Is Sicily and Pompeii in 4 days worth it?
 

I am traveling to Italy late Sept. My tentative plan: Rome 3 nights train to Florence 2 night tran on to Venice 2 nights and then I was going to fly Venice/Palmaro/ see Sicily for 4 nights onto Naples1 night to see primarily Pompeii then fly or train back to Rome. Is this too adventuresome in 14 days? if so which would you delete? Are the trains on time and can you get a train from Naples to FCO airport?

I think you need to cut half of your destinations. You have a mere 2 days in Rome (3 nights = 2 full days), one day in Florence, one in Venice. Then you have 3 days for Sicily. This isn't adventuresome, it's spending half of you time in Italy in transit. I doubt this is what you had in mind.

Hi scdivers,

It seems this is your first trip to Italy, correct? If so, a good formula to use is that you lose a minimum of 1/2 day each time you travel to a new destination. It can be more depending on distance and type of transportation needed.

Therefore, 2 nights in Venice gets you 1.5 days IN Venice at most.

Next YOU need to determine what you want to see in each location, check opening days and hours. Calculate whether or not you have enough time IN a location to do/see what you are going there for.

Only you can decide if it's "worth it".

I will tell you my experience visiting Sicily. I was there for 3 1/2 weeks and it wasn't enough.

Happy planning.

If you come back with a little more info on your priorities, we can give you some great suggestions and efficient time use help.

You're adding a stop to your itinerary for, essentially, a couple hours at Pompeii?

I agree with Kathie. Remember that 2 nights = 1 full day.

Do Rome + Florence + Venice

OR

Rome + Naples (Pompeii, Herculaneum, perhaps Sorrento Peninsula or Capri + Sicily

Trains run mostly on time. There are trains from Naples to FCO. Seat61.com has ALL information on trains in Europe.

Save Sicily for a trip of at least two weeks there.

What do you want to see or do in Sicily?

IMO, no. Sicily easily merits 2.5 or 3 weeks. Naples easily merits a week. And as others are noting, your planned time in Rome and Florence and Venice is quite limited.

Here's what I recommend: Get some good guidebooks (or spend some time with a few in your local library) and plot your wish list on a calendar. Each time you propose to change locations, pencil in your transportation, add some time on either side (for getting to/from your lodging, checking in/out, packing/unpacking, getting oriented, etc.).