Why are you flying to Rome, only to leave it immediately?

Oh, and how does Albania figure into this? I'm hoping it doesn't, as a honeymoon involving Albania, absent close relatives there, sounds like a SNL skit, and you've already got WAY too much going on!

SNL skit ... funny! Sounds like an eclectic itinerary based on a lot of personal interests. I do, however, think that visiting a salt mine on your honeymoon is memorable. Congrats.

Way too much packed in.

Just look at Day 2;

Arrive in Rome (at what time)
Take train to Naples (at what time will you get to Termini in Rome to get the Train to Naples)
Archeo Museum in Naples (where will you leave you luggage? how long will it take you to get from train station to the Museum? how long will you be able to tour the museum?)
Take train to Sorrento (how long will to take to get back to the train station? what time train do you expect to take to Sorrento?)

Not sure where you are coming from - but assuming an overnight flight you are likely to e jet-lagged and half asleep this entire day - and think just getting to Sorrento will be a major accomplishment - even without seeing the archeo museum.

I urge you to lay out each day with the times necessary to do the travel you want each day - and how long to see the sights you want to see (Michelin green guides are good for this) before finalizing a trip that is so demanding.

stcirq...SNL skit...thanks for the laugh...no way is he going to Albania with his bride.
stu

I am flying into Rome since flights from where I am in the us have a layover in rome longer then the train would take and cost a lot more. I am not going to Albania confused on where that came from. I was worried about day two if naples would be too much. The flight would arrive at 8 am. I will try to hit it on the way back or just next time we go. How does the budget and the rest of the day look?

<<I am flying into Rome since flights from where I am in the us have a layover in rome longer then the train would take and cost a lot more>>

A layover to where? Layovers don't "cost more." I think you're confused.

The budget looks pretty reasonable. The itinerary looks like madness.

The salt mine and auswhitz were something that she wanted to do so not going to say no, especially since the salt mine has statutes and a church in it and some of my family has been through auschwitz I really want to do it even though not typical honeymoon. Should be noted that both of us are big time history and science nerds so we will do some weird things on the trips lol.

The total flight cost of flying into naples is more. The layover in rome adds more total travel time then taking a train. So flying into rome and taking the train in total would be cheaper and take an accumlative less time. What else makes the trip madness? Is it too much? What do you think could be cut or extended to reduce any stress?

When is your trip? Time of year affects choices and options.

You are going to Naples, Sorrento and Capri, but not down the Amalfi Coast to Positano or Amalfi?

Capri is OK for day trip, but pretty rushed for an afternoon after visiting Pompeii. You have to be really certain of ferry times.

Have you already been to Rome, If not, it seems a shame to fly into Rome and not see one of the great cities of the world. Is Rome part of the Globus tour?

Have to agree with nytraveler: not a good arrival day. Especially after a wedding and long flight, you might want a relaxing eveing with a nice dinner. Where are you coming from in the US?

What are you doing on the Globus tour? Knowing that would help determine other advice. You are doing so much yourself. Why did you book a tour for part of the trip? Have you already booked it? Just on the surface, it doesn't seem like a good idea.

"Sunday Day 4-11: Globus Trip then fly to . . . "

really? Why? Where all does it go? Give us a link to the tour. But IMO a down market Globus tour would NOT be my chouice for a honeymoon. And I don't mean 'down market' because of the cost. I'm definitely not a travel snob and cheap is good

But Globus tours are not geared to anyone who wants to smell the roses (or taste the gellato). The hotels are out to hell and gone usually far from the city centers, and most spend HOURS on the coach each day w/ most stops really touristy shopping opportunities.

The trip will be september to october next year. The wedding won't interfere and make us tired since we are already married just doing the honeymoon for our anniversary since we were in grad school. We are from Indiana not great for flying out of lol.

We are doing sorrento because as a home base for pompeii (main reason for going down there). I didn't know capri would take that long. Anything that can be done as a half day after pompeii? Would amafi cost work? Not doing anything at naples other then the museum to put pompeii more in perspective.

The globus tour is an even mix of rome, florence, and venice with a side trip to pisa. My wife has spent time in rome already as well.

<<The total flight cost of flying into naples is more. The layover in rome adds more total travel time then taking a train. So flying into rome and taking the train in total would be cheaper and take an accumlative less time.>>

I still don't understand. I don't think you understand what the word "layover" means (or else I'm totally misunderstanding YOU). A "layover" is when you pay for a flight from A to C and it stops for awhile in B before you continue. But there's no cost associated with the time you spend in B.

So did you buy RT tickets from Indiana to Naples, but you're jumping off the plane in Rome? That wouldn't make sense if you paid for the trip to Naples. And if you were originally contemplating flying to Rome, then flying to Naples, but then decided that taking the train from Rome to Naples would be cheaper, then there's no "layover" involved and never has been from the start.

I just don't understand hopping on a cheap rushed tour in the middle of a vacation. Why? If you can plan three-quarters of a trip on your own, you can plan all four. And you're flying into Rome, zooming south this this place and that, ending up in Capri, and then starting out on a Globus tour in Rome (or Venice, or Florence)...necessitating a big backtrack north?? What makes sense about that?

How are you getting around Germany and Poland and the Czech Republic? In fact, how are your getting around everywhere?

Here are my thoughts on your itinerary:

Day 2 - go directly to Sorrento and relax, walk around, have some dinner and enjoy Sorrento.

Day 3 - go to Naples and Pompeii or Capri. There is no way you can do justice to both in one day, especially as the ferries return to the mainland early (perhaps around 5:00).

Day 20 - ambitious - you need to be at the castle ticket office very early to get tickets as they sell out quickly. Waiting in line will eat up a bit of time. Perhaps the best thing is to buy advanced tickets the day before (you get these in the castle area). Kazimierz needs a good half day and more if you include the Krakow Under the Occupation Museum (which I highly recommend). If you're interested in going into the synagogues you need to schedule around the Jewish holidays in September.

The Salt Mine was great but it took me 5 hours door to door. It all depends on how many people are in the mine as you can wait for 30 minutes or more to leave.

Do not add more locations to this already over crowded schedule. I would add time to Krakow and Prague. You only have 1 day in Prague and are leaving it for Cesky Krumlov which is a cute town but there is so much more to see and do in Prague. I would spend 3 days in Prague and forgo CK and add 2 days to Krakow.

Please rethink the Globus tour and see those cities on your own. You can connect with good walking tours or private guides, spend less money and get more for your time. I agree totally with janisj about Globus - it's a low end company with bad food, hotels no where near the sights, and mediocre tour guides. I speak from experience. You're probably doing a Taste of Italy which will set you back about $4,000+ for the 2 of you for a week. You can certainly use that money to better advantage if you plan your own trip to Rome, Florence, & Venice.

I think I understand the plane/train thing.

1. The flight to Naples is more money than the combined price of the flight to Rome plus train tickets from FCO to Rome and then from Rome to Naples.

2. The layover in Rome (for the flight to Naples) is longer than the 3+ hours that the trains would take.

Please don't be discouraged by the questions and comments. Your itinerary needs some tweaking and people are trying to help.

I would personally add any extra days to the beginning of the trip and spend the time on the Amalfi Coast. It is romantic and beautiful and there is lots to do. Besides Pompeii and the Archeological museum, visit Herculaneum, take a trip to Capri and take a boat down the coast. See Positano, Amalfi, etc.

Instead of that Globus tour, consider simply spending 3/4 nights in Rome and 3/4 nights in Venice. You can do some wonderful day trips from Venice and Rome. Or. . .spend a few days with a car touring Tuscany and still 3 or 4 in Venice. Anyway, do it yourself. Pick two bases and do day trips. You will see a lot more, stay in better hotels, eat better food, not have to wait for other people and spend a lot less money.

Where had you planned to rent a car for a week? I don't see that you are staying anywhere out of cities for that long of a time.

You said you are both big history and science nerds and might do weird things on the trip. I don't see anything in particular that you are doing that appeals uniquely to science nerds or history buffs. Of course, there is Pompeii and Auschwitz, but many people want to see those. Are you doing some kind of scientic study of Octoberfest? Just kidding? Anyway, as far as travel, there doesn't seem to be any special interest like food, architecture, scenery, etc. If you have particular interests, other posters can give you a bit more advice about your itinerary.

Also, you didn't know why people questioned Albania. It is tagged in the top of your post - an accident, perhaps?

St. Cirq - he is referring to a "connection" in Rome. Connecting through Rome to Naples would take him a lot longer, and cost more than just ending his flight in Rome and taking a train to Naples. Once again you insult an OP with a phrase referring to their plans as "madness", not to mention insulting the country and people of Albania (good thing the OP didn't actually intend to go, right?).

janisj - describing the OP's choice of a Globus tour as "down market" and not suitable for a honeymoon is pretty shameful, despite your attempt to cover it up with an "I don't mean to insult you" qualifier.

Rayliss - as Sassafrass points out, one must often try and see through the responses of those in these forums who think that their own likes and dislikes trump anyone elses and who feel like they must condescend in order to reinforce their superior views. They just don't understand that they often come off sounding like someone telling someone else what they should like to eat, or similar - "I wouldn't order the snails if I were you - I don't like them".

Don't bother (you two) replying that I have said nothing useful in reply while you have, my reply will come shortly - I'm a little busy with the season right now.

Don't 'bother'?? What a piece you are. I VERY CLEARLY (to everyone but you) explained that is not the cost of Globus but the quality/pace/hotel choices that would not fit most people's idea of a honeymoon.

Just like I wouldn't recommend Contiki -

I dare say I have done more budget/'down market' traveling than you have. And I never criticize folks for wanting to save money (heck, that would be pretty silly since I teach classes about budget travel to Europe)

I have never attacked you but you attack those who disagree w/ you every chance you get. \

Now we are waiting for that 'constructive' post you are planning . . .

First off I didn't take offense to anything anyone said. I have posted on other sites and got way worse. Like why would anyone want to do a shithole like poland for a honeymoon do paris instead. Which didn't offend me even though my grand father was born in warsaw. So, I take grain of salt what people say and apply to what I have research.

I have changed my mind about Naples on the first day unless I my wife gets a good night on the plane. I easily run on no sleep from my grad days of getting up every two hours to process a sample.

I plan on coming back to the Amafi area when I have more time, but my whole reason for coming down before the tour instead of staying in rome is to see Pompeii (it was the first site I ever wanted to see overseas). I will make it back to see what I can't along the coast when I come back to see Gallo Matese.

For the confusion on the flight, train, and layover adrienne is correct. Flight to Naples is 300 more per person and has a connection layover of 4 1/2 hours. While a train takes 2 hours and only cost 50 dollars a person. Saving me 500 dollars and 2 1/2 hours. More of a hassle yes, but all around better option.

I understand the critics for the tour, but we received a gift card thing for a couple grand from my wife's uncle for the globusfamily brand. It is what he always uses and he knew we wanted to do Europe and said this way it was guaranteed we would use the money for a trip. I don't plan on doing any option tour other then the Ufizi gallery. Most afternoons and evenings are solo and we plan on doing bailing from the group as much as we can.

Link to the tour:
http://www.globusjourneys.com/Product.aspx?trip=3LJ

Oh and I accidentally clicked on the Albania, but I do want there whenever I get to the Balkans. Would easily cut it for so of the others in the area, but have nothing against the country.

<< While a train takes 2 hours >>

The train may take 2 hours from Rome to Naples but you need to get to the train station at FCO, take the train to Rome, wait for the train to Naples and then take the train to Naples. That will be 3+ hours. But if it saves you money then it seems to be the right choice to me and you're not waiting around an airport which is a plus.

Enjoy your trip!