I'm traveling to Italy in August for a friend's wedding. What started out as a quick jaunt to Sorrento/Positano has now grown due to my mom is joining me and she's never been to Italy, actually nowhere outside the US. She has 3 things she wants to accompish: see glass blowing in Venice, Pieta in Rome and just to relax and soak it all in. Here's our itinerary...let me know what you think

Aug. 6 - leave in pm
Aug 7 - Arrive in Rome/catch plane to Venice
Aug 7-10 - Venice
Aug 10th - catch plane to Naples then on to Sorrento. Staying at IL Nido
Aug 10-13 - Wedding and relaxing
Aug 13 - fly to Rome
Aug 13-15 - Rome - leave afternoon of 15th for home.

Also, since this trip has grown drastically from 4 day Sorrento trip, budget is an issue. I'm still looking for clean, no frills hotels in Rome & Venice.

Thanks!

Try Hotel Galleria in Venice, they do have a website. We stayed there last May for a reasonable price, and its right on the grand canal. Do a search on it above and you will get some feedback from other posts

Too much hopping. Do you have the tickets yet? If not, fly directly into Venice, spend the days there, then take the train to Rome, spend a few days there. Finally, take the train to Naples, finish up your trip, and fly home from Naples. The open jaw may be a little more than the round trip from Rome, but it is a more efficient way to get around.

BikerScott, thanks for the info on Hotel Galleria. I too have been reading many good things and have sent them an email to see about availability. Let' hope they have openings!

Bugswife1, I would love to be able to do Naples at the end but I don't think my friend who's getting married on the 12th would be too gungho to make the change. I agree about the jumping around part of my itinerary but this will probably be the only time my mom goes to Europe so I'm trying to go to all of the place she wants to see.

Great idea about flying into Venice direct. I have buddy passes for both of us so I will check on the open jaw issue. I was looking at flying from Venice to Naples & then Naples to Rome~saving on transit time?? Good plan?

Hi starr,

You can fly Volare (www.volareweb.com) from Venice to Naples. They don't do Naples to Rome.

From Naples, you can take the ES* train in under two hrs for 32E 1cl and 22E 2 cl. (www.trenitalia.com/en)

Yuo can also take an IC train for 22 and 16 E, but they are not as reliable.

Hi ira,

I'm a big fan of your information! I have been haunting this site for a week now and find myself always making notes on the advice you give. I was hoping you would chime in.

Thanks for the info on Naples to Rome and the website to go to for airfare. I will check into it!

Take a look at the Pensione Panda website. I've stayed there several times. Its clean and inexpensive and you can't beat the location, a block or so from Piazza Spagna.

Thanks DRJ! I will check it out!

Try to get to ROme as early as possible on the 13th so that at least you'll have 2 full days. Maybe for one of those days you should consider an organized city tour that will pack in many sites and the trasnportation between them. The other day you can spend at St. Peter's and the Vatican museum. You may have to take your mom back to complete the experience. This trip will be a bit rushed.

has anyone heard good or bad about Al Campaniel hotel in Venice? Where is it located....close to attractions?

hotel des artistes in rome.

Ok- I have made reservations at both La Calcina on the Guidecca Canal & Hotel Bernardi, near the Rialto Bridge...both in Venice. Which one is better & why? In the evenings we like the idea of being able to sit, take in the surroundings and watch people. La Calcina looks like a good place for this but not sure about Hotel Bernardi. HELP!!

Hi Starr,

I haven't stayed at either, but both hotels have gotten nice reviews.

For >In the evenings we like the idea of being able to sit, take in the surroundings and watch people.< I think that the Bernardi Semenzato is a better location.

See the map at this link for relative locations.

http://www.italyhotelink.com/f_M_hotelink.php?Id=8672

Rome is much larger than Venice, with more sights to see, and it tends to be a cheaper town as well. Your current plans have you spending more time in Venice - why not start your trip in Rome (since US flights to Rome are cheaper anyways), then take a train down to Naples for the wedding. You can finish in Venice - and if your mom buys any pretty glass items she won't have to worry about schlepping them around the rest of Italy before heading home.