Trip to Italy: Venice, Tuscany, Rome, Positano
 

Hello, My husband and I (mid-thirties) are looking to take a 11-12 day trip to Italy for our one year anniversary. I would love any below suggestions on the itinerary below. We will be traveling via train throughout our travels. My husband has never been to Italy, but I have been twice. I want to be sure to show him the typical must sees but I also want to experience a few new things that I also haven't experienced.

1. Fly into Venice. Spend two nights 3 days in Venice. Any great 4 star hotel recommendations that are reasonably priced? Any must dos in Venice or great restaurant recs? I do not have much experience in Venice. We definitely will take a gondola ride but what else?

2.We would love to stay two nights in the Tuscan countryside. This is where I have the most questions. Any great hotel recommendations in Tuscan countryside? Scenery is key. We would love to be able to bike or walk through vineyards. My husband doesn't drink, so a winery visit is not for us. A reasonable half day cooking class would be fun. A picnic or horseback riding would be great. We do like spas and would be open to this, but I would want to make sure the majority of the time is taking in nature while in Tuscany. Any thoughts/recommendations would be greatly appreciated. I assume we would take a train from Venice to Florence, but how does one then get to the train from the Tuscan country side.

3. Our next stop is Rome. My favorite! I know this city fairly well, but would welcome any out of the box recommendations. Also, what would be the best way to get to Rome from the Tuscan countryside? We will stay 3 or 4 nights here.

4. Then we will go to Positano for 2 nights. I have never been here, We were thinking of taking the train from Rome to Naples. Taking a private car from Naples to Positano, stopping to see Pompeii on the way. Then maybe a day trip to Revello via private car the next day? Not sure yet about Capri or not. Other recs? Then I suppose we would fly home from Naples?? Not sure the best way to get back to Naples.


I appreciate any and all suggestions. Thanks!

With the time you have available, you should really choose between the Tuscan countryside and the Amalfi Coast.

Two nights and three days in Venice means you would be leaving Venice in the evening? Missing the scenery in your travel to Tuscany? If you are counting your arrival day, you will probably only have half a jet lagged day at best.

You really need a car for the countryside you envision. You could skip a car if you were going to stay in one of the towns that is fairly assessible by train and taxi/bus, but it sounds like you dont want to be in a town.

Traveling to Positano for only two nights just isnt worth it.

I would take these nights and spend them all in One place to maximize your enjoyment on this trip.

Thanks Dayle for your response! I was worried that a train trip from Venice to Rome might be too long? So I was trying to plan a stop over in between, but perhaps we should just got straight from Rome to Venice.

I agree with Dayle that you are trying to do too much in too short a period of time but I have some recommendations for you anyway. In Tuscany check out La Canonica di Cortine. It is a villa near San Donato about halfway between Florence and Siena. They have a B&B section that you can rent by the night. A rental car will be necessary. It is in the middle of the vineyards and the scenery is gorgeous. Rome to Positano - Take the high speed train from Roma Termini to Napoli Centrale then have www.transferelax.com drive you to your hotel in Positano. From Positano to Ravello, take the ferry to the town of Amalfi then the open air bus up the mountain to Ravello.

You're only in Positano two nights and most of that first day will be taken with travel time. It takes 1.5-2 hours by road from Naples to Positano - longer with traffic. I don't imagine you'll be in Positano before 3pm, which is really only time for a walk and some cocktails.

If you plan to go to Ravello you'll barely have any time in Positano, so I don't understand why you want to stay there.

If you really want to spend your one full day going to and from Ravello with all the tour groups, then try and go as early as possible so you can get back to Positano for a nice dinner.

You don't have time for Capri.
http://www.positano.com/

My wife and I just did a 13 day trip last year for our 10th anniversary and spent a part of it in Tuscany. Agree with the above posters that you would need / want a car for this portion. That said driving in Italy really is not over the top and is especially beautiful in Tuscany.

I would also agree about skipping the Amalfi coast and may lean instead to visiting the Tuscan coastline if you felt a beach was something you most certainly had to have.

The Cinque Terre can be easily overdone but is home to one of my very favorite hotels in the world in Vernazza - www.lamala.it

With regards to Tuscan country side - we stayed in a really romantic but down home Agriturismo / B&B outside on Montepulciano - www.follonico.com - it is a property with four rooms and every room while we were there was occupied by a couple on honeymoon or anniversary trip. The breakfasts were the best we have had in Italy and they even hosted a private wedding (couple only) while we were there. Highly recommend.

I might arrange my itinerary along the following lines:

Venice (2-3 nights)
Cinque Terre (2 nights)
Florence (1 night / pick up car in morning)
Tuscany (3 nights)
Rome (drop car on outskirts - 3 nights)

Thank you Phaddix for your itinerary recommendation! I do like the idea of ending in Rome. I wonder if others agree to Tuscany over the AC?