Hello,

I am new to this site, but found through reading other's postings, that it is really helpful!!
My fiancé and I are in the baby stages of planning our honeymoon for next September, and we know we want to go to Italy. It's hard wanting to see everywhere in the world, and having to pick only 1-2 places, but we want to have a beautiful, relaxing trip, and not make ourselves crazy trying to see every site there is.

We think we will have about 8-9 days (get in Sunday, fly out Tuesday), and our current thought is Florence->Rome->Positano, staying 2-3 nights in the first two, and the remaining time in Positano, before flying out of Naples.

We'd love feedback on if a) this is a good plan, or if there are more preferable cities b) where to go and stay. We are very food centric, and really just want to get to know the country and culture, in what limited time we have. We do want to see historic sites, but don't necessarily want to spend every minute in lines- so we'd also love some insider knowledge on things to do and eat off the beaten path. One thing to consider (and something that will be a challenge) is that I have celiac's, so can't eat all of the amazing pasta and bread. Though I hear Europe is much more amenable to gluten free foods than I had thought. So if anyone has additional tips and tricks for gluten free eating, that'd also be so welcome.

Thanks all, I can't wait to read your responses!
Y

a) this is a good plan.
b) depends entirely on your budget

If you like fruits, vegetables, meat, seafood, cheese, you should have no trouble avoiding gluten.

Thank you very much! Yes, our budget is still in the works, but we are relatively certain we will be able to travel comfortably and stay in modest hotels or b&b's. We will splurge and sprinkle in a few nice hotels, since it is our honeymoon.

I, personally, think trying to do Florence, Rome and Positano in 8-9 days will be challenging. I would either do a Rome/Florence/Tuscany town/countryside trip or an Amalfi coast trip in that time frame, but I wouldn't try to do both. You might also check to seek about getting to Naples from Positano in time for a return flight. It might make more sense to fly into Naples, then Florence, ending in and flying home from) Rome.

I agree with indyhiker that trying to do Florence, Rome and the Amalfi Coast in 8 days is too much - especially if you want a 'beautiful, relaxing trip'. I would choose either Florence and the Tuscan countryside or Rome and the Amalfi Coast. Either would be wonderful in September.

Thank you, indyhiker and mamcalice. That's really helpful feedback.

Would you advise staying in a few different locations on the coast? We were looking at Positano to start, especially because it comes so highly recommended. But we'd be open to staying in another city down there to get a more diverse experience...

Thanks all!

Florence and Rome would work well for a short trip like this. In Florence we stay at the Hotel Pendini, Rome the Hotel Italia. Siena is one easy Florence daytrip.

Just make sure you don't spend a big percentage of time just relocating from one place to another.

I agree with limiting your time to Rome and Positano. No need to change locations on the AC with your limited time frame. It is very easy to do day trips from Positano, utilizing the ferries (or bus, if you must).

The first day you will likely not get into Pos until early afternoon, so after checking into your hotel and having lunch you will have time for wandering around town, then dinner. Second day would be great for a relaxing day on the beach (Laurito and Fornillo are my favorites). Day 3 could be a day trip to Capri. Day 4 could be a day trip to Amalfi/Ravello.

I would actually fly into Naples and start your vacation in Positano, where it will be easier to get over your jetlag. Then to get to Rome you can take the bus or driver to Naples and fast train to Rome, or take the bus or ferry to Salerno and fast train to Rome.


The first day you will likely not get into Pos until early afternoon, so after checking into your hotel and having lunch you will have time for wandering around town, then dinner. Second day would be great for a relaxing day on the beach (Laurito and Fornillo are my favorites). Day 3 could be a day trip to Capri. Day 4 could be a day trip to Amalfi/Ravello.
Day 5 is traveling to Rome, followed by afternoon sightseeing. And the rest of Rome for your remaining time.

It is possible to get a taste of Florence as a day trip from Rome. Easy direct train ride.

Thank you, ekc! Your ideas are very helpful. The only reason we thought ending in Positano would be nice is to wrap up on a relaxing, beachy high, rather than bustling Rome. But it seems like either one would be a good start.

Did you have any favorite places to stay in either city?

The problem with doing Rome first is that it is alot to take in while recovering from jetlag. I find if I start my trip in a place where there is alot of action, I get easily overwhelmed and generally don't remember alot. But you might have an easier time getting over jetlag.

I always rent an apartment in Positano, so I can't help there. And it also really depends on your budget. I stayed in a cheaper hotel in Rome once because I was on a budget. It was fine, in a great location, but I don't know that I would recommend it for a honeymoon (B&B Al Centro di Roma). The other times I have visited Rome we have been traveling with the in-laws, so we stay at the Portrait Suites hotel (on their dime) but I doubt that is in your budget. If it is, I cannot recommend it highly enough!

Use www.venere.com to search for hotels, where you can filter by price and location. In Positano, get as close to the beach as possible - otherwise be ready for major stair action!

Pick two---Rome and Positano !

I like the Positano, first, then Rome suggestion! Starting a honeymoon at a slightly more mellow location sounds appealing to me. Then finish with Rome. Sounds like a great trip!

Agree to start in Positano and end with Rome. The only problem you will have is you will wish you were staying there the entire trip. Give at least 5 days to Positano and 3 or 4 to Rome.

In Positano we like the Hotel Posiedon.

Thanks all, this is great. And good point that we can stay in Positano, but take day trips to other cities, so we still see the region but don't spend all of our time moving from hotel to hotel.

I also like the idea of starting in Positano and then going to Rome- though for me personally, I'd rather start busy and end with the beach and relaxation of the south. We are coming from NYC, and will have had a few weeks between our wedding and the trip, so we aren't super concerned about being wiped out from the wedding from the get go, though it is so helpful to have all these options to consider!

A friend recommended Hotel Fellini in Rome, does anyone have experience staying there?

I think the order will entirely depend on the flight options. Though if you fly out of Naples, you'll hardly be ending on a relaxing note. I kid, I actually liked Naples, but let the times and affordability of the flights be the determining factor. For example, I always hate to have to fly out at an ungodly hour.

Yorkshire- that's a very good point. We are actually flying to Israel from Italy, so we are taking into consideration easy of travel, too. I think either way, whether we fly into/out of Rome or Naples at the start or end, we will have layovers and transfers. Luckily our departing flight to Israel will be short, and at a more reasonable hour (who ever wants to fly at 5am?!)... And I've heard a few horror stories of the Naples airport, hopefully only rumors though

Actually, Naples airport is a breeze compared to FCO!!

Don't worry about the Naples airport. It is actually a smallish airport and very easy to navigate. We've never had any problems there.

Agree, Naples airport was a breeze, and I have also heard horror stories about Rome's airport. Like get there no fewer than three hours for departure or be prepared to run (I have never found that to be the case anywhere else).