So, I've posted before, but am still stumped. My GF and I are trying to get to Rome in mid-May. Not including the overnight flight from Washington DC, we have 10 nights. We'd really like to go to Rome, and maybe one other place, but cannot seem to decide which'other place' would be best.

We are leaning towards not renting a car, as I do not drive a standard and getting an automatic seems doubtful. We seem to keep coming back to either heading towards Naples and the Amalfi Coast, or heading towards Venice or Florence. She's been to Florence, but is open to going again. We both would really like to see Pompeii, but the primary concern is not running ourselves ragged by heading in various directions.

Here's the question(s): if you were traveling by train, would you head South and go to Naples/ Sorrento/ Amalfi (one of them), allowing a day trip from there to Pompeii, or would you head the other direction and go to Florence or Venice?

I am thinking something like 5-6 nights in Rome, with 2-3 in the other location. We could add another night on the 2nd stop if it was in a city we could fly back to the states from, instead of returning to Rome.

In closing, we don't see this as a one-time, 'must see all of Italy' trip. We want to experience Rome, and would like to see something else, too. What we don't want is to come home exhausted, or to spend our time traveling every couple of days across Italy.

Thanks!

m,

My first thought would be to go south and visit the Amalfi Coast and Pompeii. May would be a great time for it, nice weather but not the crowds of peak season.

I would do 5 nts Rome and 4 nts on the coast. Maybe finish with 1 nt in Naples before flying out back from there.

I always like to do a combination trip - some major city - some more relaxing countryside or coast.

Buon viaggio!

HI Mari - I would second Dayle's suggestion. Great combo ...

Steve

I would stay in Rome for 6 or 7 nights especially if you have never been there and do a short trip to see Pompeii and Herculaneum. Probably would not stay in Naples due to the garbage situation there
but the National Archeology museum has the major artwork from Pompeii/Herculaneum

I don't think 10 days is enough to do Rome and Venice justice, but others will certainly disagree.
If you do want to go to venice, too, most people recommend flying in there and out of Rome since flights from Venice are in early morning

I would recommend trying to find an apartment in Rome although it might not be possible at this late date. They are much better value for money than hotels.

Hi M,

As pretty as the AC is, it is not Venice or Florence.

Since Rome is a must, I suggest:

Fly into Venice - 3 nights
Train to Florence - 2 nights, visit Siena
Train to Rome - 5 nights
Fly home.

Enjoy your visit.


This May? 2008?

If you decide to spend a longer time in Rome you could also do a day trip to Orvieto. I would plan on spending at least 5 days in Rome, though, before considering this.

Hi marigny,

I'm with the Roma and amalfi camp here. 2 places, one frantic, the other more relaxed, not too far apart, would make a very nice trip.

with great respect to Ira, i never like the Rome, Florence, Venice combo - not enough time in any of them, too much travelling, and not enough variety. if Rome is the object of this exercise, then go for Rome and amalfi. and you don't have to go to Naples if you don't want to.

regards, ann

To my way of thinking, Pompeii added to Rome is more of same and I'd save it for another trip - one that would be focused on the Amalfi Coast and Capri.

That 'other place' could be The Lakes - in one of the picturesque waterfront towns, say Varenna or Bellagio on Lake Como. You could sightsee by boat from there - a nice change of pace from hectic Rome.

In this case, you should open jaw, flying home from Malpensa...

You may wish to take a train to Orvieto - only an hour, rent a car there ( so you don't have to drive in Rome) and visit Umbria for a few days to see some of the countryside.
Ostia Antica is not Pompei but it is a nice day trip from Rome.

We are going to Rome in 2 weeks for full ten days and plan on day trips only. It is not even our fist visit !
There are so many wonderful churches, galleries, museums, parks in the city, ( not to mention restaurants, cafes and stores) you will not wish to leave.

Another vote for heading south.

marigny,

I think your travel style sounds a bit like mine - you want to see some new things but also relax and enjoy your time with your GF.

Rome, while fascinating and fun can also be tiring because there is so much to do and lots of walking, lines, touring type stuff. Even with 8 days there, we didn't get to see everything we wanted to but we were pretty tired and ready to go home.

Venice can be a bit tiring too...

Pompeii is another ancient site - amazing but you'll already be plenty amazed after Rome to last you a bit.

I think the Amalfi coast will give you a little time for scenery, blue water, relaxing, a little quiet romance, yet still be a whole new experience.

Save Venice or Florence for a clean palate IMO.

Enjoy!

gruezi

Thanks for all the ideas! Yes, I realize we are a bit late in booking this, but we'll make it work somehow. I think I am leaning towards either Rome and the Amalfi Coast, or Rome and the Lakes.

If we went towards Amalfi, would the recommendation be to return to Rome to fly home, or fly from Naples? If Naples, given the garbage situation, would you stay along the coast the night before, or suck it up, and stay in Naples the last night?

Also, would either the Almalfi Coast or the Lake region be okay without a renatal car?

That's why I suggested Lake Como - boats and not cars on the lake. Very scenic, enjoyable and relaxing.

The same could be said for the Isle of Capri: Very scenic, enjoyable and relaxing.

You can certainly do Amalfi without a car too, Mari.

Ferries run along the coast - and buses are not too crowded in May.

Whether to return home from Naples or Rome? Naples is more convenient of course if airfares are similar.

I'd stay on the coast for the last night rather than move to Naples.

You can either arrange a private transfer to Naples airport OR use the Airport Shuttle bus (- operator: Curreri) from Sorrento.

For Curreri timetables see:
http://www.bus.it/curreri/autolineee.htm

Hope this helps ...

Steve

Hi Ann,

>with great respect to Ira, i never like the Rome, Florence, Venice combo -

And with all respect to you, neither do I.

I would split the time between Venice and Florence/Tuscany, but the OP wants to go to Rome.

HI M,

>If we went towards Amalfi, would the recommendation be to return to Rome to fly home, or fly from Naples? <

Naples....stay in Naples the last night.

>Also, would either the Almalfi Coast or the Lake region be okay without a renatal car?<

Yes, definitely.

Ira-Have you been to Rome yet?

Hi Ira,

I'm really not being picky, but you did.

Author: ira
Date: 04/11/2008, 06:45 am

Hi M,

As pretty as the AC is, it is not Venice or Florence.

Since Rome is a must, I suggest:

Fly into Venice - 3 nights
Train to Florence - 2 nights, visit Siena
Train to Rome - 5 nights
Fly home.

Enjoy your visit.


This May? 2008?


but as you're my favourite, I'll let you off.

regards, ann