mackmclusk

Thanks to everyone on this board who has helped us plan our trip! My husband I are are traveling with his mother and sister the first 8 days of the trip and will be spending the rest of our time alone in Praiano.

(We deliberately are starting and ending in Rome, while it might seem more logical to start in Venice, we have specific reasons for doing so.)

My primary question is should we book ahead for an overnight train with a sleeping car from Venice to Naples? I'm also wondering if we should train from Rome to Siena and rent a car in Siena or rent the car in Rome.

Itinerary:
October 2, 3, 4th - Arrive in Rome. Staying in friend's apartment.

Rent a car in Rome or Siena?

October 5, 6 & 7
Hotel Borgo Grandaie Siena

Take train or drive to Venice?

October 8 & 9 Venice
Staying at Hotel Bernardi

overnight train from Venice to Naples

Bus from Naples to Praiano

October 11, 12, 13, 14
Staying at Hotel Onda Verde in Praiano
Planning day trips to Capris and other Amalfi Coast destinations

October 15
Hiring driver to Pompei and up the coast. Spending night in Rome and flying out early morning on the 15th.

Any thoughts are welcome! Thank you!

GAC

1. Drive versus train: don't rent a car unless you plan on stopping in-between. If going point-to-point, take public transportation. From Rome to Siena, you can either take the train with a change at Chiusi station, or take the direct SENA bus from outside the Tiburtina train station. From Siena to Venice, your best bet is to bus to Florence and take a Eurostar Italia train from Florence to Venice.

2. Overnight train sleeping accommodations (wagons lits or couchettes): these should always be booked in advance.

TravelFam

Sounds like we are right on your heals! We're staying at the same lodging in Venice and Siena as well as considering the sleep train!

Have you booked any tours for Venice? How's about Tuscany area?

Just curious. I hope you enjoy your trip!

TopMan

You can either take a train to Florence from Siena ( one hour and 46 minutes) and change there for Venice..or take the bus to Florence (the bus station in Siena is a little closer to the center of the town than is the rail station; in Florence the bus station is near the train station).

Generally speaking, sleeping car reservations cannot be made MORE THAN 60 days in advance of the travel date. You can do so ahead of time HERE by using an agency such as RailEurope or Railsaver BUT you'll end up paying shipping and handling charges at the very least which will up the price.
As an alternative you could make the sleeping car reservations as soon as you get to Italy (which would mean going to either a local rail station or a local travel agency to do so).

Have a great trip.
I wouldn't drive to Venice since all you'll be doing is driving there in order to park, and leave, your car...you'll see a lot more secenery, such as there is, going by rail..mainly because nobody will have to pay attention to the road.

ira

Hi mack,

Have you considered flying www.volareweb.com between Venice and Naples?

Fares as low as 20E.

ira

PS

There is bus service from Naples airport to Sorrento.

See http://www.curreriviaggi.it/

mackmclusk

Ira, thank you for the flight idea. I think we are going with a 7 am flight on 11 October - it gets us to Naples by 8:25! Much better than a 6 hour train where we lose half of the day or a 9 hour overnight train.

I have read in several places on this board, however, that Volare frequently changes your flight times. The next flight that day doesn't leave until after 4 pm that day.

My one concern is that I would hate to miss out on a day on the Amalfi coast. Have you had any experiences with changing flight times on Volare?

Thanks again,

MacK

mackmclusk

TravelFam,

I've not yet booked any tours, but will let you know when I come across any.

Please keep me posted as well!

Weadles

I wouldn't recommend the overnight train from Venice-Naples. It's not all that comfortable, and it's a very LONG ride. Take Ira's advice and look into flying Venice-Naples. That's a much better option!

Duggan

I'm taking that night train ride from Venice to Naples in about a week so I hope it isn't that bad.

ira

Hi mack,

You might also look at http://www.alpieagles.com/it/
for flying Venice/Naples.

They have an 8:30 flight on Oct 11 for 19E