My sister and I are taking a 14 day escorted tour that includes the Amalfi Coast, Sorrnto, Positano, reggio Calabria, ... The one thing that we are afraid we might be missing out on (as it is not included) is Rome & the Vatican. We are considering taking 1 (?) extra day, to go to Rome before we meet up with the others on the tour. What do you think, is it worth it or should we try to do it another time?

Hi coltsfan, it would be hard to see much of Rome in just one day especially since you will no doubt have some jetlag. Of course the other side of the coin is that you will probably have some jetleg the first day of your tour if you join the tour when you arrive in Italy. I say that assuming you be flying from the US.

Have you already purchased your tour and does it include your airline tickets? If so it would cost you I would think to change your arrival date. If so it probably isn't worth it unless you could give yourself say three days in Rome with the 4th day being the day your tour begins. Best wishes.

Thanks, that's pretty much what I needed to know (and guessed) not enough time for this trip. Yes, we're flying from Indy to NYC to Naples.

My next question has to do with the language .... is their a language barrier? I know here, when someone starts speaking Spanish, there aren't many who know what the heck is being said! We have most nights and several days when we will be on our own.

In my opinion you are going to the best part of Italy.Rome is beautiful ,but I think you need at least three or four days and even more time in Rome.Positano is wow,and I heard they even let coltsfans enjoy lol .Have a great time ,are you going to Pompeii , nice trip.

coltsfans, most locals are very patient. You will do fine. Just try to learn a few phrases...hello, goodbye, thank you, how much, etc.

I am sure the tour folks will help you as well.

Hello again coltsfan. Even though I understood Italian when I was a little girl believe me my Italian language skills are terrible, lol. I am not good at languages. Coltsfan "somehow" I have always managed during my various trips in Italy. Please do not worry. I do agree knowing a few basic words such as good morning, good evening, good night, thank you, please etc., would be good. You can take a dictionary for English/Italian. And you could take a menu/food traslation if you have any worries about ordering in restaurants. I have not been in Reggio Calabria so cannot respond for there but hopefully some other Fodorite will be able to. Have a beautiful time. I always have wished I had had a sister especially when reading someone gets to travel with their sister.