Italy + Greece in 14 days
 

Hi everyone,

My husband and I are planning a two-week trip to Italy and Greece this spring. In Italy, we’d like to see Rome (including Vatican City), Tuscany and somewhere on the Amalfi Coast. In Greece, we would like to spend a few days in Santorini and see Athens (possibly on an extended layover). Is this doable in 14 days? If so, how long do you recommend we spend in each place? Any favorite places in each region? We’d like to spend the bulk of our trip in Italy. We are flying out of an international airport in the U.S., which has direct flights to both Rome and Athens.

Thanks for your help!

Brittney

Plan to fly into one city and out of the other, as that will save you time (and likely, money). Remember that each time you change locations you will lose half of a day to most of a day (think from when you check out of one hotel and get settled into the next). So you will make most efficient use of your time by having the fewest number of stops that achieve your goals. Do you have a full 14 days on the ground in Europe, or does that include your flight time from the US and back home?

I think Rome deserves at least 4 or 5 days - that means 5 or 6 nights there. Personally, I'd spend the whole time in Italy, save Greece for another trip. But how much time would be ok for you on Santorini? Would you be content with two full days (three nights)? And what do you mean by "see Athens"? Is a day or two there enough?

I agree with Kathie above. Assuming that you mean 14 total days, you'll lose 3 days with travel: one from US to Athens, one Athens to Rome, and 3rd from Rome back to US.

Then you can count on 1/2 day lost to travel if you change hotels. That doesn't leave a lot of "savoring" time IMO. I'd choose one country or the other (Italy for me!) for this trip. DH and I visited Rome, Florence and Venice in 12 days and it was tight.

Hope this will be the first of many memorable trips for you.

We had 17 days in Italy just seeing Rome, Tuscany, Venice and it was not enough. I wish we could have fit in the Amalfi Coast. We had 5 days in Rome and we feel like we rushed it and need to go back.

Hi,

Italy and Greece make a fabulous combination. I think it makes sense to see Greece first, which enriches your understanding of Italy, but I understand sometimes you have to go with best airfare deal.

But here is an important tip: There are often great deals on flights that connect Greece and Italy via regional airports -- i.e., check out which Greek destinations airports in Pisa and Florence serve. Ditto Napoli -- although if you are going to a Greek island, you might find the Amalfi coast skippable.

Without knowing what you want to experience of Greece or Italy specifically (other than Vatican city) it is impossible for me to help out with an itinerary. If your travel style is go-go-go, plus highly selective about what sights you visit, you can make 14 day trip to both countries, with the buik in Italy, work. But if you are worried might end up losing the whole fun of your trip by moving too fast, you should listen seriously to your inner worries.

You could also incorporate a cruise - overnight - from several Italian ports to Corfu and or Patras in Greece - save on a hotel and have fun aboard - not a real cruise ship but has the trappings of one.

I don't think you have time for all four destinations without it being a blur. What's of more interest? Tuscany or Amalfi Coast? Pick one, OR spend all your time in one country instead of both Italy and Greece.

Here's what I'd recommend:

Fly into Athens
Try to connect through to Santorini if possible that first day
Spend three nights in Santorini ( OIA)

Fly back to Athens
Spend three nights in Athens.

Fly to Rome.

IF you are going to the Amalfi Coast, either arrange private pickup at FCO ( Rome) which is expensive (!), or take the train from Rome to Naples, then arrange private transfer to your hotel on the AC.

Spend three nights ( I'd suggest Positano)

then train from Naples to Rome

Last three nights in Rome.

Fly home.

BTW, when in the Spring? If you want temps fit for swimming/sunning, it's best to go at the end of May/early June. You'll have great weather and beat the crowds.

Travelling by ferry from an Italian port to Corfu or Patras would be a timewaster in a crowded itinerary. On the surface it sounds like a good idea to travel overnight, but you would first have to get to the Italian port, wait for ferry departure, then travel overland or by air to Athens to connect with transport to Santorini. That whole journey could take the better part of two days.

Far better to fly directly from Italy to either Athens or Santorini. You will get there in two hours, and can choose from several Italian airports in major cities.

I agree that your plan is WAY too ambitious. I recommend that you get some good guidebooks (or spend some time with a few in your local library), identify the things you most want to see in each location, note their opening/closing times, and mark them on a calendar. Then pencil in your transportation, add some time on either side (for getting to/from the train/bus station or whatever, checking in/out, packing/unpacking, getting oriented, etc.). Then see how things fit together and decide what to cut.