aem741, as
MTH mentioned, welcome to the Boards!
To begin with, your revised Itinerary in your last Post looks good however I'd drop one day from Siena and add that to Rome. There's LOTS to see there, and it really deserves more than three days.
As this is your first trip to Europe, I'd highly recommend reading the Guidebook
Europe Through The Back Door 2009 (if you haven't already), as it will provide you with lots of information and tips on how to travel smartly in Europe. the
Rail Skills chapter will be especially important, but be sure to read the information on "scams" and avoiding theft problems. You should be able to obtain this at your local book stores or Library.
A few thoughts on your proposed Itinerary:
> As you're beginning your trip in Napoli, you'll need to get from the Airport to the main train station, where you'll board the
Circumvesuviana train for the trip to Sorrento. The Bus from the Airport to Piazza Garibaldi is probably the best bet. The train is not exactly "elegant" in appearance as it's a commuter train, but it will get you to Sorrento
(watch your belongings carefully when you're on the train though!). You might also want to have a look at
www.curreriviaggi.it as they offer Coach service from Naples Airport to Sorrento (price listed on their website is €80 for 1/3 passengers). I've never used this service, but thought I'd mention it.
> Sorrento would be a good "home base" for that area, as it has convenient rail connections to Pompeii or Capri and also back to Naples. If you wanted to stay in Positano, you'd need to travel by Bus. As MTH mentioned, that's PEAK travel time in Italy so you may find accommodations at a "premium". It would definitely be a good idea to start booking something NOW. Have a look at
www.hostels.com/it.so.html for some ideas or perhaps
www.desireehotelsorrento.com/Home.htm.
> On the trip back to Rome, you'll take the Circumvesuviana back to Naples, and then board the "regular" train for the short trip to Rome. I'd suggest buying your tickets (and reservations if required) for your outgoing journey when you arrive in Sorrento. Note that your rail trip will be from Napoli Centrale to Roma Termini (it's important to use the correct local spelling). Incidentally, when you arrive at Termini, there's a grocery store and other facilities on the next level down should you want to buy something, visit an ATM or whatever. There are also lots of restaurants on the main level (should you need a "fix" at McDonald's, but you'll probably notice some differences between the Italian version and the U.S. version of McD's).
> If you're travelling on the Metro on Rome or especially the #64 Bus, be VERY careful with valuables!
> You might enjoy taking the
Red Bus tours in either Rome or Florence as it's a good way to get an idea of the layout and all the main sites. These allow passengers to "hop on / hop off" as the ticket is good for the day. It's also a great way to rest aching feet! You'll find them outside the train stations in both cities.
> Have you planned lodgings in Rome yet? Most of the Hostels will probably be filling fast, but you might try
www.hostelsalessandro.com/ or
www.the-beehive.com/english.html. You could also try
www.fawltytowers.org/ but I haven't stayed there so don't have any information on the facilities. All of those are within easy walking distance from Termini (
Alessandro Palace is about a 7-minute walk, as I recall, even with a 50 lb. Backpack).
> Rome will be HOT and CROWDED at that time of the year. If you're planning to visit the Colosseum, there's a method I've used to minimize queue's. If you need information, post another note. At the Colosseum, I'd recommend taking the "official" tour which you can book when you get through security and inside (look for the booth with all the blinking lights from the AudioGuide chargers). DON'T use the scammers out front advertising "english tours". Also, the "Gladiators" charge a LOT for photos - I wouldn't bother.
> My suggestion would be to visit Siena
before Florence (it's on the way). You can travel from Rome to Siena either via train or Coach (Bus). Train would be the most reliable and quickest option, however keep in mind the station is at the bottom of the hill so you'll need to take a Taxi up to the town. If you wanted to check out the Bus option, I believe the Bus leaves from the Roma Tiburtina station - check
www.sena.it for details (the website is in Italian, but if you need details, post another note). If you haven't arranged lodgings yet, you might try
www.albergobernini.com/ or
www.hotelalmadomus.it/inglese/paginaprincipale.php.
> On the trip from Siena to Florence, Bus would be the best option. The Bus leaves from the main part of Siena, and arrives in Florence very close to Firenze S.M.N. rail station. Check
www.sitabus.it (again, the website is in Italian). Your Hotel can advise on the best place to purchase Bus tickets and point you in the direction of the Bus terminal. You could of course take the Train if you prefer, but that will involve another Taxi ride.
> If you need lodgings in Florence (Firenze), you might try
www.eng.hotelaldobrandini.it/template.php?pag=57902. They're a convenient walk from the station, and the owner is very helpful. If you're planning to visit the Uffizi and/or Accademia, you might ask your Hotel if they can assist with booking the reservations at the time you book your room.
> For the trip from Florence to Venice, train is again the best idea. Note that the trip will be from Firenze S.M.N to Venezia Santa Lucia. When you walk out the front doors of the rail station and down a few stairs, you'll be right at the Grand Canal, where you'll board a Vaporetto for the ride to whichever part of the city your Hotel is located. For a reasonable budget Hotel in Venice, you might have a look at
www.albergodoni.it/.
> For the trip from Venice to the Airport, there is a boat available but I'd have to do some checking on the details. DON'T take the Water Taxi, as it's really expensive!
A few other important points to note:
1.) When you buy a rail or Bus ticket, this
must be validated in the yellow machines before use. The machine will stamp a date & time on the ticket.
2.) Some trains have compulsory reservations (usually the fast trains such as the
EuroStar Italia). DON'T be caught without a valid reservation, or you'll be nicked with a fine ON THE SPOT!
3.) Some knowledge of Italian would be helpful. Do either of you speak any Italian? You'll need to at least know a few "essential" words - Binario = rail number; Posti = seat number; Carozza = car number; Uscita = exit; Ingresso = entrance.
4.) You'll need to be comforable using the 24-hour time system, as that's what the trains and buses use.
5.) Wear a Money Belt!
6.) Make sure that the funds you'll be accessing via ATM are in a
chequing account with a four-number PIN. It's a good idea to take
at least one "backup" ATM card as well as at least one credit card. Note that ATM's in Italy will be called a Bancomat.
7.) Especially at that time of the year, it's a good idea to buy tickets (and reservations if requried) for your outgoing journeys when you arrive in a new city.
Good luck with your planning.
Happy travels!
