msheiny

My husband and I are trying hard to book our trip for the first 11 days of October. I am having the hardest time picking out an itinerary.
On our list of places we would like to see are Rome, Florence, tuscany hillside or Umbria and the Amalfi Coast. If only time wasn't an issue. lol

We were thinking either Rome 5 nights- Capri 3 and Positano 3 back to airport hotel fly out.
A more relaxed itinerary for sure.

Or We could do Florence, Tuscany, either capri or Positano and back to Rome.

Do you think this is too much to take in the real feel for the people and the culture?

Positano's beauty looks so incredible, but I have had many tell me that " you haven't seen the real Italy unless you head to the countryside?

thoughts please!

yorkshire

Just breathe--I've been there, for sure, flush with the excitement of travel and wanting to see it all. But you can never see it all. I may be the only person on this site who has been to Italy twice but has yet to see Rome, Venice, or Florence, and I only barely scratched the surface of Tuscany.
I think you are already thinking you cannot adequately visit both the coast of Campania and Tuscany in combination with Rome. All of Italy is the real Italy--forget all that and do what you want to do! Just don't exhaust yourself trying to do too much that you cannot enjoy yourself. have an amazing trip!

ira

Hi MS,

You will be at almost the end of the tourist season. The weather on the AC may not be at its best.

Is there a reason you would not want to fly into Venice - 3 nights
train to Florence - 4 nights and see Siena
train to Rome - 4 nights and visit Orvieto?



BTW if you really have to go to the AC, it would be easier to fly out of Naples rather than return to Rome.

sarge56

ira is correct. October may not be the right season for the AC. His schedule of Venice/Florence/Rome sounds good. But I'd do 3 nights in Florence and add a day to Rome.

Have a lovely trip. Italy is magical!

msheiny

Ira, unfortunately we already have our airfare booked with some miles we earned and it is roundtrip from Rome.

We will save Venice for next time when the kids are with us.

So your vote is Rome, Florence, Tuscany?

yorkshire

I've seen many posters here talk about trips to the Amalfi coast in late September and early October, so I would not rule it out entirely just yet without further research (check previous year's temps at wunderground.com)--IF that is what you decide you want.

Expat200

I would stay on the Amalfi Coast for 4 nights and spend the rest of my time in Rome.

Rome is magical and it takes time to soak it all up. There is so much to see and do and then there are days where you can just wander and take in atmosphere. Be Roman.

Stay central. Try contacting [email protected] as he owns a few apartments in central Rome including one near Piazza Navona that is great for a couple. His sister Elizabeth knows Rome intimately and can give you loads of advice on what to do and where to go. They are lovely people who speak great English which is a bonus if you cannot speak Italian. I found them insanely helpful.

The Amalfi Coast is...in a word...spectacular. Personally, I adore Positano. I really love slowing down and enjoying the leisure of a stroll to the cafe, reading the papers over my cappucino, wandering back and deciding what to do with my day. There is so much to see...Capri, Ravello, Anacapri, The Blue Grotto, the Walk of the Gods. In every direction, you are surrounded by intense beauty. And lemons. Lots of lemons!!

I guess I am saying don't rob yourself of the joy of immersing yourself deeply into the day to day life of the places you visit. Plan less stops...and enjoy them more.

I hope you enjoy every second of your voyage and I wish you many italian blessings.

ekc

I agree with Expat - just stick to Rome and the Amalfi Coast. I would go directly to the Amalfi Coast upon arrival in Rome. Your arrival day is mostly wiped out by jetlag anyway, so you might as well get some of the train travel over. We were on the Amalfi Coast the first week in October last year and the weather was wonderful - sunny and warm.

Whatever you decide you will have a great time!

Weadles

I think in early October you run much less of a risk with bad weather on the Amalfi Coast. I would divide the trip between Rome, Positano, and Capri. There's a fast train between Rome and Naples ( just over an hour), then you could arrange a private transfer to your hotel on the AC, which is one of the most spectacular and intensely beautiful places I've ever visited.

Mimar

I second ekc's suggestion of going straight to the Amalfi coast upon arrival. It's better to be in Rome for your departure and better not to waste time seeing Rome in 2 pieces.

However, you might consider staying in Sorrento instead of Positano. More transportation options, especially in October. And more hotels and restaurants and shops, whereas those on the AC will be starting to shut down for the season. Have you thought of going to Pompeii? It's a quick, easy train ride from Sorrento.

Just want to put out there that you can use miles for open jaws trips. At least on some airlines. And you can change your award tickets to be open jaw if the change fee is worth it to you.

ellenem

I also like the plan to fly into Rome and head directly to the Amalfi Coast for 4 days, then the rest of the time in Rome. With so much time in Rome, you could opt to take a day trip to Orvieto or even Florence, choosing to go when you see how the weather is--and how you feel about leaving Rome.

bardo1

I completely agree with ellenem.

You'll likely land in Rome in the morning - just go straight to the Amalfi Coast for 4 nights (sleeping on route?) and then spend the last 7 nights in Rome.

You could easily do a day trip (or even two) from Rome as suggested - though you could also easily spend a week (or 2 or 3 ) just in Rome and not see all you want. You can decide on day trips once you are in Rome, based on weather, energy level, and other factors. Just head to the train station, buy your round trip ticket, and go.