Just booked 22 days to Italy/Greece - any and all advice/tips appreciated

I wish I spent more time in Florence/Tuscany

Lot of locations there baw! When you go to Europe my feeling is really try to avoid the "if it's Tuesday it must be..." experience. I.E. Trying to cram in multiple locations while you're there. Gotta think you'll always be coming back.

Me? I liked Greece, but that was eons ago. I'd say just Italy and think about Greece another year.

I'm not personally a fan of Venice and would lop that off the itinerary as noted. Way too touristy for me, adds some additional travel time. Just not for me. Others might differ.

Some snippets from another thread...

Florence is like one of the greatest places to visit on earth! Math won't add up exactly, but I would say at least base in Florence for a week. We stayed in the Florence View Apartments.Took day trips over to Sienna. Did some wine tours in the Tuscany Region. So much to do beyond visiting amazing Florence.

Didn't stay here, but learned about it later: Stay in a Country Villa In Tuscany?

Later took a train down to Orvieto on the way to Rome. Amazing medieval city on top of a mountain. As noted, it's well worth 1-2 days there.

Rome is no doubt amazing. 3 days minimum to scratch the surface. As in Florence and the Uffizi Gallery, make sure you buy tickets in advance to avoid the crowds. What to know.

Or bag all of that and go to this year's "In Spot On The TB": Croatia. Single man would do well on Hvar Island! Plenty of threads here on that topic. Our man Teddy Ruxpin's the wiz on planning that out and has a trip coming up in July!!

Antique Tiger did an in-game trip thread when he went to Italy...2019 I think it was.

Tons of pics and advice, see if you can find that thread it was awesome

Travel time is gonna make this schedule hard. Plus, it's hard to see any place in only a day and feel like you were actually there.

With that said: Of the places you mentioned, Venice, Milan, and Athens are 1-day candidates.

Mainly about Venice -
Everyone that has never been to Venice feels compelled to go. However, most people that have been to Venice, don't feel compelled to go back.
You'll see recommendations to skip Venice and spend time elsewhere.... and they're not wrong. But, it's a hard thing to do. I think most people should just go ahead and go to check that place off the list, but don't spend more time than is necessary.
Now, there are some cool things to see in Venice. St Mark's and Doge's Palace are great.
And there are other things to fill up a day:
Rialto Bridge, walk around some, and have lunch/dinner overlooking the South waterway. Gondola ride if that's your deal. Maybe hop over to Murano/Burano.
But.... there's not much else to see here where I would trade an extra day in Venice for a day somewhere else.

If you do shrink Milan and Venice to 1 day each, both of those days should be allocated to Florence/Tuscany.
I could give you a whole week of things to do in this area.
Florence is easily 2 days, with a 3rd not being wasted. And Tuscany deserves 1 day At a Minimum! If pressed, I would split it 2 & 2. 2 days in Florence, 2 days in Tuscany.

Rome/Vatican is 3-4 days. Can't argue with the 4th day, but it can be done in 3.

Not sure what your plans are for Amalfi Coast. Sorrento, Positano, Capri, Ravello, Amalfi, Salerno... one, all?
Positano is #1 in my book. Capri was a cool day trip.
After a week of walking and sight-seeing, having this stop in the middle will be a welcomed respite.
3-4 days is about right, but once you leave, you'll always want to go back.

Not sure how you're travelling... I assume trains.
If by car, here are a few cool stops in Tuscany:
Siena, Montalcino, Montepulciano, & Orvieto.
Buy some wine & ship it home! Also lots of local farmers/families that'll serve lunch.

I haven't been to greece. So, you'll have to get feedback from others on that.
Enjoy your trip! Sounds super fun!

The trip sounds intriguing.

I think this is at least one of theantiquetiger's photo posts that Gumbeaux Guy was talking about
https://www.tigerdroppings.com/rant/travel/photos-from-my-italy-trip-more-images-add-to-op-6-11/77112755/

With that busy trip I would want to spend as much time relaxing on the water in the Amalfi Coast as possible.

Take the train from Rome to Naples, then take a car and stay in Ravello. Day trip to Positano and Capris. Skip Naples and Pompeii.

The first 6 days are not ideal. You will have a 5 hour travel day (check out, travel, check in) every other day for an entire week.

Second half of your trip sounds more my speed.

I cannot recommend Rick Steve's travel books enough for where you will be going. You will get solid advice on everything from places to stay, restaurants, sites, and hints on things that will save you on time and money.

Rick Steves

Rome and Athens were awesome . Keep your wallet in your front pocket . Stepfather got distracted and a kid lifted his .

I haven't been to Italy, but the total lack of love for northern Italy is throwing me off. Como and Lago di Garda look cool to me.

I tend to agree with the crowd to perhaps skip Greece. I spent three weeks on a Greek island and had a blast, which is to say, I don't think you'll get bored with your whole trip being in Italy if you went that route.

If you're not sure when you would visit it again I would make it a point to spend a day there.