to the terminal.
If you want to see prices/schedules for regional trains, enter a date within the next 7 days.
Jan 5th, 2014, 06:53 PM
#15
Also the train between Naples and Sorrento is a private line, Circumvesuviana (not operated by Trenitalia). It's about 4€ for Napoli/Sorrento, but the 3 day Campania Artecard Tutta La Regione 32€ might be good for you depending on how much you are traveling/seeing (the 7 day does not include transport). It includes three days of transport including the metro in Naples, funiculars, buses and train to Sorrento along with two entrances (Pompeii, the archaeology museum in Naples, etc.). It also includes the buses along the coast from Sorrento to Positano/Amalfi/Salerno and all the way to Paestum.
http://www.campaniartecard.it/arteca...m#.UsooP_RDuPU
http://www.campaniartecard.it/arteca...m#.UsooP_RDuPU
