My boyfriend and I are heading to Italy for 2 weeks in August! We’re looking for somewhere relatively quiet down south where we can relax on a beach and eat and drink for a few days. We’re starting the trip with Milan, Florence, Rome, and Naples, but want to experience some coastal towns or islands or anything unique for 5 or 6 days.

McKenna
To clarify a bit, we’ll only be in Milan for a day or so. We are coming down from Switzerland so Milan is our first stop, but will likely only be there for a day or night until moving on to Florence. We are pre booking everything now and want to spend about 3 each days in Florence, Rome, and Naples. Then about 6 days on the coast somewhere to relax. We’ll be backpacking June-August so the timeline is pretty flexible. Also how is transportation on the coast? Price wise and accessibility? Thank you all so much!

McKenna we took the high speed train between Rome & Naples. It’s fast and reasonable prices.
The local town trains between Naples and Sorrento (for example) are more basic & you have to watch your bags. But we had no problems
Not sure if it’s worth you doing a europass / travel pass http://www.railpass.com/
We booked all of ours separately
https://www.italiarail.com/pages/routes/naples-to-rome
RAILPASS.COM
RailPass.com | Eurail and Europe Rail Pass Experts

Helen we will be all over Europe before we’re in Italy so are definitely getting a rail pass! I’m familiar with the train, but not so much with transport between the smaller towns, like where I can’t use my rail pass. I was told that the train schedules become more unreliable and was recommended to use busses instead, but you had a good experience? Also trying to keep transportation cost as low as possible

Yes we heard the same too that the trains were pretty sketchy between the smaller towns but we just bought our tickets on the day at Naples station & had no problems getting to Sorrento. Not used buses there so may be better option.

Helen okay awesome thank you!

You said you guys are doing some backpacking in Europe at the same time. My wife and I talked about doing that, I'd love to. Did you have to get any visas or anything?
If you gave time I'd love to know what it takes to do it!!!!

Andre we’re going for 3 months, so we’ll be covering a lot of ground in that time! We’ll be spending approx 7-10 days each in Spain, France, London, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Italy, and Greece. Most of Europe is quite easy to backpack through, and as long as the country you’re visiting is a member of the EU, no travel visa is required (with a Canadian passport). Some countries will charge you certain fees at the border, so make sure to expect this. We’re using a Euro Rail Pass which has lots of flexible options and will give you a pretty good deal if you buy a pair of passes (I think we got 50% off the second pass). Also this gives you discounts on some hostels/hotels and quite a few entrance fees for museums and stuff. Flying is also a good option when train rides are too long, and you can typically find super cheap flights anywhere around Europe. However we only pack a 40L carry on sized backpack, because after 45L you typically have to check luggage which gets very expensive. Also we don’t really want to risk losing any luggage along the way, and only having a carry on speeds up the airport process. When we’re backpacking we typically don’t plan our living arrangements in advance, but because Europe is so crazy busy during the summer, we’re booking everything now (to leave in June). While we usually book hostels, for this trip we’ll be booking mostly AirBnBs. Most of them have flexible and easy check in/out, kitchens to cook our own meals (which saves quite a bit if you’re on a backpackers budget), and some have cool extras like bicycles included. Also because we are going for a longer amount of time, we’ll really appreciate the privacy. I’ve already backpacked through most of these countries, but if I’m new to a place I usually try do some research - where best to go, depending on what your preferences are (cities or more country side). I’ll look up to see if there are any particular scams I should be aware of, how transportation is, and what to kind of expect weather and daily cost/budget wise. Don’t worry about researching it too much though, plan what you need to and allow yourself to enjoy your trip without feeling like it has a very tight itinerary. This gets very tiring very quick. Be flexible with yourself as backpacking can get exhausting. If you plan a busy day for yourself but wake up feeling too tired to take it on, considering changing your schedule around and maybe just relax with a beach day. Do your best to experience these countries, but don’t drain yourself out trying to do it. Also we try plan a day just for ourselves every once in awhile because it can get difficult spending 90 days of travel together with your significant other. It’s nice to take a break sometimes and get lost by yourself in a city, or just enjoy a glass of wine and dinner alone. Planning your trip can be tiring, especially in Europe because there’s so much to see. Don’t try to over do it with too many places and not enough time, and make sure to take account for travel time between places. Sometimes you need to except that things won’t always go as planned - whether it’s missing a flight or train, or places being closed/under construction. Despite these challenges, backpacking is the most rewarding thing ever and even the difficult days end up memorable. I hope this helps and you and your wife have an amazing time together!!

McKenna thank you SO much for taking the time to write that, its encouraging, as I felt a little overwhelmed when I looked into it a few months ago
I'd LOVE to do this, now I'll have to look back into it.
Are you doing a blog or anything?

I went to Italy and that area last August, one of the most beautiful places we stayed was a 400 year old town called Guingano just south of the Amalfi Coast. It's up in the hills but with beautiful views of the ocean and vineyards. It's a short drive to Paestum for the coolest ruins and up the hill from Guingano is another small town with the best hospitality. We stayed at a B&B called Domus Laeta, an old manor like a small castle with a pool and really cool library and history. I found it on airbnb and it was hands down the best part of our entire trip. Best part is there were little to no tourists for it being mid August.
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Cut short Naples—it’s like the New York City of Italy so not the best place to spend lots of time-and spend more time on the Almafi coast

Cinque terre! We did a cruise between the 5, last stop was on a beautiful beach for half a day. Loved it.

Sorrento, Positano or anywhere on the Amalfi Coast. Naples is kind of rough so personally I wouldn’t spend too much time there. The coastal towns are stunning!

August is pretty much the busiest time for tourists in Italy. The Amalfi coast is beautiful and you might be able to find something in one of the smaller towns along the coast. Wineries, limoncello, pizza, bufala mozzarella, ruins, beaches and beautiful turquoise blue water!

So when is the best time to travel to Italy, missing the tourists but still have great weather?

Tracy Early April or late September

However, tourism in general almost anywhere has gotten ridiculous in recent years with more and more people travelling. Where those times use to be considerably slower you’ll still run into quite a few tourists. It’s gotten so bad the mayor of Florence started hosing down steps of churches to stop tourists from loitering to much.
That being said, you’ll keep your sanity at those time vs the peak between May and August.

Anisha thank you! Late Sep / early October works well for an anniversary trip!

Have been in spring and fall. Agree with Anisha completely. Accessibility to travel and the world has become much more commonplace for many. The number of times I have been to Europe and specifically Italy, I am no longer shocked by the amount of people. All year is tourist season and busy, so add summer temps and you are dealing with hoards. Depending on your goals and your patience and your comfort for lineups and standing behind people stopping to see everything around them, choose your time wisely. More recently, I have been to Italy 3 times in less than 3 years, travelling with my teens and my adult niece and compared to travelling off season in my youth, the numbers of travellers is WAY UP. So many considerations as a result. I know people who have travelled with older family members, young children, no skip the line tix, few reservations, who ended up being so disappointed because during summer months, half the battle was the number of people to navigate .

Darlene yes, this is why my husband and I did 5 weeks in Italy last time in the spring. We’re going to do the rest of Europe in chunks like that. A set amount of time dedicate to one place or country so you have flexibility.

Anisha after years of life experience and travel, thats my preferred way to travel as well. So much more opportunity to experience where you are and although I'd be hard pressed to turn down an opportunity to travel, I would try and avoid summer travel in Europe as much as possible.

Tracy September October still warm enough to swim in the south but less tourists, May might be warm enough to swim but less crowded

Tracy that’s when Tyler and I were there, T!

Felicity, right Fliss!

The Amalfi coast is amazing. We stayed in Sorrento and loved it. We did a day trip on a semi private boat to Capri. Well worth it. We also did a semi private tour along the Amalfi coast which was great too but Capri was fantastic. Lots of options to stay on air BNB.

Sorrento, Capri and the Amalfi coast are worth seeing! We stayed in Sorrento and took boats to towns on Amalfi coast and Capri island

Holly I second this!

Holly me too. BEAUTIFUL

Holly I agree, Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast are wonderful

Sorry, are you only going for 2 weeks and will cover those 4 cities or planning on adding an extra 5 or 6 days for the coast on top of that? If it’s the former, I hate to break to you, but that’s not a lot of time. My advice to people is usually to give Florence and Rome at least 4 days each. Naples you can get away with 2.
However, if it’s the latter, I highly recommend giving yourself 3 days on the island of Capri. Don’t day trip, actually stay on the island. It’s glorious

The Cinque Terre is one of the most breathtaking places I’ve ever been. We were really happy in Salerno, a small enough coastal city that was a great jumping-off point for Pompeii & Paestum; might be worth a look, though I don’t remember how far south it was on the map. Salerno was south of Naples if memory serves (we travelled 9 years ago).

Via Reggio is the Italian Riviera. Amazing place with nothing but beach, boardwalk, fresh seafood, easy train travel and balmy weather. We LOVED it. But research August. Much of Italy shuts down in August.

If you're going to naples, gotta go to Sorrento. I went to italy for 3 weeks in August 2017 (hot hot hot!)
Best pizza is in small town of Campobasso tho!

Spend a couple days hiking the coastal trails of the Cinque Terre... Vernazza is a wonderful town to stay

Doug Melnychuk it’s Beautiful there. Absolutely Loved it
. But the trails were closed so we took a boat tour to each of the five towns. But still Beautiful
. We were just there.
She’s asking for Southern Italy - I suggest Amalfi Coast. Absolutely Breathtaking as well as northern Cinque Terre.

For something truly unique go to Alberobello and Locorotondo. We stayed in a lovely trullo B&B out in the country.

Trudy agreed. Puglia is my favorite region. Polignano a Mare and Monopoli as well as Alberobello. All
Close to each other. Must stay in a truli.

Taormina or positano and Sorrento are all awesome. So is ischia and Capri

I agree with the above comments about the Cinque Terre! Beautiful!

Sam Gimignano is the most beautiful, quaint little town in Tuscany.

I agree that if you go in August you NEED to precook everything. It is the busiest time and many Italians are on holiday so staff is low and places are packed.

August will be quiet period. Very hot so stay on the coasts

Given all the places you want to visit in 2 weeks and the fact that it will be in August I would be very organized. If you want to relax, you want to prebook everything. If you don’t, it’s mindboggling how much time you will spend in lines and your train travel will be packed. Book everything ahead or you could be disappointed. 2 weeks for all the cities and 5 or 6 days of relaxing on one of the busiest coast lines in Europe in August will require planning. Unless there is something specific or family to visit I would consider dropping Milan. Or if you are flying into Milan I would get on the road to the rest of your destinations sooner than later. Have fun!!

I would recommend the Amalie coast , beautiful . If you have time visit Pompeii very interesting .

Cinque Terre is the place to be... 5 coastal towns connected by rail or boat with amazing food, hiking trails and beautiful views!

We went in August and although busy and very hot, we loved it. Stayed in Montepertuso above Positano. Lovely little village and the small town was quiet and filled with local culture. Did a day trip to the Blue Grotto (amazing) and the Isle of Capri. Well worth it. You can take the stairs from Montepertuso to Positano, there are beautiful views, but there are 1500 steps and it can be a difficult walk.

You can't go wrong with Cinque terre. The most beautiful place I have ever seen

Taormina is my favourite city in all of Italy

The Island of Capri is a must do

we loved Sardinia! cote smeralda!

Cinque terre. Awesome

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Amalfi coast

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