Noujoum

HI, I am looking to travel in Aug' 2015 for about 15 days to Barcelona, Italy, Croatia and ending in either Crete or Santorini. I am for some experts advice and see if these destinations ideal for a nice holiday without too much travel by trains, boats and planes. What are the countries that close to each other. I welcome any other suggestions or ideas. Regards

bilboburgler

Hi, welcome to Fodors.

"What are the countries that close to each other" "without too much travel by trains, boats and planes" basically you have chosen places that require a lot of travel, and you have chosen high season so not sure I can help.

However, in 15 days it is hard to enjoy Barcelona, Italy, Croatia and Crete. Many people, for instance will take many months to visit just Italy. So what are you looking for in these places and what are your interests?

I'd look at say two countries and minimal movement so you could look at Croatia and part of Italy OR part of Greece. OR you could choose Barcelona and say the North East of Italy, but not more

Noujoum

Thank you very much for your response. It is really helpful, you have given great suggestions. I like the idea of Barcelona and the North East of Italy. Is Palma De Majorca a good option?. Am I right in assuming that Venice would be in the North East of Italy?. Which part of Italy we could look at if I go with the option of Croatia and part of Italy?. Once again, thank you so much for your help

bilboburgler

Yes you can do Barcelona and Palma (on the island of Majorca) I think, maybe, there is a ferry and there will be flights.

Venice is in the North East.

Basically if doing a two centre holiday you need to find the best links which are normally train, plane or ferry.

Venice and then down the coast to Croatia is a little harder but I suspect there are coaches or you could fly down. Alternativley, there are Ferries out of Bari (in Puglia) to Dubrovnik (look at google maps for the basic ferry routes) or again probably flights (try skyscanner.com)

bilboburgler

just because I could
https://www.balearia.com/wps/portal/...KVXBDQSEhL2Vu/
ferry Barcelona to Palma

Mimar

There are ferries from Venice to Istria (NW Croatia) stopping in Porec, Rovinj, and Pula.

Noujoum

HI again, thank you all so much for your responses. So this is How my itinerary looks like:
Spending 3 nights in Paris, then flying from Paris to Portofino for 3 nights, from Portofino we are traveling (by either trains, cars) to Florence for 2 nights, then from Florence to Rome for 2 nights, then Sorrento for 4 nights and then I am heading home from Naples airport. Do you this is a good itinerary, or do you think I am wasting my time in travels. Thank you in advance

bilboburgler

I think too many travel days. If you think you have to pack, get to the terminus, travel, get to the hotel, unpack, find your way around, you kill 1/2 day every time you move and with some of these moves you kill 3/4 day.

So a two night stop becomes say part of an afternoon, a whole day and two nights.

Given the size of Florence (which is small) but has alot to do you might just get away with it, for Rome it is a bit tight. I took Mrs Bilbo to Rome for 3 nights last year and we get around and do stuff; and because I had been before, I could cut out the meh stuff, even so it was hard work.

Now the good news is the days are long in August, but a load of stuff will be heaving with other hot bodies all trying to get into the same places as you want to.

Less is more.

sandralist

Florence will be very hot and crowded, and Portofino is very tiny and rathr boing for 3 nights unless you like to stare at other people's big yachts crammed into a tiny harbor. If you have a car to go sightseeing, or try to use the bus, you will face huge traffic jams along the one road that goes in and out of Portofino in August. You can take a few boat rides, but they will be crowded too. And expensive. Everything in Portofino is overpriced.

I would suggest flying from Paris to Naples and going to Sorrento, then up to Rome -- or vice versa if you prefer, Rome first, Sorrrento second. Whichever makes for the easiest way.

Sassafrass

Sandralist's suggestion is excellent.

Mimar

So how are you getting from Paris to Portofino by plane? Which airport are you flying into? How are you getting from the airport to Portofino? Portofino has neither an airport or a train station. It's close to Santa Margherita Ligure and its train station.

I'd either skip Portofino and add more time to Florence and Rome. Or skip one of Florence and Rome.

sandralist

It's about 100e from the Genova airport to Portofino by taxi, or you can take public transport from the airport, but it is a compllcated journey. Driving one's own car is difficult becuase of traffic and parking issues in summertime. If you decide to rent a car and go to Portofino, you really must book a hotel with GUARANTEED parking.

Noujoum

Well guys thank you for invaluable information. Much appreciated. So which areas are on the Almafi Coast, would that be an option for me if I cut down Portofino?.

kybourbon

>>>Spending 3 nights in Paris, then flying from Paris to Portofino for 3 nights, from Portofino we are traveling (by either trains, cars) to Florence for 2 nights, then from Florence to Rome for 2 nights, then Sorrento for 4 nights and then I am heading home from Naples airport.<<<

You need to rethink this unless you've been to some of these places before (sounds like you haven't though). Three nights somewhere leaves you two sightseeing days. Really not enough for a major city like Paris (especially if you are arriving on an overnight flight and will be jetlagged the first day). Two nights somewhere gives you only one sightseeing day. You need to add more time to some of these major cities.

>>>So which areas are on the Almafi Coast, would that be an option for me if I cut down Portofino?<<<

Yes, but the Amalfi coast doesn't have an airport or train either. The closest airport is Naples which is an hour from Sorrento (1 1/2-2 hours from Amalfi/Positano areas). That's why you need to pay more attention to the logistics and time it takes to reach these places.

You could fly to Paris, fly to Naples/transfer to Amalfi coast, train to Rome. I find it easier to get to the airport for departing flights home in Rome than from the Amalfi coast. Rome has a lot of non-stop flights to the states so you don't have to depart as early as you would in Naples which doesn't have those flights.

Noujoum

You guys have been fantastic. Thank you. Based on your suggestions i agree that nights in Portofino may be a bit much. So do u think adding an extra night in Sorento would be a good option and then we can take and plan some daily tours to other islands perhaps. Is sorento is in the Alfani coast and close to Pisitanos. Excuse my ignorance but I don't know what's close to it. Is it in the destinations that I indicated before i.e Portofino. Florence. Sorento or rome?

I have been to Paris and rome before so I think 3 days in Paris and 2 in Rome would be enough for me. We would be flying from Maples to beirut. So I really can't change the flights now. Once again thank you so much for your invaluable information.