Amit1017

Hi Folks,

We have planned our Italy trip in August September of 2008. Its as follows:

August 22nd - Flying out of JFK into Venice.
August 23rd - Check-In at the Westin in San Marco.
August 25th - Check-Out of Venice.
- Train to Naples from Venice.
- Ferry from Naples to Capri.
- Check-In @ JW Marriott in Capri.
August 26th - Check-Out of Capri.
- Ferry to Sorrento.
August 26th - Check in at the Hilton in Sorrento.
August 28th - Check out of Sorrento.
- Train or Bus to Rome.
- Check in at the IC Hotels in Rome.
August 30th - Check out of Rome
- Fly from Rome to Athens.

What do you guys think? Do I have enough days allocated for each place?

What places should I definitely visit when I am there?

I was wondering if I should do stopover for Pisa from Venice to Naples. Is it manageable?

I have been told to rent a car for the drive along the Amalfi Coast? Any recommendations on how long I should rent the car?

Thanks guys for all the help.

highflyer

No, you have not allocated enough time to any of these places. Most of your week will be spent traveling rather than being at you destination.
If you're booked into this itinerary and like the planes/ trains/ ferries /buses and hotels more than sightseeing then you'll be fine otherwise try to cut back.

I'd suggest fly into Venice, stay 3 nights, train to Rome stay 4 nights and fly to Athens.

MECindylou

Do you have hotel points to use at the Marriott in Capri? Otherwise, maybe it would be better to visit that island as a day trip. That would eliminate one hotel change. Seems tiring to go from Venice to Capri for only one night.

Why add Pisa? To see the leaning tower? If so, I think I'd skip it. If there is a night train from Venice to Naples, that might save some time.

Your time in Rome is especially short. Really only one full day.

As far as what to see: In Venice, San Marco, the Doges Palace, mabye take the elevator up the bell tower for a great view. If you had time, a ferry trip to either Murano or Burano. If you like art, the Academia Gallery.

Sorrento - the beautiful Amalfi coast - not sure whether I'd want to drive it... , Pompeii.

Rome - St. Peter's and the Vatican, the Collesium, Forum...you might not have time for much more in only 1 or 2 days.

Can you add a day or two more to Rome?

Grinisa

Why on earth would you spend about seven hours on a train and an hour on a ferry to spend a night on Capri? Even if you left Venice early in the morning, you wouldn't get to Capri until late afternoon at the earliest. You won't get to see any of the island. Venice and Rome need and deserve at least double the time you are giving them.

Sassafrass

If you take a few minutes to add up your travel times (include wait times at stations and time at the end of each trip to get to your hotel and check in), I am afraid you may find you are spending nearly as much time traveling as you are enjoying the places you are visiting. Really seeing things in Italy requires some walking around and sitting time. Think also about how much money it is costing for your trip. After all that travel, how many hours of actual sightseeing time do you have? You will get more for your money by moving around less. You've paid for the movie. Do you want to drive by it, or actually sit and watch it? Do think about it. Italy is so beautiful. Have a great trip.

JudyC

From Venice to Naples, perhaps it will be more convenient to fly, please check www.flyairone.com.it for details.

deedee1978

I would skip the nite in Capri and go for the day add the stay onto the Sorrento Hilton ( we stayed a week) you can walk to the ferry from the Hilton ( we did this several times) once you get to Capri their are boats to go to the blue grotto ( would recommend ) then you can come back and take the cable car to Anacapri for lunch. The Hilton offers several day trips..we did the Pompeii and Vesuvius ( not spelled right) but don't miss amalfi and positano and if you can also see Ravello..Well worth it.

ira

Hi A,

>What do you guys think? Do I have enough days allocated for each place?

I think that I am exhausted.

You have 7 nights that you are spitting among 4 venues, each of which is worth at least 3 nights.

At least 2 days of your visit is spent changing venues.

You could fly into Venice and out of Naples, skip Rome.

You could fly into Venice and out of Rome, skip Capri and Sorrento.

I urge you to rethink this expedition.

bobthenavigator

This seems to be a scavenger hunt for hotels. In your 8 nites in Italy you want a max of 3 hotels. Skip Capri and fly to Naples from Venice.

LESLIEMOMOF6

First of all, let me say, have a great trip - the country, the food, the people, all are amazing and you will want to stay much longer - but please, please, allow more days in Rome - you will fall in love and really hate to leave after only 2 days - it is such a wonderful city to walk, from one end to the other, eat gelatos along the way, stop at all the fountains, monuments, stroll Piazza Navona, just live and love and enjoy. Bon Voyage
Leslie

Amit1017

Wow. Thanks guys. Now I am really upset/depressed with my planning . But glad I wrote on this site, it has definitely helped a lot!!! Thanks a lot!

Unfortunately, I have booked my flight. So I cannot add any more days, I really wish I could now. But I can definitely change my hotel stays.

I will definitely fly from Venice to Naples, that way I don't waste an entire day. First flight out of Venice is at 12:30pm and its only an hour flight.

I will cancel my hotel stay in Capri and stay in Sorrento only.

What would be the quickest travel to get from Naples to Rome?

Don't know what else I can do at this point. Wife really wanted to do Venice, Sorrento/Capri and Rome as well. FWIW, we are not extremely big on art, so we weren't really planning on hitting the museums. Now I wish I had atleast added couple more days to the trip . Confused....

highflyer

You can make this work! as Tim would say.

Flying to Naples is good. If you start with 3 days in Venice giving you time to overcome jet lag and then fly to Naples for 2 nights with 3 nights in Rome at the end or if you must fit in Capri allow 3 nights in Sorrento squeezing Rome to 2.... it's a tough choice!

jdraper

Amit: Don't despair, if you fall in love with Italy, as I and many other people on this forum have, you will just have to come back again. If I were you I would do either Venice and Rome or Rome and Sorrento but not try to do so much. If you cut Venice out of the equation you have plenty of time to do Rome and Sorrento with side trips to Pompeii, Naples and Capris without changing hotels. Then as soon as you get home start planning your next trip to Italy going to Venice and Florence. After that you will still have to go back again for the lake region, Tuscany and Sicily. Trying to see all of Italy in one trip would be like planning a trip to Los Angelas, Washington DC, Las Vegas, New York, Chicago, and what the heck why not try for Miami too, in the States. Just to much in to short of a time.

Like others I would recommend picking two places and concentrating on those with a day trip or two from there. Relax, walk, stop for a glass of wine and then you will really see Italy. Rushing around and changing hotels and you will see train stations, bus stations, and air terminals.

Amit1017

Hi Everyone:

Based on everyone's recommendations, I am now getting into Venice on Aug. 20th, instead of Aug 23rd. My old itinerary was

Aug 23rd - 25th - Venice
Aug 25th - 28th - Sorrento
Aug 28th - 30th - Rome

I am now getting into Venice on 23rd. How should I disperse my days? Thanks again for the great help.

Amit1017

Sorry meant to say, I am now getting into Venice on August 20th @ 11:30am.

Amit1017

Bringing this thread to the top, hopefully someone can help out...

I am able to 3 more days to my trip. My current Itinerary is as follows:

2 Nights - Venice
3 Nights - Sorrento/Amalfi/Capri
2 Nights - Rome

Where would be best to disperse the 3 days? Thanks again. I need to re-book the hotel rooms.

notbob

IF it were me it would be:

4 nights Venice
3 Sorrento
3 Rome

Well that's not exactly true. I'd skip Sorrento and do 6 nights Venice and 4 Rome.

Others might suggest

3 V
3 S
4 Rome

highflyer

I'd add all 3 days to Rome but you'll probably need to add an extra day to Sorrento.

ira

Hi A,

>2 Nights - Venice
3 Nights - Sorrento/Amalfi/Capri
2 Nights - Rome

Much better than the original.

Best way from Naples to Rome is the train.

See www.trenitalia.com/en/index.html