I originally posted this on another thread about trains v. car but it was recommended I repost for a greater response...

We are traveling to Italy the first week of April. I have been a couple of times but never as the one "in charge", my husband and I will be traveling. I was hoping that you all could look at my itinerary and give me some feedback. We too have been trying to determine if rail or car is better. Below is our conclusion so far...


Day 1 – Arrive Rome and drive to Pompeii, spend night there. (would this trip be better done by train?)
Day 2 – Drive back to Rome
Day 3 – Rome
Day 4 – Rome
Day 5 – Drive to Orvieto, Siena and Florence, sleep in Florence
Day 6 – Florence, Drive to Venice (would this trip be better done by train?)
Day 7 – Venice
Day 8 – Venice, night train to Rome
Day 9 – Fly home from Rome

I realize the trip is far too short; there are so many other things I would like to show him! But for the first trip what do you think? I am thinking maybe we should just rent a car for one day to drive from Rome (via Orvieto and Siena) to Florence…

Thanks in advance for your input!

Ira already posted the following, if that helps get you started!

Author: ira
Date: 01/18/2006, 05:14 pm
Hi CookeeMonster

First suggestion is that you post your own message instead of piggybacking on an old thread. You will get more responses.

Second suggestion:
You will be much happier without a car.

Please don't be offended by some of the following remarks. They were off the top of my head.

>Day 1 – Arrive Rome and drive to Pompeii, spend night there. (would this trip be better done by train?)
Day 2 – Drive back to Rome<

GACK!

>Day 5 – Drive to Orvieto, Siena and Florence, ...

And wave as you go by.
You can visit Orvieto from Rome - 1 hr on the train.

You can visit Siena as a daytrip from Florence - 1:30 hr on the bus.

>Day 6 – Florence, Drive to Venice (would this trip be better done by train?)

Yes

>Day 8 – Venice, night train to Rome
Day 9 – Fly home from Rome<

It would be much better if you flew into Venice and out of Rome. this is an "open-jaw" flight. It will cost just about the same as a roud trip.

With only 9 days, I suggest that you visit Venice (3 nights) and Florence (5 nights) or Venice (3) and Rome (5).

If you do the Venice/Rome split, you could train Venice/Florence, drop your bags at the left luggage office at Florence SMN station, see the city and go on to Rome. I would take that day from Rome, not Venice.

Hope this helps.

My wife and I went to Italy in September 2004. We only had nine nights on the ground, and I first was inclined to spend three each in Rome, Florence and Venice. The advice I received from some of the same people who have offered it to you was to "slow down" a bit and enjoy things more. We took the advice and spent five nights in Rome and 4 in Venice.

This turned out to be the best vacation either of us have ever had - due in large measure to the "slowing down" we did. This is a lesson that will not be lost on future trips.

Enjoy Italy - it's great. Sit and sip espresso - watch the world go by - eat gelato - watch the world go by - you get the idea ...

- dwz

Hi Cookee,

With the time you have, I really don't think you have time to visit Pompeii. Trying to drive there on your arrival day is a bad idea. Pompeii is exhausting (although April shouldn't be too hot), but you will be jet lagged and probably won't get that much out of it.

I agree with Ira's advice 100%.

Buon viaggio!

Thanks for all the advice we are in the process of adjusting our itinerary now!

Molte Grazie

You are welcome, CM

Cookeemonster: I'm sure you're making suggested adjustments as proposed by Ira and others...just wanted to add that driving from Rome to Pompeii after arriving from USA is not so simple as anyone may have told you. Train would be far easier if you decide to go to Pompeii at all. The Autostrada from Rome to Naples can be one long parking lot just outside of Naples, where about 8 lanes squeeze into three..nightmarish...I know, I just did it last spring.
The best advice anyone above has given is "dwz's"...

<Enjoy Italy - it's great. Sit and sip espresso - watch the world go by - eat gelato - > -

... have an extra gelato or two for me! We favor "Blue Ice" on Via Sistina going uphill to the Spanish Steps, from Piazza Barberini...

Stu T.

tower,

I *blush* in response to your kind words. I wish I could take credit for the idea, but I owe it to the other Fodorites who convinced me to *slow down*. That is the key to Italy - and probably to other areas in Europe, too.

- dwz

Thanks again! And if I wasn't already convinced to train to Pompeii, I am now...I'm not going to Italy for the traffic I "enjoy" here every day!

A few follow up questions...

1) We are going the first week of April, do we need any of our train tickets in advance?

2) We are going to stay in Naples 2 nights, leaving early the 2nd morning, Pompeii is a big priority for my husband so it couldn't be cut out! We are trying to determine how best to spend our afternoon there...Would you recommend Capri or the Spaccanapoli neighborhood in Naples? Or any other suggestions? We will of course do Pompeii and Vesuveus.

Hi again Cookee,

So are you saying you intend to so Pompeii, Vesuvius, and Capri in one day?

Not possible.

Most people spend 2 - 5 hours minimum at Pompeii. Since it sounds like you and your husband are seriously interested in Pompeii, I assume you will spend at least 4. I spent 2 1/2 on my first trip there, and 4 1/2 on the second.

Vesuvius does involve a hike if you want to go all the way to the top.

Capri is worth at least a full day. My highlight was the 2 hour small boat tour around the island. Away from the hoards and very scenic!

Exactly the information I was looking for! I had read Pompeii wouldn't take long, but I can see us spending hours there as you did. We will probably have to keep Capri tentative and decide as time allows. Is the hike to the top of Vesuvius worthwhile? We really enjoy hiking and such but don't want to take away from other activities that may be a better use of our valuable time.

Thanks Dayle!

How successful will we be using our American Express there? For hotels, restuarants, museums, etc... I have a feeling this won't be good news!

During my research I actually find that is really depends on what part of the states you are flying out of. Sometimes the flights are much cheaper flying into Rome and out of Venice.

Cookee,

I think the people who say Pompeii doesn't "take" long are those who consider looking at the Forum and snaping a couple of pics sufficient for their level of interest.

Haven't hiked Vesuvius myself. I've seen erupting volcanos in Hawaii and have hiked my share of mountains, so I really didn't feel like I needed to climb Vesuvius. Some posters here have said it's a good climb, hot and dusty.

I used my American Express mostly at hotels and restaurants with no problem. Museums don't take cc.

Let me get this straight. You have 7 full days and whatever time you have for the first day and you want to see Pompei, Vesuvius, Capri, (skip the Amalfi) Rome, Siena, Florence, Orvieto and Venice?
Assuming that you are flying in/out Rome you will also incur travel times of a 1/2 day going and coming from Rome to Naples, plus local travel time to Pompei and Capri, another 2 1/2 days Rome to Venice and back, plus travel time to Florence, Siena etc. This gives you less than 5 full days in all of your destinations. This might be a good itinerary if you want to say that you have been to all of these places but otherwise IMHO it is a GAK! itinerary.