I'm in the very preliminary stages of planning a 13 night stay in Italy in October. I had originally decided to fly into Venice (4 days), on to Florence (3 days) and finally to Rome (5 days), but then I greedily thought of adding Naples. Too much? Thank you for your input!

It's got nothing to do with being "greedy." It depends on what YOU enjoy. Some people can't take a trip with more than 3 destinations in Italy or they have a nervous breakdown. Some people have to stay a week in one spot and take day trips in circles. Some people like road trips. Some people like 3 nights here, 2 nights there.

Some people HATE museums and sightseeing ruins and churches. They like to wander in foreign cities. Other people HATE leaving a historically rich foreign capital without having seen all the guidebook sights.

Personally, I need about 13 days in Venice, 3 weeks in Florence, 4 months in Rome and I can't get enough of Napoli.

Figure out what YOU want to do with your time, what YOU want to see -- and do yourself a big favor that could otherwise cost you a lot of money: Ignore the people who tell you they know how long it takes to see every city, and will break down your trip in time increments for you based on the idea you are typical tourist since they they they are typical tourist, and you bros all like the same style of travel.

Enjoy Italy.

I would see how you feel once you get to Rome and have some "flexibility" in your arrangements in Rome so you can go to Naples if you chose at that point in your trip.

I like the other poster's response. On one of our trips - we spent 9 days in Rome with no side trips - it was perfect for the type of vacation we needed right then. Other times, we switch cities about every 2-3 nights and that has been fine too. There is no "right" answer - go with your gut on what kind of vacation you need and leave some flexibility in your plans!

Have a great time - we leave for Venice in 2 weeks!

I agree - wait and play it by ear. Many people, including me, would say that being in Rome for 5 nights is not nearly enough.

However, you may find you feel otherwise. If that is the case, Naples is a doable (though long) day trip via the Eurostar (under 2 hours one-way).

For me, too much distance to cover and too many things to see in 13 days, but this is your trip.

FYI, Venice-Florence by train is 2 hours, Florence-Rome 90 minutes, and Rome-Naples about 80 minutes (double that if you want to stay in Sorrento). If you can't fly home from Naples, you'd re-order things. Then, Florence-Naples is 3 hours. All things considered, you lose nearly a half day every time you move from a hotel in one city to a hotel in another city, and your 12+ sightseeing days (based on 13 nights) are reduced.

For me, yes. I prefer longer stays in fewer places. But as you've heard from all above it depends on the type of traveler you are.

If I were taking your trip I'd leave Naples for another time (you'll be back) and go 4/4/4 (I like Florence a bit more than Rome so I want more than 3 nights there).

Thank you all for your time and insight! Since flexibility was mentioned - which does appeal to me - would there be much difficulty, at this time of year, in finding a decent hotel upon arriving at a destination without a reservation?

I'm not a flexible person, so for me it would be very hard. Finding just the right room at the right price in Rome is always hard for me. I doubt if the places I choose would be happy with me leaving early, and I would probably be charged for nights missed.

If that isn't a problem, I would then travel with a fairly long list of places that I find attractive and affordable, in good locations. Have their phone numbers.

But perhaps you are more flexible than I. As Zeppole pointed out, we all travel differently.