My husband and I and another couple are going to Rome in mid-May to attend a wedding at the end of our stay in Rome. We would like to see Rome a couple days then venture either N. or S. on a 3-4 day excursion, ending up back in Rome for the last few days for the wedding. I was thinking of staying at "The Inn at the Spanish Steps in Rome", anyone heard of it? Then possibly go North to: Italian Riviera area ( Portofino, Santa Margherita), then to Florence and maybe Tuscany. Is this doable? (Is that even a word?)Not sure when I'll get back to Italy again, so I want to see as much as possible. I am a beach and water person, should I go South instead? We are in our mid 30's and enjoy good food, drink and entertainment......Thanks!

Forget traditional sand beaches, but I think Italy is at it's sparkling best along the coast. Probably best would be Capri/Sorrento/Positano/Ravello/Paestum but a very close and underappreciated second would be SML/Portofino/San Fruitoso/Comogli. For the latter go on German (not Italian) train web site for cool utilities letting you search for elegant stopover schedules between Rome and Riviera. It could be that a short stopover in Pisa or Florence or Lucca fits in very efficiently where you have to change trains anyway.

Thank you Viking. I really want to do the Coast trip, but a nice compromise would be to do the Riviera and a side trip to Florence perhaps. Should we take the train from Rome to Florence and try and rent a car to explore the other area?

The more I write and read the more confused and indecisive I get. I guess I wish that someone out there would say: go here, here and here and stay here, we loved it. Anyone?

Hi minnie,

You only have 3 - 4 days. I suggest you See the Amalfi Coast as suggested by Viking.

However, I think Paestum is too far to include it on this trip.

You will get back to Italy. Enjoy what you can see now without turning a vacation into an expidition.

Riviera is of course on the coast and is served by trains except for Portofino and San Fruitosso where you can take scenic boats or busses or walk. The walk from San Fruitosso to Portofino is one of the most glorious on earth, and thank goodness not subject to the hordes of cinque terre. Using boats, legs, and trains is normally much more enjoyable and less of a public nuisance than battling roads and parking with car.

Thanks Viking and Ira, I have a decision to make with my group. Appreciate your help! Ciao!

my brother in law and I are going to Italy for a 9 day vacation trip, we will rent a car in rome and will travel for 4-5 days to the beautiful amalfi coast,you guys can follow us with your rental car so that way we can travel together, we already have researched economy places to stay as well as tours for 4 days to the different places at amalfi coast,I went to school in florence for 6 months and speak some italian, we are traveling to amalfi coast from the days of May 19 and returning to Rome on May 23, if you guys are interested you could always repley to us

I've been both North and South and would definitely recommend the south!! Make sure you go to Capri, Positano and if you can Ischia... have a look at my other posting, and write back if you have any questions. The beaches, water, views, food, weather -- everything is wonderful in the south. I'll go back there any day!