- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Winter Olympics
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
Recommendations for Italy
Posted on 2/18/26 at 9:15 am
Posted on 2/18/26 at 9:15 am
I know there are a lot of Italy veterans on this board, so I am seeking some advice for a trip that I currently have planned. We already have it partially laid out, but still have flexibility in our plan. Any first hand advice or recommendations would be much appreciated, as wife (no pics) and I have never been to Europe. Just the two of us are traveling.
We will be in country for 7 nights. Flights are booked:
- Arriving in Rome Saturday 5/30 at 7:35 AM.
- Departing from Naples Saturday 6/6 at 10:15 AM
Rough outline as of now:
- Saturday 5/30 & Sunday 5/31: Florence. Looking at taking a train from Rome to Florence that morning after we land. It shows that this is only a ~1.5 hour trip and might allow us to see some of the countryside. Flying direct to Florence did not seem as easy as just going into Rome, the overall travel time probably wont be much different.
- Monday 6/1 & Tuesday 6/2: Back to Rome. Obviously lots of things to see here for a first timer.
- Wednesday 6/3 - Friday 6/5: Taking a train from Rome to the Almafi Coast. Dont have a specific place picked out yet but this probably what she is most looking forward to.
- Saturday 6/6: Depart from Naples
My questions / advice needed:
- We are not sure if trying to hit three different spots in this amount of time will be too chaotic. I have heard from most people that Florence was their favorite place they visited in country, but at the same time I feel like we cant skip out on Rome completely. She could be convinced to switch the 3 night portion of the trip to either Florence or Rome.
- Any hotel recommendations would be greatly appreciated. I am not being too strict with my budget, but I am not trying to stay at the most expensive place in town either. We've started looking at some places in Florence and it looks like we can get some nice accommodations for $300-$400 per night.
- Recommendations on things to do in Florence or Rome that might be overlooked from the main tourist attractions.
- Any general things that you wish you knew in advance or would've done on past trips.
We will be in country for 7 nights. Flights are booked:
- Arriving in Rome Saturday 5/30 at 7:35 AM.
- Departing from Naples Saturday 6/6 at 10:15 AM
Rough outline as of now:
- Saturday 5/30 & Sunday 5/31: Florence. Looking at taking a train from Rome to Florence that morning after we land. It shows that this is only a ~1.5 hour trip and might allow us to see some of the countryside. Flying direct to Florence did not seem as easy as just going into Rome, the overall travel time probably wont be much different.
- Monday 6/1 & Tuesday 6/2: Back to Rome. Obviously lots of things to see here for a first timer.
- Wednesday 6/3 - Friday 6/5: Taking a train from Rome to the Almafi Coast. Dont have a specific place picked out yet but this probably what she is most looking forward to.
- Saturday 6/6: Depart from Naples
My questions / advice needed:
- We are not sure if trying to hit three different spots in this amount of time will be too chaotic. I have heard from most people that Florence was their favorite place they visited in country, but at the same time I feel like we cant skip out on Rome completely. She could be convinced to switch the 3 night portion of the trip to either Florence or Rome.
- Any hotel recommendations would be greatly appreciated. I am not being too strict with my budget, but I am not trying to stay at the most expensive place in town either. We've started looking at some places in Florence and it looks like we can get some nice accommodations for $300-$400 per night.
- Recommendations on things to do in Florence or Rome that might be overlooked from the main tourist attractions.
- Any general things that you wish you knew in advance or would've done on past trips.
4
Posted on 2/18/26 at 10:01 am to Rob Perillo
It's been a few years, so I dont have much to add other than Florence is great. We were with another couple so we were in an Air B&B for a few days there.
But Trattoria Dall'Oste is amazing (the one on San Lorenzo). The pasta and steak Florentine were great. And right across the street is Nino and Friends, a huge chocolate shop that has all kinds of samples and everything is worth buying.
But Trattoria Dall'Oste is amazing (the one on San Lorenzo). The pasta and steak Florentine were great. And right across the street is Nino and Friends, a huge chocolate shop that has all kinds of samples and everything is worth buying.
This post was edited on 2/18/26 at 10:11 am
Posted on 2/18/26 at 10:38 am to Rob Perillo
I love Florence and staying in the Tuscan countryside, but if you only have a week and are flying home from Naples, I would spend three days in Rome then take the train to Naples and get transferelax.com to drive you to Positano Spend the rest of your nights in Positano. You can take day trips by ferry to places like Capri, Ravello and the Town of Amalfi.
Favorite hotel in Rome is the Nazionale.
Favorite hotel in Positano is Villa Gabrisa. Or Le Sirenuse if price is no object. Villa Gabrisa has three rooms on the second floor with large private terraces overlooking the Mediterranean. The reason it is not super expensive is because it is a little hike up the hill from the beach.
Favorite hotel in Rome is the Nazionale.
Favorite hotel in Positano is Villa Gabrisa. Or Le Sirenuse if price is no object. Villa Gabrisa has three rooms on the second floor with large private terraces overlooking the Mediterranean. The reason it is not super expensive is because it is a little hike up the hill from the beach.
This post was edited on 2/18/26 at 11:27 pm
Posted on 2/18/26 at 10:51 am to geauxpurple
The more I think about it, I agree it is probably a better call to do as you say and simplify it by cutting out Florence. Just hate to go all that way and potentially regret not seeing that part of the country.
I’d extend the trip but we have two young kids and this is already stretching it for leaving them with the grandparents
I’d extend the trip but we have two young kids and this is already stretching it for leaving them with the grandparents
Posted on 2/18/26 at 11:03 am to Rob Perillo
Do you have to fly out of Naples?
You could easily visit Florence if you could fly home from there. Otherwise you will be wasting a day traveling from Florence to Naples.
You could easily visit Florence if you could fly home from there. Otherwise you will be wasting a day traveling from Florence to Naples.
Posted on 2/18/26 at 11:29 am to geauxpurple
We are going down to the coast south of Naples regardless, the reason I was thinking to hit Florence first is that the train ride from there to Rome is short and we are arriving early in the morning. Travelling directly from the Almafi area to Florence is going to be most of a day by itself if you don’t break it up.
To answer your question, no we don’t have to fly home from Naples necessarily. I could switch the flights up.
To answer your question, no we don’t have to fly home from Naples necessarily. I could switch the flights up.
This post was edited on 2/18/26 at 11:30 am
Posted on 2/18/26 at 11:42 am to Rob Perillo
I'd honestly spend all the time in Florence, do day trip to Cinque Terre and other towns like Sienna etc. Maybe a couple days in Rome. If you want to do Naples you have to do Pompeii which is a full day in itself.
Posted on 2/18/26 at 2:36 pm to Rob Perillo
With just one week I would do Rome with either Tuscany or the Amalfi Coast, but not both. You would need 10 or 12 days to do justice to all three.
Posted on 2/18/26 at 3:02 pm to Rob Perillo
What are you interested in doing OP? What I mean is: food, seeing the most, relaxation, history, museums, etc.?
Tough questions and I'm guilty as anyone of putting too many stops and day trips into a "vacation".
Personally, I wouldn't take a train the first day and I like Florence better anyway.
If you have to do all 3, which honestly you can't do all of Rome in 7 days so if its your first time and you want to see all 3 places then frick it and do it.
But I'd fly into Rome and do Rome. Train to Florence. Then Train florence to Amalfi.
A 4-5 hour train ride in the middle of a vacation to take a nap isn't the worst thing.
You could also as said do Cinque Terre which is north of Florence and not south of Rome, then fly out of Florence or Rome.
ETA: I'll tell you the Vatican is a full day if not more. So keep that in mind. Its incredible and I'm Catholic but not a good Catholic, I just mean the art, history, and scale of it.
Tough questions and I'm guilty as anyone of putting too many stops and day trips into a "vacation".
Personally, I wouldn't take a train the first day and I like Florence better anyway.
If you have to do all 3, which honestly you can't do all of Rome in 7 days so if its your first time and you want to see all 3 places then frick it and do it.
But I'd fly into Rome and do Rome. Train to Florence. Then Train florence to Amalfi.
A 4-5 hour train ride in the middle of a vacation to take a nap isn't the worst thing.
You could also as said do Cinque Terre which is north of Florence and not south of Rome, then fly out of Florence or Rome.
ETA: I'll tell you the Vatican is a full day if not more. So keep that in mind. Its incredible and I'm Catholic but not a good Catholic, I just mean the art, history, and scale of it.
This post was edited on 2/18/26 at 3:04 pm
Posted on 2/18/26 at 3:02 pm to Shotgun Willie
quote:
I'd honestly spend all the time in Florence, do day trip to Cinque Terre and other towns like Sienna etc
Posted on 2/18/26 at 3:06 pm to Rob Perillo
quote:
We are going down to the coast south of Naples regardless, the reason I was thinking to hit Florence first is that the train ride from there to Rome is short and we are arriving early in the morning. Travelling directly from the Almafi area to Florence is going to be most of a day by itself if you don’t break it up.
Just understand you will be jet lagged as hell. As far as I know, and I don't so tifwiw, you have to train from FCO airport into Rome main train termini, then take a train from there to florence train station, then go from florence train station to your hotel. Then start your vacation.
That's just a long day. And honestly if I was going to suggest to have a jet lagged day, I'd suggest it in Rome over Florence for the amount of time you have. -
Posted on 2/18/26 at 3:26 pm to geauxpurple
quote:Agreed. And the choice between those two depends on what you want to do.
With just one week I would do Rome with either Tuscany or the Amalfi Coast, but not both.
Posted on 2/18/26 at 5:10 pm to dirtsandwich
Appreciate all the responses. At this point I’m leaning just doing Rome / Almafi. As far as what we want to do, it’s kind of tough to say because I’m more interested in getting around and seeing as much as I can and wife is probably more looking forward to relaxing as we will be getting a break from the kids.
Seems like TD’s experience is consistent with Florence / Tuscany being highly recommended. With Almafi being pretty much non-negotiable, I’m really down to picking between Florence and Rome. As a first time visitor, I feel like Rome has to be hit just due to the sheer amount of history, art, architecture, etc. and save the rest for a future trip.
If y’all have any specific must-do’s in Rome outside of the obvious historic sites, I’d be glad to know.
Seems like TD’s experience is consistent with Florence / Tuscany being highly recommended. With Almafi being pretty much non-negotiable, I’m really down to picking between Florence and Rome. As a first time visitor, I feel like Rome has to be hit just due to the sheer amount of history, art, architecture, etc. and save the rest for a future trip.
If y’all have any specific must-do’s in Rome outside of the obvious historic sites, I’d be glad to know.
Posted on 2/18/26 at 9:23 pm to Rob Perillo
Any thoughts on whether its better to go North to South or South to North?
Posted on 2/18/26 at 10:40 pm to Rob Perillo
From Rome to Amalfi, take the high speed train. Don’t drive on the Amalfi coast, narrow roads, blind hairpin turns and absolutely terrible parking situation. Get a room with a nice view on the Amalfi coast, doesn’t have to have a beach. Do a day trip to Capri. Gelato!
Page 1 of 1
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News