franvarga

We were just able to extend our trip to 12 days from Rome May25th am and leaving Rome on June 6th am. Now that we thankfully have more time does it seem better to do
Florence/Tuscany 4 days Amalfi Coast 4 days and Rome 4 days. If we go staight to Florence on the 25th by train and stay in the city would we be able to do day trips to countryside? Could we now take train to Amalfi area and stay in Positano or should we still do Sorrento. Does anyone have suggestions for an itinerary for that time period...we are flexible. Thanks again very much for all sugguestions and help, based on your previous posts we were able to change flights and get 3 more well needed days. Now we just have to figure out what to do.

Myer

You're jumping around. Florence is north of Rome and Amalfi Coast is south.

It appears you'll be travelling by train. Correct?

You're planning 4 days for Florence. Not that much but you live with what you have. Assuming you spend 2 days in Florence and do daytrips by train the other two days, you have many from which to choose; Pisa/Lucca, San Gimignano/Siena, Arezzo/Cortona and several more.

I prefer Sorrento as a base than Positano. Actually, I like Sorrento period. Very nice town and the commuter train ends there from Naples. Boats to Capri and Positano. You can even stop in Pompei.

Your interests in rome will be something for you to investigate and plan.

bobthenavigator

Super---with 12 nites in Italy you can easily see 4 destinations. Here is what I would suggest:

Arrive Rome---train to Florence--2
Get car---to Tuscany base--3
Drive to Sorrento--drop car---to Positano--3
Train to Rome via Naples---4

Change the days as you would. Have fun !

kybourbon

Do you plan to get a car for Tuscany? If so, I would train to Orvieto upon arrival, spend the night and pick up the car the next day to tour Tuscany. Train from Florence to Naples/Sorrento (or keep the car and drive), train to Rome.

dcd

If you're able to change your dates, can you also change your airports? Flying in or out of Florence or Naples might make sense.

As for the Amalfi Coast, I'd opt for Positano.

You may have already been using the search box here to find other posts with similar questions. Fortunately, there are lots of them discussing all your issues. Also, trip reports posted here are invaluable for picking up tips that you can't find anywhere else and for helping plan itineraries.

Don't know if you've been to tripadvisor.com which has active Italy forums plus very helpful links to hotels, b&bs, things to do, and restaurants. Ditto for frommers.com. If you still have some unanswered questions, fire away!

Yes, it's time consuming but well worth the effort. Once you've read up on these areas and discovered that there's way more to do than you'll have time for, you can start to pare down the list and focus on the things you guys want to see and do. At that point, you'll know how much time to spend in each area, something none of us can tell you.

You're going to have a great trip!

ellenem

The OP already explored a lot of the options for this trip in an earlier post--thus the new plan with the added days. The hope was to somehow put together Rome, Tuscany, and the Amalfi Coast--which was a more difficult fit when they had only 9 days.

leuk2

I'd go for Sorrento over Positano. Easier to get to, more options for lodging,dining, and transportation. Personally I wouldn't drive to Sorrento. Don't need the stress of driving the freeway around Rome and Naples. More seasoned travellors may not find it stressful. Its easy to get to Sorrento by train, and more relaxing.

Surfergirl

I like Bob's plan but without the car, unless you really fancy driving. From Florence, you could take the Eurostar to Salerno (via Rome & Naples) -- it's a direct (and speedy) train that goes all the way to Salerno with no change. From there, you could take the ferry to Positano. Then ferry to Naples and back to Rome to end.

I preferred Positano to Sorrento, but Sorrento is not a bad second. A few years back (I think, actually 2004), someone posted the Sorrento web cam (it was above the internet cafe in the center of town), and I remember Fodorites who were tripping to Sorrento would get on line and give a time when they'd pass the cam, and wave to us! It was fun in that voyeuristic kind of way!

LoveItaly

Hi Surfergirl, the website for that webcam in Sorrento was posted on SlowTrav website, it probably still is I would think.

drdkc

Hi. here is my suggestion. It depends on what your interests are...art..history...scenery...the fast train will take you from rome to florence in no time,,,but Florence has far more to offer than the Tuscan hill towns, most especially if you are interested in Renaissance and art..plan to spend 4, 5, 6 nights in Florence, and you can arasnge easy day trips to see tuscany...Rome is incredible on its own, and deserves most of your time, there is just SO much to see there. Take the train back down to Naples or sorrento,from which you can do easy day trips to Pompeii or the Amalfi coast to see the views, both bus and train travel are really easy. you DO NOT want a car on the amalfi coast
the bus/train service is really really easy around the entire Naples, sorrento area. Pompeii is the neatest place I have ever been, and is not to be missed, imho.
That said, one should at least see the views of the amalfi coast, its the prettiest place in the world. A coupe of nights there, then , once again, easy travel back to Naples, and the fast train back to Rome

franvarga

Thanks to you all for your suggestions. It's so funny that some people recommend Sorrento and some Positano. I'm leaning towards Positano but wonder if it's harder to get back and forth to sights and things. It seems that many people like Sorrento as well so I guess I can't go wrong with either. Is Sorrento Scenic and pretty? Thanks again to all of you fodorites.

bobthenavigator

Sorrento is convenient but is not on the AC---no comparison on scenery to Positano. It is, however, easier access to Pompeii and Capri.

franvarga

Thanks Bob....I really picture ourselves in Positano too. I would imagine that it is worth the extra effort to get there?

dcd

As for the ferries between Capri and Positano, we had a nonstop from Capri to Positano. Not sure about the return trips though as we were going one way. I think Positano is gorgeous and quaint. Sorrento is a large city. I'm sure it is beautiful in parts but the small town ambiance of Positano (and the other Amalfi Coast towns) is hard to beat. Granted Sorrento is easier to get in and out of but I do think it's worth the extra effort to get to Positano.

This is a wonderful day trip which leaves from Positano if you have time: http://www.gennaroesalvatore.it/ Salvatore is a hoot and a half. Great fun and great views.

dcd

PS we did Salvatore's "Amalfi Coast" tour.