First trip to Itlay. Flying from NC to Rome, will arrive 8AM Monday 4-25. Want to see Venice, Naples and perhaps a few relaxing days on the coast just doing nothing. Any suggestions for modes of travel between cities, hotels, restaurants and how much time would you give to each city. Have to fly back out of Rome on Wed 5-4 at 11AM. Would probably like at least a day in Rome, but if I have to give something up it will be Rome sites. We are middle aged couple in good health but don't want to try to do so much that we are on a dead run the whole trip. Want to enjoy at a moderate rate and see a couple of the most interesting sites.

I think that you should get right off one plane and on to another - - whether to Venice or to Naples is a function of available choices. Either way - - or if you were to take the train, that day or the next - - you just need to plow forward, and not count that first day as a day you are going to enjoy very much. The eight full days you do have - - Apr 26/27/28/29/30/May 1/2/3 are already going to be subdivided a lot to be able to enjoy the two/three destinations you are seeking at the top of your list. I would plan the first four or five nights in Naples or on the Sorrento peninsula/Amalfi coast - - and then fly to Venice on Apr 30 or May 1.

Be aware that late April is not going to be "beach weather", in the same way that say... south Florida would be.

Take the train from Venice back to rome on May 3. If you have the stamina you can see some of Rome on May 3, or alternatively just enjoy an evening in the Trevi-Pantheon-Piazza Navona corridor before your flight home on May 4.

This is a less common approach to a furst visit to Italy, but there is no reason it can't be just as good as any other.

Best wishes,

Rex

p.s. In due time, you are going to find that you want to ask more questions here - - it is very important that you read the "HELP" (FAQs) here - - take note in particular that you need to mention the destination of your questions in the message "header (title). Not only will you get better answers, but it is only courteous and fair to others here - - they/we shouldn't have to click on your question to find out if you are asking about Iceland, Bulgaria or Spain.

I realize you've already purchased tickets - but I can't help but ask:
If you wanted to see Venice and Naples with only one day in Rome (if at all!), then why didn't you fly into Venice and out of Naples (or the reverse)???

Now that that is off my chest, I see you have 8 days:

1) 4/25 take a morning train from Rome to Venice, 4/28 fly to Naples, 5/3 train back to Rome.

2) When in the cities, getting a hotel as central as your budget will allow lets you maxiamize your time - just walk to the sights and soak up the area as you stroll from place to place.

3) One possible itinerary is:
4/25-4/28 in Venice
4/28-4/30 in Naples
5/1-5/3 relaxing at the coast
5/3 late evening arrive at hotel close to airport to arrive at airport by 9AM.

Rome is a top world destination and you could easily spend two weeks there. I would not recommend going to Rome for less than three days or you could possible be end up disoriented, rushed, and overwhelmed. It really deserves another trip of it's own.

Hi donna,

I go with bardo, if you already have your airline tickets and can't change them.

Thanks for the suggestions. I am new to this site and thought when I posted a request that I had chosen Italy and did not know that I needed to also put that in the title. Thanks for the info, it will help when I post in the future. I am flying on frequent flyer points and this particualr airlines only flies into Rome, thus my reason for not choosing another city. All suggestions welcome. Our last trip to Europe 8 years ago, we tried to see so many cities and countries in 12 days that we were overwhelmed and unable to enjoy things as much as we would have liked as we were trying to get from one site to the next. Thought this trip would be just shear pleasure and and not trying to see everything at once. All suggestions and information is GREATLY appreciated !!