Italy Pre and Post cruise - Is this too much?

[Virtopia]

Ok, so I'm looking for thoughts please on the best way to go about this. Italy has been number one on my travel bucket list since I started a bucket list and I'm finally getting to go next fall ... Yay!!

 

So, this is what I currently have planned.

 

I'm doing 3 days pre cruise in Rome (arrive in the afternoon on the first day, day tour in Florence the next day, and Rome tour the last day), then I have 1 pre cruise day in Venice and embark my cruise the following day. Post cruise, I'm taking the train to Milan for 2 days before going home.

 

While doing some more research this evening, I realized that Naples is not a far train ride from Rome, which now has me wanting to take that last day in Rome, and go to Naples instead.

 

Is this too much? Am I overextending myself? I'm considering flying in one more day early to accommodate this but still wondering if I'm burning myself out. My cruise starts with a sea day so that would allow me to recuperate a bit.

 

I welcome all thoughts and opinions! I'm so excited about this trip :)

Edited December 30, 2015 by Virtopia

[EGG]

Florence is on the way to Venice. I would do the tour of Rome first day, have hotel hold luggage, and then take train at dinner time to Florence. Next day have hotel hold luggage and take train to Venice Maestre. There is a good best western across from the train station.

 

A lot of planning required.

 

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Forums mobile app

[cruisemom42]

It is an awful lot of moving about for such a short time.

 

Is your cruise not visiting any of these places?

[Virtopia]

It is an awful lot of moving about for such a short time.

 

 

 

Is your cruise not visiting any of these places?

 

 

No, my cruise has 4 stops in Greece, and then a stop in Croatia and Montenegro.

 

I may just leave things as is or decide between Florence and Naples for my day trip.

[Twickenham]

Ok, so I'm looking for thoughts please on the best way to go about this. Italy has been number one on my travel bucket list since I started a bucket list and I'm finally getting to go next fall ... Yay!!

 

So, this is what I currently have planned.

 

I'm doing 3 days pre cruise in Rome (arrive in the afternoon on the first day, day tour in Florence the next day, and Rome tour the last day), then I have 1 pre cruise day in Venice and embark my cruise the following day. Post cruise, I'm taking the train to Milan for 2 days before going home.

 

While doing some more research this evening, I realized that Naples is not a far train ride from Rome, which now has me wanting to take that last day in Rome, and go to Naples instead.

 

Is this too much? Am I overextending myself? I'm considering flying in one more day early to accommodate this but still wondering if I'm burning myself out. My cruise starts with a sea day so that would allow me to recuperate a bit.

 

I welcome all thoughts and opinions! I'm so excited about this trip :)

 

Well, my first reaction looking at your itinerary is that there is a certain lack of efficiency. My approach, if I were cruising out of Venice, would be to start the trip there with a couple of days pre-cruise, then after the cruise do Florence, Rome and Naples if you can fit it in (staying the night in Florence rather than making it a day trip from Rome - it's on the Venice-Rome train route so easier to do it this way). You should be able to get an open-jaw flight itinerary arriving in Milan and departing from Rome, so no lost travelling time.

[euro cruiser]

You've left yourself no time at all for Rome with this plan. As much as I love Naples I would let her wait for another trip.

 

I do agree with the previous poster that it makes more sense to see Florence, if you insist on it, on your way to Venice. However, I'd let Florence wait for another trip as well to give you more time in Rome. I don't think you are factoring in how much time is eaten up checking in and out of hotels and traveling between cities.

 

With Florence I would suggest:

 

• Arrival day afternoon and evening Rome
  
• Day 2 Rome
  
• Day 3 Travel to Florence AM, Florence PM, travel to Venice late PM
  
• Day 4 Venice
  
• Day 5 Venice AM, embark cruise PM
  

As noted by a previous poster, you can check your bags at the train station in Florence for the day while you tour. To get in a full day you'd need to be up and out early (a 7 AM train from Rome gets you to Florence just after 8:30 AM). There's a train from Florence to Venice at 5:30 PM that gets you to Venice at 7:35 PM, in time for dinner.

 

 

Without Florence I would suggest:

 

• Arrival day afternoon and evening Rome
  
• Day 2 Rome
  
• Day 3 Rome
  
• Day 4 Travel to Venice AM, Venice PM
  
• Day 5 Venice AM, embark cruise PM
  

I think this second plan better reflects the wealth of things to see and do in Rome while still giving you a fair amount of time to get an overview of Venice. Since it sounds like your cruise ends in Venice if you're enthralled you could always spend more time there after the cruise.

[maryann ns]

You definitely are short changing Rome and rushing about far too much. Part of the charm if Italy is in taking time to savour daily life (from a street cafe or by walking around.)

[diathoney]

Italy is fabulous where ever you spend your time. I would be cautious about counting on the first day as a full sightseeing afternoon/night. Some people crash hard after the international flight. There is a lot to see and do in Rome. We're visiting Rome a second time in May because there is so much to see.

 

I would leave Naples for another visit. I like eurocruiser's suggestion, Rome, Florence and Venice pre-cruise. You easily lose a day each time you switch locations - check-out/travel/check-in

 

With Florence I would suggest:

Arrival day afternoon and evening Rome

Day 2 Rome

Day 3 Day trip to Florence AM (1.5 hrs by train each way), overnight in Rome (I don't like to arrive in a new town late at night)

Day 4 train to Venice (~4 hours by train, leave at 7am and be there by lunch), evening in Venice

Day 5 Venice AM touring, embark cruise PM

Edited December 30, 2015 by diathoney

[John Bull]

Nobody has mentioned your planned time in Milan.

With good reason, IMHO.

It would come way down on my list, below Venice, Florence, Rome & the Naples area, as well as a dozen more places in Italy.

I suggest you consign Milan, & use that time in your other places.

 

Others may disagree, but with your comparatively limited time a day in Venice is enough. If your ship overnites there, depending on ship & flight times you may not even need an hotel overnite.

 

Florence (& Pisa) is between Venice & Rome, so makes sense for a day or more en-route. Or could be done by a (long) day-trip from a Rome base - if you chose that option you could make a last-minute decision between a day in Florence or an extra day in Rome depending on progress, mood, weather & other factors.

 

Rome is worth a bare minimum of a very full day, so perhaps arrival day plus a full day plus departure day - again depending on arrival / departure timings.

Plus an extra day if you consider a day-trip to Florence from there.

 

I'd give two or three or more days to the Naples area, though I don't rate the city itself.

Consider basing yourselves in Sorrento (though most hotels there only accept Saturday-to-Saturday bookings) because it has excellent direct rail & ferry links to Naples, Herculaneum, Pompeii, Capri, and it's handy to the Amalfi coast. If you rent a car (the drive from Rome is easy, and you can visit Monte Casino en-route) you could alternatively consider an Amalfi coast base in Ravello (my favourite) or Amalfi or (but only with guaranteed parking) Positano.

 

I immediately though the same as Cruisemom - that Rome, Florence (from Livorno or La Spezia), Venice and Naples all figure on a lot of cruise itineraries. Although this cruise may not include Florence or Naples they're likely to be on some future Mediterranean cruise that you might take.

But Rome & the Naples area are worth far more than a one day port-of-call visit.

 

All just MHO as always ;)

 

JB :)

[agabbymama]

It's unfortunate that your cruise doesn't include any of the ports in Italy. Ours did Livorno & Naples. We did 3 days pre-cruise in Rome (and felt we really packed a lot into those 3 days) then another 3 days post-cruise in Venice. Unfortunately we had heavy downpour in Venice and with the acqua alta (flooding) really hampered our sightseeing there.

 

Sounds like you are doing open jaw flights to Rome/from Milan. I agree with other posters, that you are trying to pack to many towns into your visit. To do all you are talking about is going to take a lot more than 3 days pre/post cruise. You may fly by the sight, but you certainly won't have time to walk around and actually enjoy anything.

 

I think I would try to plan at least 2 days Rome, 2 days Florence and on to Venice to board your cruise. Save seeing Venice until the end of your cruise, allow 2 days then on to Milan for 1 or 2 nights before your flight home. It would be 7 days instead of the 6 days you have planned right now, but just arranged a little differently.

 

Have a Plan "A", then a Plan "B" for when "A" falls apart. Then still be prepared to just go with the flow when both "A" and "B" fall apart. It happened frequently on our Med cruise. Taxis weren't where they were supposed to be, no directions/information for independent travelers from the cruise line, trains not running, buses full, etc.

 

Then take half the clothes you think you need and twice the money. Have a wonderful trip!

[Virtopia]

You've left yourself no time at all for Rome with this plan. As much as I love Naples I would let her wait for another trip.

 

I do agree with the previous poster that it makes more sense to see Florence, if you insist on it, on your way to Venice. However, I'd let Florence wait for another trip as well to give you more time in Rome. I don't think you are factoring in how much time is eaten up checking in and out of hotels and traveling between cities.

 

With Florence I would suggest:

 

• Arrival day afternoon and evening Rome
  
• Day 2 Rome
  
• Day 3 Travel to Florence AM, Florence PM, travel to Venice late PM
  
• Day 4 Venice
  
• Day 5 Venice AM, embark cruise PM
  

As noted by a previous poster, you can check your bags at the train station in Florence for the day while you tour. To get in a full day you'd need to be up and out early (a 7 AM train from Rome gets you to Florence just after 8:30 AM). There's a train from Florence to Venice at 5:30 PM that gets you to Venice at 7:35 PM, in time for dinner.

 

 

Without Florence I would suggest:

 

• Arrival day afternoon and evening Rome
  
• Day 2 Rome
  
• Day 3 Rome
  
• Day 4 Travel to Venice AM, Venice PM
  
• Day 5 Venice AM, embark cruise PM
  

I think this second plan better reflects the wealth of things to see and do in Rome while still giving you a fair amount of time to get an overview of Venice. Since it sounds like your cruise ends in Venice if you're enthralled you could always spend more time there after the cruise.

 

 

Thanks everyone for your assistance!

 

I properly studied the map of Italy (something I probably should've done much earlier!) and immediately cut out Naples as I'm completely going backwards.

 

I have taken the first suggestion euro cruiser offered as I didn't realize I could securely leave my luggage at the Florence train station en route to Venice. This will give me a day and a half in both Venice and Rome.

 

Post cruise, I've decided to leave as is as well as flight prices are good coming back home to Toronto and I'd like to visit Milan. I guess I'll have to plan another trip soon as I want to see Naples and the Amalfi Coast.

 

I'm still considering adding one more day pre cruise and if I do, would you spend it in Rome or Venice?

 

Thanks again everyone! This is my first European cruise and planning has been fun, but I know I don't know half of what I need to know yet which is why this forum is amazing!! Appreciate all the assistance.

[lovemylab]

I'm still considering adding one more day pre cruise and if I do, would you spend it in Rome or Venice?

 

Rome!

 

We spent 3 nights in Rome pre-cruise this past October and barely scratched the surface. In comparison, we had 2 days in Venice during a stop on a cruise a few years ago and felt it was enough time. While we love both cities, there is just so much more to do in Rome.

Edited December 30, 2015 by lovemylab

[cruisemom42]

Rome!

 

We spent 3 nights in Rome pre-cruise this past October and barely scratched the surface. In comparison, we had 2 days in Venice during a stop on a cruise a few years ago and felt it was enough time. While we love both cities, there is just so much more to do in Rome.

 

I completely agree. Rome is FULL of wonderful things to do. Spend the day there.

[texancruzer]

We have spent numerous days in Rome both pre and post cruise on 5 different Med cruises. (We always cruise out of Rome if possible) and can never-ever get enough of it !!!!!

 

We ended one cruise in Venice and overnighted AND spent one extra night before flying home. It was plenty. Venice didn't do much for us. Nice to have been but getting around felt like a hassle…..

 

Florence is wonderful - felt like your favorite warm sweater (weird I know but thats how it felt to me) Very friendly accommodating city. We did not get to spend near enough time there on a one day cruise stop visit….. but will go back !

 

Naples itself only held our attention for the Archeological museum…… instead we prefer to head outta town to Pompeii and the Amalfi coast. Probably one of the most beautiful places I have ever been (along with Egypts Nile River etc)

 

As to your question - I personally feel you are moving around too much. Part of the allure of Italy is to take some time and slow it down. Stroll the streets not march from point A to point B to see the sights. Sit down and have a glass of Proseco or a gelato and people watch. It took us 2 trips to "get this" and now we always make time to enjoy the "dolce vita" :D I know it is easy to want to "see it all" but you are doing yourself a disservice not to slow down and enjoy.

[b_cruise]

Europe cruises are usually so port intensive that u do get tired so pre and post I would not over extend or spend too much time travelling in between cities. But not to say it couldn't be done. My first trip I debarked in Venice, one day train to Florence one day/night then train to Rome 3 nights . I loved it and did not feel over extended at all. Most people told me it was too rushed but it ended up perfect for the time I had. Listen to your 'gut' lol. Enjoy[emoji485][emoji485]awesome bucket list Item!!!

[Virtopia]

Europe cruises are usually so port intensive that u do get tired so pre and post I would not over extend or spend too much time travelling in between cities. But not to say it couldn't be done. My first trip I debarked in Venice, one day train to Florence one day/night then train to Rome 3 nights . I loved it and did not feel over extended at all. Most people told me it was too rushed but it ended up perfect for the time I had. Listen to your 'gut' lol. Enjoy[emoji485][emoji485]awesome bucket list Item!!!

 

Thank you! This is exactly what I wanted to hear :D

 

I've been planning this trip for about 3 months already and have factored in quite a bit of chill and observe time. I'm a people watcher by nature so it has definitely been included within my days. With all this planning, it would be a bit foolish of me to rush around in the country I've wanted to visit my entire life.

Edited December 31, 2015 by Virtopia