Italy Itinerary
 

Going to italy in September for 8 days. We are flying out of NJ on the 14th and arriving on the 15th. Plan on spending the 15th-19th in Rome and taking a day trip to Capri one of the days. Leaving on the morning of the 20th to go to Florence. Spending the 20th-23rd in Florence with a day trip to Pisa/Lucca. Does this sound like enough time in each city? Also I wanted to ask those who have done this the following: we are flying in and out of Rome. So should we come back Sat night to Rome and get a hotel by the airport or should we just take a train back from Florence Sunday morning for our Sunday afternoon flight. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance

The train from Florence to Rome is around 1.5 hrs. so leaving on an early train from Florence is possible. What time is your afternoon flight? Mike

Day tripping from Rome to Capri is difficult. It's about 3 hours from Rome to Sorrento by car, then another 30 min by hydrofoil to Capri. You can also take the train from Rome to Naples, transfer to the port and take the ferry or hydrofoil to Capri, but that takes even more time. Also, Capri is not at its most magical during the day when it's swamped with enormous crowds.

That's why I'd suggest leaving Capri and the wonderful Amalfi Coast for another trip. You'll have more than enouhgh to see and do in Rome and Florence.

As for your last night, I think it's always best to be in the city that you're departing from, so you don't have to worry about potential glitches ( train strikes in Italy!) in the morning.

From what I have read in these forums it does seem like the general consensus that Capri for a day does not make sense. Is there another day trip we could do out of Rome? Or should we spend all 5 days in Rome? It just seems like alot of time in one city

Day trips from Rome:

Ostia Antica
Tivoli
Orvieto
Civita di Bagnoregio
http://www.arch.ksu.edu/personal/cwatts/Civita.html

Hi Digs,

Once there, you will see that 5 days in Rome is not too much. However, if you have the urge to get out of the city, one of the day trips hikerboy mentioned would be great.

I would definitely NOT go to Capri for a day. Pointless.

Buon viaggio!

Hi d,

>...should we spend all 5 days in Rome? It just seems like alot of time in one city. <

You are going to Rome, not Orlando. :)

I also suggest getting back to rome the nght before your plane leaves.

If you haven't bought tickets yet, have you considered flying into Florence or Pisa and out of Rome or VV?

((I))

I would agree with those who do not think 5 days in Rome to be too much. It is a wonderful city with a great deal to see. I spent a week there, and have been wanting to get back ever since to see everything I missed.

Orvieto is a wonderful city and an easy day trip from Rome if you decide you want to do a side trip. I was there for only a few hours and would dearly love to go back. The Cathedral has the most beautiful fascade I have ever seen...and the Estruscan ruins are very interesting if you get a chance to go.

Thank you to everyone. I have decided to come back to Rome on that Sat and get a hotel that night near the airport. It definitely makes sense to be back early just in case something happens with the trains. I was kind of leaning towards that originally but I wanted to get some perspective from people who have done it. That is also why I was asking about 5 days because with that Sat we will technically be in Rome 5.5 days. So I was thinking of taking a day trip just to see as much as I can. I have booked the flight already and it is both in and out of Rome. Has anyone ever used flycheapabroad.com? The flight was $744 which is really low compared to other flights I looked at. And as far as hotel goes I tried to book the Pomezia but it was full so I went with the Hotel Limirco. Anyone have anything good or bad to say about this hotel. Also does anyone have any suggestions for a cheap hotel, meaning low price just need to sleep for a couple of hours and wake up in the morning, near the airport.