Central_OR

My wife and I are planning our first European trip to Italy in October for our 30th anniversary. We are using frequent flyer miles and have already booked air in and out of Rome (FCO). An open jaw between other Italian cities was not available.

About us: We are easy going, well seasoned, active 55 year old north American travelers, who love to experience new things, have limited knowledge of Italian art, enjoy some museums, love scenery, enjoy walking and hiking, getting lost and exploring, history, photography, simple mornings relaxing in a town piazza people watching with a espresso in hand, love the ocean, late evening dinners sampling local fare and wine.
Our primary mode of transportation is train, with the exception of the Tuscany region.

Our draft itinerary is as follows:
1. Rome - 4 nights - Arrive early AM, architecture, Museums, Coliseum, Vatican
2. Sorrento - 3 nights - visit Positano, Amalfi Coastline, Pompeii
3. Florence - 1 night - Duomo, David, what else would you recommend?
4. Siena - 3 nights - exploring Italian countryside, hill towns, winery - (Rent Car)
5. Cinque Terra - 2 nights - Small town, hiking along rugged coastline, beauty
6. Venice - 3 nights - St Marks, architecture, exploring, other recommendations?
7. Rome - last night - Arrive late afternoon, dinner, (11am flight next day)

Given the limited number of nights, I am concerned that this itinerary may not allow us to relax much, and settle into local life. Do you think we might be packing too much into this trip? If so, what destinations would you delete off the list and then where would you add additional nights. Also which areas would you recommend, given our background and interests?

Any advice is welcomed Thanks so much

bobthenavigator

It will take you most of a day to get to Flornce from Sorrento by train and you have only one day scheduled--that will not work. I would get your car as you leave Sorrento and drive first to your Tuscany base location.

yorkshire

When I have that same feeling (too much?), I write it all down, including travel time. I have tried to ban one night stays. And I can have trouble when I go somewhere like Rome, for example, because I might feel pressure to see sights instead of relaxing, so I pick small towns instead.

You are seeing highlights, and it certainly not the most rushed itinerary I have seen, but I agree that the time for relaxation may be limited. Just offhand, I would leave off Venice and add more time in the CT, Sorrento, or Siena region, since you mentioned scenery, hiking, and walking.

ellenem

One way to slow down . . . eliminate one hotel change and the one one-night stay.

1. Arrive early AM in Rome; train immediately to Venice - 3 nights
2. Cinque Terra - 2 nights
3. Florence - 2 nights
4. Siena - 3 nights
5. Sorrento - 3 nights
6. Rome - 4 nights

cathies

Sorry to be negative, but I think you need to drop one of these towns completely. Either Sorrento or Cinque Terre. Decide which is more important and stick with that one, ie if you really want to see Pompeii then drop Cinque Terre. Otherwise drop Sorrento and add those days to Venice etc. Cinque Terre - Venice will take most of the day in travelling.

Florence can be visited as a day trip out of Rome - it's only about 1 1/2 hours by fast train. That would save changing hotels etc which takes up more time than you think. When you go to Florence, leave visiting David until later in the afternoon - about 5pm. The queues are gone by then and you can practically walk straight in without the bother of pre-booking tickets. The Uffizi in Florence is a fantastic gallery, but it depends how keen you are on that period - read up a little and decide. You do need pre-booked tickets for that as otherwise the queues are long.

Don't forget you will be jetlagged on the first day or two in Rome.

nytraveler

I would choose either the Amalfi Coast or the Cinque Terre - not both. The extra days should be spent in Rome and Florence. Rome because much of your first day will be lost to jet lag and Florence because there really is alot to see there. This will also give you some time for cafe sitting in early am or late afternoon and just soaking up the atmospere.

One of my favorite places are the cafes in front of the Pantheon in Rome. In the late afternoon they offer free small bites when you order a drink or two - the view of the Pantheon and the passing parade is wonderful, and there is church nearby from which we have heard music (practices apparently) on several occasions.

chazzarelli

I agree things each person has said above. I went 2 years ago for 23 days, and I wanted to do and see so many things. One mistake I made and will be sure not to make on my upcomming trip is the 1 night stays. My suggestion is while visiting Tuscany, combine the 2 places Siena and Florence. Stay in one place instead of lugging your things around to stay in another hotel that is just nearby where you are already staying. I suggest staying in Siena in the country and getting up in the morning, taking a train or driving to Florence. There really isnt a need to go stay in Florence if you are right there in Siena, which is only an hr train ride away.

And although I eventually want to see Cinque Terre, I think that Amalfi Coast has more to offer around the area with Pompeii, Capri and Naples nearby.

Mimar

I agree with chazzarelli though I would stay in the historic center of Siena and take the bus into Florence.

Inside the walls, Siena after dark is very dark and medieval-feeling, a real experience. And the bus to Florence leaves from inside the old city whereas the train station is outside the walls at some distance. The bus arrives in Florence opposite the train station so the Florence end is a toss-up.

Andrew

I did an itinerary much like what Ellenem suggests, flying in and out of Rome, and am glad I trained directly to Venice that first day - and I agree, it saves a night. And you don't have to rush back that last night. Instead, while you're groggy from jetlag, you can be on the train north and perhaps nap a little (but not much).

Central_OR

Thank you everyone for such great suggestions and advice. It is greatly appreciated

T4TX

I agree with dropping CT to add more time onto other locations, but I would not drop spending the night(s) in Florence. The city can be so crowded during the day (even in Oct) that you get another perspective at night. But then Florence is a favorite of mine, so personal bias at work.