IM

After many hours of planning, my travel plans have had to change. I was planning to go to the Amalfi Coast for 1 week, Tuscany 1 week and then Lake Como for 2 days. For unforseeable reasons, I have to change the order of which I planned. Tuscany for 10 days, Amalfi Coast for 4 days then Lake Como.

We are traveling in the beginning of June, luckily I have bee able to change all of my hotel/farm reservations.
I am traveling with a 3 and 5 year old and grade school best friend.

New itinerary:
Day 1-6 - Siena and surround areas
Day 7-10 Florence
Day 11-15 Sorrento and surround areas
Day 16-18 Lake Como

Questions:
1. Should I keep amalfi Coast in intinerary? I really, really, really would love to see this area (Pompeii, Pasestrum, Capri, Amalfi etc) but it seems like like alot of traveling esp Naples to Milan by train? 2 whole days are "wasted" by traveling
2. What is the fastest way from Sorrento to Lake Como? Should I take sleeper train from Naples to Milan? Is it safe for me and kids in Naples train station at 11 pm.. (my friend will not be with me anymore)
3. Any suggestions for an alternative itinerary?

Thanks again.

nma

Why not Cinque Terre instead? It's closer to where you'll be and sooo beautiful!!!

Jean

What are your arriving and departing cities?

Unless you're departing Italy from Milan, I wouldn't travel all the way from Sorrento to Lake Como for just a couple of days. Your alloted time in Sorrento is barely enough to cover the things you want to see/do, so I'd add the Como time to the Sorrento time and fly home from Naples or Rome.

IM

NMA - there's an idea !! I wanted to do CT on another trip but you are right it is closer ...how do i get from Florence to CT ? Is this another whole day travel and then to Milan for Lake como.

Jean -
I am going to Lake como because I am meeting my German mother-in-law (she does not want to drive further south than Como coming from Munich). we will stay in como for two days and drive back to Munich to visit with her before going back to the US.

But could I pop into Cinque Terre for 3 days? I have not done any research on this area since I was focusing on Amalfi Coast.

Jean

Go to the Cinque Terre instead of the Amalfi Coast on this trip.

The Sorrento to Lake Como journey will take at least 14 hours. Even taking the night train from Naples to Milan, this would be arduous for an adult traveling with 3- and 5-year-olds. I don't have any experience with the Naples train station late at night, but I'm guessing it would be safe as long as you stayed inside the station in a well-populated area and watched your pockets, purse, luggage and kids like a hawk. Sounds like a handful.

ira

Hi IM,

I also suggest visiting CT instead of AC this visit.

schuba

Cinque Terre too!

nma

We bought a ticket in Florence to CT. To get from Florence to CT, we took the train from Florence to Pisa, then transferred to a LaSpezia line. Have fun!!!

enroute

4 sleeper seats for three, sorry

enroute

Boy did I mess this one up. Sorry.

Here goes:

I would probably go to CT too, but if you decide on AC, we took the overnight train from Naples to Milan. It was very easy. We booked the full sleeper compartment 4 sleeper seats for the three of us traveling. 8:35 PM to 7 AM. One caution. This train had NO food on it, not even vending machines. Just water provided by the attendant. Bring plently of snacks, etc. esp for the kids. Otherwise nice and uneventful.

IM

Thank you for all of the recommendations. I have taken the advice and will save the Amalfi Coast for another trip. Instead I added one day to Tuscany and 3days/2 nights in CT and added one more day in Lake Como. This forum had great suggestions !!! Lonely Planet forum has great recommendations but they all encouraged me to go to Amalfi Coast !!