hi everyone! my fiance and i are heading to italy for 10 days mid-september... we're going to rome, the amalfi coast, and florence. we've already got hotels/basic transport arranged but -

1. should we also make reservations at museums we plan to visit?

2. i've heard it may cost ~$900 (US) to hire a driver at the coast for the day... does this sound accurate? also, think this is worth the cost, or should we just relax where we are (positano and sorrento)?

3. how will the weather be then? i want to pack sensibly, but i'd like to look nice since it's the only honeymoon i'll ever have. think i can get by w/o bringing any tennis/walking shoes (and using comfortable flipflops/sandals instead)

4. backpacks or rolling luggage? (don't want to be weighed down when getting on/off trains)

5. best way to make calls home?

thank you for any advice you can offer!!!

Hi A,

1. Yes

In Florence, Uffizi and Academia Museum Reservations
The easiest and cheapest way is to call Florence 011 (U.S. international access code) 39 (Italy's country code) then 055-294-883 8:30-18:30 M-F and 8:30-12:00 Sat. Florence time. You will get an English speaking operator and in 2-3 minutes YOU CAN RESERVE FOR BOTH. This is through the reservation service at the Uffizi and costs beyond the normal entry fee only about 3 euro for the service. This is MUCH cheaper than the commercial booking services.
You will not be charged for the reservations unless you use them.

2. You don't need a driver for the AC. Buses run between Sorrento and Amalfi on a regular basis.

3. Weather will be generally sunny and warm to hot.

4. 22" rolling suitcase.

Have a great honeymoon.

I have never priced hiring a car driver myself, but $900 seems two to three times what it should cost.

Shoes - If you are sight seeing in Rome, then you probably will be walking greater distances than normal.

You want quality luggage, big wheels and extending/collapsing handles. We have timberland cases can transform into back packs (in addition to wheels with extending handles). However, in three trips to Europe, we have never used them as backpacks. Get locks (not super cheap ones either).

I wouldn't wear flip-flops or sandals in any major European (or other) city. Your feet will be filthy within an hour or so. Just wear comfortable walking shoes.

You don't need an expensive private driver. There are buses, as ira has pointed out.

Buy a prepaid international phone card from any tabaccheria to make calls home.

A rolling 22" sturdy suitcase is ideal.

The weather should be lovely that time of year - warm days and slightly cooler nights.

Buona fortuna!

Good advice from all. Most Italian cities have a lot of cobblestones so sandles or flip flops would be very hard on your feet. Take a pair for the Amalfi coast but be sure to have walking shoes for the cities.

Hi, I took a similar trip in mid sept in 2000. The shoes I wore the most were some sturdy leather flip flops that looked great with everything. Try to avoid heels, even low kitten heels as they get stuck in the cobblestones. I think some flats with a rubber heel would be fine. Personally I wouldn't bother with walking shoes/tennis shoes unless you are planning on doing some hiking/real exercise.

We got a driver to drive us from the Naples train station to Positano and it cost us about $200 at the time. We asked about a drive to Ravello and the driver indicated that the ride would probably be about $350, but closer to $500-%600 for an all day tour. I would relax most of the time and take a boat ride if you want to go somewhere else.

During our trip the weather was warm and dry in the day and cool at night. Make sure to take a cardigan or light jacket/blazer for the evenings.

Bring a smaller rolling suitcase, I would recommend a 22' expandable as you may want to purchase some goodies in Italy.

The phone cards work well for overseas.

5. You will not need to call home during your honeymoon, unless there is a true emergency. At the most, shoot the folks an e-mail from the first (or second) internet cafe you run into to tell them you've arrived, and go enjoy your honeymoon!

Jules

3) i suggest to take a pair of shoes as well, you'll likely be doing more walking than you can imagine. i am a big fan of sandals myself but do take a pair of sneakers too.

4) one 22-24" rolling suitcase with one small additional tote or day pack of some sort.

5) i don't call home myself but as suggested above use an internet cafe now and then to send a few notes.