First trip to Italy
 

Looking for advice on Italy--first time and I'm surprising my sister for her birthday, (she turns 60 in October and has never been to Europe). I'm thinking we want to go late October. I've got 10-12 days, a week with her and then my husband will join us for the remainder of the trip. Thinking a couple days in Rome, 3-4 in Florence/Tuscany, and would like to include the Amalfi Coast. It's always been of interest to me. Do I have enough time? I don't want to feel rushed at any one place. Any suggestions?

I love Venice more than anything. I highly recommend it. It is something all should see at least once in your life. The Locanda Orseolo is the perfect place to stay.

We did Germany/Venice/Rome/Pompeii in about 12 days, so I think you have enough. We missed Florence though. That will be a return trip. Skip Naples, but Sorrento on the Amalfi coast was simply breathtaking.

Oh, and what a nice sister you are!

Yes, you have enough time.

FWIW, Rome (at almost 3 million people)has a population eight times greater than Florence. Rome also has enough historical sights, churches and museums to keep a tourist busy for a month. I would suggest you plan on 5 days in Rome and plan a full 12 days for your total trip.

What other types of suggestions are you seeking?

Treated my sister to a trip to Rome this past May; your sister will love you for this!

I think you don't have enough time to do all that you want. I don't know about Amalfi Coast in October, although I'm sure people on this board can advise you better.

Wonderful idea! You won't regret doing this!!!

Ooops, now that I see bardo's post, I guess I agree with him/her. Full 12 days is okay if you're skipping Venice.

Hit the Amalfi coast last with your husband for 2 nights. Rome for 4 nights and the rest rent a car and stay in a Tuscan hill town, you can go into Florence for the day!

okay, Thank you!!! Sounds like I need more time in Rome, 4-5 days; Florence and surrounding area 3 days, Amalfi coast, 3 days? How would you suggest getting around? I'm happy to rent a car, what about Amalfi? I've taken notes from other posts re: hotel in Amalfi (Sorrento: Antiche Mura, La Minerva--Capri); Tuscany (Montepluciano) anything else?

Eroz: I missed your first reply. I think your itinerary sounds simple, and lovely. Anything else? Not to be missed?

I would take a train when possible and rent a car only when needed. For example you could take a train from Rome to Florence and then rent a car for 1 or 2 days when heading into the Tuscan countryside. You could also take a train to Naples and then immediately pick up a car for the Amalfi Coast portion of your trip.

One popular way to do your trip (there are countless other combinations, of course) is to fly into Rome and immediately take a train to Florence. Take a train to Rome for the Rome visit. Take a train to Naples for the Amalfi Coast visit and then return your car back at Naples and fly home from Naples.

The main point being that you don't need a car in any of the cities or to get between cities. I wasn't sure if that was obvious or not.

mgpink,
Consider flying into Naples and out of Pisa, or vis versa. Four days Amalfi coast, train or bus to Rome. Four days Rome, train or bus to Tuscany. Rent car for four days touring Tuscany.

If you are in Tuscany the last weekend in October consider the festival in Montalcino http://www.montalcino-tuscany.it/sagra_del_tordo.htm

By all means take advantage of open-jaw ticketing. There's no sense retracing your steps from Rome to Amalfi Coast back up to Florence and then back to Rome. Henry has it right.

Definitely go for the 12 days, not 10. Rome has lots to see and lots of places that you'd find charming to stay in. We stayed at La Minerva on Capri and loved it, but also loved La Tartana in Positano. Nicolas Inn is routinely rated very highly as a B&B in Rome. We rented a villa in Umbria and did day trip to Florence so can't really advise you on Tuscany. You can check out our trip report for more info that might help - fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?screen_name=knoxvillecouple&f id=2

Think twice about where you REALLY want a rental car. For my taste, I think Tuscany only (and maybe not even there depending on where you stay in Tuscany, since buses and trains are pretty common there. Certainly don't have a car in Rome, and no need for one on Amalfi Coast (too much potential for stress and parking a problem).

Have a great trip, and I can only say I wish you were MY sister.

KC

agree that rome needs a little more time to explore. It has art, music, food, wine and such fabulous history! On a trip a few years ago my wife and I were given an introduction to a madcap expat Australian artist, Peter Kilby, who also conducts personal walking tours of Rome, driving tours in Tuscany etc. Through Peter we began a series of what have been the most wonderful travel adventures in Italy. He is a walking talking encyclopaedia of all things Italian and the most unbelievable introduction to Italian culture. He has a website: http://www.peterkilby-touradvisor.com.au/index.html and we could not recommend him more highly.

Thanks, Blackjack. I'll look up Peter for a Rome tour. I've decided 5 nights there should be good. I've further refined my trip and if you want to give me some more advice look at my last post on getting from Venice to CT. Thanks!

Anyone have others in Rome they recommend for a guide? Peter Kilby is booked and has a policy of not recommending others, in case it does n't work out.

We will be in Rome October 1-4

Hi geeper, My husband and I did two tours with Anno Domini. A tour agency that uses university Roman history professors, so we learned much that we would never have learned on a "scripted" large tour. We had a very nice guide by the name of Sev for both the Coliseum and the Vatican tours. Sev was working on the excavation at the coliseum area at the time. We had him all to ourselves for the coliseum tour because we booked the afternoon tour and most people prefer the a.m. tour instead. If you google anno domino you should be able to find the website.

Let me know if you cannot find the website because this agency is terrific.

Francesca Caruso is who we have booked and she is thought very highly of on this and other sites.

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