Judy_Rosa

I'm starting to research Italy for an upcoming trip (10 days in late September, early October).

Need advice on itinerary as I can't decide -- we recently traveled to France and received a lot of GREAT advice from all you Fodorites, so I am hoping you'll be able to steer me in the right direction again!

We are a party of two (my DH and I) this time around -- last trip was a party of 12 and it was just too complicated, we won't be doing that again any time soon!!

So....onto the trip:

Definitely 4 or 5 days in Rome -- we've never been there and want to try to see and do EVERYTHING!

My question is about the second half of the trip. I want to go to Venice, my DH wants to go to the Amalfi Coast.

What are the merits of both? We were in Nice, Eze and Monte Carlo this past October -- is the Amalfi Coast similar? Pictures of the AC look absolutely beautiful, but what is there to do other than enjoy the scenery? I feel that Venice is a better choice -- romantic canals, historical/architectural significance, etc.....

Can't decide, HELP!

Thank you!

Judy

Judy_Rosa

I should also add that Pompeii is a definite stop whether we go to AC or Venice...

alglc98

I think Venice is still the most beautiful city I had ever been so far. I been to Venice twice and I don't mind to go there again & again, staying at different part of Venice. Staying in St Marco Square for the 1st trip and then Pizzale Roma for the 2nd trip. Island hopping to Burano & Murano, enjoy the magnificent of colorful buidlings

xyz99

I am no expert, just in the middle of research for an upcoming Rome – Amalfi Coast trip next year. For your amount of time, I would opt for the Rome – Venice combination with 6-7 days in Rome (one day trip to Pompeii, maybe another one to either Ostia Antica or Tivoli), and 3-4 days in Venice, with a day trip to Burano.

IMHO, Amalfi Coast deserves more than just a few days, especially if you want to include a trip to Capri. But then, we do not travel very fast and we like to take it easy and soak in the atmosphere. We still remember with great fondness our few days in Venice some years ago…

I guess you cannot go wrong either way, have a great trip.

Mimar

Things will be slowing down on the Amalfi Coast, fewer ferries, but still plenty of hotels and restaurants open. In addition to Pompeii there's Herculaneum, Capri, Paestum, Naples (especially the archeological museum with many of the finds from Pompeii), Mt. Vesuvius. And of course the towns along the AC itself.

A day trip to Pompeii from Rome makes for a long day. If you don't go to the AC this time, maybe save Pompeii for that trip and go instead to Ostia Antica. It's easy to get to from Rome and has a LOT to see.

Venice is very crowded in the summer and only a little less crowded in the shoulder seasons. But always worth visiting. I too find it the most beautiful city I've seen. And staying there away from the noise and fumes of cars and trucks and vespas, just gondolas and waterbuses and the lapping of the water in the canals, is a uniquely enjoyable and romantic experience.

Be sure to stay in Venice proper, but away from Piazza San Marco or the Rialto, the busiest spots. You can daytrip to the islands or to Vicenza or Verona. And you'll be in bella Venezia when the daytrippers leave.

If you decide to go to Venice, it would be best to fly into Venice and out of Rome. You can do it in reverse, into Rome, out of Venice, but check the flight times. Usually flights out of Venice with intercontinental connections leave very early.

Either choice would be great. Making these decisions is so difficult. Isn't travel hard?

suec1

I'd probably lean towards the Rome / Amalfi coast combo because the pace / things to do would be quite different. This would be esp. true if you already have your air for round trip out of Rome. In some ways the Amalfi coast is similar to Cote d'Azur altho IMO there is a bit more art and culture around Nice. Yes, the Amalfi coast is ALOT about the scenery but throw in Pompeii and Naples for the arch. museum. But between a daytrip to Capri, a motor by bus or private dirver along the coast, plus Pompeii and possibly other arch. sites, there is plenty to do for a 4 day stay.

I'd be inclined to save Venice for another trip, if you think that is a possibility in your future.

dwdvagamundo

Judy--I think suec1 and others who voted for Amalfi Coast are right, given your trip. As you're going to see Pompeii anyway, might as well work that into the AC trip.

As to Cote de'Azur: more art around Nice (if you exclude Naples and ancient art, but Capadimonte Museum in Naples has a fantastic collection including one of my favorite paintings). However, I think AC is more scenic--the drive to Salerno and back is fantastic.

Delaine

If I had to choose, I would pick Venice. I didn't see Pompeii or the Amalfi Coast until my second trip to Italy, whereas I have been to Venice three times now. There is so much to see there -- churches, museums, beautiful campos (squares), views from the campaniles, the lagoon islands, etc. There are still lots of things I want to see and haven't yet.

AJPeabody

We did a trip to Rome and Sorrento (sort of the Amalfi coast) last May and loved it. There is a long trip report if you click my name.

If, however, you have never been to Venice, see it before it sinks. Do Pompeii on a future trip. It will stay old.

rineurope

As you're going to spend 4-5 days in Rome, the AC would make a great contrast... and because Pompeii is on the "must-see" list, it makes sense to go there this time. But as mentioned, you really won't have the time to a in-depth tour of the Amalfi area. I'd suggest staying in Positano or Ravello, and travel from there to the sites you want to see.

I don't think you can - or should - try and pack Capri, Naples, Ravello, Pompeii, Sorrento, and other cities into your few days. That's NOT why you go to the Amalfi! Better to pick one spot - or at most two and spend some time enjoying the experience.

There are many fine "art" opportunities in the Amalfi. And you'll find some incredible hotels in this area, like the Hotel Romeo in Naples, Palazzo Avino, the Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria, Il San Pietro di Positano, and Le Sirenuse.

If you want a full "sight-see" vacation, do Rome and Venice - If you want a contrast, do Rome - Amalfi. Either way, you will come back!

downtownbrown

It's a coin flip. You're going to be happy either way.

Understand that I'm big on Venice. That said, I would lean toward the AC for your trip.

The reason is that if you're going to spend time in Rome touring the cultural sites, you may prefer the contrast of the AC -- which will be slower in Oct. and provide more natural beauty. JMHO.

Judy_Rosa

WOW! So much to think about! Maybe Rome - Pompeii - AC is the best choice, after spending time in Rome (trying to see as much as we can), maybe slowing down along the AC might be a nice way to end our trip.

I've wanted to see Venice my entire life, to be so close and not go might turn into regret later.

I've been to Milan and Florence (Florence is my favorite place on Earth!) and there's something about Venice that draws me to it.

Is the AC still warm in October?

Judy_Rosa

WOW! So much to think about! Maybe Rome - Pompeii - AC is the best choice, after spending time in Rome (trying to see as much as we can), maybe slowing down along the AC might be a nice way to end our trip.

I've wanted to see Venice my entire life, to be so close and not go might turn into regret later.

I've been to Milan and Florence (Florence is my favorite place on Earth!) and there's something about Venice that draws me to it.

Judy_Rosa

Sorry, not sure why that posted twice.

downtownbrown

I was there last early Oct. It was just about perfect -- mid-70s.

Can't blame you about your feeling about Venice. Choices, choices, choices ....

greg

There is another way to frame your trip.

If you frame your trip as destination-a = so many days, destination-b = so many days,etc. then as you and others have come to conclusion that you don't have enough days.

But is this the only way to look at this itinerary? Do you have to consider only this time slice in your life?

Suppose you come back to Italy in the future and you want to visit Southern Tuscany or Umbria, where you would arrive to and where would you depart from? You will probably use Rome AGAIN for your future trip in some form. Looking at another way, it is trivial or even compulsory, without you even trying, to include Rome in your future visits.

The AC is a different matter. You always have to set aside a time to go that direction in any future trip. It is usually not on the way to somewhere else unless you are heading to the Southern Italy.

With these considerations in mind, it is possible to visit both Venice and AC, with minimum time in Rome. It is not that Rome lacks things to do, but that it is trivial to add Rome to any future trips. In which case, you can land in Venice, stay perhaps 3-4 days. Travel to AC, stay 4 days or so, and spend the remaining time in Rome and fly home from there. For most flights, the Rome departure is so much easier than the Venice departure. AC area is extensive, you need several days. One day to Capri, one/two days to Pompeii+Herculaneum, one day to do the AC drive, and one day in Napoli, etc. For this, Sorrento makes a good base.

Judy_Rosa

Is it possible to visit all three regions in two weeks and still get to relax and really enjoy our time there?

We want to leave on a Thursday, stay 2 full weeks and return on a Saturday, so it's actually about 16 days total.

suec1

Oh if you have 16 days I think you can easily do all three - fly into Venice and then go south - end in Rome, using an open-jaw ticket for flights.

monacia

I'm italian and I love both places but I suggest you to visit AC for the following reasons:
1) The weather: Fall is a good period to visit AC because is still warm (more than Venice)
2) Visit Rome in 4/5 days could be heavy (I stayed 4 time and I've more places to visit again) and I think it could be a good idea to relax in a faboulous place as AC.
3) Rome is close to AC. You can take a train to Naples Central Station (1,10 hour) and there take the Circumvesuviana to Sorrento (a bit more than 1 hour).

I suggest you don't take a car to visit AC because the roads are so narrow and it's difficult to park: using the coast's bus you could "eat with your eyes" - it's an italian slang - the spectacular sea view and stop in wonderful villages as Amalfi and Ravello (in my opinion, the best) , Positano and Sorrento. On the road from Positano to Amalfi you can visit the Furore's fjord and to have a good lunch by the sea in Praiano at Bar Mare Petit Restaurant. Also the scooter is a good way to visit AC. Instead of Capri Islands I suggest you a guided visit of Ercolano (1st choice) and Pompei (2nd choice). These places are located between Naples and CA, not far from Sorrento.

I wish you a good trip.

PS: Only after Venice, please look at Salento (Puglia Region): it's a fantastic place.

Delaine

If you have 16 days, I think you can easily visit all 3. You could fly into Venice, train to Rome and then train south to the Amalfi Coast, or you could do it in reverse. Everyone says don't fly out of Venice because flights are too early in the morning, but I have done it twice, leaving on Delta flights around 1 p.m. with no time crunch.