14
- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Coaching Changes
- 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
3 months in Italy - looking for input on this itinerary
Posted on 11/3/26 at 1:59 pm
Posted on 11/3/26 at 1:59 pm
We're headed to Italy mid March through early June. We have a somewhat thought out itinerary but I am looking for a little help on some of the "where to stay" places. We'll mostly be doing BnB's but hotels are an option in some cases. Here's what we're thinking so far:
- Fly into Rome and spend a few nights. Been here before so this will mostly be to hit up some favs as it's the easiest airport to fly into.
- Fly to Palermo and spend 10 days exploring all around that area. My great grandparents were from Campofiorito (near Corleone) so we'll go to see some of the remaining family.
- Bus or train over to Syracuse/Ortigia for about 10 days.
- Train to Taormina or Catania and stay 3 days.
- Fly to Malta and spend a week. Thinking Valetta or the nearby towns with easy ferry over.
If you have any recommendations for Sicily/Malta I'm all ears. Locations to stay are welcome. Anything you'd change?
Now for the mainland:
- Fly to Naples and train to Amalfi. At first we're thinking maybe spend 2 weeks or so in Positano, but we're looking for mostly BnB and because it's 3 months trying not to go so super expensive. We're toying with the idea of a week in Sorrento and then another week more Amalfi side like Atrani/Minori/Salerno. Thoughts?
- Train to Tuscany and spend 2-3 weeks. Been to Florence before and will obviously go spend a few days or so there with some favorites, but thinking of staying in two different places. Thinking out of Lucca, Siena, Viareggio? Haven't been to Pisa before so we'll definitely go there.
- Train to Cinque Terre for 10-14 nights. Thinking Levanto, but open to other locations as well.
- Final 4-5 nights in Milan.
Thoughts on the amount of time in each, locations we're thinking of, etc? Please recommend anything that you loved most when you were in any of these parts. TIA
- Fly into Rome and spend a few nights. Been here before so this will mostly be to hit up some favs as it's the easiest airport to fly into.
- Fly to Palermo and spend 10 days exploring all around that area. My great grandparents were from Campofiorito (near Corleone) so we'll go to see some of the remaining family.
- Bus or train over to Syracuse/Ortigia for about 10 days.
- Train to Taormina or Catania and stay 3 days.
- Fly to Malta and spend a week. Thinking Valetta or the nearby towns with easy ferry over.
If you have any recommendations for Sicily/Malta I'm all ears. Locations to stay are welcome. Anything you'd change?
Now for the mainland:
- Fly to Naples and train to Amalfi. At first we're thinking maybe spend 2 weeks or so in Positano, but we're looking for mostly BnB and because it's 3 months trying not to go so super expensive. We're toying with the idea of a week in Sorrento and then another week more Amalfi side like Atrani/Minori/Salerno. Thoughts?
- Train to Tuscany and spend 2-3 weeks. Been to Florence before and will obviously go spend a few days or so there with some favorites, but thinking of staying in two different places. Thinking out of Lucca, Siena, Viareggio? Haven't been to Pisa before so we'll definitely go there.
- Train to Cinque Terre for 10-14 nights. Thinking Levanto, but open to other locations as well.
- Final 4-5 nights in Milan.
Thoughts on the amount of time in each, locations we're thinking of, etc? Please recommend anything that you loved most when you were in any of these parts. TIA
Posted on 11/3/26 at 2:18 pm to Sho Nuff
We had a rental car for our last trip. We really enjoyed driving the heart and southern coast area of Sicily. Beautiful rolling hills and resorts along the cast.
Interesting sight was the pill boxes from WW2.
Valley of the Temples was great.
Really enjoyed Cefalu and Palermo.
Taormina was worth the stop for sure. See if there is a performance in the outdoor ampitheatre.
Interesting sight was the pill boxes from WW2.
Valley of the Temples was great.
Really enjoyed Cefalu and Palermo.
Taormina was worth the stop for sure. See if there is a performance in the outdoor ampitheatre.
Posted on 11/3/26 at 2:21 pm to Sho Nuff
Lucca, San Gimignano, and Volterra are gret small towns.
I would look into some time in Verona with a couple of days at Lake Garda.
I would look into some time in Verona with a couple of days at Lake Garda.
Posted on 11/3/26 at 2:23 pm to Sho Nuff
Levanto is a nice little town. Not that much to do there , but a great jump off spot for Cinque Terre and Portofino.
The train station is a five minute walk from anywhere in town.
The train station is a five minute walk from anywhere in town.
Posted on 11/3/26 at 2:28 pm to Sho Nuff
Look into renting a car, driving in Italy is easy.
Consider Sardinia, I like it more than Malta.
Consider Sardinia, I like it more than Malta.
Posted on 11/3/26 at 2:31 pm to Sho Nuff
Cefalu Sea Palace was where we stayed. Very nice with a great pool area.
The old town is fantastic.
In Saracuse we stayed at Grand Hotel Villa Politi. It was built in the 1800's and the restaurant was awesome.
The old town is fantastic.
In Saracuse we stayed at Grand Hotel Villa Politi. It was built in the 1800's and the restaurant was awesome.
Posted on 11/3/26 at 3:23 pm to Sho Nuff
Seems like lakes region + Torino + South Tyrol region + Venice are all missing.
Posted on 11/3/26 at 5:31 pm to Sho Nuff
3 months? Lucky!!!
I don't know if you need 10 nights in Cinque Terra, but 3 wasn't enough for us. We didn't get to Levanto, but stayed 1 night in La Spezia on the south end where our train from Florence ended, then took the local Cinque Terra train to Vernazza. Our AirBnb host in La Spezia urged us to go to Porto Venere a bit south of there.
I don't know if you need 10 nights in Cinque Terra, but 3 wasn't enough for us. We didn't get to Levanto, but stayed 1 night in La Spezia on the south end where our train from Florence ended, then took the local Cinque Terra train to Vernazza. Our AirBnb host in La Spezia urged us to go to Porto Venere a bit south of there.
Posted on 11/4/26 at 12:02 am to Pfft
quote:
I would look into some time in Verona with a couple of days at Lake Garda.
Thanks, will do that
Posted on 11/4/26 at 12:03 am to Pfft
quote:
The train station is a five minute walk from anywhere in town.
Yeah it seems to be an easy spot to stay, but I do wonder how much time we need there.
Posted on 11/4/26 at 12:05 am to UPT
quote:
Consider Sardinia, I like it more than Malta.
Maybe that's a place to spend a little time in addition to Malta. Thanks for the suggestion!
Posted on 11/4/26 at 12:06 am to Big Scrub TX
Lake Como is definitely something I'd like to do so it's all still possible. Been to Venice before, but again, will want to go back again. Just not sure it will be this trip or not.
Posted on 11/4/26 at 12:08 am to coldcoldcajun
quote:
Our AirBnb host in La Spezia urged us to go to Porto Venere a bit south of there.
Awesome thanks, will look into this. Yeah, I'm starting to think maybe a week in Levanto or wherever and can use the other week in other places.
Posted on 11/4/26 at 9:11 am to Sho Nuff
How active are you? How busy do you stay? Are you fit enough to easily carry your suitcases constantly all over like you are planning? Or wealthy enough to consistently pay for the help and taxi? Some of these time frames are really long even for someone that's going to take it super slow.
Are you planning on renting a car at all? Personally I would fly less. I'd rent a car and work north to south or south to north to make everything easier.
I would also strongly consider renting an apt for something like 30 days in one location as a home base, and exploring. You can spend nights elsewhere. Traveling that many days IMO is going to get old. Not that I would hate it or not do it, just a preference.
I don't love Italy as much as others, but personally I don't think there are MAJOR differences outside of local food and sights to the point you need extra time in every location. There's a lot of run down and dirty areas in Italy that I wouldn't be interested in staying beyond just seeing the major sights and tasting some local food. I would just prefer to be somewhere I loved for much longer is all.
ETA: To be fair this is a ton of time. Something not easy to grasp. I'm not someone that likes to do 10 sights in a day, I've stayed in Paris for 17 days and had plenty of things we missed. But I also like to stay relatively active and not just sit around a small town all day.
Are you planning on renting a car at all? Personally I would fly less. I'd rent a car and work north to south or south to north to make everything easier.
I would also strongly consider renting an apt for something like 30 days in one location as a home base, and exploring. You can spend nights elsewhere. Traveling that many days IMO is going to get old. Not that I would hate it or not do it, just a preference.
I don't love Italy as much as others, but personally I don't think there are MAJOR differences outside of local food and sights to the point you need extra time in every location. There's a lot of run down and dirty areas in Italy that I wouldn't be interested in staying beyond just seeing the major sights and tasting some local food. I would just prefer to be somewhere I loved for much longer is all.
ETA: To be fair this is a ton of time. Something not easy to grasp. I'm not someone that likes to do 10 sights in a day, I've stayed in Paris for 17 days and had plenty of things we missed. But I also like to stay relatively active and not just sit around a small town all day.
This post was edited on 11/4/26 at 9:14 am
Posted on 11/4/26 at 1:32 pm to Sho Nuff
Only suggestion is less time in Positano and more time in Sorrento. Positano is very small, very vertical, and very crowded. Honestly difficult to get around. Worth seeing for a few days, but, that’s about all I would do.
Sorrento much larger and more of a base for Amalfi, Capri, etc.
Sorrento much larger and more of a base for Amalfi, Capri, etc.
Posted on 11/4/26 at 1:38 pm to Sho Nuff
quote:The other lakes might be worth it too - Garda, Maggiore, Lugano, etc.
Lake Como is definitely something I'd like to do so it's all still possible. Been to Venice before, but again, will want to go back again. Just not sure it will be this trip or not.
Posted on 11/4/26 at 1:39 pm to baldona
quote:That's me too. I love renting cars/vans and having that ultimate flexibility.
Personally I would fly less. I'd rent a car and work north to south or south to north to make everything easier.
quote:I kind of agree with this too.
I don't love Italy as much as others, but personally I don't think there are MAJOR differences outside of local food and sights to the point you need extra time in every location
Posted on 11/4/26 at 3:35 pm to Sho Nuff
I would think Cinque Terre needs 3-5 days.
Sorrento area / Amalfi / Pompeii / Naples 6-7 days
Small towns in and around Tuscany 5-6 days
We rented a car, remember this, parking in most cities is a pain in the arse, and expensive. If you can drop the car while in Naples you are better off.
I think it was 50-60 euro to park each day.
Not saying to not rent, but be aware of the cost and hassle and be prepared.
Sorrento area / Amalfi / Pompeii / Naples 6-7 days
Small towns in and around Tuscany 5-6 days
We rented a car, remember this, parking in most cities is a pain in the arse, and expensive. If you can drop the car while in Naples you are better off.
I think it was 50-60 euro to park each day.
Not saying to not rent, but be aware of the cost and hassle and be prepared.
Posted on 11/4/26 at 3:43 pm to KwoodTiger
Walk of the Gods if you are active.
Posted on 11/4/26 at 4:33 pm to Sho Nuff
What a fantastic trip! Three months in Italy sounds incredible, and I really like your idea of staying in fewer places and taking the time to explore rather than constantly moving around.
A couple of places I'd strongly recommend based on our trips are Orvieto and San Gimignano. Both were highlights for us and are exactly the kind of places that make Italy so special.
Orvieto, in Umbria, is a wonderful hilltop town with beautiful views, narrow streets, great restaurants, and an incredible cathedral. It's a little less hectic than some of the more popular destinations, and we really enjoyed the atmosphere. It's also conveniently located between Rome and Florence. I'd seriously consider spending a couple of nights there rather than just passing through.
San Gimignano was another favorite. The medieval towers, countryside, little shops, restaurants, and overall charm make it a must-see in Tuscany. It's popular during the day, but I'd recommend staying overnight if possible so you can enjoy the town after the day-trippers leave.
A couple of places I'd strongly recommend based on our trips are Orvieto and San Gimignano. Both were highlights for us and are exactly the kind of places that make Italy so special.
Orvieto, in Umbria, is a wonderful hilltop town with beautiful views, narrow streets, great restaurants, and an incredible cathedral. It's a little less hectic than some of the more popular destinations, and we really enjoyed the atmosphere. It's also conveniently located between Rome and Florence. I'd seriously consider spending a couple of nights there rather than just passing through.
San Gimignano was another favorite. The medieval towers, countryside, little shops, restaurants, and overall charm make it a must-see in Tuscany. It's popular during the day, but I'd recommend staying overnight if possible so you can enjoy the town after the day-trippers leave.
Page 1 of 3
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News