10 days in Italy this fall itinerary help
 

My husband and I are planning a 10 day trip to Italy this fall. We can go anytime between Sept. 13th and 25th or Sept 27 thru October.

I have been and he has not. I am doing most of the planning and was hoping for some input on how to get to the place we are hoping to go to. Rome, Venice, Cinque Terre, Amalfi Coast/Capri? We will not be going to Florence-neither of us care to. He is 33 and I am 29 and both physically active people who like the outdoors and hiking if that makes a difference.

Fly overnight flight either into Rome or Venice and out either Rome or Venice.

I have stayed in rome for 3 days, Venice for 2 and CT for 2 in the past and it was enough time for me. Rome maybe could have used another day but based on what my husband and I want to do when there, 3 is fine. Lets hypothetically say we go Sept 13th for the sake planning:

Is this doable/ how can we do this:
Fly into Rome (getting in at 930am)on 9/14
Leave ROme via train to CT on 9/16 or 17.
Leave CT via train for Venice on 9/18 or 19th
Leave Venice via ? to amalfi coast/capri on 9/20
Then what?

We have nothing set yet as we are hoping to figure out some sort of feasible itinerary before booking a flight.

I have never been to the amalfi coast but love the CT. If it is very similar, would it be better to skip the Cinque Terre?

Thanks so much for any words of advice!

I would fly into Venice and out of Rome to avoid backtracking. And the flights out of Venice are early morning so it's better to land there.

If you must do all 4 plaes - which I think is 2 too many for only 10 days - the order should be: Venice to CT to someplace on the AC and then finally back to Rome. If you go to bahn.de you can get details on train schedules (although ot prices). There is no train on the AC - only bus or ferry for public transit. You can get as far as either Sorrento (north end) or Salerno (south end) by train.

I would fly into Rome and out of Venice

Rome 3
CT 3
Venice 3

My answer is based upon a few basic rules I have followed in my 6 trips to Europe.

* Always fly open jaw to prevent back tracking.

* 3 night minimum in each location is best.
(apartments offer most value)

* never take more than you can carry.

I would pick EITHER CT or Amalfi.

If I was bringing my husband for the 1st time
I would go to CT.
Maybe because I found it so romantic and intimate.

We stayed at http://www.cinqueterre-laposada.com/...partments.html

ask for sole y luna apartment. The views were incredible.
*****

Venice is a MUST. A true highlight for me.

In Venice we stayed at http://www.knowital.com/veneto/venic...partment1.html
It was in a great location near the Toma stop.

In Rome I think the Campo di Fiore area is alive and colorful.
I have stayed near Trevi and Vatican but really loved the Campo.

Good advice---pick 3 destiantions in that time. I too would start in Venice since the alternative may be a dawn departure--if not, be my guest. The CT makes more sense in that itinerary. Have fun !

Hi; For me, 'jetsetj' has it right. Either way works, Venice to Rome, or Rome to Venice with the CT in the middle. iris1745/dick

Using your hypothetical itinerary, you'd be on trains for over 16-19 hours over 9-10 days.

Rome to La Spezia is 4 hours, and you still need to get to your CT base.

La Spezia to Venice is 5-6 hours. Add time needed to get from your CT base to La Spezia.

Venice to Naples is 6-7 hours. Add time needed to get to your Amalfi Coast or Capri base, probably another 2 hours.

Get back to Naples to either train to Rome (1.5-2 hours plus time to get to the airport) or fly home from Naples.

I agree with nytraveler that you have 2 places too many.

Just for FYI,
Has anyone drove from Venice to CT and how long did it take?

I've done portions of the route between Venice and Parma, but I've never driven the entire way. The road south from Padova is very scenic, and I like the area around Parma.

viamichelin.com says it's nearly 7 hours, about 350 kms. Add time to pick up the car and drop it wherever and time for a meal along the way.