I need help planning out my wish list for Italy in May. My husband and I will be arrivng in Venice on May 13th. I would like to see Rome and the Sorrento area. My plane leaves Rome on an early flight out of Rome on the 19th. How do I put together an itinerary that will give us lots of memories? What should I pack for clothes? What kind of weather conditions might we expect?

Three destinations is a lot for six days (really five as arrival day is not worth much). One day is almost used up traveling from Venice to Sorrento. If you want a relaxing trip so you will have lots of good memories and not just ones of traveling, stick with Venice and Rome. Mid May is usually beautiful weather-wise although it will be too cold for swimming in Sorrento anyway.

Hello afletch, you will have six nights in Italy. Does your plane arrive at the Marco Polo airport in the morning of the 13th? If so figure you will have most of the afternoon and evening to enjoy Venice after checking into your hotel in Venice. You will probably have some jetlag but walking around should be of help. If you depart from Venice on the morning of the 15th you will have the day of the 14th to be in Venice without arriving or departing.

I assume you are planning on taking the train to Rome? The train takes around 4 1/2 hours plus figuring in the time to depart from your hotel, get to the train station, get from the train station in Rome to your hotel in Rome, check in etc., figure a good part of that day will be spent doing the above activities. So, depending on how early you take the train you should have the later part of the afternoon and the evening of the 15th to enjoy Rome. You will then have the 16th through the 18th (3 days) left as of course in that you have an early flight out of Rome on the 19th there will not be time for anything but getting organized for the flight home, checking out of your hotel and getting to the airport etc.

Personally I would spend the three days (of the 16th through the 18th enjoying Rome). There is no much to see and imagine you will want a bit of down time to enjoy a few outdoor cafes in wonderful piazza's.

I would save Sorrento for the next trip (and you will find as most everyone else does that once you visit Italy there will be more trips, lol). On that trip you could than visit the Amalfi Coast also.

Or you could add one more day to your time in Venice and one less day for your time in Rome depending on your interest of each city.

May should be wonderful weather but I would bring a jacket just in case there is a shower which can happen. And do bring a comfortable pair of walking shoes as you no doubt will be doing a lot of walking.

If you are travelling by train I would try to pack so you can get by with a 22inch piece of luggage. At least don't take more than a 24 inch as you will have to take your luggage on the train with you. Having your husband with you will be a big help regarding the luggage.

I hope my thoughts have helped you a little. I am sure you will make lots of beautiful memories afletch.

My opinion is that if you try to fit in all those places, there will be no time for memories It will pass by in a big blur.

You can split the time between Venice and Rome as your flights dictate but more than that is simply too much in that short a time.

Weather should be pleasant, cooler in Venice than Rome of course due to location.

I would pack some layers for cool days or evenings. Slacks and twin sets would be perfect and transition well. I pack around two central colors (black and camel, black and red) and mix and match.

Good walking shoes are a necessity anywhere in Italy.

Check local weather forecasts the day before you leave and adjust accordingly. I always include a small umbrella and a pashmina for cool nights that require just minimal cover. They also dress up an outfit quite nicely.

I just got back from Italy with my husband, and we used Presto Tours for Rome, and although they only set up tours in Rome, they had some great advice about Italy in general that seemed to help set up our trip. good thing we found them earl.

Please don't try this.
Venice and Rome is actually too much for this short schedule. Don't even thinkof Sorrento.
If you arrive on the 13th,part of your day is already gone.
If you leave on the 16th., you have only spent 2 1/2 days there.
You now have travel time to Rome on the 16th. and that means only 2 1/2 days experiencing Rome.
Even if you had your own private hilocopter and personal tour guide,I'd still say "Don't do it!".

AnnieDuke, stop selling. As you must be aware, it is against the rules

Fly into Venice, stay 3 days, train to Rome, stay 3 days, fly out of Rome. IMO that's all you have time for.

You should pack spring clothes, good shoes, and a jacket. You can expect spring weather since it is May.

If you want to go to all three locations, don't pack many clothes, it will take too much time for wardrobe changes. You need every spare minute ( and very light luggage) to move along at a rapid pace.

The only practical, yet abstract (but based on lots of experience) advice I can offer is... make your plans, but leave alot of space mentally to change your minds and slow down once you get there. I don't travel with a husband, but I think sometimes it's much easier to accumulate lots of memories by going at a slower pace and contemplating the beauty of the surrounding instead of racing along in a blur! Good luck to you both!

For clothes, I suggest two rolling suitcases, one for each person, between 22-24" in size. Take neat casual versatile pieces that can mix and match. And two pair comfortable shoes.