Italian Itinerary Feedback
 

We are travelling to Italy for the first time in September and Ive put together an Itinerary I'd like to have some feedback on. It this doable, to agressive, etc?

September 12, 2009 Arrive Rome 12:10 PM and take train to Florence
September 13, 2009 Florence
September 14, 2009 Depart Florence - Arrive Monterosso al Mare (Cinque Terra)
September 15, 2009 Monterosso al Mare (Cinque Terra)
September 16, 2009 Depart Monterosso al Mare (Cinque Terra) - On to Sorrento
September 17, 2009 Sorrento
September 18, 2009 Depart Sorrento heading to Taormina (Overnight train or ferry)
September 19, 2009 Taormina
September 20, 2009 Taormina
September 21, 2009 Depart Taormina Back to Rome (Overnight train or ferry)
September 22, 2009 Rome
September 23, 2009 Rome
September 24, 2009 Rome
September 25, 2009 Rome
September 26, 2009 Depart Rome 9:50am

We aren't sure whether to take public transit or rent a car, it seems like more recommend public transit. I am nervous about being able to figure out the train schedules. The online the schedules are not very helpful. For example how would we get from Cinque Terra to Sorrento? The trenitalia website returns no results with no alternate.

We love Sicily but I would drop Taormina from this trip and maybe Sorrento for another trip of the south, add time to Florence ot Cinque terra. You will be worn out and spend too much time on trains.

IMO, the geographical spread of your itinerary is too wide. You barely have 1.5 days in Florence!
Then, to go all the way to Monterosso from Florence ( will take over 2 hrs) and then just stay 1.5 days to hurry out to Sorrento (several hours travel time!), to me it sounds psychotic!

I agree with Stephen's advice above.

Regarding your questions about train between Monterosso and Sorrento.... Check trains between Monterosso and Napoli. Then I think you have to take some other transport to Sorrento itself.

It's a very strange itinerary. Too may time loose in transfers, from Cinque Terre to Sorrento is one full day of travel...
My first suggestion is: OK Rome and Florence, but among Cinque Terre, Sorrento and Taormina choose only one (for geographic proximity to Florence, CT seems to be the best choice), and rather expand the exploration of Tuscany (beautiful in September) or make a relaxing driving trip from Rome to Florence (or viceversa) through northern Lazio, Umbria and Southern Tuscany.

Thanks for the feedback so far. First off, let me say we are in our early 30s. Im a relax and explore person, but my girlfriend is an experienced world traveller and likes to Squeeze in as much as possible. Alas, I think Taormina will definately need to be dropped from the list although its one of the places i wish to see the most.

If we modified the itinerary for Florence, Cinque Terra, Sorrento, and Rome. Then used a rental car to get between Rome-Florence-Cinque Terra would this be more feasible?

What you have here is 2 trips--one north and one south. I would not mix both--too much time lost in travel. I have said dozens of times on this forum that when you plan your first trip to Italy go ahead and plan 2 more because you will return. Sicily and the Amalfi Coast demand at least 15 days together--we did 15 days just in Sicily. For this trip you need to pick 4 destinations and be very happy with that. Mine would be Rome, Tuscany, CT, and Venice--flying home from Venice.