frenchfrost

I am planning a trip to Italy at the end of April (and a few days into May). It will be my first time going with my boyfriend and we will have a total of 13 nights. Is this itinerary feasible?

Day 1. Fly into Naples. Train to Sorrento and bus to Amalfi or Positano (unsure of where to have my base for the Amalfi coast)

Day 2. Positano

Day 3. Ravello

Day 4. ?

Day 5. Train to Rome

Day 6. Rome

Day 7. Rome

Day 8. Train to Florence

Day 9. Florence

Day 10. Florence

Day 11. Train to Venice

Day 12. Venice

Day 13. Venice

Day 14. Fly home form Venice

I know I won't be able to see everything and am OK with that (there are some "must-see" touristy things that I don't have a great interest in and am more interested in just soaking in the culture, eating great food, and exploring beautiful cities), but would like to make the most of my time there. Thank you!

worldinabag

Hi

Your itinerary looks fine. However I would be inclined to base in Sorrento. That way you can experience Sorrento and do easy day trips to the Amalfi, Pompei, Capri etc. Depending on your arrival time you can catch a bus from Naples airport to Sorrento - http://www.massalubrense.it/busvari.htm.

Rubicund

At the time that you are going, roads will be relatively less crowded and moving along the Amalfi coast will be a lot easier. If you have the budget, stay in Positano, it's spectacular, but if you want to visit Pompeii, Capri etc. then base in Sorrento. With your limited time, car hire could make sense here.

You could then turn in the car at Rome, (you do not want one in that City) for the rest of your plan.

Sassafrass

I would reverse the trip: start in Venice, end in Naples.

It is usually easier to fly into Venice than out - better flight choices and departure flights are often super early in the morning, making your last night very short on sleep and transportation not as easy.

Since you are going end of April into May, it would be nice to have the warmest weather right at the end on the AC.

If flights don't work out from Naples, then this is the better order: Into Venice - Florence - Amalfi Coast - Home from Rome.

frenchfrost

Thank you for the responses! I want to do the Amalfi Coast first since I think flying out of Naples from AC to go home will take a lot of planning in order to not miss my flight. I am considering a private car transfer to Positano from the Naples airport to save time and will train/bus to Rome later. I am now wondering if I should do two nights instead of three nights in Venice and tack a night to one of the other cities instead. What do you think about this?

worldinabag

Hi

It really depends what you're interested in to. I loved Italy but really enjoyed the uniqueness of Venice. So I would stay the extra night in Venice.

nytraveler

You're too early for the beach/pool on the Amalfi coast so I'm not sure I would do it. And if you do you are missing the biggest sights - Pompeii.

Also - you really need more time to see much of anything in Rome - time is Florence and Venice is rushed but doable. (You haven;t allowed time to get form one place to another so you really have 1/2 to 1 day less in each city than you have listed)>

kja

What are your interests and your aspirations for visiting these locations?

frenchfrost

I'm interested in visiting some museums (I love art) and I also love beautiful architecture and gardens and flowers. I'm primarily interested in the Amalfi Coast for its beauty (I understand there isn't a ton to do there but relax and enjoy the beautiful views and eat wonderful food). I understand that the pools and ocean will not be warm enough for swimming in April and I am OK with that (I would not go swimming even if it was warm enough anyway). I'm not planning on trying to hit every "must-see" site in each city (for instance, I'm not interested in seeing the Colosseum so will probably skip that), but would like to to get a taste of each city. When I went to the France, my most favorite thing was walking around the narrow streets and drinking coffee at the cafes and people watching; I imagine that is something that I would enjoy in Italy too. I don't think this will be my only trip to Italy ever, but most likely I won't be able to make such a trip again in a very long time

Sassafrass

There is more to do than you might think in the AC/Naples area: wonderful museums in Naples, also Pompeii, Herculaneum, Paestum, Vesuvious, Capri, Positano, Amalfi, etc., etc.,
If you did decide to end on the AC, you could spend your last night in Naples, seeing Pompeii or Herculaneum on your last day on the way to Naples, or a museum on the last afternoon in Naples. Flowers on the AC are beautiful, and of course, better as the weather gets warmer.

Since you love art, put the Borghese Gallery in Rome on your list as a "not to be missed" place.

On that same note, if you do get into Naples, put the sculpture in the Cappella Sansevero on your also "don't miss this!" list. You will never forget the work in this one.

kja

> I'm interested in visiting some museums (I love art) and I also love beautiful architecture and gardens and flowers.

In that case, you might find yourself very short on time in each of these locations. And you might wonder why you spent so much time in transit, when you could have used that time to enjoy more of these things in a smaller set of cities.

The good news is that you'll see some wonderful things no matter what you end up choosing to do. Enjoy!

worldinabag

Hi again

Another vote for the Borghese Gallery. Bookings essential. One lovely garden worth visiting as an easy day trip from Rome is at Tivoli - http://www.villadestetivoli.info/galleriae.htm. The fountains are incredible.

frenchfrost

Thank you so much for all the helpful feedback so far! I think I may consider extending my visit a day or two or I may have to cut out the Amalfi Coast (don't really want to do this!) and focus on Rome, Florence and Venice instead. My other concern is that I just realize that the two weeks I want to do my traveling falls on April 25th and May 1st, two major holidays in Italy, so I will have to be even more careful with my planning.

kja

I trust you are also paying attention to the days on which the places you most want to visit are open. Many places you might want to visit will be closed at least one day a week, often Monday. If you can add some time, that would great, even if you leave the Amalfi Coast for a subsequent trip.