Italy in October
 

We are traveling to Italy for 3 weeks in October. I could use your suggestions, criticism, and help with itinerary or anything else that comes to mind. It is our first trip to Italy. We are flying into/out of Rome. We will start in Sorrento (4 nights) taking the train from Rome on the day we arrive. Then we will spend a day in Naples and take the night train to Venice (3 nights). Next we will travel to Milan (2 nights, one full day), Vernazza (2 nights) and Florence (4 nights) with a stop in Pisa. We will finish in Rome (4 nights).

Any help out there?

Thanks

Personally I would have flown into Rome and out of Milan and adjusted the itinerary accordingly. You will be back tracking.
Possibly.....
Sorrento
Rome
Florence
Venice
Vernazza
Milan
Whatever you decide I hope you have a wonderful trip...

Yes, that would have been best. I am using frequent flyer miles and round trip to Rome was the best flight i could find.

We have been to Italy many times in October (and usually on FF tickets). Your itinerary does hit the highlights, but I'll make just a couple of comments:

My preference would be to start north (Venice) and end south (Sorrento, then Rome). Weather in October is usually great, but you improve your odds if you cover the northern cities earlier rather than later.

Furthermore, starting your trip in Sorrento means your first day on the ground is a killer: Arrive Rome airport, transfer to Rome Termini station, train to Naples, transfer to Circumvesuviana to Sorrento. (There is bus service from Rome to Sorrento which would require less transferring, but at least on the train to Naples you could eat a meal. You could also hire a driver for the Naples to Sorrento leg.) Much easier, IMO, to head to Venice and spend those first days in La Serenissima.

I love Milan (which not everyone on this board does), but I think I'd drop it from this itinerary and add the nights/day elsewhere... probably in Venice and Rome. Extra time in Venice would be particularly welcome if you start your trip there.

And I'd check with your FF airline again to see if seats have opened up that would enable an open-jaw ticket.

Have a great trip! We'll also be in Florence and Rome in late October!

Looks like a great trip. October is prime time & your locations are choice picks. Everyone has their preferences but your choices are good. Stick with your plan & you will be just fine. Ciao

Thanks for the help. Our original plan was to start in Venice. I started second guessing myself when I looked at connections from Venice to Vernazza. Perhaps Rome to Venice on our arrival day would be less of an ordeal? We could get a 11:00 AM train from Rome with no changes. Then work our way back to Milan, Vernazza, Pisa/Florence, Sorrento, then double back to Rome.

We want to stop in Milan for the day if we can get reservations for 'Last Supper', otherwise we'll probably skip Milan and stop elsewhere.

Thanks!

Hi travelin4fun..and you will have fun in Italy!!! For me taking the train to Venice after arriving in Rome would be simplier and more relaxing than going to Sorrento. And Venice is a great place to relax and get over the long flight etc. So if that appeals to you than I would do that and than as you say work your way down south.

Weather wise, as Jean said, this would give you a better chance of nicer weather in Venice. Do pack for chilly weather (warm jacket) however. Packing to layer clothes would be good.

Have fun planning your trip!!

Chilly weather in Venice is a possibility, so be prepared. What we found, however, was that when we looked out the window in the morning it looked gray and gloomy, but the day would clear and warm up by mid-morning. We'd start out slightly overdressed and would double-back to the hotel almost immediately to shed or change one layer of clothing. So, as LoveItaly also suggests, dress in layers.

Thanks for your help. Have decided on the venice first itinerary. I'll probably have more questions as our trip gets closer.

Herb

I usually try and keep my first day of travel down to a minimum. I think you would be wise to stay put for a few days upon arrival. With the places you list, you will be hard pressed to avoid a few long journeys. I will give it a stab but here would be my suggestion based on Venice first after Rome and the destination in an order where you will have the least amount of zig zags.

Rome arrival - stay two nights
Rome - Venice - 3 nights
Venice - Milan - 2 nights
Milan (via Genoa) - Vernazza - 2nts
Vernazza - Florence - 4nts
Florence - Sorrento - 5nts
Naples (easy side trip from Sorrento)
Sorrento - Rome - 2nts

MHO:Lots of traveling does interfere with quality time at the places you visit. I understand how FF awards can create problems in getting desired airports. It happens to me very often.
Starting in Sorrento looks good, only if you don't plan on northern Italy.
I realize the desire to see as much as possible, but you might reconsider the northern part of your trip.
If you are a 100% sure that you want Venice (I've been there 3 times and do like it),then let me tweek your schedule a bit.
1. 3/4 nights in Sorrento/Naples-one night could be erased since you will leave from Naples on a night train.
2. Three nights in Venice gives you a good taste.
3.Skip Milan-I also like Milan, but not this trip.
4.Three or four nights in Lucca with day trips to 5T and Pisa
5.Four nights in Florence
6. Four or five nights in Rome-After 5 trips and many nights,I still have much to see.
This last October we didn't stay in Venice on our 3 week trip.I do remember that much of the time we were in Italy it was raing and a bit cold during that time. You can never tell about the weather, but it's something to consider. The days are also short then and the evenings cooler. This makes a difference if you spend much of your time traveling.
The friends that traveled with us "seperated" with us for 3 nights in Sorrento ,while we were in Rome. When they came to rejoin us for three nights in Rome,they made it clear that they wished they put more time in Rome instead.
No one's advice here will really be bad because no matter what you choose it's Italy. Have fun planning!

A note about the Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci in Milan. His is the most famous Last Supper.

However, there are many beautiful Last Supper paintings that you can view in Florence with no lines. In fact, the Florence Tourist office puts out a brochure on the 7 Last Supper paintings.

Here are a couple of links for the Last Supper paintings in Florence as well as for Leonardo Da Vinci's:

http://www.theculturedtraveler.com/A...r_Florence.htm

http://www.paradoxplace.com/Perspect...%20Suppers.htm

My favorite in Florence, although I haven't seen them all there, is in the Ognissanti refectory. The entrance to the complex that contains it is to the left of the church. There is no admission charge but a donation is appreciated. It is open only a few mornings each week, Mon., Tues., and Sat. from 9-12.

After the entry hall, you enter a beautiful cloister decorated with frescoes beneath the arches. At the righthand end of the cloister courtyard is a short staircase. On the right side of the staircase are two markers - one for the flood of 1844, one for the flood of 1966. To the far left corner of the cloister is the entrance to the refectory where this beautiful Last Supper by Ghirlandaio is located. It's in excellent condition and you can view it easily at your leisure.

Another Last Supper in Florence by the same artist is in the Musee San Marco, which is best known for its lovely frescoes by Fra Angelico.

Suzy Kane

IdyllicItaly makes a good point. Although Leonardo's Last Supper in Milan is the most famous, it is just one of many masterpieces on this subject. In fact, the Taddeo Gaddi version in the Museo dell'Opera di Santa Croce in Florence is considered by many art historians to be the first upon which all later versions, including Leonardo's, is based. Gaddi's piece is in wonderful condition, no reservations needed, and when we saw it in October we were the only people in the room.

Thanks for all of the tips. Still considering whether to stop in Milan. Also we are considering starting in Rome. Found a flight from Rome (Ciampano) to Venice for about 25 euros. Not practical if we leave on the day of arrival, but could work if we stayed a few days.
Thanks to all who took time to post, we really appreciate the advise.

Our last trip to Italy, we stayed in an idyllic tiny village called Marina del Cantone (south of Sorrento) for 4 nights and wish we'd stayed longer. It was wonderful -- Hotel La Certosa, right on the beach. Could walk out of the hotel to the dock and hop a boat to Capri or Amalfi. Took another day trip to Pompeii. No traffic or crowds. Very romantic. Highly recommended.
For the rest of your trip -- everyone has their favorites, but I'd skip Milan and Naples (unless you like shopping). If you do Marina del Cantone, Venice, Cinqueterra, Florence/Lucca and Rome, you'd have a lovely relaxing trip.