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re: Just booked 22 days to Italy/Greece - any and all advice/tips appreciated
Posted on 6/28/21 at 7:39 pm to Volt
Posted on 6/28/21 at 7:39 pm to Volt
Kudos to booking a trip, but that schedule makes me want to barf. I've had the good fortune to visit lots of Italy over the past 15 years and have been to every location on your list multiple times. I think you're trying to cover too much ground, and you're not accurately accounting for travel time between locations, travel from train station to lodgings, checking into/out of lodgings, etc.
With your proposed schedule, you will be like a hamster on a wheel, rushing frantically from one place to another during PEAK tourist season, when things are at their hottest and most crowded.
I wouldn't rent a car (and I've driven from Rome to Palermo and back). You're traveling solo, so the train is the way to go. It will be far more enjoyable to relax, gaze out the window, eat a snack, drink a spritz on the train than trying to figure out Italian road signs, traffic regulations, parking restrictions (very very strict esp in the historic centers of cities), and worrying about where to park the dang car.
Google maps offers fairly accurate time estimates for train travel between cities in Italy. For example, it's about 3 hrs from Milan to Venice via train. Is that coming out of your 2 days in Milan, or the 2 in Venice?
Remember that check out at religious lodgings is often earlier than traditional hotels & many do not have capacity to store your luggage after you've checked out...so you'll likely be stuck with your big backpack all day after you've checked out. And some religious guesthouses have lock-in hours: doors may close at X o'clock, and you're either in or out until the next morning.
4 days is too too long on the Amalfi Coast, especially if you're heading to Greece next. It's charming, but it's ridiculously touristy and going to be absolutely clogged with people in late August.
August in Rome will present some challenges as well: many, many restaurants and shops close completely for a two-week (or longer) period.
You're flying into Milan, so do at least one night there just to get over jet lag. Take the train to Venice--I think it's worth 2 nights simply because it's such a unique landscape and imagination doesn't do it justice. Get up the next day and take the earliest train possible the 2.5 hrs to Florence....consider whether you want to spend the night in a smaller town in Tuscany along the train route between Florence and Rome. Orvieto might be a good choice.
At least 4 days in Rome, if you are at all interested in history or art history. And spend a day or two in Naples (dirty, chaotic, but I love it), then a day or two in Sorrento or Amalfi or Positano.
How are you getting from southern Italy to Greece? Are you flying from Naples, or do you have to trek all the way back to Rome?
Frankly, I'd skip Amalfi since you're going right to Greece.
With your proposed schedule, you will be like a hamster on a wheel, rushing frantically from one place to another during PEAK tourist season, when things are at their hottest and most crowded.
I wouldn't rent a car (and I've driven from Rome to Palermo and back). You're traveling solo, so the train is the way to go. It will be far more enjoyable to relax, gaze out the window, eat a snack, drink a spritz on the train than trying to figure out Italian road signs, traffic regulations, parking restrictions (very very strict esp in the historic centers of cities), and worrying about where to park the dang car.
Google maps offers fairly accurate time estimates for train travel between cities in Italy. For example, it's about 3 hrs from Milan to Venice via train. Is that coming out of your 2 days in Milan, or the 2 in Venice?
Remember that check out at religious lodgings is often earlier than traditional hotels & many do not have capacity to store your luggage after you've checked out...so you'll likely be stuck with your big backpack all day after you've checked out. And some religious guesthouses have lock-in hours: doors may close at X o'clock, and you're either in or out until the next morning.
4 days is too too long on the Amalfi Coast, especially if you're heading to Greece next. It's charming, but it's ridiculously touristy and going to be absolutely clogged with people in late August.
August in Rome will present some challenges as well: many, many restaurants and shops close completely for a two-week (or longer) period.
You're flying into Milan, so do at least one night there just to get over jet lag. Take the train to Venice--I think it's worth 2 nights simply because it's such a unique landscape and imagination doesn't do it justice. Get up the next day and take the earliest train possible the 2.5 hrs to Florence....consider whether you want to spend the night in a smaller town in Tuscany along the train route between Florence and Rome. Orvieto might be a good choice.
At least 4 days in Rome, if you are at all interested in history or art history. And spend a day or two in Naples (dirty, chaotic, but I love it), then a day or two in Sorrento or Amalfi or Positano.
How are you getting from southern Italy to Greece? Are you flying from Naples, or do you have to trek all the way back to Rome?
Frankly, I'd skip Amalfi since you're going right to Greece.
2
Posted on 6/28/21 at 7:43 pm to hungryone
Replying to myself to add: consider Verona as a base for a few days in northern Italy. You can day trip to Lake Garda, to Venice, and even up to Trento, all from Verona. And Verona itself is charming and easy to visit.
Posted on 6/28/21 at 7:46 pm to hungryone
And replying again to explain my Amalfi antipathy in August: there is really nothing to "do" besides shop, eat, look at lovely people during the passegiata, etc. So once you get over the lovely novelty of the towns clinging to the steep hillsides and all of the lemon terraces, it's not exactly the most stimulating place. Scenic, yes...but it's that whole "seaside" complex of lazing around that certainly doesn't need 4 days of time on the epic trip you're planning.
Posted on 6/28/21 at 8:43 pm to hungryone
What would you say is the ideal month for an Italy vacation?
Posted on 6/28/21 at 9:15 pm to DukeSilver
October, for the grape harvest (and olives, too, depending on the region) in central Italy.
Nov/dec, for Siclity, when the citrus is ripening and the weather is lovely
I’m not. a skiier so winter in the northern provinces is not my thing. But some ppl love Torino then….
Nov/dec, for Siclity, when the citrus is ripening and the weather is lovely
I’m not. a skiier so winter in the northern provinces is not my thing. But some ppl love Torino then….
Posted on 6/29/21 at 7:03 am to hungryone
Thinking about your 4 days in Amalfi area: maybe 2 in Naples so you can take the easy, cheap CircumVesuviana train from Naples to Herculaneum, and you can also take a bus or hire a car to visit the summit of Vesuvius, if that’s your sort of thing. Naples also has the national archaeology museum, where many of Pompeii and Herculaneum,’s treasures are housed, including the famous forbidden gallery of all of the erotic art/objects from the excavations. Plus, pizza and the take out windows in Spacca’Napoli.
Biggest Italy travel tip: coffee bars must have public restrooms. You aren’t required to buy anything, but it’s nice to have a quick espresso for less than 2 euros and use the restroom. Coffee bars also sell simple food, like pressed sandwiches (tramezzini) and pastries at breakfast. Prices are always cheaper if you stand at the bar, so for a quick lunch, they’re a good option. Supermarkets are well: a few slices of prosciutto or salami from the deli, a bag of tangerines, a packet of taralli or some bread….
Biggest Italy travel tip: coffee bars must have public restrooms. You aren’t required to buy anything, but it’s nice to have a quick espresso for less than 2 euros and use the restroom. Coffee bars also sell simple food, like pressed sandwiches (tramezzini) and pastries at breakfast. Prices are always cheaper if you stand at the bar, so for a quick lunch, they’re a good option. Supermarkets are well: a few slices of prosciutto or salami from the deli, a bag of tangerines, a packet of taralli or some bread….
Posted on 6/29/21 at 7:21 am to Mahootney
Cool place.
That area of Tuscany is called the Val d’Orcia and is well known for many scenic villages, beautiful drives, wine, etc. It would be a great place to spend a week or so. Lots of good info and recs on the fodors.com Europe forum.
Then for the 2nd week, you could do the neighboring Umbria region or maybe the Amalfi Coast!
That area of Tuscany is called the Val d’Orcia and is well known for many scenic villages, beautiful drives, wine, etc. It would be a great place to spend a week or so. Lots of good info and recs on the fodors.com Europe forum.
Then for the 2nd week, you could do the neighboring Umbria region or maybe the Amalfi Coast!
Posted on 6/29/21 at 7:33 am to Volt
Trim a day off of Rome. Add a day to Amalfi, if needed, and budget Ravello for at least one full (maybe 2) days while in Amalfi with no agenda but to stroll gardens and soak in the village. It is simply amazing.
Posted on 6/29/21 at 7:42 am to Volt
Let me agree with the train suggestion. You really don't want to deal with all the driving and parking hassles on your first trip to Europe.
In any case, driving only makes sense for trip focused on the countryside, and it sounds like you'll be spending most of your time in big cities (which is what I would suggest, as that's where the most stuff is to see).
In any case, driving only makes sense for trip focused on the countryside, and it sounds like you'll be spending most of your time in big cities (which is what I would suggest, as that's where the most stuff is to see).
Posted on 6/29/21 at 8:35 am to Volt
I wouldn't spend 10 days on the Amalfi Coast and Santorini if I was traveling solo. That's a good honeymoon itenerary but seems a little weird for a solo traveler.
But I'm also the type of traveler who like to move fast and check off boxes, especially in Europe. I can chill out and relax at home. But I also know that a lot of travelers want a vacation to feel like a vacation.
Posted on 6/29/21 at 10:01 am to AUFANATL
I must have read past the going alone. Ya, Santorini wouldn't be the Greek Island I'd be going to in that scenario.
Posted on 6/29/21 at 10:16 am to Volt
For the Greece portion of your trip, just as an FYI, Santorini and Mykonos are the two most expensive Greek isles. They also have the potential to be extremely crowded in August. I'd replace Mykonos with Naxos unless you want the vibrant nightlife that Mykonos offers. I see that you've removed Athens, but I thought it was a must-do in Greece, but only for a day to see the Parthenon. Also, we preferred traveling between the isles using the Seajet ferry over the small planes.
Posted on 6/29/21 at 11:36 am to lsualum98
Having never been to Italy or anywhere else in Europe, I don’t know what experiences I would enjoy the most. I know I’m going to enjoy exploring the history. As far as exploring the cities vs small towns/countryside vs the coastlines, I’m not sure which I would enjoy the most, therefore I want to experience it all.
So far I’ve booked five nights in Rome and five nights in Sorrento. Sorrento is said to be the best positioned town in the coast for transportation. I plan on a day to Capri, day to Vesuvius/Pompeii, day to ferry to Positano and/or Amalfi, and two days in/around Sorrento. I’ll have a half day in Naples on my flight day to Santorini.
Now considering doing fewer days on Santorini, adding days to Mykonos, and/or adding another Greek island.
The options are endless and it’s making things difficult to figure out, but exciting at the same time. Being that I’m going solo, I have no qualms about moving around a lot and changing plans on the fly.
So far I’ve booked five nights in Rome and five nights in Sorrento. Sorrento is said to be the best positioned town in the coast for transportation. I plan on a day to Capri, day to Vesuvius/Pompeii, day to ferry to Positano and/or Amalfi, and two days in/around Sorrento. I’ll have a half day in Naples on my flight day to Santorini.
Now considering doing fewer days on Santorini, adding days to Mykonos, and/or adding another Greek island.
The options are endless and it’s making things difficult to figure out, but exciting at the same time. Being that I’m going solo, I have no qualms about moving around a lot and changing plans on the fly.
Posted on 6/29/21 at 11:54 am to Volt
It's ultimately your trip.
Each of us are trying to help, but it is obviously biased by our preferences and experiences.
Regardless of what you choose, it is going to be awesome!
Each of us are trying to help, but it is obviously biased by our preferences and experiences.
Regardless of what you choose, it is going to be awesome!
Posted on 6/29/21 at 12:18 pm to Volt
I hesitate to post this ('cause she gets on my frickin' nerves), BUT...
"Kara and Nate", one of the most popular YouTubers for travel (2.35M subscribers), just posted this video of their first air travel in over 14 months. For those of you longing to travel the emotions will kind of hit home with the feelings of getting to travel internationally. They went to Rome. What I found useful was a review of all the steps they had to go through to fly.
LINK
"Kara and Nate", one of the most popular YouTubers for travel (2.35M subscribers), just posted this video of their first air travel in over 14 months. For those of you longing to travel the emotions will kind of hit home with the feelings of getting to travel internationally. They went to Rome. What I found useful was a review of all the steps they had to go through to fly.
LINK
Posted on 6/29/21 at 1:12 pm to Volt
quote:
Possible Itinerary (very rough list)
2 days - Milan
2 days - Venice
I enjoyed both of these cities but 1 day each would be have been enough. We took the train from Milan to Venice and there are cheap flights from Venice to Athens. There is a lot to see in Athens and it is considerably cheaper the Venice.
Posted on 6/29/21 at 1:53 pm to hungryone
Re Santorini, while it may be easier to get their direct from Italy (and not have to go thru Athens), I’d scratch it off the list for this trip.
Just do Italy. There are better Greek islands than Santorini but they are a pain to get to.
Just do Italy. There are better Greek islands than Santorini but they are a pain to get to.
Posted on 6/29/21 at 3:28 pm to Volt
I went one summer with my wife and if I had to do it over, we would have skipped Venice. We stayed 7 days. We primarily traveled out of Rome on their train system and Venice was just too far away, 6hr total train ride, for the trip to be worth it. The city wasn’t that great in my opinion. The only cool things to see were the Mardi Gras type mask that were hand made. Definitely don’t miss Florence. It was one of my favorite places to visit. I could live there if I had to live anywhere in Italy. We toured just about every place in Rome. We also visited Pompeii, Naples, and we did a wine tour in Tuscany. We definitely needed more time to relax as this trip was a, lets see all the important artifact places we could see. I am a big history buff and seeing Pompeii was a really fascinating experience. Our next trip will be to relax near the coast. I hear Positano is a can’t miss place for that.
Posted on 6/29/21 at 5:51 pm to Volt
You can take a day off of Milan, Rome and Amalfi and add it elsewhere.
Posted on 6/29/21 at 7:37 pm to Fun Bunch
Santorini and Mykonos are the most crowded of the Greek Isles, but cruises might not be fully back by then. Big cruise ships are what make those islands oppressively crowded. If you eliminate or just reduce those, then the islands will be perfect.
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