kybourbon

>>>My friend told me she was in Rome for 2 days and did not see the Sistine chapel and felt as though she didn't miss anything<<<

Odd statement. How does she know she didn't miss something if she didn't see something?

I assume your Vatican tour is of the Vatican Museums which will include the Sistine Chapel. I assume this because it's only a 2 hour tour and that's typically the short version of Vatican Museum tours. What it won't include is the rest of Vatican City including St. Peter's. That would take an additional couple of hours (more is you decide to go up on top of St. Peter's roof/cupola).

>>>Next we will take a car service from our hotel in Positano, to the Naples airport. <<<

I'm not sure this is an efficient use of your limited time. I would think it would be simpler to pick up in Sorrento or Salerno instead of going to the airport. In fact, I would probably put Florence and car pick up after Venice, tour Tuscany, drop the car in Salerno or Sorrento. Tour Positano, train to Rome, visit Rome, fast train to Milan and switch to Como train.

I would drop two locations from this itinerary.

vincenzo32951

ann: >>the process of moving base takes time.<<

I have preached this many times here and in many ways, and with little success.

Kathie

vincenzo, people either immediately "get it" or they will never "get it" IME. I fear this will be a forced march rather then a honeymoon.

mels

Thank you all, I think. Some of the responses did not relate to my itinerary as I planned. That is fine. I was not looking for advise in changing the trip itinerary and I think I stated the issues if I did change....No availability in hotels, especially in Positano. Isabel, you have been helpful with your suggestions, thank you.

I will be visiting Venice & Rome 4 nights 3 days. The following 9 days we will be staying in 2 hotels....that is if I skip a night in Florence. The end of the trip hopefully will be in Lake Como for 3 nights. I will agree a bit rushed for the first 4 days, but the next 11 nights will be in 3 locations.

One of my favorite trips is driving up the California Coast, fly from NY - LA.
2 nights in Newport-2 nights in Santa Barbara- 2 nights in Cambria - 2 nights in Carmel- 2 nights in Sanoma, and 4 nights in San Francisco and back to NY. I have been to SF many times and lived outside of Manhattan almost my entire life and still have not seen everything and doubt I ever will....it's okay!!

I posted my itinerary in hope that some of you may have some advise about trips, tours, etc. Also posted Hotels we chose with the thought that someone may be familiar with these locations.

Thank you happytrvlr, we will see the David and bilbo thanks...no honeymoon. Thanks......I just realized I know how to travel......


Thank you Happy

mels

And thank you Kathie, annhig....we will be ready for the visit.....studing the language as well.

ML

nytraveler

I think it's very sad that this honeymoon completely ignores the - for me - major reason to head to Italy - to experience la dolce vita. This is NOT a forced march. It;s sitting in a cafe with a drink in late afternoon - watching the world go by. The cafes in the pza fronting the pantheon is one of the best places since a couple offer little munchies and there is a church nearby where we have heard a choir (practicing?) at 4:30/5 pm. And then there are the after dinner walks back to the hotel through floodlit piazzas with splashing fountains at 11 or midnight (not easy if you are up at 6 am to pack and get out the door for an early train to wherever).

Obviously the OP has a different point of view - to which she is fully entitled.

But you could not pay me to do this for a honeymoon.

And anyone who is trying to move faster that a tour group (which are famous for superficial least common denominators trips) , well, this is close to madness IMHO.

mels

nytraveler-it is not a honeymoon trip. We will enjoy both nights in Venice and Rome enjoying the evenings with plenty of wine and good food. And not getting up at 6:00am. But will be able to be at the trains by 9:00am and the morning travel by train will be in Venice and Rome. We have a private car out of Positano to Naples and renting a car for the 5 days.

Marija

OP wrote <I> Busy trip, we are 4 adults traveling in September.</I> How did this become a honeymoon?

We stayed at the Saturnia on our first trip to Venice. Nice hotel, good location but no canal views from anywhere in the hotel. Our room looked out onto a brick wall. In subsequent trips to Venice we always stayed somewhere with some type of canal views since that's part of Venice's charm.

mels

Thanks I do like Hotel Saturina....however what else would you suggest.....Venic is a bit bore open

elbegewa

@Marija: There was another very similar thread (rushing around) by a couple planning their honeymoon. I think a couple of the respondents mixed up the 2 threads

sandralist

I think it is more the case that nytraveler uses almost every Italy thread to insert a lecture to somebody about why, unless they do what she did in Italy, they are not doing their trip correctly, especially if they don't robotically repeat, like a robot, sitting where she sat in the piazza della Rotunda and hearing choir music (as if such moments could be planned).

This idea that Italy is all about "la dolce vita" is a cliche that tourists cling to, and that Italians barely humor. The origin of the phrase is meant to be insulting, and still is in ways that generally hurt the image of Italy in the eyes of the world. The funny thing is, if nytraveler or some others here ever traveled with Italians, they'd collapse trying to keep up with the speed with which these committed roadtrippers race around sightseeing, insisting on visiting every church, every museum, every historic ruin, every scenic wonder -- seriously. With the whole family packed in the car.

Have a great l'avventura, meld

mels

We will, thank you.

Jennifer_Travels

I like your idea of doing Florence as a day trip. I've been to Florence twice, and both times I went to see the David statue. I wouldn't miss it if you have an interest. Definitely book ahead for a timed entrance so you don't have to wait in line.

I also really like the cafe that is attached to the Gucci museum. It has an outdoor space on the edge of the Piazza della Signoria. It is never as crowded as the other side of the piazza. It would be a great spot to take a break and have a spritz.

I spent a week in Chianti last summer and loved the area. The hotel we stayed at is my favorite in Italy.
http://www.palazzosquarcialupi.com/e...el_tuscany.php

Casatellina is a very enjoyable town - small enough to be easy to walk around, but big enough to have plenty of restaurants. Parking was easy. There weren't a huge number of American tourists - more Italian and Europeans, especially people on bicycles during tours. Even if you don't stay there, it's worth an afternoon.

mels

We are staying Radda, and plan to visit Casatellina. There is a winery we were told to go to....Castello Di Verrazzano. I thought it was nearby I have to check. It will be great having a car in Chianti.
Lovely hotel.

Thanks

annhig

Booked all hotels with free cancelation>>

this was what gave me the idea that you were open to suggestions about your itinerary.

You could transform this trip by dropping either Venice or Rome - 4 nights in either would be a great introduction to your trip. It's trying to shoe-horn them both in which is making it so rushed.

mels

Thanks. I thought about it...but I do not want to drop either. Still 3 month to think about it.

annhig

Still 3 month to think about it.>>

not if you decide to drop one of them - you'll then need a hotel with 4 nights in the city of your choice. plus you may want to book a few things in advance like the Scavi tour or a Colosseum tour in Rome, or the Secret itineraries tour in Venice [and you can pre-book the Basilica San Marco too, but that is free so not so crucial].

Mimar

annhig: Kathies puts it better than me - the process of moving base takes time. I will add to it the time taken to work out the transport system, how to buy tickets, locating the right bus/vaporetto stop, finding a nice bar or cafe - it all takes time and if you are doing it over and over again, it also becomes tedious. >>

Exactly. This is why an itinerary for a bus tour doesn't translate to independent travel.

mels

I am not considering 4 nights in Venice.....2 is fine. If I add to Rome I will take 1 night off Positano...thanks for you suggestions. But I think I am still ok with 2 night in each place.

And we will have a plan for Rome in advance. I take spin classes with a Pilot that flies to Rome once a week....I think he will be helpful. No buses on this trip, just trains and cars. We have the schedules and hope to make all the connections. As for bars and cafe that is the least of my worries. They are all over, and If need to we can plan ahead. Don't forget this is my husbands 3rd trip.

AltaVistaRoma

Only tourists seem to like to rush around in Italy. Why not try to have a holiday like the Italians might? La dolce vita? Relaxing? Less is more! I would choose fewer places and stay longer in each one. Also keep in mind that there is so much to see, do and taste EVERYWHERE, no matter where you go. And why rush around when you can come back next year? Savor each place and enjoy each moment!