Our family of 5 plus 1 did Rome (5 nights), Sorrento (4 nights) and Venice (3 nights) in 2009. It was ideal for us. We used the train between cities. Very relaxed.

If we decide to do Venice, I'm afraid we'd have to surrender Amalfi for another trip We could do the AC as a day trip from Sorrento, but I don't want to spend all of our time on trains with luggage in tow trying to get to Amalfi.

We could do Venice-3 or 4 nights; Rome-3 nights; Sorrento 3-4 nights. I don't see it feasible to try to get to Amalfi from from back to Naples for our outbound flight with 3 or 4 days.

We know we are going to have to compromise on some things ...

Surrender Sorrento rather than Amalfi. (Do you actually mean Amalfi or somewhere on the the Amalfi Coast ? Either way...)They are both in the same part of the world but Amalfi is *much* nicer. Sorrento is

1) heavily used for cheap British package tours and is like an Italian Blackpool, if that means anything to you

2) quite sprawling so if you are not careful you could be staying some distance out

3) on a cliff so you can't actually see the sea from most of the town - you can mainly just see it from the grand hotels on the cliff edge.

I would actually hesitate as to whether I'd even take a free trip to Sorrento.

Amalfi is not difficult to get to (although Positano is harder). If you were coming from Rome it's easiest to get a train to Salerno, then bus or boat to Amalfi. Then you could get a boat straight back from Amalfi to Naples to get your flight; or if you want to splash out a bit more to save hassle, get a taxi from Amalfi straight to Naples airport - it's not that expensive if you book it in advance (you could get yoir hotel to do it).

Hi mykidsmom99
Great idea to include Venice in your itinerary, it’s the most unbelievable place in the world! You will never forget it!!! first I suggest to fly in Venice and then to Naples.You can find a really affordable domestic fly to with a low cost company. In Naples you go to Sorrento and stop there to visit Capri and Ischia, they are just in front, and then you move to Amalfi by boat or by bus. I recommend by boat, it’s is a very romantic trip along the coast. You didn’t specify in your message when for? There is an hydrofoil service in the peak season, with a quite reasonable charge, have a look on www.metrodelmare.com . Amalfi is the greatest place to visit Pompei, Ercolanum, Positano and Ravello. Boats and buses leave every day from the centre of Amalfi and back in the evening before dinner. You can book locally a guided daily tour at the agency or directly in hotel…usually it’s the same cost. Amalfi Coast is famous in the world and people are very polite with foreigners. You can visit Rome when you fly out. Take a train from Salerno (21 km far from Amalfi) to Rome, but Eurostar Fast, you will take 2 hours to get Rome, have a look on www.trenitalia.com
I’m Italian and I’m living in Amalfi for a while!!!!!!
Good luck

More good food for thought. Yes, I was referring to the actual town of Amalfi vs Sorrento. From my research I thought I should stick with one of these locations if in the AC for a short time since the transportation is easier.

Venice-Rome-Amalfi ... but I would still have to burn a night in Naples or Sorrento to fly back home ... That would result in something like Venice/3 nights; Rome/3 nights; Amalfi/3 nights; Naples/2 nights.

I figure if we are going to do Herc or Pompeii, shouldn't we just go spend a couple nights in Naples or Sorrento rather than day trip from Amalfi or does it make more sense to day trip to Herc then come back to Naples the next day?

Hmmm...still so tough. One thing I want to avoid is staying in 1 place and doing day trips every day. I figure, if I am going to do that, I could take a cruise that stops at most of the coastal areas for a day. My idea for this trip was that I actually want to stay and experience a place, a culture.

Well, now I have 3 rough itineraries. I'll think over some more and post back my options for suggestions!

"I would still have to burn a night in Naples or Sorrento to fly back home" - why ? Would you flight be really early ? If not you could get a boat & bus, or if so you could use a car service as I suggested - very early in the morning it shiuldn't take much more than an hour.

However - I hadn't noticed you mentioning Pompeii & Herculaneum before, so those would not be so good to visit from Amalfi. I would stay in Naples itself - it's really interesting & the first time we stayed there - for a week - we found so much to see there we still never made it to P/H. (we had to go back for a specific trip to see those - still staying in Naples.) In that case you might go for -

fly into Venice, 3 nights there
train to Rome, 3 nights there
train to Salerno & bus/boat to Amalfi, 3 nights there
boat to Naples, 3 nights there

- if you decide you want to see all those places : personally 3 nights (meaning only 2 full days in each) would not be enough for me in any of them, but I know some people prefer to pack more in. Although it sounds as though you are not too bothered about Rome (which is really mostly about history), so why not drop that, do 4 nights each in Venice, Amalfi & Naples (flying between Venice & Naples for Amalfi) ?

.

, fly back from Naples. (Not sure exactly how many nights your 12 days equates to - does it include arrival/departure day ?) That way you get a decent amount of time in each place, doing the busiest place in the middle with a more relaxing place at the end, and are following the best chance of good weather south.

Hi Mom,

May I suggest that you quit trying to create the "perfect" trip?

You have two distinct itineraries, South of Rome and North of Rome, that you are trying to merge.

Stick with what you have planned and go to Venice later OR do Venice, Florence and the CT and go to Rome and the AC later.

There is always the Big 3 itinerary, fly into Venice, train to Florence, train to Rome, fly home. That works well for the time you have.

Ira -

Nope ... When spending the better part of 10k on a trip that might be my last to a certain country or destination ... you can bet I'll try my "darndest" to make it the most perfect trip possible That is why I am researching 12+ months out. I always feel bad for those who come to these boards asking advice AFTER they bought plane tickets, made hotel reservations, etc then find out their itinerary doesn't make the best sense. So sad

I am taking the time to plan to make this the best trip ever. I just don't have the financial or time resources to do otherwise.

I appreciate your comments, but I thought the purpose of this board was to share travel expertise and experiences??

In any event, I am very thankful for the feedback I have received from the responders. I've gleaned information that will enhance my travel experience as there isn't a "one size fits all" itinerary.

For kids, I would choose Venice, Florence and Rome. Do 3 to 4 days in each city. Venice has so many castles and armour and cool historical stories surrounding sites, boat rides (kids love that), gondola rides... it's amazing. Florence has the David and the Uffizzie and impromptu musical performances and great gelato, so much to do and see, or to just soak in a relaxing setting. Rome has the colliseum, the ruins, so many cool sites and history... I think this is all much cooler to kids than Amalfi... I dont think they'd appreciate Amalfi because the best part is the views and the beach, and I'm guessing they don't need a relaxing break from a stressful job. It's so expensive there and I feel like since kids would not appreciate it, it's kind of not worth it.

Oh, just read no kids, so... it's up to you.

I do believe Ira felt he was giving you travel advice. He is a real authority on Italy and the AC, in particular. His advice is always spot on - even this time. I can see that basing it on your desire for the trip to be relaxing, his suggestion to keep your original plan would be good travel advice. There is no better place in the world to relax than the AC, so in that respect, you do already have a pefect trip plan. Another itinerary might also be perfect.

A second IMHO. I love Naples - have been several times, and there is lots to do there. However, it is not a place to relax, so I would not recommend it for a first time visitor to Italy.

Must admit that it has been several years since I was in Sorrento, and maybe it is not so nice as it used to be, but I have been there several times, and like it a lot - if you stay in one of the lovely hotels on the cliffs with great views, away from the busy center. The advantage is that it is easy to go to Pompei and Herculaneum from there, and to catch boats everyplace. I love seeing Positano from the water, but there are lots of steps to climb. I have not stayed in Amalfi, and from opinions on this board, it might be nicer to stay there, but the whole coast is beautiful. You could also visit Pompeii your last day, on the way to Naples, so spend only one night in Naples.

Is very hard to plan the perfect trip when you have just 12 days to spend and so many places you wish to visit.
Buona Fortuna..

I'm just asking for feedback so I can make better decisions. I still have plenty of time to tweak my plans. Of course I want it as perfect as possible - why would I want it any other way?! The big decision is whether we will start in Venice or save Venice for another time. I'm going to get some itineraries together for my husband and see what he thinks. Thank you!

Ira is my hero but I think this north or Rome/south of Rome concept is downright whacky. That may help some people sort out their thinking/travel but if someone wants to travel from the AC to Venice or vice/versa it is incredibly easy to do.

mom - forgive me for not reading the whole of this thread, but given your paremeters [length of trip, interests, desire to see venice] I would suggest flying into Venice, spending 3 nights there, then flying to Naples and staying on the AC. Very restful, fascinating, beautiful, everything you could possibly want.

I am a dedicated Rome enthusiast, but given your desire for something restful and your husband's lack of enthusiasm for Rome, IMHO it would make sense to stick to these 2 destinations and do them thoroughly and at a leisurely pace.

Have to agree with ira on the perfect trip issue. If you expect that your trip will be perfect, you'll be disappointed. What makes a trip perfect, IMHO, are the people or events that you stumble across--the things that aren't planned.

I was just about to suggest what annhig wrote. Fly into Venice, then fly from there to Naples, go to the Amalfi coast, and fly home from Naples. For what you want to do on this trip, skip Rome. Easyjet and Alitalia fly between Venice and Naples.

Or you could do this in reverse, fly into Naples and out of Venice.

I understand that this is a special trip for you and your husband away from your kids. So just do what you want.

There are very inexpensive flights on Lufthansa from Milan to Naples. I just booked one for $39.50 (that's dollars!) one way. This makes it well worth the effort to take the train to Milan to fly to Naples.

Is there some reason you've discounted a town such as Positano? It's very accessible, easy ferry connections to Capri and other towns along the coast.
Personally I love staying on Capri.

Hi mom,

>I thought the purpose of this board was to share travel expertise and experiences??

I did my best for you. Either do N of Rome or S of Rome, but stop trying to merge two separate itineraries.

Sorry to hear of your problems that will make it impossible for you to return to Italy. Perhaps you could extend your stay.

>I do believe Ira felt he was giving you travel advice.<

Thank you Sass.
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I agree with Kis,
>Is very hard to plan the perfect trip when you have just 12 days to spend and so many places you wish to visit.<
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Hi cold,

>Ira is my hero but I think this north or Rome/south of Rome concept is downright whacky.

That is because your mind is befuddled by hero worship.

Yes, one could hop on a plane and head South, but that sort of thing is usually above my wage grade.
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Hi arts,

>Have to agree with ira on the perfect trip issue.<

And I agree with you, too.