Honeymoon in Italy
 

We are planning a honeymoon to Italy in April 2016 for two weeks -- hopefully it won't be too cold. Not sure if this itinerary makes sense, especially since Easter falls smack dab in the middle. Would love some feedback. Too much moving around?

4/7 fly USA to florence
4/8 florence
4/9 florence
4/10 to tuscany
4/11 tuscany
4/12 tuscany
4/13 to rome
4/14 rome
4/15 to amalfi
4/16 amalfi (EASTER SUNDAY)
4/17 amalfi
4/18 amalfi
4/19 amalfi
4/20 amalfi
4/21 fly naples to USA

Are yous going by train or car? Or both - cars are a boondoggle in Italian cities that typically have no-go zones for private vehicles, enforced with cameras - many folks report getting tickets from their car rental agency months later - Rome and Florence make no sense for cars - the Amalfi driving is tedious - take buses or boats between towns and day trips like Capri and Pompeii or Pasestum.

If you have never been to Rome I'd cut a few days off the Amalfi and add them to Rome - so many things - the Colosseum/Forum takes a whole day as does the Vatican and there are so many other things.

the week before Easter and after is a very hectic high season in Italy and many Europeans have time off and schools have a hiatus. Expect crowds everywhere - what do you plan to do on the Amalfi and where do you plan to base?

If taking trains check www.trenitalia.com for schedules and fares and if you book far enough in advance to get them discounted tickets can save a ton - there is an Italy Eurailpass but it is not nearly cost-effective for what you are planning. For general info on Italian trains check: www.ricksteves.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.seat61.com- the latter has expert advice on booking discounted tickets.

Looks pretty good, except there is not much time in Rome. Perhaps skip it this time and add the days to the Tuscan countryside. Speaking if which, where in Tuscany? I assume you will be renting a car for the countryside.

Yes take the bus to say Siena - stay a day there and rent a car and add some days at expense perhaps of Amalfi and wind your way south to Orvieto- return car there and take train to Rome.

Hit places like Montepulciano en route to Orvieto.

I've done many Tuscan hill towns by bus and or train - it's possible but a car trip I have done too and it would be my suggestion unless you just want to see a few of the more accessible hill towns.

Agree that Rome is too short if you have not been before. Amalfi Coast is gorgeous but April may not be the best time of year there. Loved Orvieto.

I gave been to the AC twice in April. Both times, though it was mostly sunny, we did have some rain, and needed jackets part of the day and all evenings. It was still pretty. Just don't expect "eating outside" kind of weather in the evening.

Agree with not enough time in Rome. Also, it may be very rainy, but Rome is nice in Spring - busy during Easter time though.

Unless your departure flight is very, very late in the day, you will need to stay in Naples the night before the flight. Don't worry. Naples has lots to do and great food. If you are going to Pompeii, you could do that your last day and on to Naples for the night.

Always IMO be in the city of your departure flight -never know when problems with transportation may pop up - train strikes, etc. Unless you have a flexible ticket without penalty to change.

Remember to take time for your honeymoon and each other.

Buon viaggio,

We were in Rome for Easter 2 years ago and the weather was glorious and the crowds weren't that bad. We loved it. We were there 5 days and didn't even scratch the surface...of course, we took long lunches and walked and got lost a lot and discovered parts we wouldn't have seen otherwise.

Also, in Rome and Florence, we took Walks of Italy tours which were small 6-10 people with headphones so we could hear everything easily. I highly recommend them and we do not usually do tours, but these were great about learning the history of what we were seeing and really making it come to life.

The previous week before Easter, we were in Florence and Siena and the weather was cold and windy, so going to Rome afterwards was a nice change. We loved Siena and driving to the hill villages.

Have a wonderful honeymoon.

Venice is for honeymooners for sure - I'd drop some Amalfi and do Venice too- to me the most serenely gorgeous city in the world!