I would go to Florence from Venice, rent your car after you've seen Florence (2 nights may be just right) then I would rent a romantic place in Tuscany, and spend a week there, enjoying the scenery, the wines, the food, a variety of hilltowns. Drop the car...maybe in Lucca? and train to Cinque Terre, spending 2 nights. Train to Rome and complete your trip there.

Leave the Amalfi Coast for another trip. Enjoy Venice and Cinque Terre as your "coastal" locations -- they are so different from each other. But I think you will really enjoy spending a week in the beautiful Tuscan countryside.

Even in October, visiting Venice, Florence and Rome can be "hard work" -- there are always lots of tourists, and even when you are enjoying all the sights and activities, you will truly chill out and relax in Tuscany (and even Cinque Terre - aside from hiking the trail between the towns, it is very laid back). Then you can relish Rome and all it has to offer.

I would not do the Amalfi coast at that time of year. Beach resorts out of season tend to no have a lot to do. Hotels and restaurants will be starting to close and ferries will be running much less frequently and some not at all. You may well not be able to see the Blue Grotto - since the water has to be perfectly flat for a boat to get inside - and Capri in chilly rain is not my idea of fun.

CT has some of the the same issues - but since the main purpose is hiking between the towns cooler weather doesn;t matter as much.

At that time of year I wold stick to cities as much as possible.

Totally agree with above posters...you will not be seeing either Amalfi Coast or CT at their best and many of the places you would like to stay/eat at will be 'chiuso' for the season.

I would add on to your city treks and do some of the walking trails of Tuscany and even add in Umbria,which can be glorious in the fall, rather than subject yourself to dreary (quite possibly rain-drenched) maritime resorts out-of-season.

Signed, "Been-there-done-that--got-the-umbrella..."

Hi CT,

Oct is off season for the AC.

This is not to say that you shouldn't visit.

I suggest 5 nights in Naples with daytrips to Pompeii Scavi, Paestum, Capri the AC.
For the last trip, take the Circumvesuviana to Sorrento and athe SITA bus to Amalfi. Stop at Positano on the return.

Keep in mind that October is also off season for Tuscany, but the porcini mushrooms will be in season.

Enjoy your visit.

That is disappointing... are there any other destinations you suggest?

Hi, CoordinateThis, and congrats!

Here are some "what it's worth" comments regarding the following:

Rail to Cinque Terre
Cinque Terre, Pisa,a nd surrounding area, stay 2 nights
Rail to Florence
Florence, stay 2 nights

You could actually stay in one of the Cinque Terre towns, Pisa or Florence to cover this area by train. There would be more to come home to at Florence but you may prefer hiking in Cinque Terre? Pisa, beyond the Tower area is a nice, untouristy univeristy city. Hub and I based there once after our first visit.

Rail or Drive to Amalfi Coast????
Ferry to Capri, stay 2 nights
Ferry to Positano, stay 1 night

You could probably take a train to Naples then a cab to ferry for Capri but I've not done it so make sure of ferry schedules. Husband and I ferried from Sorrento to Capri in March. Yes, do check end of season schedules and hotel closures. We took the bus ira mentioned above from Sorrento to Amalfi and it took 1.5 hours to go about 20 miles! If the ferry from Capri to Positano is still operating, that might be an easier way. Pack light!

Oh, and ps, take the train to Rome! No need to drive there.

There are seasons and off-seasons. There is no reason to be in a resort area when there is nothing to do and the weather is not resort friendly. That said, there is a great reason to go places in off season. For one, outside of the cities with year round tourist demand, you don't need reservations and can often negotiate a discount just by showing up.

Consider a "seat of the pants" itinerary for the countryside. Plan only a day or so in advance, call for a reservation at the next town from the one you are in. Stop for a festival, an old church, a great meal. Don't be a slave to an itinerary planned months before. The place you're at has a great view and a wonderful bed and delightful food? Stay another night. Let serendipity be your guide.

Just a note of experience: Our honeymoon, many years ago, had airline tickets and the first 2 nights of hotels booked. After that, we winged it for 3 weeks less 2 days. It was great! It became the model for most of our travels from then on.

Be free!

Peaboddy...

Thank you for the tips! I have a list of many things to do and the best accommodations. Perhaps we should just book our stay in Venice and just go with the flow from there on out! It makes me somewhat nervous with never have gone to Italy before but sounds like a fun adventure! Thank you.

Two ideas!

Do not book at the CT and skip it if weather is not ideal.

Drive to Sorrento to drop the car--since you already have it.

Good luck---I like your trip.

Late fall weather can be rainy in Venice ...
Not making very firm schedule is a good advice.
For 3 weeks in Europe, you might consider including a visit
to another country .

Hi C/T,

like AJ Peabody, I have toured Italy without reservation/s, although this was many years ago. with only two of you and in October you should have no problems "winging it", apart from Venice and Rome, for which i would definitely book ahead.

these days with the internet etc you should have no problems finding somewhere to stay, though Florence might be difficult; you could solve that by using the internet when you know when you want to be there, or seeing it as a day trip.

do watch out for the central zone of Florence and other cities which will fine you for entering them with your car.

What are your interests?

We will want to see some of the main sights but standing in long lines to enter a museum isn't really of interest to us. I really love taking photographs of large monuments, streets, and things but unfortunately do not care all that much about taking a tour to learn history. We more enjoy sipping coffee at a cafe and reading about the history. We love being outdoors, walking around, eating, drinking, and talking to people. We are really excited about the wine country and just 'getting lost'.

In that case, I like Ira's suggestion. If you need to cut something to have 5 days in the Amalfi Coast area, Venice is one place you might be able to cut back a bit. And the idea of making your decisions as you go has merit. Beyond that, if you hope to hike in the Cinque Terre, you'll probably want at least a full day just for the villages. I'm not sure if 2 nights means 1 day or 3 days....

Enjoy!

My suggestion would be to book your hotel in Venice, and also accommodation in the next place, say Florence or wherever, before you get to Venice. While in Venice, book the accom for the place after Florence and so on.

We have used www.venere.com a lot for bookings.

I would not shorten the four nights (three days) in Venice – but that’s just me. I’m a Venice addict.