I am going to be in Italy for 2 weeks with my mom. We are from NYC and love to walk around and explore... We are flying into Venice and want to end our trip relaxing at a SPA in Capri to unwind (from out trip and to prepare for life back in NYC)
My mom really wants to explore Pompeii. Is a day enough time to see Pompeii and the Museum? Is Chianti worth it or should we skip it for this visit? What about Pisa?

Day 1 Arrive in Venice Airport in the morning, Explore Venice & Sites in the afternoon & Evening
Day 2 Explore Venice & Sites all day
Day 3 Explore Venice, Murano, & Bruano. Leave in the evening to go to Florence by rail

Day 4 Explore Florence & Sites
Day 5 Explore Florence & Pisa (just to see tower.) Leave in the evening by rail to a farm in Chianti

Day 6 Explore Chianti for mom (horseback riding for me)
Day 7 Explore Chianti. Leave by rail in evening to Rome

Day 8 Rome
Day 9 Rome
Day 10 Rome during morning. Travel to Sorrento during Siesta (Hotel). Evening in Sorrento/Pompeii

Day 11 Stay at hotel in Sorrento. Explore Pompeii & Museum
Day 12 Explore Pompeii in the morning and Naples in the afternoon/evening. Head to Capri/SPA in afternoon
Day 13 Capri/SPA
Day 14 Capri/SPA. in morning. Leave to Rome by boat and rail in the evening.
Day 15 Leave to go home from Airport in Rome in the morning

Although my personal opinion is that you're going to dramatically shorten the life span of your mom if you follow along this intended itinerary, I will stick to what I know. You're not giving enough time to Rome. 2.5 days. I barely scratched the surface of Rome while trying to walk nearly every street in 3.5 days...and believe me, I don't think anyone has ever covered as much ground on foot as I have...ask my wife or I'll send you a photo of what's left of my feet. Although it's nice to think you'll be spreading Pompeii over more than one day, I wouldn't do it at the expense of Rome! Pompeii was nice, but everyone I saw other than the German tour groups, looked absolutely miserable during the long trek back from the amphitheatre...take it slowly with a tour guide and stay in the shade!

Also, why visit Capri for a spa when that's what Ischia is known for? It's also less crowded. Believe me, after this hectic trip you got lined up so far, the last thing your mother will want is to deal with the crowds on Capri. An X after your name is exactly what your mother would want for you.

I'm sure other posters will pipe in with harsher comments. So you might want to rethink it and come up with a more suitable alternative.

I think I'd eliminate either Chianti or Pompeii. You are really rushing your time in Florence unless you don't care for museums.

I think you have plenty of time in Florence, UNLESS either you or your mom is a true Renaissance nut. If that's the case, I agree with KathrynT.

I'd skip Chianti given the short time you are allowing for premium places like Venice and Rome. Chianti is great, but not great enough compared to what you would have to give up in Venice/Rome.

I agree with the advice to skip Chianti. Sounds like you won't have a car, is this true? If not, there's not much exploration to do in Chianti. I would devote my time to the unique experiences you can't get back home, such as Pompeii, sites in Rome, Florence, etc. Horseback riding can be just as nice in NY : ) I do think the spa or seaside for a day or two at the end of your trip is a great idea, I always like to end my trip in a relaxing way. Have a great time!

Hi Jennifer,

Unless there is a real need to see Chianti and ride horses, I suggest you add one more day to Florence and visit Siena by bus. That way you don't have to change hotels again.

Is the spa trip really necessary? You have left out visiting the rest of the Amalfi Coast area and limited your time in Rome.

Also, the best Pompeiian artifacts are in the Archaeological Museum in Naples.

Enjoy your trip.

Thank you for the wonderful advice...I truly appreciate it!

I would skip seeing the Pisa tower and spend the extra time exploring florence; you've seen pictures of the tower, seeing it in person is the same. But then again, I am the type who prefers walking the streets of Paris rather than see the Eiffel tower.

Personally, I would skip Chianti and do a tuscany trip another time. Chianti is a region of small interesting towns, it takes a while to explore.
Extend your time in Florence and Rome, give yourself more recuperation time, skip the pisa tower.