hightide

Well, it's set!!! Our trip-of-a-lifetime is finally going to be a reality. We have all of the main stuff set, need input as to day trips, restaurants, sights to see, travel tips, etc. Main goal of this trip is to see the countryside, relax and absorb the local 'flavor'. Hopefully we'll return some day to see art and architecture (May be expecting too much to expect TWO trip-of-a-lifetimes)

Here it is:

**Arrive Naples, drive to Positano, tour Pompeii en route. Hotel in Positano: Palazzo Murat (3 nights)
Activities in Positano: boat tour / fishing trip; sunset wedding of a friend; day trip to Sapri.

**Train to Tuscany (Siena), pick-up rental car. Hotel: Certosa Di Maggiano (4 nights)
Activities in Tuscany: Tour of hilltowns with local driver; Cortona Street Market

**Drive to Umbria (Perugia). Hotel: Castello dell 'Oscano (4 nights)
Activities in Umbria: Tour of area with local driver; cooking class (Letizia Mattiacci)

**Train to Rome. Hotel: Bernini Bristol (1 night)

**Return to USA

What do you think? What are the 'don't miss' things in these areas? Thanks for your help in advance and also thanks for your help putting this together so far!

jor

If your itinerary is set I guess you do not need my input.

bobthenavigator

I do not understand your car strategy, but I love your hotel choices. Do not miss the Val d'Orcia loop one day from Siena--Montalcino, St.Antimo, Mt Oliveto Maggiore et al. Why do you need local drivers if you have a car?

hightide

Thought we'd have a driver as a tour guide to show us the high lights, then re-explore on our own. We only have a couple of days in each area so didn't want to waste time wandering, even though I know wandering can be fun too...just wanted to make sure we didn't miss anything - plus thought it would be interesting to get the 'low-down' and history etc. while we were driving... Also thinking that if we sample the wine in every place we stop might be wise to have a designated driver...

nocinonut

One point to think about, your luggage will be in the rental car in Pompeii, I would go straight to the hotel and drop off the luggage, then go to Pompeii the next day.

If you are arriving in Naples from USA you will be really tired and Pompeii involves alot of walking and is really tiring in itself.

I know I wouldn't tackle it just coming off a long flight, and I would worry about all of my luggage in the rental too. If you just want to pop in and out of Pompeii or are really hearty I would still find a locker for my luggage.

Have a great trip.

Isobel

Instead of going to Pompeii which is a huge site, (and very touristy) why not think of Herculaneum, not far from Pompeii. It is not such a big site but better preserved as mud fell on Herculaneum when the mountain erupted whereas ash fell on Pomepii and most of the houses were destroyed. Herculaneum has more buildings standing and is a wonderful site - just a thought. I would agree with the other author, you must be careful of your luggage in Italy.
The rest of your itinerary looks fantastic. Have a great time.

HowardR

Oh, Isabel, how can you write off Pompeii with a "very touristy" label???? Of course, it attracts a lot of tourists, but that's because it's a wonderful experience!

Bootman4U

I agree...there are REASONS some of these places are called "touristy" and "tourist traps" because they are worth seeing..and evidently the persons who always descibe these places as "touristy" have been there TOO so what does THAT tell you?
My only other comment, and more to the point of the original poster's request, would be about "absorbing the local flavor" as they say in describing the difference(s) between Greece and Italy: "In Greece there are ruins...it Italy it is still here." I would suggest you at least attempt to see some of the architecture and art because those things are a lot of what the "local flavor" of Italy is all about.
I hope you thoroughly enjoy your trip and unless you want to be hopelessly torn between doing this or that thanks to the absolutely unlimited opinions you'll get from folks here about what is good and what isn't...get yourself a guidebook and take a few chances based on what SEEMS interesting to you..that's part of the adventure, too.

Regards,
Jon

Alice_Twain

I do not believe that having a driver will� help you not miss things. On the other hand, I think that a local driver will make you miss a lot of stuff. This is not just about visiting or not visiting the "tourist traps". It goes beyond that. The best part of the area of italy you have chosen is not the "highlights", on the other hand there are NO HIGHLIGHGTS, except for places that have acquired fame but that, as a matter of facts, are no better than the surrounding and less famous places. Believe me, you do not risk missing anything if you do expolore on your own, you will just afford yourself a bit more leisure, and touring Tuscany and Umbria is not about collecting sights like stamps or butterflies, it is about sheer leisure.

ira

Hear, Hear, Alice

hightide

Oh, good points all...see that's why I like this forum - interesting input - both pros AND cons, and lots to think about.

I think we'll be okay re: luggage at pompeii - we'll have a driver who is going to stay with the car while we tour. Now wondering if should do Herculeneaum too/instead?

As for drivers in other areas - have heard they really know the spots to hit / spots to skip. One is Dario Castagno, other is Peter Kilby - both recommended by our travel consultant (Sally Watkins - she's awesome - can't take credit for this itinerary myself - she helped immensely, found her name on this forum). Anyhoo, thought they would be good choices to see things we might miss. Still have a couple of days to explore on our own too...

What about great restaurants in these areas? Have heard Boccon di Vina is incredible. Others?

Isobel

My thanks to HowardR and Bootman for gently hitting me over the nuckles for saying Pompeii was "touristy". I think I deserved that and wont use this word again in this context!!!

RAR

"touring Tuscany and Umbria is not about collecting sights like stamps or butterflies"

Haha I love this line. So true.