Hi, we are newlyweds from Houston, Texas and we are planning on visiting Italy for the first time (for both) in March/April 2009. Below is my tentative itinerary:
Day 1 - arrive Rome 7 a.m.
Day 2 - Rome
Day 3 - Rome
Day 4 - Rome
Day 5 - Train from Rome to Naples early am then visit Pompeii
Day 6 - Naples to Capri Island (via Ferry I guess)?
Day 7 - Train from Naples to Florence
Day 8 - Florence / Pisa
Day 9 - Florence
Day 10 - Train from Florence to Lake Como (not sure if possible)
Day 11 - Lake Como
Day 12 - Lake Como
Day 13 - Train from Lake Como to Venice
Day 14 - Venice
Day 15 - Venice
Day 16 - Leave Venice 5 am back to Houston

1. Is this itinerary to aggresive?

2. Since I am going to Lake Como, should I eliminate Capri Island and spend more time in Rome?

3. What is the best way to travel from Florence to Lake Como? Is there a direct train to Lake Como? We are thinking to stay in Bellagio. Do we need to go through Milan?

Any advise is greatly appreciated. Thank you all travel lovers!!

Jenny

Hi Jg,

You are doing an awful lot of packing and unpacking.

I would skip Naples and Capri this visit.

Add a night to Venice and one to either Florence or Como.

You can find train schedules and prices at www.trenitalia.com/en/index.html

Enjoy your honeymoon.

jenny,

Given the time of year, it might be early weather-wise to visit Como. I've been there in the rain (May) and there is no scenery to see. I would skip Como this trip and add that time to Capri/Amalfi and Venice.

I would see Pompeii either on the way to or from Capri and actually stay on Capri. Don't do Capri as a day tripper!

I agree with Ira, and I'd add time to Florence rather than Lake Como (which could be rather chilly). Take a day trip by bus to Siena in addition to the day in Pisa.

Do you have your reservations yet for Lake Como?

As a substitute for Pompeii, you could make a day trip by train from Rome to Ostia Antica.

http://www.initaly.com/regions/latium/ostia.htm

I just missed Dayle's post. His suggestion is certainly doable.

But if it were my trip, I'd stick to Rome and north rather than spending 5 or so hours getting from Capri or the Amalfi Coast to Florence. Dayle is right to point out the possibility of bad weather at Lake Como, but the same is a possibility on Capri or the Amalfi Coast at that time of year. If the seas are rough, ferries to Capri are cancelled. Also, I don't know what date the ferries start their spring/summer schedule (I'm guessing around 4/15 at the earliest), but in early April I think ferries to Capri will be limited to departures from Sorrento and Naples only.

Dear Ira, Dayle and Jean,

Thank you so much for your input. Just to clarify, I will be arriving on March 26 in Rome and leave on April 10 from Venice. Would the weather in Capri and Lake Como be ok for us to visit? My husband loves the water/fishing/etc and I'd like to include water scene for him If I have to pick one, which one should I pick?

Also, is it wise to purchase the Eurail Italy Pass to take the trains? When I purchase the 6 days pass in 2 months - means I can use it for 6 different times/days within the 2 months period, correct?

We visited Capri early this month and the weather was gorgeous -- sunny and about 50, I would guess. I agree with the idea of skipping Naples, Pompeii and Capri on this trip. I would add time to Venice.

jenny,

You really can't predict the weather and you can get significant rain in Italy almost any time.

My first visit to the Amalfi Coast was in March. We were only there 3 nights (too rushed, a first trip)! We had torrential rain and thunderstorms 2 nights, but the days were a pleasant temp - light jackets - and partly cloudy.

Our trip to Lago di Maggiore in mid- May had 1 night of spectacular thunderstorms. The rest of the 2 days there were lovely and warmer than normal for May. No sweaters needed except on the boats on the water. I did Lake Como as just a day trip from Milan and it rained so no scenery. I wouldn't do it again as a daytrip. Not enough time.

My friends went to the lakes in August last year. They had heavy rain almost the entire week. Hard to do a cycling trip in that kind of weather!

The nice thing about going either Amalfi or Como in March/April will be lack of crowds. The downside could be some things will still be closed as the season had not started. Could have weather too cool to enjoy beaches.

Hope this gives you some ideas!

Hey Jean - I'm a she.

Oops. Sorry, Dayle. Maybe that's why I agree with you so often. ;-)

I agree with all of the comments about rain, crowds and possible closings.

Your husband shouldn't hold any hopes for fishing in either place at that time of year, but the ferries on Lake Como won't be cancelled due to water conditions.

But do you have hotel reservations yet? I don't recommend showing up in Bellagio in the first week of April on the assumption you'll find available accommodations in your budget range. Ditto for Venice.

It's unlikely a rail pass will be cheaper than the total cost of your point-to-point tickets.

Well, just to complicate your life:

I would include Pompeii in a spring trip, but not the lakes. You might consider seeing Pompeii as a day trip from Rome. Or, I would skip Pompeii and see Ostia Antica instead, adding the time to Rome.

Also, it's my understanding that there is always at least one ferry a day from Naples to Capri, all year round, but I could be wrong about that.

I think I would try for the Amalfi coast as the "water" treat for your husband. I really do think it is too early for the lakes, and northern Italy in general. People do luck out with good weather, but your chances of getting good weather anywhere increase the longer you stay. There is little to do around the lakes other than gaze at the view -- and it can be cold. By contrast, even if you have the poor luck of getting plenty of rain around the Amalfi, you can zip into Napoli for sightseeing -- and if nothing else, just eat because the food is so fabulous.

Wow - thanks for all the input guys. How far is it from Naples to Amalfi Coast? Can I stay in Naples and do a day trip to the Amalfi Coast? I think I agree with everyone that I shouldn't be too aggresive on the schedule and focus on 4 places. Rome, Florence, and Venice are in so one more place - can I have a vote whether I should go south (Naples/Pompeii/Amalfi Coast) or go north (Lake Como)? Thanks guys - you are awesome!

If it were my 2-week honeymoon, I'd stick with Rome, Florence and Venice. Take a day trip from Rome to Pompeii (but not if it's raining) and day trips from Florence to Pisa and to Siena.

Jean - I am seriously considering your advise, even though that means I have to skip Lake Como.. thanks so much!

Lake Como would be better visited a little later in the year anyway....

hi jgliu,

I'm with the "less is more" team here.

when we went to Rome in early April 3 years ago, it was nicely warm in the day, coolish at night. but it doesn't matter too much what the weather does if you are in a city. at the coast or by a lake, if it rains, it's miserable. so I agree with the rome, Florence, Venice brigade on this occasion.

to allow for jetlag, and the hugeness of Rome, I'd spend 6 nights in Rome [an apartment?] 5 in Florence, 4 in venice.

regards, ann

whatever you decide, get cracking with those reservations!

regards, ann

Hi guys - just got an input from a friend to check out Cinque Terre - now I am confused! guess there are too many places to visit - might need a month or two to see all

If you add Cinque Terre, then drop Naples and Capri. Even so, I find your itinerary "aggressive" as you suggested.

ok - looks like I need to revise my days - here's my revised itinerary:

Day 1 - arrive Rome 7 a.m.
Day 2 - Rome
Day 3 - Rome
Day 4 - Rome - might do a day tour to Pompeii
Day 5 - Rome
Day 6 - Rome - Florence (train)
Day 7 - Florence - might do Pisa 1/2 day
Day 8 - Florence
Day 9 - Florence
Day 10 - Florence - Lake Como (train)
Day 11 - Lake Como
Day 12 - Lake Como
Day 13 - Lake Como - Venice (train)
Day 14 - Venice
Day 15 - Venice
Day 16 - Leave Venice 7 am back to Houston

Is this better or still too aggressive?

Not sure about Lake Como as it might be difficult to reach. Based on my research, I have to take the train from Florence to Milan, the Milan to Veranna, then ferry to Bellagio (where we plan on staying).

Any suggestions guys? Appreciate any help I can get!

Getting from Florence to Bellagio will take upwards of 5 hours. If you don't pick the best combination of trains, you'll have a long connection in Milan.

Bellagio to Venice will take upwards of 6 hours. Again, some combinations of trains make for a long connection in Milan.

A flight from Venice to the U.S. departing at 7:00 a.m. will mean you set out for the airport at 4:00 a.m. and will probably necessitate an expensive water taxi.

Do you have hotel reservations yet?

Take the train from the airport into Rome (Termini Station, though Tibertina will work as well depending on your Subway connection). AVOID unlicensed cabs in Rome at the Station(stick to taxis that pull to an official stand with other official cabs).

The early Christian churches in Rome are amazing(some date back to the 6th c.) and most tourists overlook them and only focus on the baroque churches and palaces.

I would skip Naples/Capri, though an organized day trip tour to Pompei from Rome sounds like a good idea as there is no security risk of being robbed or worse in Naples.

The express train ride from Rome to Florence can be quick but you can find a slower train that will let you stop in Assisi(check the bags at the station) and head up the hill by cab to Assisi - Assisi is wonderful.

I would cancel Lake Como.

The train from Florence to Pisa is very convenient(Pisa is a must see and you can stop in Lucca and/or Pistoia on the way back to Florence). A day trip to Siena is also highly recommended. When in Venice be sure to visit the island of Torcello, Jewish Ghetto, St. Marks, Guggenheim, Grand Canal Palazzos....Morano has a wonderful Romanesque church and ofcourse the glass ovens.

Stay away(physically) from Gypsy children in Rome - they have raised to high art a carefully choreographed run for your wallet.

Be sure to climb to the top of the cathedral in Florence.

You are leaving Venice at 5AM?

Dress nicely as you are visiting a country that north of Rome is like a large version of Westchester County - Italians are absurdly bourgeois and will judge you by your appearance so wear nice shoes. The guys there love clothes by Abercrombie. People live very well in northern Italy and apart from some odd grumpy behavior that I always notice among Tuscans I think that you will find people to be quite warm.

The churchs open as early as 6:30AM so if you wish to see great art your touring schedule can begin early in the day.

Have a great time.