I'm trying very hard to nail down an itinerary for my first backpacking trip to Italy this summer. WHile I know that the summer isn't ideal to travel, my friends and I are all teachers and it's the only option for us. Below is my newest schedule. Let me know what you think. We are on a tight budget and I've chopped several cities we wanted to see already. Any other advice would be greatly appreciated. I have hostels/hotels for all places except Cinque Terre. I need a fairly cheap place to stay in that area but have heard horrible reviews about Cinque Terre Holidays. Any suggetions?

July 1st-fly out of ATL, GA to Venice
arrive in Venice on July 2nd
3 nights in Venice
3 nights in Florence
3 nights in Cinque Terre with stop in Pisa en route to Cinque Terre from Florence
2 nights in Siena
3 nights in Rome
3 nights in Sorrento with day trips to Capri, Naples, and possibly Pompeii if time allows
2 nights in Amalfi
from Amalfi take train back to Rome for flight back to ATL

Hi Liv,

That is certainly a trek. but very doable.

Wouldn't it be easier to fly into Venice and out of Naples, or VV?

Hi Livi,

Your trip sounds great! Having visited all the places on your list, I have two recommendations for you. Take one night away from Cinque Terre and add to Rome. You'll have time for Pompeii, don't miss.

If you have difficulty finding lodging in the Cinque Terre, consider Santa Margherita Ligure, next to Portofino. A wonderful town and just 1 hour to Riomaggiore, the mody southern Cinque Terre town.

Buon viaggio!

Hi Livi,

Your trip sounds great! Having visited all the places on your list, I have two recommendations for you. Take one night away from Cinque Terre and add to Rome. You'll have time for Pompeii, don't miss.

If you have difficulty finding lodging in the Cinque Terre, consider Santa Margherita Ligure, next to Portofino. A wonderful town and just 1 hour to Riomaggiore, the most southern Cinque Terre town. Do a search here for tons of discussions on Santa Margherita.

Buon viaggio!

I would second the idea of taking a day off the Cinque Terre and adding it to Rome. You also have quite a bit of time on the Amalfi Coast, so you might subtract a day there to add to Rome. I would also recommend trying to fly back from Naples, just to save yourself some time. Otherwise, I think you have a great trip scheduled!!!

I don't suggest taking a day from CT - its the vacation in the middle of your vacation.

We stayed in Cappellini's rooms (try various spellings of that in internet searches) in Manarola. It was a 3 or 4 story house high up in the village. Nothing fancy, just a clean room, small clean bathroom - and an amazing view. We had the room with the balcony, and it was like $42 A night (3 yrs ago). I know we were paying less than the backpackers we met, who were much less happy with their rooms in RioM.

Good luck! Trip sounds wonderful - but I like to move around alot!