The Biggest Mistake People Make When Planning a Trip to Italy (And How to Avoid it)
November 1, 2026
The main problem for anyone planning a trip to Italy is that it’s impossible to see everything you want in one trip. This leads to the biggest travel planning mistake that most people make in Italy – they try to see too many things in too short a time. We hate to be the bearers of bad news, but overloading your itinerary is a recipe for stress.
We understand why you do it and we sympathize, but let us repeat: rushing your Italian vacation is a surefire way to ruin it. Luckily, the solution is easier than you think. Narrow down your focus and divide your time accordingly.
Don’t make these mistakes during your trip to Italy!
How many days do you need in Italy?
The rhythm of any trip to Italy – that is, how long you spend seeing what you came to see and experiencing what you came to experience – is just as important as what you see and experience.
In fact, you could simply book a trip to Rome and spend two weeks hanging out there without ever getting bored. In order to help you get an idea of how to budget your time in some of Italy’s most popular regions, we have created three sample itineraries.
After many years of traveling in Italy and interacting with other travelers, we have honed the rhythm of these itineraries to perfection. Feel free to crib them as is, or use them as a base to create your own custom itinerary. In this case, the where isn’t important; it’s the when that matters.
Slowing down – and taking time to get to truly savor your destination – will make for a more enjoyable trip. We promise!
The major cities trip
Italy has more major tourist cities than most countries. Of course, the capital is a must, but cities like Florence and Venice are big draws and, honestly, must-sees.
This sample itinerary is perfect for the first-time visitor who wants to “see all of Italy” but can’t choose between regions. It gives a great overview of the most historically significant parts of the country. As a bonus, hitting the highlights on your first trip also help you focus your sightseeing during any return trips to Italy.
A trip to Venice is a must for first time visitors.
Itinerary of Italy’s major cities
The major cities trip is a great introduction to Italy for those who want to see the most famous art and architecture in the country. It includes the Colosseum, the Duomos of Milan and Florence, and the canals along St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice.
To avoid packing in too much, we budget a minimum of two weeks to travel Italy. If you have anything less than that you should take a more leisurely trip (see below).
How to spend two weeks in Italy:
- Rome: Four days
- Florence: Three days
- Venice: Three days
- Milan: Four days
There is no more quintessential Roman experience during your trip to Italy than a stroll around the Colosseum and Palantine Hill.
For anything less than two weeks, you can make the following amendments:
Take a 10 day trip:
- Cut one city entirely or one day from Rome and one day from Florence. However, don’t cut more than one day from each city!
One week:
- Cut a city. Rome and Florence have the most to offer the majority of visitors to Italy, so they should probably remain on your itinerary. Choosing between Venice and Milan depends on the time of year and what you are looking for.
Venice has more tourism draws like the Doge’s Palace, St. Mark’s Basilica, the Bridge of Sighs, and of course, all those canals.
However, Venice is packed with tourists in the high season. Milan is not as pretty and has fewer attractions than Venice; however, it’s cheaper, less crowded, and has delicious food. If going in the summer we would recommend Milan. On the other hand, an autumn or winter trip to Italy would have us favoring Venice.
5 days in Italy:
- Choose one of the major cities that you are dying to see and stay there. Seriously, one is enough.
Even in a city as small as Venice you will have more than enough to keep you occupied as long as you take your time and really immerse yourself.
Remember to take it slow and really get to know the city.
How to travel by train in Italy
Dedicate all of your time to each major city and don’t stray, there’s no time on this Italian travel plan to visit small towns; plan your travel days in advance: you can book high-speed train tickets between cities at TrenItalia or ItaloTreno.
Or, if you think you might feel overwhelmed when navigating the Italian train system, why not opt for easy-to-use ItaliaRail? It provides 24/7 English-speaking customer service, facilitates multiple currency options and allows you to purchase tickets for up to 20 passengers in one booking.
Oh, and it has a VIP Lounge in Rome Termini Station. If you have only one week but don’t cut a city, you’re still committing the biggest mistake travelers make in Italy.
If you have time, visit some of Italy’s small villages. Who knows what you’ll discover.
The regional trip
A regional trip is perfect for those who have already visited the major Italian cities in a previous trip to Italy and want to really take some time in one area to experience it like a local. It’s a great way to fully immerse yourself in Italian culture and avoid the crowded, tourist routes.
Though you can choose any region that interests you, Tuscany is probably the most popular region in which to base yourself.
It offers a great mix of history, culture, cuisine, and natural beauty with the added bonus of being close to transport hubs like Rome and Florence. If your Italy trip takes you farther afield you can apply these same time frames to any region but you will need to choose your own destinations.
Tuscany has it all: food, wine, and nature.
Sample itinerary
Though you can always base yourself in Florence and see Tuscany with multiple day trips, we’d suggest splitting your stay. Try a few nights in Florence with a day trip to Pisa and a separate day trip to the walled-in city of Lucca.
Then, pack your bags and head into the countryside to the red-brick town of Siena. From there, you can take day trips to San Gimignano and nearby Volterra, or south to Montepulciano and Pienza, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Just don’t forget to try the wine.
Florence is the perfect base for day trips.
How to spend two weeks in Tuscany:
- Florence: Four full days. From Florence, take a day trip to Lucca and schedule about a half day for Pisa, with the rest of the day spent in Florence.
- Siena: 2 days in the city, with a further 8 days using it as your base to travel to other areas of Tuscany. Make sure not to miss Santa Maria Assunta, Siena’s Duomo and one of our picks for the most fascinating churches in Italy.
- From Siena, dedicate day trips to Montepulciano, Pienza, San Gimignano, and Volterra, with a half day dedicated to Monteriggioni. This leaves you with one day of extra travel time and one day to return to your favorite town or simply take a well-deserved rest.
Pisa is perfect for a half day trip.
10 days in Tuscany:
- Combine San Gimignano and Volterra and/or Montepulciano and Pienza
One week:
- Cut a day from Florence or cut two of the towns farthest from your accommodation. Take a bit more time to explore the towns you do see.
5 day itinerary:
- Base yourself only in Florence. Take two full days to see the city, then take a day trip to Siena and another to any other city near Florence, such as Pisa, Lucca, or San Gimignano.
Insiders’ tip:
- A regional trip is all about diving deep into a specific region. Besides Florence, Tuscany’s famous towns and cities tend to be quite small. You can easily visit one town per day, and sometimes even more than one.
- Your best time saver here is a clear plan about which towns are near to each other and a really good train schedule or GPS.
With views like these, you won’t get tired of Florence.
Logistics in Tuscany
Hilltop town hopping during your day trips means a lot of driving (or bussing it) around countryside, but in beautiful Tuscany that’s an advantage. For starters, you won’t have to lug your suitcases around or waste time checking in and out of various hotels. Also, your base will feel more like home.
Instead of staying in a travel hub you might also consider setting up in an agriturismo or a small apartment; it’s a chance to really get to know a region and get a taste of small-town Italy; with regional trains you don’t need to your tickets in advance, but you should read up on the train schedules ahead of time.
Want to experience the best of Tuscany without worrying about logistics and finding your own way around? Our Tuscany day trip from Florence is calling your name.
There are plenty of beautiful places to explore in Tuscany; the question is, where should you take a day trip from Florence?
The thematic trip to Italy
A thematic trip is a unique way for you to connect with your destination. Not only will you see towns that you may not have visited otherwise, but following your theme is sure to create lifelong memories and unique experiences in each place you visit.
The theme is up to you. Perhaps you want to trace the twisted trail of Caravaggio around the country or sample Italy’s best outdoor adventures. One of the most common themes for Italian trips is food.
An Epicurean itinerary will not only give travelers a chance to see less-visited regions and understand the customs and peculiarities in Italy’s cuisine, it’s also just delicious.
In Italy, every pizza is a personal pizza.
Epicurean itinerary
Though every region in Italy has its own unique cuisine, some lend themselves to tourists better than others. Head to Naples to try traditional Neapolitan pizza and sample their tradition-infused coffee culture. Then go to Rome to explore the beautiful contrast between the city’s love of pork and its delicious kosher traditions in the Jewish quarter.
From there, move on to Emilia Romagna, potentially the most famous region for food in all of Italy. After all, its capital city, Bologna, is even nicknamed “The Fat One”! Try the famous ragù sauce on top of fresh tagliatelle pasta or in a traditional, gluttonous lasagna.
Where to spend two weeks in Italy:
- Naples: Three days
- Rome: Four days
- Bologna: Three days
- Mantua: Three days
- One day extra travel time
10 day itinerary:
- Cut one city. Which city depends entirely on your tastes.
One week:
- Visit just Bologna and Mantua in the north, or Naples and Rome in the south.
5 days:
- Explore the culinary intricacies – of which there are many – of just one city.
Bologna is an amazing destination for sampling the most delicious pasta, wine, and charcuterie.
What to know before you go to Italy
If the point is to follow a specific theme, you’ll need to do plenty of research beforehand. We have dozens of food articles for specific destinations on our blog, but search books, blogs and documentaries as well.
Don’t forget that unless you are very dedicated you’ll want to see a few things outside your chosen theme, so be sure to budget time for that in each location as well, but don’t stray from the map.
If you’re a foodie, be sure to research what bites you need to try before arriving.
FAQ: Planning a trip to Italy
How many days do you need in Rome?
When you plan your trip to Italy, consider no fewer than three days in Rome.
As both the ancient and modern capital of Italy, it’s a hub for a lot of things you’re going to want to see. The history, sights, and feel of the city can hardly be seen with less time.
You’ll need at least three days to fully experience Rome.
How many days in Venice do you recommend?
It’s possible to see Venice in a day, and many people do it that way. However, they miss out on the fantastic nightlife, the feel of Venice with fewer tourists, and the beauty of the city by night.
If you really can’t give it three days, you should at least try staying for one night. Take the next day to visit the Venetian islands of Burano and Murano.
Venice offers unique and fantastic sights; we recommend spending more than one day here so you can go beyond the center and visit a few of the islands.
How many days do you need to explore Florence?
When planning your trip to Italy, set aside at least two full days for Florence. As the cradle of the Renaissance, Florence is packed with world-class art, iconic architecture, and charming streets that deserve time to be fully appreciated.
Two days give you enough time to explore it’s highlights. It also allows for a leisurely stroll across the Ponte Vecchio and through the Oltrarno district. With less than two days, you’ll likely feel rushed.
Florence is not only a beautiful city, it also has delicious regional food you’ll want to try.
I’m planning my first trip to Italy – which itinerary do you recommend?
The itineraries above won’t help you see everything in Italy. In fact, if you follow our instruction you’ll actually see less of the country than most, but you’ll enjoy what you do see a lot more.
We all want to see everything, but rushing from destination to destination only adds stress and takes away from your overall experience. Don’t worry too much, you’re sure to return. After all, there’s always more to explore.
Italy is amazing, don’t rush your tip.
What other tips do you have for Italy travel planning?
Often – especially when planning a thematic trip – you will want to create an itinerary with smaller cities and lesser-known destinations. However, this also means traveling longer distances.
In order to avoid the big mistake of trying to fit too much in, consolidate your options. You would be surprised how many things there are to try in each place you visit if you just take the time to look. Any Italian will tell you that food should be enjoyed at a leisurely pace and a few meals in a given destination is always better than just one.
Italian wine is meant to be sipped and savored.
Update Notice: This article was updated on November 29, 2024.
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493 responses to “The Biggest Mistake People Make When Planning a Trip to Italy (And How to Avoid it)”
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I discovered your blog while researching for our tentative trip to Italy this June. We will be traveling with our children 7 & 14 yrs. We have already been to Rome and Venice. I wanted to know how feasible it is to combine Florence, a bit of Tuscany and the Amalfi Coast in one trip. We could fly in and out of Milan , so probably a couple of days there as well.How many days would it take to do it comfortably. We are thinking 2 weeks but we could stretch it a little. Thanks.
Hi Meenal,
We think that two weeks is a good estimate, though more is always better 🙂 All of Italy is well connected by train, so transport shouldn’t be too much of a problem if you don’t mind spending time. You can take a fast train from Florence to Naples, then you’ll change onto a regional train from there down to Sorrento or another town along the Amalfi Coast. From Florence to Sorrento it should take you just a bit over 2 hours. Still, we suggest counting travel days as half days when budgeting your time! This way you could spend 3 days in Milan, 3 days in Florence, choose one or two towns in the Tuscan countryside for another 2 or 3 days, then spend the rest of the time down along the Amalfi Coast. Get the most of your time with guided tours. Our Tuscany Day Trip Tour parts from Florence and visits Siena, San Gimignano and Chianti for a Tuscan lunch on a vineyard.
First timer here, very helpful thoughts.
Why is it I have this pre conceived notion that the theft in the bigger cities is rampant
I have heard too many stories. what are some safe guards, apparently the train is a bad place or way to travel when busy.
also did you exchange your money there or do you pre fer to use amex or visa while abroad
I lived in northern Italy for four years and have visited often since. The tourist attractions are great. I went to Pisa and the Vatican Museum and the Cinque Terra. All fantastic because I had the time. If you have limited time just walk! Walk the city streets and the neighborhoods and piazzas. Don’t skip the small unknown towns. That’s where you’ll find the local festas and shops. You’ll see beautiful architecture. The best times in my experience were just walking the small villages.
Me and my husband (30s) are travelling to Venice on Aug 15 2016. We will be staying there for 2 days. Can you please let me know what all can be visited on Aug 15th (saw St. Marks Basilica and other places is closed.) Will shops and eat-outs be opened? We are not much into history. we want to walk on the streets to find good food and get a flavor of the Venetian culture and of-course some cheap shopping if possible. Can you suggest places where we can hang around?
Hi Tania,
Most major attractions will be closed, but there will be a few restaurants open to serve the people celebrating the holiday and for the tourists as well! We suggest taking the day to stroll the city as much as possible and get lost down the hundreds of alleyways and over the beautiful bridges. The waterbus will still be running, though probably with limited frequency, so you could consider visiting the multicolored houses of Burano while you’re there as well, which doesn’t require any museum or church visit! Have a great trip!
We were there 4 years ago around this time in August. We did Venice on a day trip from Florence. It was hot! I mean 100F hot! Very little refuge from the heat in Venice if you are walking around. There were restaurants and shops open but what they call air conditioning is not to the standards of us Americans. I loved Venice but this was peak tourist season. Water taxis and ferries were so crowded, I feared we’d tip over. When I go again and I want to go again, I will go in the spring or late fall.
Your blog is really helping me plan my trip so thank you!
I am really struggling to narrow down the places I want to visit. I have a two week window and I would like to see Rome, Amalfi Coast, Florence, Venice & Lake Garda, do this sound doable?
Can you also help with the travel times between the places, how long should I set aside for travelling? Thank You
Hi Jade,
We know that it’s hard to narrow down an itinerary when there are so many beautiful places to see! We suggest sticking to places relatively nearby, and giving yourself plenty of time to explore the big cities filled with history and art, such as Rome and Florence. Another trick, is to see the city with the help of expert local guides! Perhaps our tours in Rome, Florence and Venice can help you get the most out the time you dedicate to each. For example, if you decide that there’s not enough time to dedicate to the Amalfi Coast but you’re just dying to see it, try our Pompeii Tour From Rome with Private Amalfi Coast Drive. That way with just one short day trip you can tour Pompeii and relax on your private drive along the coast. Hope to see you there!
I am planning to visit Italy this year. I was planning for a two weeks trip and after reading this article I change my plans, I should make 1 month trip to see Italy to its full ?!!? Replanning it is ! !
Hi Athena,
That just depends on how many places you’re planning on visiting! You can see something in Italy in 3 days just like you can one month, but you’ll have to adjust the quantity of destinations to get the best quality experience.
Hi I will be travelling to Italy in July for 10 nights. I will be flying in and out of Milan. I have 2 tentative plans . Need your help in deciding between the two. 2 days Milan(including lake Como) – 2 days Amalfi and Sorrento-2 days Rome+vatican- 3 days Florence. I am missing Venice here. Now in the second itenary Amalfi and Sorrento will be replaced Venice. Need your suggestions.
Hi Siddharth,
Personally, we think that’s a lot of traveling to do in just 10 days, and would suggest trying to stay longer in Rome and/or the Amalfi Coast. Still, we know it can be hard to decide. Tours can help you to make the most out of the time that you do have, however. For example, our day trip from Rome tour will take you on a Pompeii tour guided by an expert and for a private drive along the Amalfi Coast, helping you to see some of the area in the most efficient way possible, in just a day!
Really great advice! Will pass that on to all our followers.
I had planned a trip with a friend, who unfortunately has some medical problems and won’t be able to make the trip. I’ve decided to go alone, so would love some advice on how to spend my time. I’m arriving in Naples and flying out of Barcelona two weeks later. I’ve already been to Rome, Tuscany and Florence. Since I’m going in July, I would love to avoid the major touristy places and perhaps find some quieter places to enjoy good food, beauty and history. Any suggestion would be appreciated. Oh, and is Bellagio worth a visit and the prices?
We’re sorry to hear about your friend, but happy that you’re coming to Il Bel Paese in any case! Considering that you’re arriving in Naples, we’d suggest staying in that region or going further south. The Amalfi Coast is always worth the visit, though we can’t promise it won’t be a bit touristy already in July. If you really want to escape the tourists, head to the countryside. The countryside of Lazio is lush, beautiful, and filled with art and history. Further south in Calabria or Puglia will offer you a lot of relax with breathtaking views. Bellagio up north is a gorgeous town along Lake Como. We believe it is worth it, but considering that it’s so small you won’t need more than a day to explore the entire town. After, you can take the ferry around to Como and the many other beautiful towns along the lake. That said, it’s a long trip from Naples!
Hi, my family & I have a 10 day trip to Italy planned in a few days. We are flying into Rome, then Florence, & Venice. We have two daughters who are 22 & 19 yrs. old. Our family usually vacations at beaches. Should we try to plan at least a partial day at some of the beautiful beaches for each city or just 1 beach destination in one of the cities? I don’t think my daughters will be overly interested in the historical aspects of Italy, but we have some planned sightseeing activities to at least see the major attractions. It would be nice to have some relaxing time on a beach, but not sure if we’ll have enough time. Please let me know your thoughts. Your blog is awesome, very helpful with great information.
Hi Todd,
Most of Italy’s historical cities aren’t actually that near to a beach. In that case, we suggest carving out a day to head to the beach from Rome, which likely has the nicest beach nearby of the three cities. Have a great trip!
What a great blog! Thank you so much. We are flying into Venice, and arrive in the moring, spending one night and heading to Florence. We will be in Florence for 2 nights and then Positano for three nights, and finally Rome for 3 nights. We fly out of Rome. What is the best way to get from Florence to Positano. I am thinking of taking the train to Sorrento and then the ferry.
Hi Christy,
You can compare your different transport options at http://www.rome2rio.com, including time, distance and cost of all means of transport from any destination to any destination!
Hi! I love your page, so informative!
Question, I am flying into Milan on a wed afternoon 4:00pm and depart on Monday evening from Rome. Ideally would like to do one night Milan, two nights Florence, two nights Rome with a day trip to positano- Is this too much for such a short time? 🙁 we were also thinking of driving, but will this be much longer?
Thank you for any help!!!
Hi Jessica,
Yes, that itinerary does sound a little bit too packed, especially just considering transport times. It will take longer than to drive as opposed to high speed trains, but the high speed trains connect Milan to Florence and Rome easily. We suggest cutting out Positano for this trip, it’s quite a long way from Rome for just one day when there is so much transport time needed. Let us know what you decide! 🙂
my wife and I are planning a two week trip to Italy in early October for our 30th. She is Italian and never been to her Homeland. We love wine, great food, beautiful scenery and History…I hear the Amalfi Coast is nice too:)
Venice, Florence, Rome, Naples and the Amalfi Coast are all points of interest. Considering this is our first visit to Italy and we’ll be there in early October. What do you suggest for an overall plan with rhythm?
Hi Tom,
We suggest you scroll through the blog to get ideas for possible itineraries, or use this post to decide if you want a major cities trip, a regional itinerary or a themed one 🙂 Just be sure to not pack in too much!
I really looking for this type of information.. Becoz i also planning for trip to italy and this article really gives me some important information which i really required such as time and duration of trip etc..
Thanks for sharing such a great experience with us,
We are flying in to Naples in Mid Oct and staying for 8days. Considering a short period of time, please advise the best 3 places to stay and what are the surrounding/nearby towns best attractions.
Hi Ina,
Sorry, we can’t recommend specific accommodations, but we often use http://www.booking.com to find hotels or B&Bs in Italy. As for nearby towns to visit, we suggest jumping down to Pompeii. Our Best of Pompeii Tour is an in-depth look into the buried city with an expert local tour guide, helping you to get the most of your visit.
Whoo! 2 days (nights) means one full day to explore. Not much time. I just spent 30 days doing Rome, Amalfi Coast, Puglia and Sicily. And that was too rushed. Wherever you go be selective, plan your days throughly. I used Walks Of Italy as a framework for my days in Rome. One tour each day for 3 of my days and then planned my sightseeing around the area where the tour took place. Know your limits and allow some down time. Watch out for Monday’s when many museums are closed or mid afternoons when many shops are closed.
We couldn’t agree more David! Excellent advice!
Hi there! So, I’m planning my vacation to Italy and I only have 10 days, I was thinking of doing 2 nights in Cinque Terre, 2 nights in Florence, 2 nights in Venice and then 3 nights in Rome. I’m planning of travelling by train so that does seem to take a chuck out of my time since it will be travelling every second day. But does my plan seem too hectic? It is my first time travelling there so I do want to see quite a bit but I want to really enjoy my time there.
Thanks! 🙂
Hi Simin,
Each person has to choose an itinerary that works for them, but we’d urge you to remember that two nights usually means just one full day to explore, and maybe a half day or so that you can eek out of your travel days. You’ll be able to see the cities and towns, but perhaps not as in-depth as you’d like, especially the bigger ones like Florence and Rome. In that case, we’d suggest checking out some of our tours to be sure you see the most there is to see in the time you have. Our Florence in a Day tour takes you to all the major sights on a full-day expertly guided tour, helping you to skip the line and not waste time! We also have a Rome in a Day tour perfect for those short on time that includes the Vatican as well (a must-see while in Rome!) Let us know if you have any questions.
When my family travels, we tend to have that ‘see and do everything’ agenda, and it’s EXHAUSTING! I love to just take my time and see what I want to see. I’ve always wanted to visit Italy, and I’m sure there’s a lot to see and do, so I want to take my time and appreciate what it has to offer. Thank you for sharing your tips!
Love your page,so much information.Planning a trip to Italy next year tossing around May or September . Coming from AU this is the start of my itinerary.Fly into Barcelona for a few days then
1 Venice -3 nights
Florence -3 nights
Rome. -3 nights
Naples. -3 nights
Amalfi C– ? hi
Sicily. — ?. From there we are heading to Athens and the Greek islands before flying home.From Barcelona could we start in Sicily and fly to Athens from Venice.Our mode of transport will be trains in Italy.Regards Trish
Hi Trish,
Wow what a trip! Yes you could probably start your trip the opposite way, but it all depends on your flights and cost. Your preferred airline’s website will be able to help!
hi,
My name is Verne. My wife and I are travelling to Italy for 2 wks in Sept. We were planning 2 days in Naples, 3 days in Rome, 3 days in Florence for work, 1 day in Pisa, 1 day in Ravenna, and 2 days in Venice. We were going to travel by train, Does this seem plausible to you?
Thanks
Hi Verne,
Yes, this does seem plausible, though you’ll certainly be moving around a lot! In fact, we’re a bit confused how you’ll have one day in Ravenna? Is it a day trip from Venice or will you be stopping over? We think a day trip from makes the most sense, that way you won’t have to transfer your luggage again and waste time checking in etc., but you can still easily visit the city. This article on Venice day trips might help you to plan.
Thanks for your reply. We are travelling from pisa to ravenna and the next day Venice. If it was you, would you go to Lake Garda or Ravenna. If not a hassle. a day trip to lake Garda from Venice sounds good.
Hi Verne,
That depends if you prefer breathtaking Byzantine mosaics and city touring or enjoying the breeze on a ferry boat across the enormous Lake Garda. Either are doable from Venice!
4 of us will be on a Med. cruise in October stopping in Salerno for just 1 full day. I would prefer to travel 1 direction of the Amalfi coast by boat or ferry but with our limited time is it best to hire a private car & driver for the day? Which would be a better itinerary for the day: to go to Sorrento, Positano & Amalfi OR to go to Positano, Amalfi &Ravello? Do car & driver routes typically travel both directions on the Amalfi Coast Road or is one of the ways usually inland?
Is it when you’re travelling from Positano to Salerno that you are driving on the side of the road closest to the ocean?
Thank you,
Shirley
Hi Shirley,
We think any of your modes of transportation will work during your day trip of the area. Even public bus service runs frequently. That said, Positano, Amalfi and Ravello are a bit closer together than Sorrento and will likely be easier to see all in one day. As Italians drive on the right side of the road (like Americans) and the sea is to the west of Italy, you’d be closer to the sea going from North to South. Have a great trip!
Thank you for sharing your very interesting blog. My husband and I both in our sixtys are bringing our 2 grandsons age 7 and 10 to Rome from 18 to 28 Dec.2016.We will be staying at the Casa Domitilla hotel.
Besides visiting theColiseum, the sites in the Vatican, the catacombs, can you recommend to us some other sites that will be interesting to young boys. We could do day trips too by train . We are coming from Australia.
Hi Sally,
What a great trip to take with your grandsons! We think your boys will love everything Rome has to offer. The sights are incredible and the festive Christmas atmosphere is super exciting. (This post on Christmas in Rome might help you to plan more) Besides that, we’d suggest to book tickets in advance to skip the lines, plenty of ice cream despite the chill and maybe even something out there like a day of gladiator school for the little ones. Hope you have a great trip!
Hi, there will be two couples traveling for 10 days, May 2017. Flying into Rome, spending 3 days in Rome, 4 days in Florence with a day trip to Pisa and an overnight in Cinque Terre.
Are we planning to much in a short visit?
Hi Carol,
It all depends on your preference and speed, but we think this seems like a well-planned tour and a good compromise of time. To make your most out of your three days in Rome (which will likely include the Vatican City, we assume) check out some of our Rome and Vatican City tours, which can help you skip the long lines and save precious time!
Hi! Thank you for such a wonderful wealth of information! My husband and I are planning a trip in September 2017 for my 60th Birthday. We have been to Italy once before, as part of a Mediterranean cruise. This trip we would like to really experience the feel
of Italy! We want to visit Amalfi … Positano and Sorrento ( my husband proposed in Sorrento so I definitely want to return there for a night!) We would like to go to Capri, and then to Venice. We have about 9 days. Would it be possible in that time period to include a visit to Vienna or is that too far? Thank you for sharing your knowledge and helping travelers experience this beautiful country!!
Hi Sandi,
What a lovely idea to return to a special place for you and your husband! Keep in mind that Sorrento to Venice is a 7 hour train ride – basically the entire day! If you want to add on Vienna, you’ll add another 7.5 hours by train or a 4 hour flight (plus lead time at the airport etc.) We think it’s probably best to focus on your Italy trip and get the most out of the time you have there – maybe with an expertly guided tour or two! 🙂
Hi,
We are planning a 14 day trip in November 2017. I would like to stay in Rome, than travel to Venice and Sicily for about 3-4 days at each location. Does that sound feasible?
Hi Linda,
Anything is feasible, but keep in mind that Venice is the extreme northeast, while Sicily is the extreme southwest. If you do want to do all three stops, we suggest starting at Venice and working your way down. http://www.Rome2Rio.com can help you to see the different transportation options, distance, money and time spent on each. Have a great trip!
I notice you often recommend starting in Venice and working south. Is there a reason for that? My thought was to start in Sicily (that being the most important stop because my husband’s relatives came from there,) and then head to Rome, Florence, and Venice. Your thoughts?
We are thinking 10 days and plan to travel in mid October. I hoped to keep our itinerary “loose” depending on what we see in each city. How far in advance do you recommend booking your tours?
Hi Jill,
No there’s absolutely no reason, we just suggest to keep your itinerary linear, to avoid wasting time in transit. As for our tours, we recommend booking as soon as you know your dates, to be 100% sure you get a spot. We don’t offer tours every day of the week, so though you can still definitely keep your itinerary loose, it’s best to have at least this planned. We focus on responsible travel and giving our guests the absolute best experience. Because of this, we also keep our tours small, with few spots per tour. Have a great trip and hope to see you soon!
Hi,
Thank you so much for all the information, My husband and I have plans to travel to Italy from February 18 to March 3 2017, we already have the air tickets from Miami to Venice and from Milan to Miami, also we have hotels reservation in Venice for 5 days and Florence for 3 days but we don’t know what to do or how to expend the others days between Florence and Milan, we need help in order to coordinate that leg of the trip. Thank you!!!
Hi Barbara,
Sounds like a great trip! We suggest tours and guided day trips. Here you have the best day trips from Venice including our beautiful day trip to Verona, city of romance and love. Utilize your time in Florence well with expertly guided tours, perhaps something unique like our Florence Food Tour or Tuscany Day Trip to Chianti, Siena and San Gimignano. Then, add on a few days to explore Milan. Though many visitors skip over this more industrial city, Milan has a charm and true Italian-ness that is worth seeing, not to mention great shopping! Have a great trip.
Hi, we are planning a 2 week trip to Italy in May for 7 people. We will be starting in Rome and traveling south to Gizzeria in the Catanzaro Region to see our grandfathers hometown. I’m guessing the best way to travel is train from Rome to Naples then rent a car to go down to Gizzeria. Any suggestions on towns to stop on the way and how many days each stop. From reading travel sites doesn’t seem like we will need to spend much time in Calabria. We will probably fly out of Lamezia airport.
Hello! Glad I stumbled upon this site. I am planning a 9 day/night vacation for my family of 5 (parents in their 60/70s, rest of us in our 30s). We will be there from May 25 – June 2, 2017, flying into/out of Naples airport. For this trip, we’d like to visit: Rome, Naples, Amalfi coast, Capri, Pompeii, and possibly Paestum if time permits. For half of us, Rome is a repeat and for the others, they understand it’s not possible to see everything this time; they are more interested in food, scenery, people-watching, and relaxation in the Amalfi area. My initial thoughts:
Day 1: Flight arrives in Naples @ 6:00am, take train to Rome
Days 1-2: Rome
Day 3: Take train from Rome to Salerno in the morning
Day 4: Paestum or Pompeii day trip
Days 5-7: Tour Ravello/Positano/Amalfi/Sorrento/Capri via bus from Salerno
Day 8: Take train from Salerno-Naples
Day 9: Naples
Day 10: Return flight out of Naples
1) Do you think we should use Salerno as our base in the Amalfi? Or should we consider spending a night in Ravello or Positano? It’s our first time in the Amalfi area.
2) Between Paestum or Pompeii, which would you recommend for a first-timer? Is there time to visit both?
3) My parents are set on seeing Capri for sure, but do not have a strong preference between Sorrento/Amalfi/Positano/Ravello, etc. if there is not enough time to see all of them. What do you suggest?
Feedback on the feasibility of this itinerary would be much appreciated!
Thanks,
Diana
Hi Diana,
Unfortunately we’re not travel agents but rather tour operators. Instead, we can direct you to some posts that might help you make up your mind. Both Paestum and Pompeii are incredible sites to visit, but both are best visited with a ton of background knowledge or a guide. Visit all the major highlights of Pompeii on a tour with our expert guides to truly enjoy your first-time visit there! As for the Amalfi Coast, you can decide where to stay and how to get around with our post on the Best Amalfi Coast Towns for Every Traveler. Have a great trip!
HI Diana-
I was in Italy this past April. We stayed in Sorrento which is a 30 minute (at most) train ride from Pompeii. We stayed at Hotel Christina in Sorrento in their ‘villa’…basically a small house. Very nice.
What we did to see the Amalfi area is hire a car/limo service to take us to Amalfi coast towns. I would not want to ride in a bus along that winding cliffside road. Plus traffic is horrible.
Hope this helps-
Cyndi
Hello:
My wife and I are retiring soon and would like to spend next Nov in Italy and we were wondering what the weather would be like then, can you still swim in the ocean? Also, would it be better to stay further south, in Sicily for example, to have better weather. Is the Amalfi coast too cold for swimming at that time? At the moment we are thinking about Tropea rather than Atrani because it is further south.
Any thoughts?
cheers from Montreal
Hi Don,
The average temperature in the Amalfi Coast for November is around 12 degrees Celsius or 53 degrees Fahrenheit, so we’d say a bit too cold to swim. That said, it all depends on the year, and in places in Sicily some even take an annual dip in the sea on Christmas day! Remember, the further south you go the warmer it typically is. Have a great time in Italy!
what is the weather like in the middle of march? planning my honey moon and that’s the only time we can both get and extended time off to travel.
Hi Rob,
The weather in Italy varies from North to South, with it typically being warmer the further south you go. Spring tends to come to Italy a bit sooner than temperate climates in North America, but March will still typically be cool and may be wet. You can google average temperatures for March for specific Italy cities if you’d like more information.
First of all, thank you for the wealth of information you have given me! My husband, in-laws, and I will be in Italy for a month next May/June and part of our itinerary calls for a stop in Puglia. Our problem is, since we don’t plan to drive, we would like to base ourselves in one place (we prefer not to move around since this eats into our time and we only have 7 days) and still be able to visit 3 places: Alberobello, Matera and Lecce. We also would like to stay on the coast, if possible, as we all want seaviews. Is it possible to hire a car and driver for those days when we plan to do our daytrips to the 3 aforementioned places? If so, how do I find out how to go about looking for a private car/driver/tourguide? We considered staying in Taranto since it seemed central to all 3 places but staying there would mean taking trains or buses to and from and it would be too time consuming. Bari was also considered (there were tours originating from there) but we were told by some people who’ve been there that it is not a particularly interesting or attractive place to stay in. What is your opinion?
HI Grace,
It’s a great idea to base yourself in one place, to not waste time packing and unpacking, checking in and out etc! Public transportation in this area of Italy can be found a bit difficult and/or lacking. Though we don’t know any specific companies that offer private drivers, we’re sure you can find services through a bit of Google researching. Otherwise, we’d suggest to consider renting a car yourselves. These areas tend to not be as trafficked as major cities such as Rome and Milan and it will most certainly be cheaper! As for where to stay, maybe some of our articles on Puglia can inspire you!
Hi I just stumbled on this site, wow. I am going to Sicily in July next year. I am staying in Syracuse for 3 nights and will hire a car. Is it an easy day trip to th Valley of the temples?
I the. Have 3 nights free before flying from Palermo. I can’t decide whether to go to Taormina or Cefalu and have just seen a lovely beach outside Palermo, Modello. I would like a few days at beach so can you recommend one. I can either keep the car or just catch a train, any thoughts. Thank you very much
Regards Denise from Australia
Hi Denise,
Seeing that Taormina and Cefalu are a bit far from Palermo, we’d suggest staying in Palermo and exploring the eclectic city! Here’s our guide to Palermo, which also has some information about the city’s nearby beach.
My husband and I have been to Italy many times. I have family located in Vicenza, in the Veneto region. We will be returning in the fall, 2017, and for this trip, we would like to visit Vicenza for at least a week, then head to the Dolomites, and southern Austria. We are planning on a 3-4 week vacation and plan to fly in and out of Venice. Is it easy to travel by train and / or bus, or should we plan on renting a car? We are a little intimidated by the rental idea, but would embrace the adventure if it’s not too daunting. Which would you recommend? Also, do you have any specific Dolomite or Austrian towns that you recommend that are easy to get to and stunning? We are thinking Cortina, Italy and Halstatt and Salzburg, Italy. Looking forward to your recommendation.
Hi Geri Ann,
Sounds like a great trip – and you’ve planned more than enough time to do it all! Brava! Vicenza is an great day trip from Veronaand easy to reach by train. The Dolomites can be a bit more difficult to manage with public transportation, however, though not impossible. We suggest using the website http://www.Rome2Rio.com to type in your start point and destination and compare all the various transportation options (price, distance and time). Though we can’t help you with Austria (we, of course, only do Walks in Italy), here are 6 of our favourite towns in the Dolomites to choose from. Have a great trip!
Hello,
My wife and I will be traveling to Italy in May for two weeks. We plan on doing Venice, day trip to Verona, Cinque Terre, Florence with a day trip to Pisa, Tuscany hilltop region overnight, and Rome with day trips to Naples or Sorrento. Do you think this itinerary is plausible for two weeks? Also, in which areas do you recommend doing guided tours rather than exploring alone? Thanks!
Hi Karissa,
The itinerary seems beautiful, but there sure is a lot of moving involved! We’d suggest cutting out Cinque Terre and maybe even the day trips from Rome. Venice, Rome and Florence are huge, important cities that deserve the right amount of time. That said, if you’re determined to see these places, we suggest taking some tours so that you’re sure to see them well. We have excellent day tours in Florence, Venice and Rome (including some special access and night tours). We even have a day trip from Rome to Pompeii and along the Amalfi Coast with a private driver!
Hi! I am planning a trip in middle of May to Italy for 7 days possibly 10 if I can. My wife mentioned Tuscany so I would like to take her there for our 10 year Anniversary and a Honeymoon we never got to take. This is her dream vacation and want it to be the most special I can and any change in my plans if needed Id like to know including cities and days spent there. Where is the best place to book this type of trip? So the trip for 7 days would consist of Venice, Florence/Tuscany, and Rome or if I need to change this since this would be our first trip I am willing to.
Hi Chris,
What a lovely gift! You can tour Venice, Florence and Rome in 10 days or cut out a city and explore Tuscany a bit more. Remember, the more you move around the more you’ll have to manage transportation and lose time to travel! The best way for you to get around is by train, check out http://www.trenitalia.com to see train times and prices and to book your high speed trains between the major cities. In the meantime, we suggest scrolling through our other posts to learn more about each area! Have a great anniversary!
Hello,
Great blog I must say… 3 of my girlfriends and myself(late 20s to mid 30s) are planning a one week trip to Italy in February. February 18th through the 26th. We fly into Milan and depart from Milan. We are interested in visiting Florence and Venice during our week stay. Some of the things we are interested in doing are shopping in Milan, leaning tower of Pisa, a wine/food tour, and perhaps catch some of the fashion week activities in Milan. Also one of my gf’s has heart set on on going to Cinque Terre, do you think that is feasible with our week time constraint? Is there any particular order in which city to go to after leaving Milan? Which would be the best possible mode of transportation?
Hi Tiffany,
We suggest sticking to just three cities, rather than trying to see everything. From Milan, you can take the train to Venice and tour the city in just one day. If you do that, we suggest taking a tour to see the highlights of the city. Our Venice in a Day Tour shows the best of Venice in a single day; tour the Doge’s Palace & St Mark’s Basilica, explore the best of the city on a walking tour and enjoy a traditional gondola ride. From Milan you can also take a high-speed train down to Florence to visit for a couple days. There you can decide if a day-trip to Pisa is feasible. Trains to Pisa run frequently and are very inexpensive, so you don’t have to book in advance.
Hello,
While research for our Feb trip i i found your sight . We are going for 9 days. Beginning our stay with extended family in Valdobbeidenne in Feb. Would like to know where u think we can best utilize our time. The town is not close to Rome. But i think that is an amazing place to visit for my 11 year old. The intermixing of ancient and modern will be fascinating to him. Can u give me some ideas. Thank u
Hi Angela,
You definitely can’t do a day trip to Rome from Valdobbeidenne! You could, however, visit cities around the area, such as Venice, Padua and Verona. If you’d like to see Rome, we suggest dedicating a few days of your trip just for Rome. The website Rome2Rio.com can help you to understand how best to move around Italy: which form of transportation to use as well as the distance, price and time. Have a great trip!
Hi
We will be a group of 7-10 travelling from both USA & Australia to meet up to travel Italy for 3 weeks. Some of us have been to the major towns in northern Italy. On our itinerary we must go to Sicily. We were thinking of basing ourselves in a large villa and travelling out on day trips and maybe 2 days here and there at a time. Would that be a smart way to go or do you think we’d be better off travelling to different towns every 3-4 days? I know that’s like asking how long is a piece of string, but I’m not sure if those villas exist or how to go about looking into them. The Amalfi Coast would have to be part of the trip and perhaps we fly into Rome for 2 days to see the major tourist attractions.
Hi Justine,
Having a base is often a great solution for travelers in Italy, especially with families or in large groups, but its usefulness also depends on where the villa is and what there is to see around it. You don’t want to be traveling hours and hours each day just to have one base! To find accommodation you can look at popular home-renting websites like airbnb or homeaway, or simply begin a google search. Also, if you only dedicate two days in Rome, we suggest signing up for a tour or two to help you efficiently see the major sites – there is a lot to see and 2 days isn’t a lot of time! Our Rome in a Day tour visit the Vatican, Colosseum and historic center in one day, including the Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps & Pantheon – plus transfer! – so you’ll be able to hit the major sites with less stress!
So glad I found your site! It has been very helpful. My husband and I booked a flight to Naples (not necessarily because we had our heart set on Naples, but because they were having a terrific deal!) but we mostly just want to visit Rome and Florence (I would also like to see a little of the Amalfi coast, but don’t know that we have time), and only have 7 days to spend. Trying to come up with an itinerary is overwhelming! Any suggestions? Thanks!
Hi Brie,
We’d suggest looking into tours to ensure that you can see as much as possible in an efficient way that makes sense. Rome and Florence alone can easily fill up your 7 days (especially considering travel time), but if you have your heart set on the Amalfi Coast, consider our Pompeii Visit with Amalfi Coast Drive from Rome tour. A full-day tour, you can see the ruins of Pompeii with an expert local guide, then enjoy jaw-dropping views of the coastline all the way to Positano with no stress or hassle, our private driver will pick you up and take you!
HI, I found your website and was wondering if you could help please. We are planing a trip to the amalfi coast from Sicily for 5 days/4 nights, not sure exactly where to start. We definitely would like to see the Blue Grotto and some kind of tour as we have no idea of what to see and do. Also some links to accommodation.
Jackie
Hi Jackie,
Unfortunately we’re not in the business of accommodation, but we’re sure google can help you. In then meantime, our article about the best towns to stay in in the Amalfi Coast might help you to plan your trip. Have a great time!
Help! My husband and I would like to visit Italy October 2017. I am overwhelmed with the planning and do not know where to start. Sometimes I think we should just stay with a tour group but we enjoy driving and exploring places on our own time schedule. On the other hand we realize we could waste a lot of time figuring out all the details. We do not speak Italian and I’m afraid we will look like “those tourists” they talk about.:-) . We’re not even sure how many weeks to allow. We want to visit Sorrento, Postiano, Capri, Rome, Florence, Portofino, Verona, Venice and any other parts of Tuscany we’d be crazy to miss while there? Any suggestions on planning or amount of time to allow?
Hi Melody,
We understand, there are so many beautiful places in Italy it’s difficult to decide! Like we suggest in this article, we’d narrow things down by either 1) time limits or 2) destination must-sees. If you don’t have time limits then you can see anything, but those sure are a lot of places on your list to see! Keep in mind that you want to travel in Italy, not transit in Italy, meaning you don’t want to spend all your time navigating trains or highways, traveling from one place to another. We’d suggest making homebases, for example one in the Amalfi Coast, from which you can take the bus or drive to the other towns along the coast and one in Tuscany. Also, tours or day tours are great ways to be sure you’ve seen everything there is to see in a city. Our tours are led by local experts and are well-planned to help you get the most out of your time in each destination! Hope to see you on one soon!
On July, 2017, I am making a 15 days trip to Italy with my daughter, she is 23 I am 58. Following is the schedule I have prepared for this trip. Do you think it is feasible? Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Day 1 MILAN: Santa Maria delle Grazie, Millan Catedral, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele & La Scala
Day 2 VERONA: Casa di Giulietta, Amphitheater VENECIA
Day 3 VENICE: Piazza San Marco, Rialto Bridge, San Giacomo di Rialto, Venetian Ghetto, Gondola ride
Day 4 VERNAZZA
Day 5 CINQUE TERRE: Vernaza, Manarola, Riomaggiore, Corniglia, Monterosso al Mare
Day 6 FLORENCE
Day 7 FLORENCE: Siena, St. Gimignano, Pisa
Day 8 NAPLES: Capri, Amalfi
Day 9 NAPLES: Pompeii, Mt. Vesuvios
Day 12 ROME: Colooseum, Trevi Fountain, etc.
Day 13 ROME: Museums
Day 14 ROME: Vatican, Sistine Chapel
Day 15 Fly home
Hi Guadalupe,
It seems like an excellent trip, but very full! Though it is absolutely feasible, you’ll have to evaluate how much time you’ll be in transit and how much that time will cut into your actual sightseeing time. For example, trains from Milan to Verona take about 90 minutes and there’s another 90 minutes from Verona to Venice, meaning that you won’t have a full day in the city.
My family of 4 (two teens) will be traveling to Italy for 3 weeks from mid-June to early July. We will be staying in Venice for 3 days, Florence 4 days, Lucca 2 days, Rome 4 days and Castiglione di Ravello for 6 days. This is our first overseas trip as a family, do you have any good tour suggestions in any of these stops? We are an active family and the kids love to swim – I told them Amalfi Coast is probably the best place for that.
Hi Jeff,
What a great trip! Between our expertly guided tours in Venice, Florence, Rome and Tuscany, we’re sure you can find something perfect for you and your family. One of the best things you can do to keep boredom at bay and see as much as possible is book a tour with special VIP access, allowing you to skip the line. For example our special-access tour of the Florence Duomo including a skip the line dome climb, plus early Accademia Gallery tour or our Pristine Sistine tour where you can explore the Sistine Chapel, Vatican Museums & St. Peter’s Basilica at their most peaceful time of day with VIP entrance to the Vatican an hour before the public. Some of these include exclusive after hour tours that give you a unique look at some of Italy’s major sites, for example our exclusive after hours night tour of the crypts and catacombs of Rome Finally we’d suggest a food tour to get your teens tastebuds moving. We all need to eat, so why not explore the traditional Rialto markets in Venice, learning about local foods. After enjoy tastings of local specialties.
Hi, My wife and self are in our mid 60’s it’s our first trip to Europe in May 17,
and are trying to work out if we should take a tour or travel by ourselves
We would like to visit the major attractions in Rome (hopefully a Guided tour to the lower level of the Colosseum), Florence and Venice and then travel to Switzerland Paris and on to London.
Please advise
Thanks Alex
Hi Alex,
While you could easily navigate those cities and between those cities (high speed trains connect every one, if not flights for places like Paris and London), tours can be a great way to be sure that you see all the major sites in each destination. Our day tours or half-day tours are all led by local experts, ensuring that you’ll see everything in the most efficient way possible, and for sure learn something new! We have plenty to choose from in Rome, Florence and Venice, but it sounds like our VIP Underground Colosseum Tour is the one for you! Have a great trip.
We have the itinerary set (pretty much like you suggested). But now we are looking at “excursions” most blogs I have read say we need to make reservation but we want to stay a little spontaneous. Do reservations need to be made months/weeks in advance or can we call the night before and make reservations for wineries and museums?
Hi Debi,
That depends on what type of excursions you’d like to have. For expertly guided local tours you’d do best to book in advance. Popular excursions are day trips out of the city, for example a Pompeii day trip from Rome with a private drive along the Amalfi Coast or a day wine-tasting in the Tuscan countryside. These help you to see beyond your base city and since they’re completely organized, will save you time and stress! As for museums and wineries, you can most likely book with relatively little advanced notice, even just the night before.
Hi, what a great site! We are planning a family trip to Italy late December 2017/early January 2018. We will be flying into Venice and would like to see Venice, Bologna, Florence and Rome and if possible Cinque Terre. Do you think 10 days would be long enough. Thanks 🙂
Hi Karen,
Thank you! We think 10 days is enough, but that you’ll be in transit quite a bit, and you might miss out on some of the sights in big hitters like Florence and Rome. We suggest cutting out Cinque Terre and saving it for your next trip to Italy!
Hello! Thanks so much for the helpful info on your website. I am in the early stages of planning a trip to Southern Italy. I have been to the major cities of Italy before (Venice, Florence and Rome, Naples, Pompeii and Capri) but not the Amalfi Coast, which is my goal. However, I am traveling w my Mom who has never been so I was thinking of doing Rome for a couple days so she can see it and the rest of time in Amalfi Coast and Capri (which I loved and don’t mind going back!)
The problem is, I want to go straight the Amalfi Coast. If we arrive in Rome airport early in the morning from NYC, what is the easiest way to get to Amalfi and where should we base ourselves? I don’t want to move around too much when we are in the Amalfi Coast. I would maybe stay in 2 different towns at the most. The flight from NYC to Rome is long though and not sure if my mom will have the energy to travel thru to Amalfi after a long 9 hr flight. I wanted to end the trip in Rome though, which is why I wanted to head straight south. I looked at flights to fly thru Naples instead to cut the time but it’s not better–the flights end up being longer due to stopovers. There seems to be no direct affordable flights from NYC to Naples, so I think I am stuck with going thru Rome only!
We also went to the Greek islands a few months ago and we like quaint towns but nothing too quiet. We are ok with touristy but not too touristy (for example, we loved Chania in Crete but we did not like Rhodes Old Town in Rhodes). Right now I think we may aim to do 5 nights in Amalfi, 3 or 4 in Capri and 2 or 3 in Rome. Any suggestions on how to route our trip would be helpful for visiting May 17-29 (roughly!)
Hi Eve,
The quickest, easiest and least stressful way would be to hire a private driver, but it will also be the most expensive by far! Most take the high-speed train from Rome Termini station to Naples, then the regional train from Naples to whichever town along the Amalfi Coast you prefer (this article can help you decide which.) Have a great trip!
Hello,
I am planning a trip to the Cinque Terre before going to Montecarlo. My main goal is to take beautiful pictures but I don’t particularly like long hikes. Do you know if I can get some pretty pictures even though I don’t hike too much? Also, should I hire a boat for that purpose? I was thinking of just going on the villages by train.
Hi Maria,
We’re sure you’ll find a wealth of inspiration and photography subjects from any angle in Cinque Terre! And you can easily get from village to village by train, no problem. Have a great trip!
Hi, love this site! I am booked for a 7 night trip to Italy in May – flying into Venice and out of Florence. I don’t want to rush and get Rome so was thinking 2 nights in Venice, 3 nights in Florence and 2 nights in Cinque Terre. From Cinque terre, I would need to go back to Florence airport in time for a 3pm flight home. Does that sound like a horrible idea? Other option would be to just have more time in Florence and explore and do tours there. Your advice would be so greatly appreciated.
Hi Janis,
You could definitely do this itinerary, but we encourage you to calculate in travel time when seeing how much time you’ll have in each location. One day easily becomes just a half day after train time is factored in. Another option could be to cut out Cinque Terre and take a day trip into Tuscany to see something different. There are many regional trains that run from Florence to some of Tuscany’s most popular towns, like Siena, Lucca and Pisa, that are inexpensive and frequent. Or, if you prefer to explore the region with a local expert, you can try one of our Tuscany day trips. Our guides will help you explore Siena, San Gimignano, Chianti, Montepulciano, Montalcino and Pienza. Or, try a wine tasting and organic lunch among the beautiful Tuscan hills.
My wife and I are planning to visit Italy in late Sept/Oct. How many days should we allocate to city like Verona to see and experience the best of that town?
Hi Carl,
Realistically, Verona can be seen in a day. In fact, we have a day trip from Venice to Verona that explores Verona with a local guide including Juliet’s balcony, the Ancient Roman amphitheater and the most beautiful streets & piazzas of Verona. If you’d like to take it slower, you can arrive in the morning and spend the night in the beautiful city to be able to enjoy it at night as well.