Heather

I have read many great suggestions on trip planning here and I do not want to be redundant but...<BR>I do need some of your expert advice for my specific plans.<BR>I will fly into Venice in the early am spending one night there. (I know others will cry foul at the thought of Venice for one night but it is the ONLY place in Italy I have been to before) The next morning I will head to Tuscany.<BR><BR>From this point I need help - <BR>I have two nights in Tuscany with no car. Should I base myself in Sienna or spend one night in Sienna and one somewhere else?<BR><BR>My thought is to arrive in Sienna and enjoy the afternoon, evening and take a bus to San G. the next day returning to Sienna by nightfall.<BR><BR>After two nights i will head to Sorrento for three nights. Where on the web do I find train fares and routes? Ever heard of the Italian mile pass? Would that pass work for two people from Venice to Amalfi and back to Rome?<BR><BR>After three nights in Sorrento I will head to Rome for two nights.<BR><BR>Suggestions? Thoughts on what would work best? Any help? I know this is a highly visited region and there is alot of great help out there.<BR><BR>Thanks for your time!

Grasshopper

Heather, you can do all of this without a car. And while some will tell you that you are spending a lot of time on trains or busses, the time you spent on the train is time spent watching Italy go by. It's not a waste!<BR><BR>I would stay in Siena two nights. You can easily do the bus thing to San G. from there. But the more you move the more time you lose making moves.<BR><BR>To get to Sorrento from Siena, I would take the train or bus to Rome, transfer in Rome to Naples and then you will take the Circumvesuvius to Sorrento. Total travel time would be about 6 hours (and that doesn't include connection time)

Heather

Grasshopper , are there no direct trains from Tuscany to Sorrento? I am really unfamiliar with the trains and connections since I have always used a car in Europe.<BR><BR>How long is the train from venice to siena?

Grasshopper

You might find a direct train from Siena to Naples but you must take the Circumvesuvius to Sorrento (it's a local train with lots of stops) Incidently, it also stops at Pompeii which you might want to visit.<BR><BR>I don't recall the website for train schedules but it has been posted here many times. Something like www.scnf.com (or .it)? You will find a link for trains in Europe on www.ricksteves.com

Heather

Grasshopper <BR>Thanks so much! I do hate moving so much but I really feel like I'm on an Italian "sampler" tour, I just can't cut any of these sites out!<BR><BR>One other thought I had was to stay the first night in Siena and second night in Assisi (sp?) or Orvieto or someplace that would cut down that long travel day from Tuscany to Sorrento? I thought Assisi might have more direct trains to Sorrento than Siena.<BR><BR>Yes I did plan on three night in Sorrento to include Pompeii!

xxx

As Grasshopper pointed out, a train change in Naples is mandatory. Once in Naples, allow for some connection time (30 min) and a one hour ride to Sorrento.<BR><BR>Most train options between Siena and Naples call for a single change (either in Chiusi or Florence). Total trip time to Naples averages 5:30 hours. Most options between Assisi and Naples call for 2 changes. Total trip time averages 4:30 hours. From Orvieto, a change in Rome is normally called for but there are a few direct trains. Travel time averages 3:30 hours. <BR><BR>The train connection between Siena and Assisi calls for 2 changes and takes 3:30 hours. Ridiculous! The bus, at 2 hours, is much faster (departure at 4:30pm). The train connection between Siena and Orvieto calls for a change in Chiusi and takes an average of 2 hours. Don't know about bus service between the two cities. But once one arrives in Assisi or Orvieto, one isn't out of the woods yet. A not so short taxi/bus ride is called for climbing the Assisi hill. In Orvieto one has to take either the funicular or bus/taxi into town.<BR><BR>IMO, though, this is all academic! Stay in Siena the 2nd night. For starters, one looses precious time checking in/out, packing/unpacking, shuttling in/out the city. On the other hand, you'll need some 5/6 hours from Venice into Siena, depending on train. With a single night in Venice, even having visited before, I doubt you'll manage to leave early. At best, therefore, you'll be in Siena mid afternoon. This translates to dedicate the next day morning to Siena, and depart to San G. around 1pm. This way you would catch the sites still open and then enjoy the city when the tour buses are gone. <BR><BR>

Heather

Wow! Great advice and just what I'm looking for to give me a clear and concise idea of what is manageable!<BR><BR>Never realized the train from Venice to Siena was so long! <BR><BR>Ok, I am leaning toward the night in Venice, train to Siena for two nights, then the train to Sorrento for three nights and two nights in Rome.<BR><BR>How long is the bus ride from Siena to San G.?

Grasshopper

Not long, less than an hour I think. But you do have to make a change in Poggibonsi. It will be obvious and you won't be alone so don't worry about it.