DianaK

We are three women (age 30, 60, and 68) going to Italy. Leaving 08/31/13 and arriving in Rome on 09/01/13. Ideally we would like to stay 3 nights in Rome, then train to Florence for 2 nights, then stay 2 nights in Sorrento and then go to Naples. Stay 1 night in Naples and then leave with returning flight home to U.S. on morning of 09/10/13.
Any recommendations on what we should see in the 3 days in Rome. We definitely want to visit the Vatican. That is the only must see. Museums ok- dining - great, .
Then on to Florence- (the 30 yr. old has been there 2 yrs. ago and knows the main sites)
Then to Sorrento. (would like to see Capri) not sure what else we should see.
Any recommendations for places to see, places to dine (not extremely expensive but good local food). Thank you from New Jersey.

adrienne

I have a suggestion on your itinerary. When you arrive in Rome take the train from the airport to the main Rome train station and continue on to Florence for your 2 nights.

I find I'm not at my best upon arrival and would rather spend the time on a train, resting and recovering from the flight. If you do Florence and then Rome, the time getting to Sorrento is shorter and you have fewer train connections on your travel day.

Rome - you don't state your interests but I love the magnificent churches and the Borghese Gallery. There are so many sights and you have little time so it's difficult to name them all.

Capri will take one of your days in Sorrento. You might consider the bus up the Amalfi Coast to Ravello or a day in Pompeii. Sorrento is a delightful small town (the pretty parts are compact) so spend a few hours there looking in the shops and enjoying a drink or pizza in Piazza Tasso. I had a great lunch at the Grand Excelsior Hotel (couldn't afford to stay there) with lovely views over the bay.

You're welcome from New Jersey.

travelhorizons

You'll need reservations to see the Borghese Gallery. You can book them at http://selectitaly.com or similar websites.

dugi_otok

First, if you are arriving on 9/1 and leaving on 9/10 you have nine nights-1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9. If your dates are correct you have an extra day to play with.

One recommendation I have is to skip the night in Naples, spending 3 nights in Sorrento instead. There is a bus or limo from Sorrento to the Naples airport.

http://www.curreriviaggi.it/inglese/E_index.html

Also is there a reason you are flying into Rome and out of Naples? Where are you flying from? Is there a reason you prefer Rome-Florence-Sorrento in that order? Change here may be better.

dugi_otok

On day one(Arrival day) I would do Rick Steves "Night Walk Across Rome" Campo de'Fiori-Piazza Navona-Pantheon-Piazza Capranica-Piazza Colonna-Trevi Fountain-Spanish Steps or better yet
the Through Eternity "Rome At Twilight Among the Piazzas and Fountains" tour(2.5 hrs) Spanish Steps-Trevi Fountain-Hadrain's Temple-Propaganda Fide-Piazza Navona-Campo de'Fiori-Piazza Farnese-Piazza S. Eustachio_Pantheon.
These are great introductions to Rome. Also choose from Giolitti or Della Palma for gelato, both near the Pantheon. There is also Tre Scalini for tartufo death-by-chocolate ice cream (Piazza Navona-the Through Eternity guide treated us).
http://www.througheternity.com/group...ursrome005.htm
http://www.througheternity.com/index.htm

On your next day I would tour Vatican City
If you want a guided tour: http://www.througheternity.com/group...ursrome001.htm

On your next day I would tour Caesar's Rome
If you want a guided tour: http://www.througheternity.com/group...ursrome016.htm

Bettina222

i agree that instead of spending the last night in Naples, you just take a private car from Sorrento back to Naples.
We spent 3 nights in Sorrento in April. One day we took a relatively early ferry over to Capri, spent a few hours sightseeing, had lunch, and took an afternoon ferry back. It was beautiful.
We also booked a private driver (there were four of us so the price wasn't bad) and he took us along the Amalfi Coast to Ravello, Positano, and Amalfi. We had about an hour and a half to two hours in all three towns. It was a great way to see the coast.
I wil try to find the name of the restaurant where we had dinner twice. They send a driver to pick you up at your hotel and bring you back again as a courtesy. All you have to do is tip the driver.

dugi_otok

For Sorrento.

For the first half day (arrival day) you could see the town of Sorrento.

You could see Capri in the morning and Pompeii(or Naples) in the afternoon of the first full day.

For the second full day you could see the Amalfi Coast.

If you have to choose I would choose the Amalfi Coast and Pompeii over Capri.

dugi_otok

I did not see Bettina's post when I posted. Very sound advice. You could sneak in Pompeii on Capri day though.

vnarra

Make sure you get the ROMA PASS in Rome. It is valid for three days, you can travel unlimited on the local transportation including metro. The first two museums you visit are free. Make sure one of those first two is Colosseum, RomanForum, Palatine Hill (all three count as one Free Museum). Pick the second museum as one of the expensive ones. After that, you also get 1 or 2 euros discount on all other museums. It is about 30 euros per person. It is really worth it. You can avoid having to buy tickets all the time, and also saves lot of money dependng on how much you use it.

vnarra

One thing to keep note is that hotels in Pompei are lot better and cheaper than in Sorrento. It is only thirty minutes by Circumvesuviana train from Pompei to Sorrento.

Bettina222

DianaK,
The name of the restaurant we enjoyed in Sorrento is Ristorante Da Filippo.