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Two weeks in Italy. Tell me pros/cons of what I am thinking already...
Posted on 12/21/16 at 3:12 pm
Posted on 12/21/16 at 3:12 pm
For some this will be way TL; DR. If you do take the time and have suggestions, I greatly appreciate it.
3/31: MSY to FCO Rome
4/1: Arrive FCO at 17:50. Check in, eat dinner,eat ambien.
4/2-4/4: Tour Rome. Stole this from Rick Steve:
Rome in a DaySome people actually "do" Rome in a day. Crazy as that sounds, if all you have is a day, it's one of the most exciting days Europe has to offer. Start at 8:30 at the Colosseum. Then explore the Forum, hike over Capitoline Hill, and cap your "Caesar Shuffle" with a visit to the Pantheon. After a quick lunch, taxi to the Vatican Museums (the lines usually die down mid-afternoon, or you can reserve a visit online in advance). See the Vatican Museums, then St. Peter's Basilica (open until 19:00 April–Sept). Taxi back to Campo de' Fiori for dinner. Finish your day lacing together all the famous floodlit spots. Note: This busy plan is possible only if you ace the line-avoidance tricks outlined in my guidebooks.
Rome in Two to Three Days
On the first day, do the "Caesar Shuffle" from the Colosseum to the Forum, then over Capitoline Hill to the Pantheon. After a siesta, join the locals strolling from Piazza del Popolo to the Spanish Steps. On the second day, see Vatican City (St. Peter's, climb the dome, tour the Vatican Museums). Have dinner near the atmospheric Campo de' Fiori, then walk to the Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps. With a third day, add the Borghese Gallery (reservations required) and the Capitoline Museums.
4/5: Early train to Florence. 1/2 day free day or cram some stuff in.
4/6: Full day of touring/experiencing Florence.
4/7: Day trip to Siena (???)
4/8: Another day of touring/experiencing Florence.
Stole this from Steves too:
Florence in Three (or More) Days
Day 1
8:30 Accademia (David) — with a reservation.
10:00 Museum of San Marco (Fra Angelico).
12:00 Explore San Lorenzo Market area, shop, and have lunch in or near Mercato Centrale.
14:00 Medici Chapels (Michelangelo) and Basilica of San Lorenzo.
16:00 Baptistery, Duomo interior, or climb the dome or Campanile.
17:00 Follow my Renaissance Walk through heart of old town.
19:00 Explore and shop the Piazza della Signoria/Ponte Vecchio area.
20:00 Dinner in the old center.
Day 2
9:00 Bargello (top statues).
11:00 Duomo Museum or Galileo Science Museum (if you prefer science to art).
13:00 Lunch, then wander and shop.
15:30 Uffizi Gallery (unforgettable paintings) — with a reservation.
18:00 Cross Ponte Vecchio, take the Oltrarno Walk, and have dinner in Oltrarno.
Day 3
9:00 Whatever you didn't get to yesterday morning (Duomo Museum or Galileo).
13:00 Lunch and time to shop, relax, or get to any sights you haven't seen yet (you could circle back to the daytime Oltrarno sights — Brancacci Chapel and Pitti Palace — or tour the Church of Santa Maria Novella, near the train station).
16:00 San Miniato Church (Gregorian chants generally at 17:30), Piazzale Michelangelo (city views), walk back into town.
Day 4
Side-trip to Siena (sights open daily; 1. 5 hours away by bus), or consider an overnight stay to enjoy the town at twilight.
4/9: Fly to Naples. Car service to Positano.
4/10-4/13: I literally have nothing planned for Positano yet. I kind of just want to relax, eat, get wined up, and see the city. Maybe a hike or something at The Trail of the Gods. Maybe a day boat excursion.
4/14: EARLY car from Positano to Naples. Train from Naples to FCO. Flight from FCO to MSY. God help us!
What say you, friends?
3/31: MSY to FCO Rome
4/1: Arrive FCO at 17:50. Check in, eat dinner,eat ambien.
4/2-4/4: Tour Rome. Stole this from Rick Steve:
Rome in a DaySome people actually "do" Rome in a day. Crazy as that sounds, if all you have is a day, it's one of the most exciting days Europe has to offer. Start at 8:30 at the Colosseum. Then explore the Forum, hike over Capitoline Hill, and cap your "Caesar Shuffle" with a visit to the Pantheon. After a quick lunch, taxi to the Vatican Museums (the lines usually die down mid-afternoon, or you can reserve a visit online in advance). See the Vatican Museums, then St. Peter's Basilica (open until 19:00 April–Sept). Taxi back to Campo de' Fiori for dinner. Finish your day lacing together all the famous floodlit spots. Note: This busy plan is possible only if you ace the line-avoidance tricks outlined in my guidebooks.
Rome in Two to Three Days
On the first day, do the "Caesar Shuffle" from the Colosseum to the Forum, then over Capitoline Hill to the Pantheon. After a siesta, join the locals strolling from Piazza del Popolo to the Spanish Steps. On the second day, see Vatican City (St. Peter's, climb the dome, tour the Vatican Museums). Have dinner near the atmospheric Campo de' Fiori, then walk to the Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps. With a third day, add the Borghese Gallery (reservations required) and the Capitoline Museums.
4/5: Early train to Florence. 1/2 day free day or cram some stuff in.
4/6: Full day of touring/experiencing Florence.
4/7: Day trip to Siena (???)
4/8: Another day of touring/experiencing Florence.
Stole this from Steves too:
Florence in Three (or More) Days
Day 1
8:30 Accademia (David) — with a reservation.
10:00 Museum of San Marco (Fra Angelico).
12:00 Explore San Lorenzo Market area, shop, and have lunch in or near Mercato Centrale.
14:00 Medici Chapels (Michelangelo) and Basilica of San Lorenzo.
16:00 Baptistery, Duomo interior, or climb the dome or Campanile.
17:00 Follow my Renaissance Walk through heart of old town.
19:00 Explore and shop the Piazza della Signoria/Ponte Vecchio area.
20:00 Dinner in the old center.
Day 2
9:00 Bargello (top statues).
11:00 Duomo Museum or Galileo Science Museum (if you prefer science to art).
13:00 Lunch, then wander and shop.
15:30 Uffizi Gallery (unforgettable paintings) — with a reservation.
18:00 Cross Ponte Vecchio, take the Oltrarno Walk, and have dinner in Oltrarno.
Day 3
9:00 Whatever you didn't get to yesterday morning (Duomo Museum or Galileo).
13:00 Lunch and time to shop, relax, or get to any sights you haven't seen yet (you could circle back to the daytime Oltrarno sights — Brancacci Chapel and Pitti Palace — or tour the Church of Santa Maria Novella, near the train station).
16:00 San Miniato Church (Gregorian chants generally at 17:30), Piazzale Michelangelo (city views), walk back into town.
Day 4
Side-trip to Siena (sights open daily; 1. 5 hours away by bus), or consider an overnight stay to enjoy the town at twilight.
4/9: Fly to Naples. Car service to Positano.
4/10-4/13: I literally have nothing planned for Positano yet. I kind of just want to relax, eat, get wined up, and see the city. Maybe a hike or something at The Trail of the Gods. Maybe a day boat excursion.
4/14: EARLY car from Positano to Naples. Train from Naples to FCO. Flight from FCO to MSY. God help us!
What say you, friends?
12
Posted on 12/21/16 at 3:14 pm to TheWiz
Just to preface this, we bought tickets on a whim when everyone was having those sales. Got RT tickets MSY---> FCO ---> MSY for $444/person. We figured we could map out the destinations afterwards.
Posted on 12/21/16 at 3:43 pm to TheWiz
I highly recommend a tour for Rome one DAY 1 where you can easily hit all the big spots and get into a few Vatican Museums (there are 29 I think), the Basilica, and the Chapel without the lines. Expedia usually has good options. They aren't the cheapest route, but they're the most convenient by far and allow you to add in the most IMO. And you can go small or big (adding in the colosseum, the steps, and a few others.)
Once you've done the tour, you're more familiar with the city and can do any other places you've missed on your other two days.
There's a double decker bus tour in Florence that, while cheesy, actually takes you to the places you'd want to go. We loved the little town above the city called Fiesole. Great place to just walk around with some fantastic views.
Have you considered the train to Naples? It's likely faster than flying and just as easy. The car ride to Positano is smart. Those buses scare the shite out of me around those small roads on the mountain side. As for Positano, where are you staying? We were on the west slope which has a smaller, quieter beach. The steps up and down were... challenging! The food there is better than any place we've been. I highly, HIGHLY recomment La Tagliata. Live music, the view, the meal, the wine... THE BEST!
FWIW, you are following pretty close to my honeymoon. We did 3 days in London (where I proposed), flew to Florence - 3 days there, train to naples with car to Positano - 4 days, then train to rome - 3 days. We were exhausted by the time Rome came around. And nothing could surpass Positano...
Once you've done the tour, you're more familiar with the city and can do any other places you've missed on your other two days.
There's a double decker bus tour in Florence that, while cheesy, actually takes you to the places you'd want to go. We loved the little town above the city called Fiesole. Great place to just walk around with some fantastic views.
Have you considered the train to Naples? It's likely faster than flying and just as easy. The car ride to Positano is smart. Those buses scare the shite out of me around those small roads on the mountain side. As for Positano, where are you staying? We were on the west slope which has a smaller, quieter beach. The steps up and down were... challenging! The food there is better than any place we've been. I highly, HIGHLY recomment La Tagliata. Live music, the view, the meal, the wine... THE BEST!
FWIW, you are following pretty close to my honeymoon. We did 3 days in London (where I proposed), flew to Florence - 3 days there, train to naples with car to Positano - 4 days, then train to rome - 3 days. We were exhausted by the time Rome came around. And nothing could surpass Positano...
This post was edited on 12/21/16 at 3:45 pm
Posted on 12/21/16 at 5:23 pm to TheWiz
quote:
4/9: Fly to Naples. Car service to Positano.
4/10-4/13: I literally have nothing planned for Positano yet. I kind of just want to relax, eat, get wined up, and see the city. Maybe a hike or something at The Trail of the Gods. Maybe a day boat excursion.
Maybe take some sleeping pills before you get in the car for the ride to Positano, that drive is absolutely terrifying between Sorrento and Positano.
No need to plan anything, except for maybe a boat excursion. It's an awesome place to just relax and walk around and explore. Tons of restaurants for its size. It's a really small city, but I doubt you'll get bored. I think 3 days is the right amount of time. If I went back I would probably take a grotto tour for one day.
Posted on 12/21/16 at 7:51 pm to TheWiz
From Positano see Sorento and book a private tour of Pompei....
Posted on 12/21/16 at 11:59 pm to TheWiz
I would highly suggest trying to see Santa Croce.
Look into the Firenze card. It seems expensive at first but skipping the lines is priceless.
Look into the Firenze card. It seems expensive at first but skipping the lines is priceless.
Posted on 12/22/16 at 6:24 am to TheWiz
Maybe consider swapping Positano for Cinque Terre? Just a suggestion based on logistics. Florence to Naples will be a hike. Or, pull a day from Positano and do something wine related while you're in Tuscany.
Highly recommend following the Rick Steves book. His walks are pretty easy to follow especially if you're staying in a central location. We stayed near the Jewish Ghetto and everything was walking distance (Xenia Guesthouse if you're curious, it was a wonderful hotel). Also, the Jewish Ghetto is one of the better food scenes...there is a little street right off Via Arenula with a burger joint and then 4 or 5 restaurants (Giggetto is one that is supposed to be excellent). I also highly recommend another restaurant off of Via Arenula going toward the Campo di Fiori, it's called La Regola and is in a very small and quiet church square. Food is excellent as is the service - very friendly and excellent English.
I also agree on the Firenze card. It's around €70/person but I think if you plan to visit 4 museums/churches it pays for itself or comes close and you can skip the lines which is a huge added bonus.
Highly recommend following the Rick Steves book. His walks are pretty easy to follow especially if you're staying in a central location. We stayed near the Jewish Ghetto and everything was walking distance (Xenia Guesthouse if you're curious, it was a wonderful hotel). Also, the Jewish Ghetto is one of the better food scenes...there is a little street right off Via Arenula with a burger joint and then 4 or 5 restaurants (Giggetto is one that is supposed to be excellent). I also highly recommend another restaurant off of Via Arenula going toward the Campo di Fiori, it's called La Regola and is in a very small and quiet church square. Food is excellent as is the service - very friendly and excellent English.
I also agree on the Firenze card. It's around €70/person but I think if you plan to visit 4 museums/churches it pays for itself or comes close and you can skip the lines which is a huge added bonus.
This post was edited on 12/22/16 at 6:32 am
Posted on 12/22/16 at 8:44 am to TheWiz
Just curious why you'd want to eat an ambien at 5 or 6 pm the day you arrive? Why not go out and explore Rome by night and fall asleep at midnight or 1 am?
Think you'd do better jumping off from Florence to go explore Venice, Cinque Terra, or other parts of Northern Italy than heading south.
Think you'd do better jumping off from Florence to go explore Venice, Cinque Terra, or other parts of Northern Italy than heading south.
Posted on 12/22/16 at 9:13 am to TheWiz
Sounds like a great plan. We took a similar trip in April 2014. We flew to Naples, had a transferelax.com driver take us to the Villa Gabrisa Hotel in Positano where we stayed for a week, then we took the train to Rome for Eastter where we had tickets to the mass at the Vatican. When you go to dinner at Campo di Fiore, try Hostiria Costanza. The food is great and it is in an old historic building. The building was part of the old Theatre of Pompey which is where the Roman Senate was meeting when Julius Caesar was assassinated there.
Posted on 12/22/16 at 3:17 pm to TheWiz
when i was in rome we used a tour guide who took us all around in a golf cart. it was incredible. we literally drive right up to the gates at all of the attractions (colosseum, forum, churches, etc.) it was insanely awesome. our driver for the trip was our tour guide for the day and he claimed that the golf cart was in some sort of gray area and some cops would ticket him, but most wouldn't.
i can get you the guy's contact information if you want it.
i can get you the guy's contact information if you want it.
Posted on 12/23/16 at 11:54 pm to TheWiz
While Positano is nice, it ain't very big and there's not much to do. Which is great if that's what you are looking for.
I suggest catching a boat from Positano to Capri.
I suggest catching a boat from Positano to Capri.
Posted on 12/29/16 at 2:00 pm to TheWiz
I appreciate all of the advice. I'm taking tomorrow off, and the wife & I will start to plan excursions, tours, air bnb, hotels, and most importantly food.
Posted on 12/30/16 at 9:30 pm to TheWiz
Wow! Lot of planning . Gonna be pooped. IMO if you go to italy and omit Venice that is a mistake. Amalfi is beautiful area Capri is a daytrip not to miss. Naples itself not worth it. Would rather spend more time in sorrento or up north portifino or cinque terra. Better yet 2 days in venice and leave from marco polo airport. In florence remember thAt museum closed on monday. Buy tickets in advance. If u dont u will stand in long lines.
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