Anuradha

Hi there, I'm planning a 12-day trip to Italy in the first two weeks of October. We plan to land in Rome and end our trip in Venice. I need help in deciding whether I should go to Florence and then visit Sorrento and Pompei from there or go to Naples, stay there for a couple of days and then proceed to Florence.
Should it be Rome, Naples, Florence, Venice or Rome, Florence, Naples, Venice? I haven't booked any of the accommodation yet as I haven't been sure of the route to
take.
I would really appreciate any words of advice. Thank you!

quokka

Please look at a map. You'll notice that Naples, Sorrento and Pompeii are situated South of Rome while Florence and Venice are further North. What sense would it make to go North first, then back South and back North again?
The only sensible itinerary would obviously be Rome - Naples area - Florence - Venice.

Lorac1127

Your first option--Rome, Naples, Florence, Venice--is the better of the two, however, not ideal since you will backtrack a bit. I would consider Venice, Florence, Rome and Naples since it will be October, and traveling from north to south would bring you to the warmer area later in October.

Please also keep in mind the traveling time from one location to another. You realistically have ten days of vacation because day 1 and day 12 are travel days.

A better scenario would be to eliminate Naples and Sorrento and do a day trip from Rome to Pompeii which would leave you more time to enjoy and less time in transit.

Julie_Hurst

Or, skip south of Rome all together, considering your time frame. For ruins, go to Ostia Antica from Rome - 25 minute or less, easy & cheap train ride. We like it better than Pompeii because no crowds, can access the ruins rather than no-hands on, & so close to Rome don't waste extra days going south.

Julie

Graziella5b

My first reaction would be TOOOO many places in 12 days.
Choose wisely, visit the places you like the most .
Also did you check the possibility of an open jaw ticket arriving in Rome and leaving from Venice for instance?

Anuradha

Hi! Thanks everybody for your sensible advice. I had checked the map and did realize it didn't make too much sense, but there were loads of travel packages with the same itinerary, so wanted to consult on it. I realize that 12 days is too short and that it would be ideal to soak in the atmosphere of just a couple of places. Your responses have prompted me to extend the trip by another two days so I'm not zipping around everywhere.
Thank you once again for your help!

Julie_Hurst

Anuradha, just one note from me; hope you don't mind. Our first trip to Italy was a travel package - guided bus tour by Globus, 12 nites. Excellent trip, company, tour, & great fellow travelers. However, those bus trips cannot be duplicated time-wise by individuals, in my opinion.

On the tour, we were taken to the front door of the sites, hotels, & restaurants. Tickets were purchased in advance. Guides met us immediately. The bus driver didn't get lost & we didn't have to worry about parking time! As we walked into the hotels, we were handed our keys - no standing inline at checkin (& checkout) & no dealing with problems. We did not have to handle luggage. Now the kicker - we were at breakfast between 6-7am & then hit the bus. Our days ended about 10pm (unless we didn't go for the evening dinner). Most individual travelers would not choose to keep such a long daily schedule, I don't think.

We loved the tour as an introduction to Italy & it provided us an inspiration to return many times. But, don't think we could cover that many places & sites on our own on such a short time frame.

Have fun, Julie