I'm travelling to Italy on July 14th. I have a point-to-point itinerary but have not determined the daily agendas. Any suggestions would help. Also, what tours in what cities are best taken with a guide. I am purchasing a 4-day lst class Saver Pass from the Eurorail.

As with many others, I am so confused with the train system. Are there different trains to use to travel from one city to the next? Am I purchasing the right pass? Can you suggest what time I should depart each city to get to the next to best utilize the time. I am assuming we should take morning trains for departures because of luggage and check-out times. Help here?


July 15 - Arrive in Venice (late afternoon)
July 19 - Depart Venice by train for Florence (around 9:00 a.m.)

Guided tours needed? How best to spend 3 days in Venice?

July 19 - Arrive Florence lunchtime.
July 21 - Depart Florence by train for Rome (time?)

How best to spend 1.5 days in Florence? Best place to buy jewellry?

July 21 - Arrive Rome (late afternoon)
July 25 - Depart Rome by train for Sorrento (early morning?)

3 Days - Must guided tours in Rome...Vatican? Other, on own?

July 25 - Arrive in Sorrento - 2 days (early afternoon?)
July 28 - Depart Sorrento by train for Rome (mid-morning?)

Guided tour at Pompeii - full day or 1/2 day? Positano? Capri (full day or 1/2 day)

July 28 - Arrive Rome in early afternoon (1 day)
July 30 - Depart Rome for Toronto

Plan on shopping last day in Rome for good quality souveniers. Any suggestions?

Best place to buy shoes?

Can you help fill in the agenda?

Places to avoid in any of the destinations?

Your candid responses are most appreciated.

Regards,

Ugogirl

Hi there! Your trip sound VERY similar to mine for this usmmer. We leave 4th july for 15 days only we are going in the opposite direction flying into rome then to sorrento, florence, venice, lake garda and fly home from Milan. We were advised NOT to buy a rail pass as point to point tickets would be cheaper! Check that out before you buy the rail pass. Need any help with suggestions for hotels we have ours booked and I am a budget traveller and bargain hunter!!

Thank you TYP. I have read that perhaps passes aren't the best way to go. Maybe I will take a pass on the Saver Pass.

Florence - a concern only being only 1.5 days? Do you think it is worth adding an extra day, and taking one away from Rome? Or accept Florence as a one-day Stop-Over from the trip from Venice to Rome? I like museums and art galleries but I don't know if I want to spend then indoors when the Italian outdoor sites are so interesting. Opinions?

Thank you.

I would take one day from Venice and add to Florence.

For my taste, you are moving around too much to have time to really enjoy most of the places you are visiting.

Your questions regarding Sorrento - Pompeii takes a full day.
Capri takes a full day.
You have 2 full days in Sorrento with your current itinerary.

You'll love Italy but it does sound like you're trying to fit so much into your itinerary. Think about the time it takes to check in, check out, transport to and from the train station, get your bearings, etc.

Rome - guided tour suggestion. We've used ContextRome for a Vatican museum tour and were very pleased. I've also used the same company in Paris and were equally pleased with their tours. It's for an indepth art historian perspective, if that's your cup of tea. Hope this helps...

Stay in Rome only once--at the end.
Go from Florence to Sorrento, via Naples and the local commuter train. Add a day to Sorrento.

Thank you for your suggestions. I will have to check on whether I can change my hotel in Rome to a later date and hotel in Sorrento to earlier date. Really makes more sense to go from Florence to Sorrento via Naples. As for Venice I might be meeting up with friends who live in Treviso for one afternoon if they will be in the country and that's why I added an extra day. I will revisit that idea and confirm with my friends if they will be there. I also have to run this by my travel partner.

Thank you again for some very good suggestions.

Regards, Ugogirl

Wish we were going along. I can never get enough of Italy. On the jewelry. My husband bought me a beautiful anniversary 3 diamond ring at a Jewelry store in Sorrento. It has twice the meaning as it came from there vs home. He also bought a very unique watch there. We were able to bargain with the owners. BE SURE if you buy expensive items to get all the papers necessary to reclaim your VAT tax when you get home. Be sure you are clear on how to do it before you leave Italy!!!
You are now able to buy your Vatican tour tickets in advance, but only from a limited number of tour operators. That way you get to go in before the general public and there are only 2000 tickets per day sold for this.
We use www.limoinitaly.com for this purpose as well as transportation and they can also help you out with lodging. They speak good English and we will use no one else. Check it out.
I agree with other advice about Venice.

Another tip. I don't know how much luggage you will be taking, but the train doors open and close very quickly. If you do not really hurry, you or your luggage could find yourself outside when the doors close.
Have a wonderful holiday.
LTT

TYP
Where are you staying in Milan and Lake Garda? Going there in Sept, but haven't chosen hotels yet...