backpacking through Italy
 

I am putting together a 20-day itinerary for a backpacking tour of Italy at the end of May 2014.

I've researched a little bit about the different places that I would like to see on my trip. Being that this is the first time I am traveling to Italy, I don't know how feasible it is to do all the things I would like to do in the time frame that I have. Any advice, recommendations, or tips on accomodations, train passes and routes, sight seeing spots, diners, shopping, etc.

Here is my itinerary for 20-day itinerary-well, 18 days two days must be allotted for the travel to Italy and back home.

Fly into the Fiumino Airport

3 days in Rome: will be doing all the regular tourist attractions and some exploration of the city.
then train to
3 days at the Amalfi Coast: day trip to Positano and if all possible, go to Capri for a day.

then train to
4 days in Siena, Tuscany, and Florence
then train to
5 days in Cinque Terre -would it be possible to take the train into Switzerland to Chamonix and see Mount Blanc as day trip?

then train to
3 days in Venice

And fly out of Venice airport to come back home.

Looking forward to hearing from everyone. Thanks in advance for your suggestions and comments.

tips4italy

IMHO way too much time in CT - which are 5 tiny villages with hikes between them. Two days there is plenty - to walk all of the trails. And no - this is not a convenient place to do day trips from since it's not on a main train line.

And I don't think you have a much time anyplace as you think. To spend 3 days in a city takes 4 nights - and you have not allowed the time - 1/2 day to a full day each - to get from one place to another.

A suggestion – fly into Venice and out of Rome. Flights leaving Venice for the USA tend to leave quite early in the morning.

You have 18 days and have not factored in any travel time from place to place.

You're giving Tuscany, a large region, 4 days, 2.5 days in Rome, and Cinque Terre, 5 small towns, 5 days. This is out of proportion.

As to the day trip to Chamonix - not possible. The shortest trip is 10.5 hours each way and involves 5 connections.

Sit down with a guide book or two and decide on what sights you want to see. Then allocate the number of days based on what you'll be doing. Then add travel time. Cut out the places that are least interesting to you.

Thank you so much for your suggestions. I will revamp my itinerary to include the travel time.

I was hoping to catch a train from CT to Chamonix, but it looks like it is not going to be possible on this trip. So I will go with your suggestions of two days, nytraveler, and use the three extra days for the other major cities as you have suggested, Andrienne.

And thanks for the suggestion, Peter, about flying into Venice instead. I will check that out.