Amalfi Coast & Florence
Jul 9th, 2006, 05:11 PM
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Amalfi Coast & Florence
Hi,
My husband & I and another couple (all 30) are going to Italy for 9 nights in August/September. We are flying into Rome and hopping on a train to head to Florence (we've all done Rome before so we are not redoing it this trip). Does anyone have any "Must Sees" or recommendations on places to stay.
From Florence, our plan is to spend some time in Positano, Capri, Sorrento, Pompeii & possibly Salerno. None of us have ever been to this part of Italy (i.e. The Amalfi Coast or Naples etc). Does it seem reasonable to just spend 1 week exploring these areas? Should we go elsewhere? Any suggestions as to where to spend our time? Are some places better then others? Any input would be GREAT!
My husband & I and another couple (all 30) are going to Italy for 9 nights in August/September. We are flying into Rome and hopping on a train to head to Florence (we've all done Rome before so we are not redoing it this trip). Does anyone have any "Must Sees" or recommendations on places to stay.
From Florence, our plan is to spend some time in Positano, Capri, Sorrento, Pompeii & possibly Salerno. None of us have ever been to this part of Italy (i.e. The Amalfi Coast or Naples etc). Does it seem reasonable to just spend 1 week exploring these areas? Should we go elsewhere? Any suggestions as to where to spend our time? Are some places better then others? Any input would be GREAT!
Jul 9th, 2006, 05:19 PM
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Well, you should certainly have decent weather. From Florence, I would consider the Italian Riviera more convenient than the Amalfi Coast. But of course many people have done the sort of trip you are planning.
Do plan quickly for the AC. Lots of hotels are filled by now for the end of August.
"Must sees" certainly depend on your interests.
How about 4 nights in Florence and 5 on the AC. That is if you are interested in what Florence has to offer. Its greatest treasures are in art museums and churches, and it has incredible architecture. Are these the sort of things you're looking for? Shopping? Eating?
You gotta give me more!
Do plan quickly for the AC. Lots of hotels are filled by now for the end of August.
"Must sees" certainly depend on your interests.
How about 4 nights in Florence and 5 on the AC. That is if you are interested in what Florence has to offer. Its greatest treasures are in art museums and churches, and it has incredible architecture. Are these the sort of things you're looking for? Shopping? Eating?
You gotta give me more!
Jul 9th, 2006, 05:28 PM
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In Florence- we stayed at the Hotel Davanzati which was great! I travelled with my husband and another couple as well... they had a suite that we shared (less expensive) that was great... I found them via tripadvisor.. they had great reviews and we were not dissapointed.
We took the train thru Naples, and then the local train down to Sorrento- with a few hour stop in Pompei. It was only about 45 minutes or so.
Plan on spending a full day in Capri... I did not make it down to Positano or Salerno. In Sorrento, we stayed at the Hilton which sat on a cliff.. walked to Sorrento vs. a taxi.. it took about 15 minutes, but was a nice walk up.
When my husband and I went to Palermo to visit family, our friends went to Sienna for two days and really liked it alot...
have fun!
We took the train thru Naples, and then the local train down to Sorrento- with a few hour stop in Pompei. It was only about 45 minutes or so.
Plan on spending a full day in Capri... I did not make it down to Positano or Salerno. In Sorrento, we stayed at the Hilton which sat on a cliff.. walked to Sorrento vs. a taxi.. it took about 15 minutes, but was a nice walk up.
When my husband and I went to Palermo to visit family, our friends went to Sienna for two days and really liked it alot...
have fun!
Jul 9th, 2006, 05:29 PM
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Mistake- Sorrento, a nice walk DOWN... UP was not so nice!
You can take a ferry from Sorrento to Capri.. but also from both to Naples vs. the train which I would recommend.
We are going to the Cinque de Terre area late August/Sept.. there were a lot of helpful posts there too...
You can take a ferry from Sorrento to Capri.. but also from both to Naples vs. the train which I would recommend.
We are going to the Cinque de Terre area late August/Sept.. there were a lot of helpful posts there too...
Jul 9th, 2006, 05:37 PM
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Thanks so much for all of the replies! It will help us out a ton in creating the perfect trip! Thanks!
Interests: We like eating, wine, architecture, history, beaches, shopping, we will definitely hit some museums but are not huge museum buffs but any means....
Could we do Florence for 2 days, then possibly hit Tuscany for 2 days and then 5 going to the AC; Positano, Capri, Pompeii ect. Is that too much/enough time there? Which cities are better then others with our alloted time? Thanks again!
Interests: We like eating, wine, architecture, history, beaches, shopping, we will definitely hit some museums but are not huge museum buffs but any means....
Could we do Florence for 2 days, then possibly hit Tuscany for 2 days and then 5 going to the AC; Positano, Capri, Pompeii ect. Is that too much/enough time there? Which cities are better then others with our alloted time? Thanks again!
Jul 9th, 2006, 05:51 PM
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Well, you're young. ;-) I suppose you could do 2 nights in Florence, but think about it this way: you will be arriving in Rome in the morning, presumably from an all night flight from the US (I know I'm presuming); then, you'll make your way from FCO to Termini, get on a train to Firenze, get to SMN, and then to your hotel. By now, you will surely be pooped. Basically, you will have that late afternoon and evening, and the next day in Firenze. Doable. Exhausting, but doable.
Ok, you get up early on the third day and make your way by car or train to somewhere (else) in Tuscany. Where did you have in mind? If it is countryside you are after, you'll need a car. So let's say you pick up a car in Firenze (ugh, but doable) and drive to, oh, let's say Pienza. Again, by the time you rent the car, leave Firenze, and drive to Pienza, find your hotel, and check in, you have an afternoon and evening there. The next day you drive about.
Let's say you see the "must see" abbey at San Antimo and maybe Montepulciano or Montalcino (I prefer the latter, but many disagree). Then back to your base in Pienza and eat dinner, pack up and plan to head to the AC in the morning.
By car? Or are you dropping off the car and hoping to train to Naples, and then other transport to the AC?
You see... the more you move around, the more logistics you must plan for. It isn't impossible, but it takes a less free and easy approach. Especially in high season, when everyone wants rooms, transportation, etc.
If you asked me for an AC base, I would say Positano. From there, you can ferry to Capri, Amalfi and on to Ravello.
If you ask me, Salerno is too far. Pompeii will need to be planned for, maybe you can do it on your way to or from the AC.
Ok, you get up early on the third day and make your way by car or train to somewhere (else) in Tuscany. Where did you have in mind? If it is countryside you are after, you'll need a car. So let's say you pick up a car in Firenze (ugh, but doable) and drive to, oh, let's say Pienza. Again, by the time you rent the car, leave Firenze, and drive to Pienza, find your hotel, and check in, you have an afternoon and evening there. The next day you drive about.
Let's say you see the "must see" abbey at San Antimo and maybe Montepulciano or Montalcino (I prefer the latter, but many disagree). Then back to your base in Pienza and eat dinner, pack up and plan to head to the AC in the morning.
By car? Or are you dropping off the car and hoping to train to Naples, and then other transport to the AC?
You see... the more you move around, the more logistics you must plan for. It isn't impossible, but it takes a less free and easy approach. Especially in high season, when everyone wants rooms, transportation, etc.
If you asked me for an AC base, I would say Positano. From there, you can ferry to Capri, Amalfi and on to Ravello.
If you ask me, Salerno is too far. Pompeii will need to be planned for, maybe you can do it on your way to or from the AC.
Jul 9th, 2006, 05:55 PM
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With thinking about jet lag (as mentioned previously, I would.... do 3 days in Florence (really 2.5 with traveling to and from), 2 days in Tuscany area (as mentioned Siena was noted to have been really nice/relaxing), then 4 days in AC area...I am pretty sure you can take the train to all these spots.. Where are you flying out of?
Jul 9th, 2006, 06:05 PM
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OK, you are right! Thanks for putting this all into perspective for me 
I want an enjoyable trip, not one I am in a car/on a train most of the trip.
So how does this sound?
Day 1: Get into Rome, train to Florence.
Day 3: Train to Siena (any suggestions here?)
Day 4/5: Train to the AC... we will have 5 nights & 4 days in the AC. Should we just stay all 5 nights in Positano? Or try to stay one other place too? You also mentioned Ravello, Capri, Amalfi. Are these all feasible day excursions? Should we try to do Sorrento & Pompeii too?
Thanks a TON!
I want an enjoyable trip, not one I am in a car/on a train most of the trip.So how does this sound?
Day 1: Get into Rome, train to Florence.
Day 3: Train to Siena (any suggestions here?)
Day 4/5: Train to the AC... we will have 5 nights & 4 days in the AC. Should we just stay all 5 nights in Positano? Or try to stay one other place too? You also mentioned Ravello, Capri, Amalfi. Are these all feasible day excursions? Should we try to do Sorrento & Pompeii too?
Thanks a TON!
Jul 10th, 2006, 04:43 AM
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I too am planning a relatively similar trip. I will be traveling via train to all destinations. Question: I will be going from Rome to Sorrento via train. It was suggested to not train all the way to Sorrento but only to Naples because of pick pockets and gypsies are prevalent on the Sorrento train. Is this true. What is the best means and of course the cheapest but secure means of getting from Naples to Sorrento.
2nd Question: We are planning also 2 days in Florence and one day in Siena wine country and then off to San Gimignano for our hotel stay. Is a car necessary or is there public transportation around the roads in Siena.
Our total trip via train will run about $270. Is this average or is it better value to get a RailPass.
Thanks for your help.
Diane
2nd Question: We are planning also 2 days in Florence and one day in Siena wine country and then off to San Gimignano for our hotel stay. Is a car necessary or is there public transportation around the roads in Siena.
Our total trip via train will run about $270. Is this average or is it better value to get a RailPass.
Thanks for your help.
Diane
Jul 10th, 2006, 05:39 AM
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Hi TI,
>Could we do Florence for 2 days, then possibly hit Tuscany for 2 days and then 5 going to the AC..
Sure, but why bother?
Why not fly into Naples - 3 nights - then go on to the AC and return from Naples?
>Could we do Florence for 2 days, then possibly hit Tuscany for 2 days and then 5 going to the AC..
Sure, but why bother?
Why not fly into Naples - 3 nights - then go on to the AC and return from Naples?
