Italy Itinerary Feedback wanted!
May 25th, 2015, 08:55 PM
#1
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Italy Itinerary Feedback wanted!
Hi I am planning a 3 month trip to Europe next year. I will be arriving in Italy in late April and am wanting some advise/feedback on my planned itinerary for the Italy part of my trip. Wanting to know whether I should add more time to some areas, leave out some places or should I add any places in.
I am late 20s, female and may be solo travelling most of this part of my trip. Also coming all the way from NZ. Constructive Feedback appreciated.
Arrive Milan (1 night)
Train to Lake Como - Menaggio (2 nights)
Train to Venice (3 nights)
Train to Florence (Stop for lunch/daytrip in Bologna via Florence) (3 nights)
Train to Monterrosso (Stop for lunch/daytrip Lucca) (2 nights)
Train to Naples (Via Leaning tower of Pisa) (3 nights)
Ferry to Capri (2 nights)
Ferry to Amalfi (2 nights)
Train to Positano (2 nights)
Train to Sorrento (1 night)
Train to Rome (via Pompeii - daytrip) (5 nights)
Fly from Rome to Athens continue trip.
I am late 20s, female and may be solo travelling most of this part of my trip. Also coming all the way from NZ. Constructive Feedback appreciated.
Arrive Milan (1 night)
Train to Lake Como - Menaggio (2 nights)
Train to Venice (3 nights)
Train to Florence (Stop for lunch/daytrip in Bologna via Florence) (3 nights)
Train to Monterrosso (Stop for lunch/daytrip Lucca) (2 nights)
Train to Naples (Via Leaning tower of Pisa) (3 nights)
Ferry to Capri (2 nights)
Ferry to Amalfi (2 nights)
Train to Positano (2 nights)
Train to Sorrento (1 night)
Train to Rome (via Pompeii - daytrip) (5 nights)
Fly from Rome to Athens continue trip.
May 25th, 2015, 09:35 PM
#2
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Train schedules here using italian city names:
http://www.trenitalia.com/cms/v/inde...005817f90aRCRD
With all this jumping around, you run the risk of having all the transportation/relocation time overwhelm the time left for enjoyment. Your travel days comprise almost 50%, which is high.
http://www.trenitalia.com/cms/v/inde...005817f90aRCRD
With all this jumping around, you run the risk of having all the transportation/relocation time overwhelm the time left for enjoyment. Your travel days comprise almost 50%, which is high.
May 25th, 2015, 09:42 PM
#3
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Trenitalia gets you down to Naples, from then on see the following:
http://www.positano.com/en/how-to-get-here
http://www.positano.com/en/how-to-get-here
May 25th, 2015, 09:52 PM
#4
I'm not sure I understand the comment about "all the time" you might be spending on a train. Apparently some people close their eyes when on trains and never watch the passing scenery.
I assume you have already consulted the schedules either on the Trenitalia or the Italiarail sites. However, my suggestions would be that if possible, try to do your train trips as early as possible to help minimize your move around time.
From Milan (AFTER you get into the city from the airport) that trip to Menaggio is going to involve at least an hour or so on the train to Varenna-Esino and then the walk down the hill to the ferry dock and then waiting for the ferry ride over (which takes 10-15 minutes unless the ferry goes to Bellagio first). Figure the same on the return trip to Milan to catch the train over to Venice.
And when possible, such as between Milan-Venice, Venice-Florence at least consider using the fastest (when available) connections. If you buy your tickets 90 days out or so the fares can be fairly reasonable.
I assume you have already consulted the schedules either on the Trenitalia or the Italiarail sites. However, my suggestions would be that if possible, try to do your train trips as early as possible to help minimize your move around time.
From Milan (AFTER you get into the city from the airport) that trip to Menaggio is going to involve at least an hour or so on the train to Varenna-Esino and then the walk down the hill to the ferry dock and then waiting for the ferry ride over (which takes 10-15 minutes unless the ferry goes to Bellagio first). Figure the same on the return trip to Milan to catch the train over to Venice.
And when possible, such as between Milan-Venice, Venice-Florence at least consider using the fastest (when available) connections. If you buy your tickets 90 days out or so the fares can be fairly reasonable.
May 26th, 2015, 07:12 AM
#6
What do you want to see/do in Florence during your 2 days there? What days of the week are these 2 days? There is a lot to see and not everything is open every day. If I had to choose between the stop in Bologna and more time in Florence, I'd choose Florence, but, obviously, this is your call.
What will you do with your luggage when you stop in Lucca on the way to Monterosso? AFAIK, there is no luggage storage at the Lucca train station.
Monterosso-Pisa-Naples day will be a long day. Make sure you have a reservation for the Leaning Tower and arrive before your reservation time. If you haven't left all bags (including purse or backpack) with the luggage at the Pisa train station, you'll have to check those things at an office near the Tower. You're not allowed to take anything inside the Tower. Make sure you allow time in your schedule for all of the luggage storage and retrieval.
I wouldn't change hotels so often during the time in Naples/Amalfi Coast and would re-order the destinations. I'd do:
Monterosso to Naples (4 nights), day trip to Pompeii
Naples to Positano (4 nights), day trips to Amalfi, Ravello, etc.
Ferry to Capri (2 nights)
Ferry to Naples, train to Rome
What will you do with your luggage when you stop in Lucca on the way to Monterosso? AFAIK, there is no luggage storage at the Lucca train station.
Monterosso-Pisa-Naples day will be a long day. Make sure you have a reservation for the Leaning Tower and arrive before your reservation time. If you haven't left all bags (including purse or backpack) with the luggage at the Pisa train station, you'll have to check those things at an office near the Tower. You're not allowed to take anything inside the Tower. Make sure you allow time in your schedule for all of the luggage storage and retrieval.
I wouldn't change hotels so often during the time in Naples/Amalfi Coast and would re-order the destinations. I'd do:
Monterosso to Naples (4 nights), day trip to Pompeii
Naples to Positano (4 nights), day trips to Amalfi, Ravello, etc.
Ferry to Capri (2 nights)
Ferry to Naples, train to Rome
May 26th, 2015, 08:32 AM
#8
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Agree with Jean on the Naples/Amalfi Coast part. Much better to stay in fewer places.
I would also be tempted to leave out Monterosso, add two nites to Florence and take a day trip to Lucca and Pisa from Florence.
I would also be tempted to leave out Monterosso, add two nites to Florence and take a day trip to Lucca and Pisa from Florence.
May 26th, 2015, 08:55 AM
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WAY too much moving around for the Naples/Capri/AC portion of your trip. Stick to 4 nights (3 days) in Naples (day trip to Pompeii), 2 nights (1.5 days) in Capri and 4 nights (3 days) in Positano. From Positano you can reach Amalfi and Ravello by ferry. To get back to Rome, take the ferry from Positano to Salerno, then fast train from Salerno to Rome.
Keep in mind that, generally, you lose up to half a day when you change cities. Pack, check out of hotel, get to train station and find train, train ride, get from train station to new hotel, check in, drop bags, freshen up and now it's time for lunch.
And I agree with dwd re: skipping Monterosso and seeing Lucaa and Pisa as day trips from Florence.
Keep in mind that, generally, you lose up to half a day when you change cities. Pack, check out of hotel, get to train station and find train, train ride, get from train station to new hotel, check in, drop bags, freshen up and now it's time for lunch.
And I agree with dwd re: skipping Monterosso and seeing Lucaa and Pisa as day trips from Florence.
May 26th, 2015, 10:40 AM
#10
>>>Tickets go on sale 120 days ahead on the Trenitalia web site for those journeys with advance purchase.<<<
Only the fast trains are available 120 days out. Some of the OP's destinations are only served by slow trains. The tickets for the slow trains should just be bought in Italy (no discounts, no reserved seating on these trains).
As for stopping in Lucca on the way to Monterosso from Florence, that isn't the train route (in addition to the luggage storage issue).
I agree about combining all the Amalfi coast/Naples/Capri portion into one or two locations only.
Only the fast trains are available 120 days out. Some of the OP's destinations are only served by slow trains. The tickets for the slow trains should just be bought in Italy (no discounts, no reserved seating on these trains).
As for stopping in Lucca on the way to Monterosso from Florence, that isn't the train route (in addition to the luggage storage issue).
I agree about combining all the Amalfi coast/Naples/Capri portion into one or two locations only.
May 26th, 2015, 12:08 PM
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Thanks for your feedback so far, especially Jean - that's helpful to know that there is no luggage storage at Lucca (Will have to see how sick I am of carrying my pack by then!). I accidentally wrote train for Amalfi but I will be backpacking so I was planning on hiking through the Amalfi area (with my pack), and combining buses with hikes, so that is why I was planning on starting in Amalfi and finishing in Sorrento, but staying in Positano in between.
My original itinerary didn't include the Cinque Terre and Amalfi coast, the more reading I do, the more I want to see and hike these places, apparently april/may is the perfect time too, so I really wanted to work them in, but realise I may be adding to much.
In Florence I would like to see Academia (David), Pizzale Michelangelo (sunset)
The Duomo and a possible afternoon trip to Fiesole? Do you think I should add more nights to Florence?
My original itinerary didn't include the Cinque Terre and Amalfi coast, the more reading I do, the more I want to see and hike these places, apparently april/may is the perfect time too, so I really wanted to work them in, but realise I may be adding to much.
In Florence I would like to see Academia (David), Pizzale Michelangelo (sunset)
The Duomo and a possible afternoon trip to Fiesole? Do you think I should add more nights to Florence?
May 26th, 2015, 12:22 PM
#12
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There is luggage storage in Lucca. On the square outside the station to your left, there are places that do luggage storage. At least there were in July 2013 when we were there. Don't know about in the station itself.
May 26th, 2015, 12:52 PM
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CT in April is not too hiker friendly as I understand the opening of trails depend on the weather. I don't know about the Amalfi Coast.
I'm planning a 32 day trip in September (my first)and started out with way too many stops and hotel changes. I've now narrowed it down so that I only have two stops of two nights, and the rest range from three to six days.
I'm including several day trips from base locations so that might work best for you also by staying put in one place for a few days but take day trips to nearby locations.
Another thing to take into consideeration is that most hotels have checkouts before 11 am and check ins usually after 3 pm. This would give you good time to travel from destination to destination, or for that last minute sightsee you didn't get to before.
I'm planning a 32 day trip in September (my first)and started out with way too many stops and hotel changes. I've now narrowed it down so that I only have two stops of two nights, and the rest range from three to six days.
I'm including several day trips from base locations so that might work best for you also by staying put in one place for a few days but take day trips to nearby locations.
Another thing to take into consideeration is that most hotels have checkouts before 11 am and check ins usually after 3 pm. This would give you good time to travel from destination to destination, or for that last minute sightsee you didn't get to before.
May 26th, 2015, 01:10 PM
#14
"Do you think I should add more nights to Florence?"
Only you can answer that question. Your sightseeing list for Florence is very short, but you haven't stated what your interests are so perhaps this is all you care to see.
You could easily add the Baptistery (adjacent to the Duomo) to see both the Ghiberti's doors ("Gates of Paradise") on the outside and the amazing interior. The doors are actually copies of the originals now exhibited in the museum of the Duomo nearby.
Do you have no interest in the Uffizi? I would want to go if only to see the Botticellis, but perhaps you're not into art. I'd also want to go to the Bargello Museum (in a former prison) to see the Donatellos, some Michelangelos and della Robbias.
Even if you're not drawn to churches, I highly recommend the Santa Croce Basilica, the Medici Chapels and the Great Synagogue.
Be sure to spend some time in Piazza della Signoria, and I would also at least walk through one of the markets, Loggia del Mercato Nuovo or Mercato di San Lorenzo.
You might find these websites helpful:
https://www.polomuseale.firenze.it/en/index.php
http://www.museumsinflorence.com/
Only you can answer that question. Your sightseeing list for Florence is very short, but you haven't stated what your interests are so perhaps this is all you care to see.
You could easily add the Baptistery (adjacent to the Duomo) to see both the Ghiberti's doors ("Gates of Paradise") on the outside and the amazing interior. The doors are actually copies of the originals now exhibited in the museum of the Duomo nearby.
Do you have no interest in the Uffizi? I would want to go if only to see the Botticellis, but perhaps you're not into art. I'd also want to go to the Bargello Museum (in a former prison) to see the Donatellos, some Michelangelos and della Robbias.
Even if you're not drawn to churches, I highly recommend the Santa Croce Basilica, the Medici Chapels and the Great Synagogue.
Be sure to spend some time in Piazza della Signoria, and I would also at least walk through one of the markets, Loggia del Mercato Nuovo or Mercato di San Lorenzo.
You might find these websites helpful:
https://www.polomuseale.firenze.it/en/index.php
http://www.museumsinflorence.com/
May 26th, 2015, 01:33 PM
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Regional train tickets from Trenitalia, not available for advance purchase, you can buy all at once, from a ticket window or a machine. They are good for 60 days and validated on the day of travel using a little stamping machine.
May 26th, 2015, 01:46 PM
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Just a heads up that April and May really are NOT good months to plan hiking in le Cinque Terre. I live on the Riviera and love it, so I am not trying to steer you away for flimsy reasons. I am telling you that it rains quite frequently in April and May, which closes the trails -- not just on the days that it rains, but for many days after, because they need to be dry, and that takes a long time. Many years the main trails are closed for all of April and May.
If you live in the area like I do, then of course you can just wait for a sunny day and go hiking. But if you are planning a trip with 2 days there and 3 days someplace else, and picking 2 or 3 days to spend in le Cinque Terre, then you can end up sitting there in the rain, reading a book inside your hotel room, with most everything in town closed and nothing else to do unless you are willing to get on a train and visit Genova or Pisa.
Just so you know.
If you live in the area like I do, then of course you can just wait for a sunny day and go hiking. But if you are planning a trip with 2 days there and 3 days someplace else, and picking 2 or 3 days to spend in le Cinque Terre, then you can end up sitting there in the rain, reading a book inside your hotel room, with most everything in town closed and nothing else to do unless you are willing to get on a train and visit Genova or Pisa.
Just so you know.
May 26th, 2015, 01:50 PM
#17
I wonder if you ought to consider a train pass [PalenQ is the expert here] as you would then be able to move around as fast or as slowly as you please. Given the time of year that you will be travelling and as a solo traveller, you should have little trouble getting accommodation, and you could always book the day ahead, or even on the day if it made you feel happier.
Who knows, you might want to stay longer in Florence than you thought, or to spend less time somewhere else, or indeed to by-pass another place entirely.
Who knows, you might want to stay longer in Florence than you thought, or to spend less time somewhere else, or indeed to by-pass another place entirely.
May 26th, 2015, 05:13 PM
#18
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Yes of course the Uffizi sorry! Okay so thinking perhaps I should leave Cinque Terre off my itinerary and add that time to Florence. Seems such a shame not to visit when I will be heading all the way to Pisa. I think a day trip would be too much from Florence and don't want to do two day trips in the same direction (Pisa and Cinque Terre),
May 26th, 2015, 05:23 PM
#19
"Seems such a shame not to visit when I will be heading all the way to Pisa."
The Cinque Terre isn't going anywhere, and there are so many other things you won't be seeing that you may want to make another trip to Italy in the future.
The Cinque Terre isn't going anywhere, and there are so many other things you won't be seeing that you may want to make another trip to Italy in the future.
