kiwinz

Please can I have some advice on planning a holiday to Italy for the first time. We have about 23 days, active enjoy walking, very fit, early 60's, like a wide range of experiences. We like not too rush, use trains and hire a car for Tuscany. Like to stay in Tuscany for a week. Rather use bases. How much should we aim to cover in Italy with this time frame. Looking at end of April or end of September. is one time better for travel. Probably fly into Rome.

AussieHubbyWife

Our last trip to Italy we flew into Rome where we had 4 nights based in Trastevere. From Rome, we went to the Cinque Terre for 6 nights where we did some amazing walks. We then went onto Tuscany for a relaxing week of eating, walking and sightseeing and we finished the whole trip with 4 nights in Venice.

bilboburgler

So basically 3 bases, i might find April still not perfect weather, May would be nicer.

I'd look at maybe Tuscany, the Dolimites, Emilia Romana maybe

It is worth looking out a map of Italian railways, they can be a life saver for getting around. Buses tend to be locally owned and plan by region.

vincenzo32951

If you're looking for seaside experience as part of the plan, I'd choose the Amalfi Coast over Cinque Terre, just because of the likelihood of getting better weather in the south.

Three, maybe four, bases sounds right. Look into renting apartments/homes as a base in each place and doing day trips.

denisea

Can't top the Amalfi Coast for spectacular views. Walk/Path of the Gods might be of interest, as well as Paestum, Ravello and maybe Pompeii.

We were in Rome a few years ago for 9 nights and still didn't see it all. We also took day and half day trips from Rome to Orvieto, Ostia Antica and Tivoli (Hadrian's villa and Villa d'Este)...enjoyed them all.

Figure out your bases so you can fly into one city, like Rome and out another, maybe Naples or Milan depending on what you decide your focus will be.

annhig

i agree about going south first, to maximise the chance of good weather.

in 23 days you could manage 4-5 bases depending on your style of travel - and if you can fly open jaw [into one place, out of another].

As you've never been to Italy before, I would suggest flying into Naples and going to the Amalfi first of all, then Rome, Tuscany, Florence and finally Venice.

kiwinz

Thanks for all the replies.
If I stay in Tuscany, would Florence be a day trip or would you stay also in Florence.

Is late April / May better than late Sept/Oct?

denisea

I would think the weather would be best in Late Sept/Oct and starting on the AC at that time of year would be a great plan. It will be warmer in Sept than April/May. I don't know anything about Tuscany but am sure you will get an answer to that question from many of the Italy experts on this site. Enjoy your trip.

annhig

personally I would stay in Florence for a few days as there is so much to see and do there, and I prefer late April /May as the days are longer and the flowers/gardens fresher, and it may be cooler, which is what I prefer. We were in Florence for a week at the end of October a few years ago and it was still pretty warm.

if you have a particular yen to swim in the sea [my DH loves doing this] September would be better as the water will be warmer.

kiwinz

swimming isn't a high priority.

Dayle

Regarding Tuscany, May has the green fields and red poppies. Sept has the fields plowed under, but the grapes on the vines ready for harvest. Like most places of great beauty, each season is special.

May will have longer days. I visited the Amalfi coast the last time in mid Sept. It was crazy busy, and extremely humid. My othe trip there was in late March. Pleasant daytime temps, torrential thunderstorms at night, and no crowds at all. It was a great time to visit Pompeii, but the towns were almost too quiet and much was closed. Thr wisteria were blooming and gorgeous.....

kiwinz

okay an itinerary, please comment

should I leave south of rome for another visit

have still 2-3 nights to allocate

venice 3 nights

verona 2 nights

florence 3 nights

rome 4 nights

tuscany 6 nights

amalfi coast 3 nights

have another 2 -3 days where

bilboburgler

looks good

remaining days, Bologna, Ravenna, Modena, Ferrara

Bologna has the best rail hub for a bunch of little citta' in the Emilia Romana, one of the best food provinces in Italy, other towns mentioned are more specialist but an easy train trip away.

kiwinz

would we go further south say sicily

bilboburgler

"would we go further south say sicily

not for 3 days

Sassafrass

In April or September, both beautiful, do not add another place.
Add a day to
The Amalfi Coast (so much to do and see there, enough for a week or more)
Venice and visit Vicenza or Burano and Torcello
Rome (perhaps a day trip)
Florence (day trip to a hill town, even if you have done one, see another or take day tour of some kind)

TDudette

End of April would be my choice for longer days and fresh stuffed zucchini flowers!

We loved Spoleto, Montalcino, Perugia, Gubbio, Montepulciano. Maybe for your second trip to Italy!

Cjar

If I were lucky enough to have that many days. I would add another day to both Rome and Florence rather than adding another area. We were there in mid October and had some nice days and some rain in Florence. Temps in Venice were cool as well. It might be nice to go when more is in bloom. April /May sounds lovely.

HappyTrvlr

Our first trip to Italy we visited Lake Como, Rome, a smaller town in Tuscany, Florence and Venice. Flew into Milan, train to Rome to meet up with friends, rented a car when leaving Rome and turned it in in Florence, train to Venice. We have since visited Italy six more times and only traveled south of Rome the first time last fall, to Naples, Sorrento, Capri, Amalfi Coast.. Heading back to Rome in October.

suze

I like it. I would put the 2-3 "extra" days into a couple of the places you have already listed.