Italy, Florence & Amalfi Coast.
 

I am getting ready to pull the trigger on flights but want to ask about the logistics of the following.

We will be flying out Friday night with a direct flight from Miami to Rome and I am wondering if the following schedule is do-able.

Arrive Rome Saturday 12 Noon.

Saturday Train to Florence.

Saturday-Florence
Sunday-Florence
Monday-Florence
Tuesday-Florence

Wednesday morning Train from Florence to Salerno, Ferry from Salerno to Amalfi Coast.

Wednesday Amalfi Coast
Thursday Amalfi Coast
Friday Amalfi Coast

Saturday Ferry from Amalfi Coast to Rome

Saturday Rome

Sunday fly home.

Is this do-able?

It's me, hubs, and our besties, all of us are in great cardio shape if that matters.

There is no ferry from the Amalfi coast to Rome.

What time of year? Ferries on the Amalfi Coast are seasonal i.e. run April to end October.

Also, where on the Amalfi Coast? Ferries run Salerno to Amalfi and Positano only.

To get back to Rome you need a train from Naples.

Some more information will help with planning your AC component.

Sorry, ferry from Amalfi Coast back to Salerno, train from Salerno to Rome.

Mid September.

We will stay either in Positano or Amalfi. Haven't decided.

Mid September is fine - ferry season well and truly operational.

Where on the Amalfi Coast are you staying - as I mentioned only Amalfi and Positano have ferry docks. If you're staying in Ravello, Praiano etc. you will need to make additional travel arrangements to get to and from your hotel/apartment.

We are leaning towards Positano.

Then with ferries from Salerno you'll be fine. I would strongly advise to book your hotel/lodgings ASAP as mid September is very much still high season in Positano as they blazing heat has died down and days are very pleasant.

Thanks, yes I'm booking today.

So this schedule is do-able? My traveling companions will not kill me?

Should I do the four nights in Florence and three on the Amalfi Coast? Or switch the itinerary.

It totally depends on your group's interests. Are they really into Renaissance art and architecture? Then Florence for 4 nights will dazzle them.
Or are they beachy people who like the sun and water? Then Positano for four nights will be bliss.
As for the structure, I seen no issues. Some people come on the forums and want to go to Positano for one night - that's not worth it or very practical but 3-4 nights is good.

Your Saturday in Florence is arrival day. If your flight arrives in Rome at noon, at best you won't reach Florence until 3 pm or later, so that will not leave much of the day. Yes, it all depends on your group's interests to know if 3.5 days is too much. Do you plan to take a day trip into the countryside or elsewhere?

No, we aren't going to day trip anywhere. I'd rather enjoy two places than try and drive by five.

We are both, we are architecture/museum/art people AND beach people.

We can easily spend the day touring a city or spending the day on the beach.

I expect we'll do both.

Any Florence or Amalfi Coast tips are appreciated.

We stayed on the Amalfi Coast this past Fall in Positano. So beautiful and we were there in mid September. We did a wonderful wine tasting in Tramonti and some of the hiking is gorgeous. No regrets about Positano.

Um, Rome is not on the coast - so there are no ferries anywhere near it.

You would need to take a ferry to Salerno and a train from there to Rome.

Also be aware that major museums in Florence are closed on Mondays - so you might want to do a day trip that day - to a place open Mons. Or else find local places open on Mon.

And check out the beaches in wherever you decide to stay. Many in europe - including the AC are pebbles or even rocks instead of sand. Do a google search for a view of the beaches you would be using so there are no surprises.

Personally, I would spend less time in Florence and more time in Positano. But I rent an apartment for a week in Positano each year so I am a little biased. :-)

Your itinerary looks reasonable to me. I would pack a picnic to have on the train. There are also 2 cafes at the ferry dock in Salerno where you can have a refreshment while waiting for the ferry. Depending on the location of your hotel in Positano, you may want to have your hotel arrange for porters to transport your luggage from the ferry dock to your hotel.

For an architectural day while on the AC, you can take the ferry to Amalfi and see the gorgeous duomo, and take a taxi or bus up to Ravello and see Villa Ruffalo and Villa Cimbrone (along with the stunning views). There is also the modern Niedermeyer concert space.