Sorry! Yet another ‘overwhelmed’ traveler that needs help with itinerary. 😳
Feb 2nd, 2020, 06:36 AM
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Sorry! Yet another ‘overwhelmed’ traveler that needs help with itinerary. 😳
A few facts about us:
the good news is we are retired, so we are very flexible, within reason, with time spent in any one place. In total, I’d like this trip to be no less than three weeks in duration but no more than four.
the bad news, ironically, is we are retired, so it is very possible our upcoming Italy trip may be our last since there are many other places we’d like to visit before our idea of travel means making it to the mailbox.
Decades ago, I visited the typical tourist spots, i.e., Rome, Florence, Venice, and a few years ago we visited Rome, which was my husband’s first and only visit to Italy.
Neither one one of us are ‘big city’ people, especially when traveling. (We only visited Rome because our daughter was there for a semester). We both spent the better part of our lives in or near manhattan. BTDT
I am in the throes of planning a trip to Italy for September, and here’s what I have so far that is pretty much set in stone:
1 - arrive in Florence on the 2nd. Get picked up by a prearranged driver on the 4th to take our small group to Camogli in the Liguria region.
2 - leave Camogli on the 10th for Lucca for three nights
3 - leave Lucca on the 13th for Barga for four nights
If you do the math, that’s 15 days, leaving us with 6-13 days for the remainder of our trip.
We plan on getting from point A to point B either by train or driver.
Now I can make our lives simpler by calling it a day and going back to Florence and flying home. But again, this may be our last opportunity , so here’s where it gets dicey...
My maternal grandmother was born in the Abruzzo region, and I’d very much like to visit. I’ve also heard it’s lovely and not overcrowded. So I have two questions: should we rent a car in Florence to get there? The person who has organized the trip so far (she lives in the States but has owned a home in Barga for ten years and organizes ‘off the beaten path’ trips in Tuscany), recommends that we get a car in Florence, but I’ve heard that can be a nightmare. She also recommends we fly in AND out of Florence because ‘it’s easier to pick up and drop off a car in the same place’. Not sure if this is the case or not, but what I DO know is it might be inconvenient to go south then north again. I guess that’s more of a question than a statement on my part.
Now one more monkey wrench in the mix. The other side of my family is from Bari, in the Puglia region, pretty much the complete opposite side of Italy from whence we start. Can we add this to the mix without needing Prozac when we’re done? If so, what would make the most sense as far as getting there?
Either way, advice on getting to and fro, whether by train, plane or automobile would be VERY much appreciated, in particular the arriving and departing flights and what makes the most sense with the car.
One more thing...if you’ve been to the Abruzzo and/or Puglia regions I’d love to know your thoughts and your ideas about the ‘must sees’ and perhaps one or two of your favorite towns.
Many, many thanks!
the good news is we are retired, so we are very flexible, within reason, with time spent in any one place. In total, I’d like this trip to be no less than three weeks in duration but no more than four.
the bad news, ironically, is we are retired, so it is very possible our upcoming Italy trip may be our last since there are many other places we’d like to visit before our idea of travel means making it to the mailbox.
Decades ago, I visited the typical tourist spots, i.e., Rome, Florence, Venice, and a few years ago we visited Rome, which was my husband’s first and only visit to Italy.
Neither one one of us are ‘big city’ people, especially when traveling. (We only visited Rome because our daughter was there for a semester). We both spent the better part of our lives in or near manhattan. BTDT
I am in the throes of planning a trip to Italy for September, and here’s what I have so far that is pretty much set in stone:
1 - arrive in Florence on the 2nd. Get picked up by a prearranged driver on the 4th to take our small group to Camogli in the Liguria region.
2 - leave Camogli on the 10th for Lucca for three nights
3 - leave Lucca on the 13th for Barga for four nights
If you do the math, that’s 15 days, leaving us with 6-13 days for the remainder of our trip.
We plan on getting from point A to point B either by train or driver.
Now I can make our lives simpler by calling it a day and going back to Florence and flying home. But again, this may be our last opportunity , so here’s where it gets dicey...
My maternal grandmother was born in the Abruzzo region, and I’d very much like to visit. I’ve also heard it’s lovely and not overcrowded. So I have two questions: should we rent a car in Florence to get there? The person who has organized the trip so far (she lives in the States but has owned a home in Barga for ten years and organizes ‘off the beaten path’ trips in Tuscany), recommends that we get a car in Florence, but I’ve heard that can be a nightmare. She also recommends we fly in AND out of Florence because ‘it’s easier to pick up and drop off a car in the same place’. Not sure if this is the case or not, but what I DO know is it might be inconvenient to go south then north again. I guess that’s more of a question than a statement on my part.
Now one more monkey wrench in the mix. The other side of my family is from Bari, in the Puglia region, pretty much the complete opposite side of Italy from whence we start. Can we add this to the mix without needing Prozac when we’re done? If so, what would make the most sense as far as getting there?
Either way, advice on getting to and fro, whether by train, plane or automobile would be VERY much appreciated, in particular the arriving and departing flights and what makes the most sense with the car.
One more thing...if you’ve been to the Abruzzo and/or Puglia regions I’d love to know your thoughts and your ideas about the ‘must sees’ and perhaps one or two of your favorite towns.
Many, many thanks!
Feb 2nd, 2020, 07:08 AM
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Abruzzo is a large relatively sparsely populated region. It's easier with a car. Depending on where in Abruzzo you could be just a quick drive down the coast to Puglia or a few hours more.
The easiest flight options is usually into Rome or Milan. Flying into Florence usually means connecting some place.
The easiest flight options is usually into Rome or Milan. Flying into Florence usually means connecting some place.
Feb 2nd, 2020, 11:36 AM
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I would personally not attempt both Abruzzo and Puglia in the time you have available. I think you would short change both. However, you could possibly dip into Umbria or Le Marche if you had the 13 days.
I find taking public transport more relaxing than driving so maybe a compromise would be to take a train to a place closer to the area which you wish to explore and drive around from there.
I find taking public transport more relaxing than driving so maybe a compromise would be to take a train to a place closer to the area which you wish to explore and drive around from there.
Feb 2nd, 2020, 03:04 PM
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If I were you I'd go back to Florence from Barga and then fly to either Bari or Brindisi. (Brindisi is a bit further south) Traveler Nick has a good point-where exactly in Abruzzo was your grandmother from?
You could do something like this: get back to Florence from Barga and take a flight to Brindisi, a quick search shows it takes approximately 3hrs, 15 mins with one stop (not sure where that is, likely Rome). Taking the train is much longer-roughly seven hours.
Brindisi is an easy drive to Lecce in Puglia. We spent five days there in 2014 with another 5 or 6 days in a Masseria near Ostuni. (Masseria Cervarolo). We enjoyed Lecce very much and did day trips from there, mostly further south to some of the coastal towns. (Otranto, Gallipoli, Santa Maria di Leuca) From our masseria we did day trips into Ostuni, also to Alberobello (the town with all the trulli, very touristic but the trulli are gorgeous), Locorotondo, Martina Franca, to Matera in Basilicata. (while this is an amazing place I don't recommend you do it with the amount of time you have)
You could then drive from there to your grandmother's town in Abruzzo depending on where it is. You can also take the train between Brindisi and Bari - about an hour and ten minutes. There may be train service from Bari to this town in Abruzzo.
For returning home I would drive/train back to Bari and fly Bari to Rome and then home. So book your flights into Florence but home from Rome.
For our trip in 2014 we flew Vancouver to Toronto, then a direct Toronto to Rome flight, caught a connecting flight to Brindisi, picked up the car, drove the easy drive to Lecce. When we were finished our stay in Puglia we drove to Le Marche (in one day, it was fine, we drove through Abruzzo on the way).
Just as an aside we are going to Camogli in September also.
You could do something like this: get back to Florence from Barga and take a flight to Brindisi, a quick search shows it takes approximately 3hrs, 15 mins with one stop (not sure where that is, likely Rome). Taking the train is much longer-roughly seven hours.
Brindisi is an easy drive to Lecce in Puglia. We spent five days there in 2014 with another 5 or 6 days in a Masseria near Ostuni. (Masseria Cervarolo). We enjoyed Lecce very much and did day trips from there, mostly further south to some of the coastal towns. (Otranto, Gallipoli, Santa Maria di Leuca) From our masseria we did day trips into Ostuni, also to Alberobello (the town with all the trulli, very touristic but the trulli are gorgeous), Locorotondo, Martina Franca, to Matera in Basilicata. (while this is an amazing place I don't recommend you do it with the amount of time you have)
You could then drive from there to your grandmother's town in Abruzzo depending on where it is. You can also take the train between Brindisi and Bari - about an hour and ten minutes. There may be train service from Bari to this town in Abruzzo.
For returning home I would drive/train back to Bari and fly Bari to Rome and then home. So book your flights into Florence but home from Rome.
For our trip in 2014 we flew Vancouver to Toronto, then a direct Toronto to Rome flight, caught a connecting flight to Brindisi, picked up the car, drove the easy drive to Lecce. When we were finished our stay in Puglia we drove to Le Marche (in one day, it was fine, we drove through Abruzzo on the way).
Just as an aside we are going to Camogli in September also.
Feb 3rd, 2020, 04:22 AM
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My grandmother was from l’aquila, so not really as close to Bari as we would like. A quick search shows it is a six and a half hour train ride but interestingly a four hour drive.
It also does appear to be a bit easier to go from Florence to Bari as you suggested rather than to L’Aquila which seems to require multiple forms of transit.
This has been very helpful. Perhaps the best place to pick up a car is in Bari and do day trips. I’m a little disappointed that Abruzzo appears to be a not so great option in terms of accessibility, but it is what it is.
It also does appear to be a bit easier to go from Florence to Bari as you suggested rather than to L’Aquila which seems to require multiple forms of transit.
This has been very helpful. Perhaps the best place to pick up a car is in Bari and do day trips. I’m a little disappointed that Abruzzo appears to be a not so great option in terms of accessibility, but it is what it is.
Feb 3rd, 2020, 01:24 PM
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You could train or fly Florence to Rome and then it is an hour and 23 minutes to drive to L'Aquila. (the fast train would be good and then you miss all the airport palaver. Or fly between the two, pick up your car at the Rome airport and set off for L'Aquila straight from there. Then you miss all the hassle of driving out of Rome from the rental car place nearest to the train station.)
If you have time and still want to do everything you could drive back to Rome after L'Aquila, drop the car at the airport and catch a flight to Bari or Brindisi.
I think you can do this!
If you have time and still want to do everything you could drive back to Rome after L'Aquila, drop the car at the airport and catch a flight to Bari or Brindisi.
I think you can do this!
Feb 4th, 2020, 08:06 AM
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Barca-Gallicano - Bari is 9 to 10 hrs by train. First departure at 7.21, last departure at 14.05. Change at Lucca, Florence and Rome.
Florence - L'Aqulia: go by train to Roma Tiburtina and go on by bus..
Florence - L'Aqulia: go by train to Roma Tiburtina and go on by bus..
Last edited by neckervd; Feb 4th, 2020 at 08:20 AM.
Feb 4th, 2020, 04:24 PM
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I didn’t realize l’aquila was that close to Rome. I’m not sure how I missed that when I did my checking, but I appreciate you mentioning it as it does shed new light on the subject. And even driving directly there from Florence, as Traveler Nick mentioned, is doable since it’s about four hours. I recently drove 13 hours by myself in mostly rain and dark so not much intimidates me when it comes to driving (except driving on the left side! ).
From your comment, am I to understand picking up a rental car from the train station versus the airport is more of a hassle? That seems counterintuitive to me as I always perceive airports to be busier places, but it sounds like you’ve btdt, yes?
Neckervd mentioned taking the train to Rome then a bus and in fact Rome2rio shows that as a ‘recommended’ option. I’m wondering why? Again, counterintuitive to me that a bus would be more convenient than a train, but then again I’m used to New York’s Port Authority, the hell hole of the world of transportation.
My grandfather was from Bitonto which is closer to Bari than Brandisi, but Brandisi is closer to Lecce , which I’d like to see. Either way, once I’m there, are trains the best way to go from point A to point B? In terms of time, it looks like both the train and driving take about the same amount of time. Just wondering which is more hassle free?
May I ask...when will you be in Camogli? I think you’ve earned yourself a cappuccino and cannoli, at the very least!
From your comment, am I to understand picking up a rental car from the train station versus the airport is more of a hassle? That seems counterintuitive to me as I always perceive airports to be busier places, but it sounds like you’ve btdt, yes?
Neckervd mentioned taking the train to Rome then a bus and in fact Rome2rio shows that as a ‘recommended’ option. I’m wondering why? Again, counterintuitive to me that a bus would be more convenient than a train, but then again I’m used to New York’s Port Authority, the hell hole of the world of transportation.
My grandfather was from Bitonto which is closer to Bari than Brandisi, but Brandisi is closer to Lecce , which I’d like to see. Either way, once I’m there, are trains the best way to go from point A to point B? In terms of time, it looks like both the train and driving take about the same amount of time. Just wondering which is more hassle free?
May I ask...when will you be in Camogli? I think you’ve earned yourself a cappuccino and cannoli, at the very least!
Feb 4th, 2020, 05:15 PM
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Car rental pickup locations vary as to how much trouble each option is. For example, in Florence, the train station car rental agencies are inside and/close to the ZTL. Therefore unwary travelers often drive into ZTL and incur heavy fines. The Florence Airport is just outside town, easy to reach, and very small. From the rental agencies there you can easily avoid the center of Florence and ZTL.
Trains cover much of Italy but not all, so bus routes often fill in the blanks. For touristy areas, the bus schedules are set to serve worker and student hours.
I have actually visited Bintonto for a day trip. I was staying in Molfetta and we took a bus to get there.
Trains cover much of Italy but not all, so bus routes often fill in the blanks. For touristy areas, the bus schedules are set to serve worker and student hours.
I have actually visited Bintonto for a day trip. I was staying in Molfetta and we took a bus to get there.
Feb 4th, 2020, 05:40 PM
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Don't blindly trust Rome2Rio. It's only as good has its data. At times it has huge gaps in its data. For years here where I lived it totally missed the bus stop almost in front of my house. You should have seen the routes it suggested.
Train stations are for the most part in the city. Airports aren't. That makes driving from the airport easier. It's no different than going to a large suburban shopping mall. Except the food court is more expensive.
I would not suggest taking the bus from Rome to Aquila. Simple fact is you'll almost certainly want a car for Abruzzo and than Puglia.
Take the highspeed train from Florence to Rome . Pick up a car and drive the rest of the way.
It looks like most of the major rental companies are at/near Tiburtina station. That's the same location you would need to catch the bus from. Tiburtina is far enough outside the centre to avoid most issues. It's still big city driving but no worries about the ZTL.
Train stations are for the most part in the city. Airports aren't. That makes driving from the airport easier. It's no different than going to a large suburban shopping mall. Except the food court is more expensive.
I would not suggest taking the bus from Rome to Aquila. Simple fact is you'll almost certainly want a car for Abruzzo and than Puglia.
Take the highspeed train from Florence to Rome . Pick up a car and drive the rest of the way.
It looks like most of the major rental companies are at/near Tiburtina station. That's the same location you would need to catch the bus from. Tiburtina is far enough outside the centre to avoid most issues. It's still big city driving but no worries about the ZTL.
Feb 4th, 2020, 05:51 PM
#13
I'd suggest, rather, don't blindly trust any website or make decisions based on just one source, website or print. And why I said "One website for finding the ways & time . . ." and not THE website. It can be very useful but all information on which you base your planning should be verified with more than one source, always. Things change and you don't want to be stuck.
Feb 4th, 2020, 07:23 PM
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Darn spellchecker kept correcting Bitonto -- and still got it wrong. We had pleasant day wandering this quiet town and visiting the duomo. The caretaker practically forced me to sign the guest book since a visitor from New York was very unusual.
Feb 5th, 2020, 01:31 AM
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You told us that you will stay at Barca (and NOT in Florence). Therefore I don't understand why you want to rent a car in Florence instead of Lucca, Viareggio, Pisa or Pisa airport.
A train ride from Lucca to L'Aquila lasts 7 hrs and costs 29 EUR/pax. But it's a very scenic ride with regionali trains through the heart of Tuscany and Umbria:
Lucca -Montecatini - Pistoia - Prato - Florence - Arezzo - Cortona - Orvieto - Terni - Castel Sant'Angelo.
L'Aquila - Bitonto by train takes 6 hrs and cost about 46 EUR/pax. Change at Sulmona, Pescara and Bari
A train ride from Lucca to L'Aquila lasts 7 hrs and costs 29 EUR/pax. But it's a very scenic ride with regionali trains through the heart of Tuscany and Umbria:
Lucca -Montecatini - Pistoia - Prato - Florence - Arezzo - Cortona - Orvieto - Terni - Castel Sant'Angelo.
L'Aquila - Bitonto by train takes 6 hrs and cost about 46 EUR/pax. Change at Sulmona, Pescara and Bari
Feb 5th, 2020, 08:11 AM
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I didn’t realize l’aquila was that close to Rome. I’m not sure how I missed that when I did my checking, but I appreciate you mentioning it as it does shed new light on the subject. And even driving directly there from Florence, as Traveler Nick mentioned, is doable since it’s about four hours. I recently drove 13 hours by myself in mostly rain and dark so not much intimidates me when it comes to driving (except driving on the left side! ).
From your comment, am I to understand picking up a rental car from the train station versus the airport is more of a hassle? That seems counterintuitive to me as I always perceive airports to be busier places, but it sounds like you’ve btdt, yes?
Neckervd mentioned taking the train to Rome then a bus and in fact Rome2rio shows that as a ‘recommended’ option. I’m wondering why? Again, counterintuitive to me that a bus would be more convenient than a train, but then again I’m used to New York’s Port Authority, the hell hole of the world of transportation.
My grandfather was from Bitonto which is closer to Bari than Brandisi, but Brandisi is closer to Lecce , which I’d like to see. Either way, once I’m there, are trains the best way to go from point A to point B? In terms of time, it looks like both the train and driving take about the same amount of time. Just wondering which is more hassle free?
May I ask...when will you be in Camogli? I think you’ve earned yourself a cappuccino and cannoli, at the very least!
From your comment, am I to understand picking up a rental car from the train station versus the airport is more of a hassle? That seems counterintuitive to me as I always perceive airports to be busier places, but it sounds like you’ve btdt, yes?
Neckervd mentioned taking the train to Rome then a bus and in fact Rome2rio shows that as a ‘recommended’ option. I’m wondering why? Again, counterintuitive to me that a bus would be more convenient than a train, but then again I’m used to New York’s Port Authority, the hell hole of the world of transportation.
My grandfather was from Bitonto which is closer to Bari than Brandisi, but Brandisi is closer to Lecce , which I’d like to see. Either way, once I’m there, are trains the best way to go from point A to point B? In terms of time, it looks like both the train and driving take about the same amount of time. Just wondering which is more hassle free?
May I ask...when will you be in Camogli? I think you’ve earned yourself a cappuccino and cannoli, at the very least!
We have driven from Florence to Rome and while it's not a difficult drive it isn't particularly interesting either which is why I suggested the fast train or flying. I was thinking about your time constraints with these extra things you want to do. You can take the train between Bari and Brindisi and also between Brindisi and Lecce. If you want to explore Puglia beyond Lecce it is probably best to have a car.
As for Camogli, I am still in the throes of planning and trying to book our trip...the beginning of September I think, trying to decide whether to put San Remo first and Camogli last as we will fly in and out of Genova. Sure! I love cappuccino and cannoli. Ha!
Feb 5th, 2020, 08:33 AM
#17
How are you getting from Barga to Florence? I think I missed that part.
I've not been to Puglia, going for the first time this summer. Have been to Abruzzo and loved it. I'm fairly outdoorsy and enjoyed walking in the Gran Sasso as well as exploring small towns in the region. We were there only briefly on a road trip from Le Marche to Napoli. We skipped L'Aquila though. Visited Sulmona and stayed in San Stefano di Sessanio. Remember not to use Google drive times--they are optimistic, especially for this area.
I would take the train from Florence to Rome. Pick up car in Rome, drive to L'Aquila. And I would devote several days to Abruzzo as it is very beautiful and not heavily touristed.
I've not been to Puglia, going for the first time this summer. Have been to Abruzzo and loved it. I'm fairly outdoorsy and enjoyed walking in the Gran Sasso as well as exploring small towns in the region. We were there only briefly on a road trip from Le Marche to Napoli. We skipped L'Aquila though. Visited Sulmona and stayed in San Stefano di Sessanio. Remember not to use Google drive times--they are optimistic, especially for this area.
I would take the train from Florence to Rome. Pick up car in Rome, drive to L'Aquila. And I would devote several days to Abruzzo as it is very beautiful and not heavily touristed.
Feb 5th, 2020, 01:06 PM
#19
Hi rcg! You are returning to Camogli--lucky you. I was there summer before last and had a fabulous visit. I think I probably stayed at your recommended hotel, Cenobio dei Dogi? I regret not making it to Genova, however. Next time...
Feb 6th, 2020, 12:00 AM
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Just a thought on the family connection. Do you know relatives who remained in both regions? If not, after you've mapped your trip out, I'd suggest you spend some time on ancestry.com or hire a reputable genealogist. You may not find living relatives, but it's surprising the things they discover.
