Welch reports,

>There are very inexpensive flights on Lufthansa from Milan to Naples.<

A $39.50 flight does change things.

Hi w,

What were the date and time of your $39.50 flight?

For May, the best I found was $55 for one way at 07:40 or 17:40.

However, the midday flt was only $69.

Well, the Easyjet fare Venice to Naples is as low as 30E, depending on when you fly. And you wouldn't have to pay for the train to Milan.

I found a 14:25 Easyjet flite for only $36 at kayak.com.

PPS,

3:30 hr from Venice to MXP----- $75 (train + bus)
1:30 hr from MXP to NAP---------- $37
1:15 hr from NAP to Sorrento $14

Cost is about $125 and almost a full day.

The good news, after discussing options with my husband, we are going to stick with Rome/South of Rome, although I appreciate all the creative ideas many have posted. I am certain there are others out there searching these forums that will find the information a lifesaver.

For the record, I want to expel the word "perfect" from any reference to a vacation, at least mine (I think Ira used this term). I travel enough to know better. Rather, I am a planner and like to explore different options. I have seen many a vacation spoiled or traveler disappointed because the person didn't plan or didn't do their homework. I try to not find myself in that situation (ie "Oh, I didn't think it was feasible to include Venice in a trip to Rome & AC").

We are roughly looking at:

Day 1: Arrive Naples/To AC (not sure on base town)
Day 2-4: AC
Day 5-7: Capri
Day 8-11: Rome (stop in Naples for Herc en route to Rome?)
Day 12: Home from Rome

I actually have 1 more day I could throw in there if needed. I am debating whether I should add 2 nights in Sorrento and do Herc from there as a day trip then head to Rome.

Again, I do appreciate everyone's feedback. After I decide on my base for the AC, I am sure I will have a few more questions. Hope everyone has a happy Monday!!

Hi Ira,
Two seats only on LH 3616 on September 10 from Malpensa to Naples. Cost of ticket- 5 Euros plus tax. Total in USD- 39.50 per person.
I think the airline only allots a few seats at this fare.
Buy early!

On one of our trips about 3 years ago we flew from Naples to Venice - easy. But I would stick to gping north to south for the best chance of following the good weather at that time of year - we had some foul weather in Venice the 3rd week of September last year. So like some of your other respondents, I'd go Venice-Naples-Amalfi.

But- £10k for 12 days ?!?!? That would do us 2-3 months although I realise our flights will be cheaper tha yours.

I was actually quite surprised myself how expensive this trip will be for us. Just the basics (for 2):

airfare & related costs: $1000 x 2 = $2000
lodging: $250 x 12 = $3000
food = ?
excursions = ?
trains/ferries/etc = ?

I say "the better part" of 10k because when airfare and lodging are already at 5k ...

Sure wish we had jobs that allowed us to rack up miles. That would sure help! I know I have some wiggle room with food, etc. I haven't even begun to look at that. It seems most hotels offer complimentary breakfast so we will probably take advantage of that. I imagine we will eat one "big" meal a day, snacking when needed ;

Traveling in Sept might allow us to reduce our average lodging cost but I'm budgeting for $250 & will be thrilled to find something for less.

You can find lodging for less. We try to limit our hotel expenses so we can spend money on meals and wines Since you've never been to Italy before, I suggest you start out away from Rome and end there. It is a wonderful, big city. You will be very comfy with Italians by the end of your trip, and Rome will be like frosting on the cake.

Now, we're planning our second trip to Italy and starting in Rome. We're booked at Hotel Julia at a very good rate for 6 nights. Then, we'll train it to Spoleto and pick up a rental car so we can spend a week at a "villa" in Umbria at 510Euro for the week. If I only had two weeks, I'd be happy with that. (We're retired so we're doing a month visiting other places we missed on our first trip, where we only stayed 2 -3 nights in a location. I'm not hijacking your thread with any more.)

Driving in Italy is easy, but on your first trip, you can also easily do Rome/the Amalfi Coast/Capri/throwing in a stop at Pompeii (TRULY worth it!) using trains/public transport. Just know that you WILL be back and you can pick up the rest.

You really should be able to find less expensive accommodation (other than in Venice$$$$). We are a family of four and just were in 4 countries for 16 days. We charged virtually everything and saved receipts. without airfare, we spent just under 4,100 USD - about 260 per day for everything. but, with that said, no doubt about it - it's pricey - but a value for such great experiences!

Even in Venice you can get accommodation for a lot less than $250pn. In case it helps, on top of flights & accommodation I usually budget for about €150 per day for meals, drinks, ice creams, bus/boat/museum tickets etc for the 2 of us if staying in a hotel, less if staying in an apartment.

Caroline, that's funny. I worked out how much we spent last trip, staying in an apartment. It was 145 euro per day, not including rent or fares. But that included all gifts and purchases, plus a side trip to Rome and Bologna.

Excluding gifts and side trips, we'd have spent about 110 or 120 euro per day. We must have similar tastes.

We're looking at an apartment in San Polo for our next visit. A bit of a change of scene from San Barnaba.

Hi Peter - yes, that is funny !

I know San Polo is supposed to be the most 'Venetian' area and is where Inspector Brunetti 'lives' But we just love Dorsoduro too much, and like being close to the Zattere and our favourite cichetti & ice cream - plus after last time, the amazing draft wine shop on Calle Lunga ! I think I gave you the link to where we are staying next - on the same canal as the cichetti & ice cream ! No good for you though as it's ground floor, assuming you are going again in winter. I booked with Truly Venice after seeing lots of good reports about them.