abhinavarora28

Hi friends

I am planning to go to a solo trip (or at max 1 companion) to italy in Early May 2014. I plan to go for 10-12 days and plan to fly into Venice and fly out from Rome or Naples. I am passionate about art and history and I also admire the nature. I am confused as to how I should distribute my days and whether I should reduce the number of days in my trip or not. The places that I would like to see are Venice , Florence(including Pisa), Rome and Pompeii(with Mt Vesuvius).

My rough plan of distributing my time are as follows :

Venice : 3 nights (2.5 days as flight lands 13:40 )

Florence : 3 nights (2 days Florence + 1 Day Trip to Pisa)

Rome : 4 Nights.

Naples : 1 night (Spend the day in Pompeii and Mt Vesuvius and Sleep in Naples and Board flight back home next afternoon from Naples)

Please comment on my itinerary and give me your valuable suggestions as to how I can further improve it. Also please let me know if there is a possibility to cut down time at any of these places.

Thanks

TDudette

Welcome, abhinavarora28. I wish you had more days. After seeing Pompeii, the Naples Archaeological Museum had so much more meaning.

On our first Italy trip, we followed the time frame of a guided tour: Rome 4 days, Florence 3 and Venice 2 and had to return several times to all three places. Others will say what to cut, but I think you have to add if it's at all possible.

Remember, you'll lose a day going, 1/2 day for each change of hotels, and 1/2 day as you leave Naples.

abhinavarora28

Hi TDudette

Can I cover the archaeological museum, Pompeii and Vesuvius on the same day if I reach Naples from Rome at 8:30 or 9:00 AM. Since I will be travelling alone, I would prefer to stay in a Hostel as I am 23 and high on spirits.

MmePerdu

It appears that you aren't considering travel time in your count of the days you have in each of the places on your itinerary. For instance, to have an entire day for Pompeii and environs you would need to spend 2 nights there. One night won't be enough. To have 2 whole days in Florence and 1 in Pisa you'll need to have 4 nights. You see what I mean. So consider this fact in the distribution of your days and consider adding a couple of days to account for travel time within Italy.

abhinavarora28

Hi MmePerdu

Isn't the travel time less. I mean I read that it takes 2 hours to travel from one Italian city to other by train. Won't I be able to reach the city in the morning around 9:00 AM. For example, can't I reach Florence in the morning by 9:00. That way won't I get 2 full days in Florence?

MmePerdu

The travel time is from your accommodation to the train, the time by train, arrival and travel to your accommodation to leave your things, all these and possibly more. My suggestions is to just consider the time in your plans and to not consider a travel day a full day as if you'd spent the night there and need simply to walk out the door. This is especially true for the day in Naples. What you'd like to do, if you want to do it well, takes really more than a day. Most people find Pompeii alone a full day's outing. Just consider all the aspects, not just the number of supposed days and the things to do. It's an important factor for a successful, not rushed or disappointing, trip.

StCirq

<< I read that it takes 2 hours to travel from one Italian city to other by train.>>

Where on earth did you read that? Isn't it obvious that the distance between cities determines the amount of travel time between them? Does it take the same amount of time to take a train from New York to Philadelphia as it takes to take a train from Boston to Atlanta?

At any rate, I agree with the others that you aren't accounting for the time you'll spend moving around: checking out of a hotel, getting to the train station, waiting for the train, taking the train, getting off and orienting yourself, getting to your next lodging, checking in and figuring out how to get to whatever you're planning to see, maybe grabbing a coffee or bite to eat, maybe needing to take public transportation there...........it ALL eats up time, and you don't have enough of it.

kybourbon

>>>Board flight back home next afternoon from Naples<<<

I'm surprised you found an afternoon flight. What is your home country?

I think you have too many locations for such a short time. If you possibly can, add a few more days.

I don't think you've really factored in travel time and the logistics of getting around in a new location each time. While a train from Venice to Florence may take only two hours, you are not considering how long it may take to check out of the hotel (desk may not open early), get to the train station (vaparetto?), train to Florence, find your new hotel (might not have rooms ready early or be willing to store your luggage), etc.

Another option would be fly to Pisa, stop by the tower for a few minutes (store your luggage at Pisa Centrale station - five minutes by train from the airport), train onto to Florence and start your trip there. After Florence, train to Venice for a few days and then end your trip in Rome (day trip from Rome one day for Pompeii). Fly home from Rome. You could reverse everything (start in Rome and fly home from Pisa).

abhinavarora28

Hi Guys

Thank you all for your valuable replies. How many days could I increase in my trip to make it the experience of a lifetime by covering all the above mentioned places. Or should I cut Naples/Pompeii from this trip and maybe plan Naples/Pompeii next time along with the Amalfi Coast?

MmePerdu

I think your last suggestion, to save Naples/Pompeii/Amalfi Coast for another trip is the best one. If you love Italy you'll be back and you'll want to do it well every time. Calling it "A trip of a lifetime" makes it sound like only one, and I doubt it will be that.

Jean

I would leave for another trip either Naples and the Amalfi Coast -or- Florence/Pisa and Tuscany.

In your current plan, you will not have 2.5 days in Venice. If your flight lands on time at 13:40, you will not drop your luggage at your lodging until 15:00 or later.

abhinavarora28

Hi friends

If I drop Naples and Pompeii how would the following itinerary sound:

Day 1 : Arrive in Rome (in Afternoon )
Day 2,3,4,5 : In Rome and Vatican
Day 6 : Florence (reach Florence by the morning train from Rome)
Day 7 : Florence
Day 8 : Day trip from Florence to Pisa
Day 9: Day trip from Florence to Siena
Day 10 : Arrive in Venice by morning Train
Day 11 : Venice
Day 12 Leave for home from Venice with 11:00 AM flight

MmePerdu

Regarding Florence, if as you say, you are passionate about art you will want to book your intended gallery or museum visits prior to arrival to make the most of your 1 full day there. Also make sure the places you want to see are open on that day (assuming they are closed some days).

I'll add that I don't think 1+ day in Venice is nearly enough.

TDudette

Re your reply: "Can I cover the archaeological museum, Pompeii and Vesuvius on the same day if I reach Naples from Rome at 8:30 or 9:00 AM. Since I will be travelling alone, I would prefer to stay in a Hostel as I am 23 and high on spirits."---You probably have the stamina to do so at your age, but they are large. It took me several hours to visit the museum (including a tour) and I ended up spending most of the day in Pompeii after only planning a morning. Not sure how long the Vesuvius "leg" would take. Plus, check opening hours for all of the museums.

Seeing subsequent posts: there are bus day trips from Rome to Pompeii for you to look into if you do cut out Naples/Pompeii. If you could add another day to your first itinerary, you could make do it. Travel early and light.

Please do a trip report in May--how things went for you will be very helpful for others who are planning.

msteacher

I like your new itinerary! One suggestion is to check the train schedules before finalizing your plans, if you expect to be in a certain location by a certain time. Trains don't always run exactly when you want them to.

kybourbon

FYI - Three nights somewhere only gives you two days for sightseeing.

Jean

To get the most out of your limited time in Florence, take the earliest train of the day which should get you there by 8:00a. You will have nearly 2 full days before your excursions to Pisa and Siena. Make sure the things you want to see/do are open those days and re-arrange your excursion plans if necessary. Check hours for most sights at: http://www.polomuseale.firenze.it/en/ and http://www.museumsinflorence.com/

Unfortunately, I don't think you can arrive in Venice before 10:30a which will mean (after reaching your lodging and dropping your luggage) a half-day lost to travel.

In both Florence and Venice, make sure you pick lodging that will allow you to drop your luggage on arrival and check in later.

In Rome, consider the Bee Hive.

http://www.the-beehive.com/

kellee

Agree with posts above. Save Pompeii for another time.
Italy is beautiful and magical, you will return.
In my opinion Rome, Florence and Venice in 10 to 12 days is pushing it but can be done.
Make sure you have time to walk the cities, get lost, don't just view the art in museums but savor the art around you.
A time saving tip: some museums will allow you to purchase tickets in advance.
Know where you want to go and check their sites. Nothing worse than standing for hours in line.

You can easily find day trips from Rome and Florence.
You can design your own day trip from Venice using the Vaporetti. Murano is a fun choice.

I hope you have an amazing time.

kja

If you are "passionate about art and history" you might want to add even more time -- at least 3 full days in Venice, at least 5 full days in Florence (not counting any day trips), at least 5 full days in Rome.

I think you are wise to leave Naples for another time so that you can give it at least 4 days (including Pompeii and Herculaneum).

Newbie00

your new itinerary is much better.

Leave Pompei and Amalfi coast for next time ... you will be back. Its truly amazing.