gina01

Hello everyone! I've been reading these posts and it looks like people have been pretty spot-on when it comes to the places that I've been so I figured I'd be able to throw out a few questions with confidence I'm planning a trip with a friend after we take the FL Bar. We aren't really on too much of a time crunch, but we're looking at maybe 10 days total at the beginning of March. Is this a feasible itinerary:

Rome: 3/4-3/9
Naples/Capri: 3/7
Florence: 3/9-3/12
Modena: 3/12
Venice: 3/12-3/14

I was thinking we could do Capri as a day trip from Rome and return to Rome that night (or would it require a night stay in Capri?) Also- would it be possible to stop in Modena (for the Ferrari museum) on the way to Venice or would it require a night stay in Modena?

Also--my friend wants to stay in hostels most of the time. Does anyone have any recommendations for the cities we'll be staying in? We've heard a couple opinions from people concerning hostels, but none from anyone who has actually stayed in one before. Can someone who has actually stayed in a hostel please give their 2 cents?!?

One last thing-- I'm concerned with scheduling our train seats. I looked at the website briefly and just got confused. I've seen on these posts that it would be cheaper to just get point-to-point tickets rather than the Italy National pass, but either way I'm still a little confused as to what I need to book in advance. I've also seen on here that it's not supposed to be all that complicated so I guess I'll take another look at it.

I've never been to Italy before (I have traveled in France, spain and Greece) and my friend has never been to Europe before. Any help you could shed on our plans would be greatly appreciated!!

Thanks!

vincenzod

Two suggestions:
a) spend one night in Capri, only so you will appreciate its charme; otherwise, in my opinion is better that you plan Naples and Capri in one of your next trips to Italy
b) Modena is not on the railway from Florence to Venice and, anyway, also Modena maybe deserves one night so that you can spend your evening in one of the best squares of Italy, dining very well, also.

Have a lovely trip, ciao.

Vincenzo

susiedq

Gina,

All train travel can be booked on the day of travel at your point of departure. no need to make advance reservations especially in March.

I've been to Italy in May, June, August and September and never had a problem catching a train.

buon viaggio,

susan

jamikins

Hi there, good luck on your bar exam!

I just wanted to remind you that you will lose at least half a day every time you change locations (travel, checking in, checking out). With 10 days I would pick 3 locations at the most. Capri is a long way to go for one night. But thats just me and we like to move a bit slower than most.

Have a lovely trip!

gina01

Thanks for all the great advice. I think I can leave out Capri for my next trip to Italy, but my friend is ademant about the Ferrari museum so it seems my best bet would be to go from Florence to Modena, stay a night in Modena and then catch a train to Florence (I know Vincenzo mentioned that Modena is not on the railway from Florence to Venice, but surely there's a train from Florence to Modena and then Modena to Venice, right?... or am I assuming too much?)

Overall- I definitely feel better about the train system, although I guess I'd better learn how to read the schedule so that I can get my times straight.

Thanks everyone!

vincenzod

yes, you can get one train from Florence to Modena, without commuting, and perhaps the best is the following:
Firenze departure time 3:24pm
Modena arrival time 4:56pm
So, good time for accomodation in hotel, happy hours visiting the wonderful main square of Modena and dinner.
Then, next morning, early, visit to Ferrari Museum. The train from Modena to Venice is not direct, you must commute in Bologna.
Maybe, if you go early in the morning to visit the museum, the best train has departure time from Modena at 12:50, commute in Bologna and arrival in Venezia Santa Lucia at 3:17pm .
Anyway it is important that your station in Venice has to be Venezia Santa Lucia and not Venezia Mestre.

Ciao.

Vincenzo

gina01

Thanks so much for you help, Vincenzo. Is there a certain website that you're getting this times from?

ellenem

This is the official web site for Italian trains:

http://www.trenitalia.com/en/index.html

Use the Italian names for the cities. The schedules show accurately for the next 60 days or so, so you will be able to see real schedules and prices for your trip.