suze

<Suze--While of course I would like to see Venice and that's why it was on my list originally when asking my family what they are most interested in--Pompeii and the Amalfi area seems to win out.>


OK certainly. Understand. You should definitely choose the places that your family most wants to see! I think your new 5/5/5 plan is fine.

raincitygirl

europeannovice, I would order it like this: Florence, Sorrento, Rome.

I would fly into Florence and out of Rome. Personally I don't mind the fact that I have to change planes in Frankfurt to do so, (to get to Florence) but if you can find a direct flight to Pisa then you can take the train from there into Florence. I just prefer to transfer in an airport with my luggage going direct to my destination rather than get somewhere tired and jet lagged and then have to deal with shlepping my luggage to a train station and on to my final destination. I was just in Florence a few weeks ago and a taxi from the airport is 20 euro. I like the airport in Florence, it is very small so everything is easy and quick.

From Florence you can take the high speed train to Naples, I used ItaloTreno, it was very good and took just under three hours. I was nervous about the train station in Naples too but I was very careful and it turned out to be just fine. There was quite a motley crowd outside the train station holding some kind of flea market but it was away from the taxi rank and the main doors and probably looked worse than it was.
You can take the Circumvesuviana train (it's a commuter train) to Sorrento from the same train station (Napoli Centrale), just be aware that it may be crowded and watch out for pickpockets. Alternatively you can take a taxi or arrange a car and driver. (we took a taxi for 100 euro)

From Sorrento to Rome just reverse that and take the fast train to Rome. Fly home from Rome..easy.

In Sorrento we loved our stay at the Hotel Mediterraneo which is actually in Sant'Agnello (it all blends together) and was an easy and enjoyable 20 minute walk to the centre of Sorrento or the hotel runs a shuttle.

You have lots of time to plan and I have found the best trips are the ones which I organize to have the least hassle in moving from place to place.

bvlenci

You wouldn't want to take a train to Salerno if your destination is Sorrento. Salerno is definitely better if you're going to some parts of the Amalfi Coast, but it's quite out of the way for Sorrento (which is on the opposite side of the peninsula from the actual Amalfi Coast).

For Sorrento, you would either take the bus, or take the high-speed train to Naples and then either a taxi (or car service) or the Circumvesuviana train to Sorrento. If you have a lot of luggage, I would get the car service.

bvlenci

As for Naples train station, it's not any more dangerous than other train stations. Most train stations have pickpockets, but so do most of the popular tourist attractions, including the Vatican.

Be alert, tell your kids not to distract you in crowded places, and tell everyone to keep an eagle eye on the luggage and the people closest to you. Keep your valuables concealed deep inside a bag that closes securely and that you keep in front of you at all times. Don't pull your wallet out in a crowded public place; keep a little cash, bus tickets, and the like loose in a pocket or purse, so you can pull it out without revealing the location of the wallet. If men keep a wallet in a trousers pocket, it should have just a small amount of cash and no credit or debit cards. A skilled pickpocket can easily get something that's in a front pocket.

In metros and on buses, stand as far away from the door as possible. When boarding or getting off, stand back and let the pushers and shovers go ahead of you; some of them might be trying to create a distraction so that an accomplice can empty your pockets.

Try not to look rich. Leave the designer handbags and luggage at home. I buy my luggage in the Italian equivalent of KMart, and when traveling I wear decent but inexpensive clothing. I don't wear jewelry. I love purses, but when traveling, I carry an inexpensive handbag that's water resistant and has lots of zippered compartments, with a flap that goes over the main zipper. I think slash-proof purses are overkill. The pickpockets go for the easy targets, and there are so many truly careless tourists that they have no need to slash anything.

BumbleB6

I went to Florence and Tuscany one August, and it was VERY hot. 90 degrees F by midday on most days we were there, in early August. And it's a HUMID heat, not dry; the kind of heavy heat that can bog you down.
You will want to make time for gelato breaks, early evening coffee or wine breaks, etc. Maybe a nap and shower before dinner...

I'd spend at least five nights in Florence, if possible - four full days; two for seeing Florence; take a day trip by train to Pisa and Lucca; then pick EITHER San Gimignano or Siena. Personally, I'd pick Siena, as you can take the bus directly there, I believe.
However, we did a one-day tour that took us to San Gimignano and Siena, as well as to a winery and farm, and to see some countryside. I regret, however, having not spent more time in Siena. Lovely little town.

So you could do a tour, if possible, and see both in one day.

I've never stayed in Salerno, but have done a little research on visiting that area: I remember reading that one could take a train from Rome to Salerno, and see the Amalfi Coast from there. You can also take a train from Salerno to Pompeii. You might need to know a little more Italian than you would in Sorrento, but I don't know...
Salerno also connects to Pasteum by train.
So, Salerno OR Sorrento as a base for the Amalfi Coast..

But your new schedule of 5 nights in each place looks much more sane and relaxing.

Look, not seeing everything now gives you an excuse to go back someday, and see Venice and other hill towns you missed! That's what we do - we've only had opportunities for short trips, so we try and plan to go back and see the rest of the country... I've still not seen Rome or Venice, but hope to soon.

I also agree very much with StCirq's suggestion - with 14 days, pick two places for a week each, and day trip - maybe Rome and Florence, or someplace just outside those two cities, and day trip by train or car.
I know they offer tours to Pompeii and the AC form Rome - or you could go to Ostica, the ruins that are much closer to Rome.
It's possible to even day-trip to Venice from Florence, I think. Would be a long day, but I think a high-speed train connects the two.

europeannovice

I was debating between Salerno and Sorrento. Sorrento is more of a resort with fancier hotels and Salerno has more B&B's from my research.

I am worried about the travel between Rome and Sorrento with luggage because of all the negative things I read about the Naples train station in particular. Thanks bvlenci for the description above.

Yes we will have to factor in plenty of time for gelato breaks. That's why I am also leaning more toward Sorrento--many hotels have pools to go to in the afternoon.

Day trips from Rome to Pompeii and Amalfi seem a bit rushed though? By the time travel time is factored in to and fro then how much time do you get for Amalfi and Pompeii? That's why we are leaning to just stay in Sorrento and see those sights from there.

From what I am reading Capri, Amalfi (Positano and Ravello and Amalfi), Paestum, Pompeii and Herculeneum each deserve a day by themselves. And then a day just to relax and enjoy the hotel and surroundings and do nothing to rest a bit. Whereas a daytrip from Rome would be a glimpse into the area only. Right?

A daytrip from Florence to Venice is tempting to yes tick off the box to see a glimpse of Venice but would we really get anything out of it? Four hours on the train round trip and then maybe 5 hours there? At that point I think it would be better to just stay in Venice for a couple of nights and cut Florence shorter but then that requires more packing and unpacking and the goal is to avoid that too many times in one trip. I am rambling. It's tough to decide.

Mimar

Pompeii is an easy day trip from Sorrento by the Circumvesuviana commuter train. It's about a half hour to the Pompei Scavi stop, which is right at the entrance to the ruins. (Having left your luggage at your hotel, you just need to take normal protection against pickpockets on the train. I like using a money belt under my clothes. However, just in case, there is luggage storage at the Pompei Scavi entrance.)

There's another train station in Pompei, not so convenient to the ruins. That's where the train from Salerno stops.

Sorrento would be more convenient to climbing Vesuvius. (If your son is interested in volcanos, tell him to check out Crater Lake in Oregon. It's an exploded volcano which forms a perfect bowl of deep blue water.)

AJPeabody

Yes, I liked the hotels. I recommend the Modigliani in Rome fully, and the Savoia in Sorrento also, understanding the idiosyncrasies of a family-run small hotel in part of an apartment building.

AJPeabody

Oh, and Rome to Sorrento by two trains (the transfer is easy) or a bus actually each take about as much time overall. I hate buses and like trains.

Mimar

BTW, forgot to say that seeing Venice as a day tripper is the exact wrong way to do it. You're stuck among the crowds of other day trippers, from cruise ships and bus tours. And see nothing of the charm of Venice in the early morning and evening.

europeannovice

Right we should just leave Venice for when we can dedicate more time to it and enjoy it fully.

If we are in Florence we shouldn't leave to explore elsewhere. There is plenty to do in Florence and Tuscany.

Exactly I think Pompeii is much easier to explore from Sorrento rather than from Rome.

Thanks for the hotel recommendations.

Now should we leave the split evenly or cut a day from Florence and add to Rome? I have to do more research on what we want to see in each place. Florence needs at least two days for its museums and piazzos. Then day trips to Pisa and Siena too. I see how each place Florence and Rome needs a week or a month to explore.

BumbleB6

I agree with your hesitation to day trip to Venice from Florence; and to Pompeii from Rome. I wouldn't do it either, personally.
That's why I've been only to Tuscany and Florence, but still have not been to Venice or Rome. I'd rather wait when I have more time to fully savor the place...
But I suggested those two day trips because sometimes people think, Well, I may never come back and I'd rather have a glimpse of it, then nothing at all.

It sounds like you are understanding now, that some places may be better left out and wait for next time.
I really think you'll enjoy your trip more, with that understanding!
The places you will visit - you will have more time there, and be able to slow down and take more of it in...

suze

<glimpse of Venice but would we really get anything out of it? Four hours on the train round trip and then maybe 5 hours there?>

No I would not do that. I would either GO to Venice and spend at least 2-3 days there, or I would skip it.

AJPeabody

"I have to do more research on what we want to see in each place." You have achieved the Wisdom of Fodors. You will have a wonderful trip.

europeannovice

Mimar--yes Crater Lake we have read about it but have not been to Oregon yet.

Thanks everyone! I'm sure I will be back with more questions as I continue the research.