By Jen Buchheit
When we make an itinerary, we makeeee an itinerary. Down to the duration of drives, to contact info, to suggestions on what to order at a certain restaurant. On our recent Italy trip, we stayed in three different cities, took a plane, train, bus, car and a boat. We hit all forms of transportation and we would highly suggest you do the same on your trip! We added and subtracted from our itinerary when we got home so enjoy and if you have any questions, as always, email us!
Since we live in Charleston, there were no direct flights so we went to our home state of NY to hop on the plane and head to Europe. If you are a savvy shopper you can snag tickets to Milan or Rome at great prices but the thing is, you need to be ready to book right then and there.
Flight: JFK – ROM | ITA AIRWAYS – 6:05pm departure, 8:40am arrival the next morning (Italy time)
This is a great flight. Ideally you want to sleep as much as possible on this flight because once you land, you hit the ground running and it’s already almost 9am. You also want to MAKE SURE you hound your hotel beforehand about the importance of early check-in… especially if you have a little one! Be prepared as though you will not get early check-in. Have an easily accessible bag with toothbrushes, toothpaste, change of shirts for everyone and whatever else you’ll need to be presentable for the hours before the room is available.
Tip: Print plane tickets at home and have them ready to go with Passports.
Parent Tip: Whenever traveling outside of the country, we bring a copy of the baby’s birth certificate.
Parent Tip: Invest in a travel stroller. We highly recommend our Amazon find! It’s cheap, reliable, small, lightweight and has a handle you can drag along like it’s luggage.
Italy Tip: Only bring carry on sized luggage. The streets and stairs are serious and you will be carrying your own belongings.
Arrival at ROMA: 8:40am
Arrange your pickup in advance! We used our hotel to make car arrangements for us. It is definitely pricer, about 20 Euro more, if you go through your hotel or arrange pick up but I don’t take chances when I am on no sleep in a foreign country. Just get me to the hotel! After day one, it’s a different story but give yourself some Grace and make sure your driver is ready and waiting for you after that long flight.
Example way to list on your itinerary:
Car Service via Hotel – Contact# (+39) 123456789
Always have the contact number readily available. There is nothing worse than scanning through emails when you’re waiting for a driver. Plan ahead to keep the stress levels low as possible!
Get meeting directions when you book the service. List everything out because again, you don’t want to search for information!
Example:
If you land at TERMINAL 3, at the exit door, meeting point nr. 1 just outside the custom area
If you land at TERMINAL 1, at the column “meeting point”
Driver with name sign waiting.
Know the distance to your hotel so you can let the hotel know when you plan on arriving.
Example:
30 minute drive to hotel.
Hotel Name, Address
Booking Conf#: 1234456788
Early Check in Request
Arrival & Departure dates
ROME
You can spend a month in Rome and still not feel satisfied but to make the most of your time there, however long, guess what I am going to say… PLAN! There are so many great travel sites now to help with food recommendations, places of interest, mapping walks, you name it, they got it. We used Wanderlog to make sure we were as efficient as possible with the short time we had in Rome. We were able to choose our must-see sights and map them out based on location. I highly recommend doing this, especially if you’re a visual person. We made our lists and then based on the activities of the day, we planned our lunch and dinner spots along our walking paths. In addition to Wanderlog, I am a TripAdvisor lover. I always make sure to leave feedback because I plan off others feedback. If you love or dislike something, rate it!
Your Rome experience is going to look different from ours so you need to plan on how you want to spend your time. Do you want to see the must see tourist hot spots? Do you want to go on a pizza eating tour? Do you want to visit the suburbs outside of the city? Possibilities are endless so have fun, read reviews and plan! Bur, there are a few places and things we must mention!
Golfcart Private Tour – $187 (2 people)
90 minutes of cruising through the streets of Rome, so in. We knew we didn’t have a ton of time in Rome but as first timers we wanted to see everything! This was a great way to do just that. We spent about ten minutes at each stop, we were able to ask the guide for all the local hot spots and had the full Roman experience. 10/10 recommend.
Pantheon – Free Entry
What’s nice about the Pantheon is you are in and out on your own time. The line is quick moving and inside is spacious so even though yes, it’s touristy, you don’t get that overwhelming feeling. The square where it’s located is so cute, filled with shops, gelato, restaurants, just perfect. The scale of the building is just mind-blowing, a must visit.
Babette Restaurant, Via Margutta 1d, 00187 Roma – $$
Make this reservation in advance because OMG, it was amazing. The food was incredible, INCREDIBLE. The walk to the restaurant was like a movie scene and although each little sidewalk cafe along the way was calling our name, I am so glad we made it all the way there.
Hotel Locarno – $$$
If you are treating yourself in Rome, this boutique hotel is for you. Even if you just go for a glass of vino on the rooftop, get there! It’s just quaint and picturesque and was completely added to our favorite hotel list.
CIAO ROME! ANDIAMO TO NAPLES, POMPEII, SORRENTO!
THE FAST TRAIN – $100 roundtrip (2 people from Rome to Naples)
Book tickets in advance and I mean, while you’re still at home advance. Print them and leave them in a safe place you can easily access during your travels. You want to be able to navigate this station like you would your hometown station and with the ticket part out of the way, you’ll do so like a champ. We booked through the Italo website. Tip: Make a free account on their website for discounted tickets. We went for the Prima tickets which I guess is the ‘business class’ train seats and it was so worth it. So spacious, they come around with drink and snack carts like the plane and so clean!
WHEN IN NAPLES… POMPEII IS A MUST
Deciding how you are going to get from place to place is also a personal preference based on how you like traveling. Based on how much you want to spend you can take the bus, a car or the trains. We decided on a private car service to take us around when visiting the Amalfi Coast and after a ton of research we went with…
Benvenuto Driver – Contact# (+39) 339 636 1653 – info@benvenutodriver.com
The cars were new, clean and luxurious and the drivers were amazing. We highly recommend using this company and booking IN ADVANCE! You need to have your itinerary solidified at least 8 weeks before you depart to ensure you can get the cars you need and same goes with booking a private boat.
Back to scheduling. We had the driver pick us up from the Naples Train Station, bring us to Pompeii (wait two hours), pick us up and bring us to our hotel in Sorrento. Total cost for this was 270 Euro for three people.
Okay, Pompeii tips! I would say to book a tour (in advanced of course) when you’re visiting Pompeii. So, book a two-hour tour that you can sneak away from a little early to grab a bite to eat before you leave and you can be satisfied with what you saw and what you ate while on your two-hour pit stop! TIP: Dress appropriately! You do not need to look cute here. You need to prepare to be on the hike of your life with proper shoes and sun protection. The terrain is no joke so closed toe sneakers with grip is definitely advised. As well as a hat and sunglasses. PARENT TIP: Leave the stroller behind. Do not even attempt to bring it in there. If your child isn’t capable to hike for over an hour, bring a pouch to be able to wear them comfortably.
Guided Pompeii tours run about $60 per person if you’re getting a tour guide but they also have headsets where you can walk and listen on your own for cheaper. If you don’t use a tour guide, you will still have to pay the 18 Euro per person entry fee.
There are two entrances into Pompeii so if you are at the top, grab a sandwich at what looks like the super tourist spot. Restaurant Hortus attracts you like a fly to honey with their misters after the hottest hour of your life walking in Pompeii! Go for the mist and enjoy their incredible sandwiches. Matt literally cried while he was chewing. It was THAT good! Also, very affordable considering where you are!
SANT’AGNELLO… not SORRENTO
Tip, Tip, TIP: Stay in a smaller city right outside of the bigger, more popular cities. Save some money and ditch the crowds!
We stayed in Sant’Agnello which is a about a 10 minute drive into the center of Sorrento. We were able to enjoy the breathtaking views of the coast for a quarter of the price. If you want that Italian lifestyle feel, this is where you need to visit. The quaint, quiet, beautiful streets. The boutique shops. The crazy affordable cafes. I will never be over this. I can close my eyes this very minute and be back there. The Yacht lined coast seems attainable while you’re eating your 7 Euro sandwich and drinking endless cappuccinos. It’s hot but there is always a breeze so the weather is quite literally perfect. Everyone kinda understands English and you kinda understand their Italian so you just get along so effortlessly well. You are all enjoying the moment and the present is really all that matters.
Hotel Corallo – $$
This hotel is all about the location, the views and for the price, I would probably stay there again. It wasn’t a place where you spend time during the day but you don’t want to stay inside anywhere on the Amalfi coast. There was a cafe next door situated in the most beautiful, kid friendly square, where we ate breakfast every morning.
There were three of the most incredible lunch/dinner spots within a three-minute walk in each direction from the hotel, too. You know what, I would most definitely stay there again. This location was everything and if you are traveling with anyone with walking difficulties, this is your spot. Super flat, ramps everywhere and you don’t feel like you’re missing out on anything!
Have to mention the Vesuvio Panoramic Restaurant if you’re being bougie. The entire dining experience was over the top. For 4 adults, including drinks the bill was around 360 Euro and remember, you don’t tip.
For lunch that I am ready to fly back for as I write this, the Villa Garden Hotel has tables under a pergola along the coast. Grab an Aperol Spritz and a sandwich and figure out how you can quit your job and become an independently wealthy American living in Italy. Lunch was about 30 Euro with drinks for mom, dad and baby.
End your stay at COKU for dinner. I don’t think I could have imagined up a more gorgeous terrace to sit, dine and enjoy life. It is a huge, sprawling, open skyed space with the most incredibly knowledgeable waitstaff and the most unforgettable food that will transport you into your own magical movie script. For 4 adults, with drinks the bill was about 185 Euro.
THEY CALL IT POSI-STEPS FOR A REASON
Knowing we only had a few days in Positano, we had our driver pick us up bright and early. Going from Sant’Agnello to Positano is like night and day! So, where the charm of the quaint and quiet is replaced by the hills, steps and crowds it is still equally as incredible. The big prices do come with the big name of Positano. If you’re like us and had to stay in the town for a few days just to experience it, avoid the big hotels and save some money.
Casa Guadagno – $
We stayed at this totally affordable Bed and Breakfast that was let me just say… everything! I am giving this a one $ rating because during the week we stayed, no joke, hotels were going for $5,000 A NIGHT and this room/suite including breakfast was $500 a night including all taxes. The room was huge, had an amazing terrace with water views, the location was perfecto, the staff was so kind and they had discounts at nearby restaurants they extend to their guests.
So, what can you expect when visiting Positano? You can expect to walk A LOT, downhill, up hill, up an absolute minimum of 150 steps per day, but more likely over 300 steps per day. You will see the most unbelievable sights your eyeballs have ever seen, you will be swept up in every single moment, you will eat meal after meal of the best food you’ve ever tasted, you will be serenaded by the guitar every restaurant you go to, and you will be completely immersed in love of the Italian culture.
Note: All the fancy hotels, let me rephrase that, most of the fancy hotels will not allow children under ten on the premises. Definitely call beforehand if you plan on popping in for lunch anywhere if you’re traveling with kids.
TIP: This is why you bring the carry on’s and you pack light. Our room was 153 steps down from the main road so remember – we had to carry: two carry on’s, two backpacks, the travel stroller and the baby down all of these steps on the first check-in. Now just imagine if we had more stuff!
TIP: This is something you should know anytime you book with a hotel, or anywhere you’re paying to put your head down at night, use the reception! Have them book your dinner reservations, ask their opinions, book your cars to and from if needed!
Before I get into the private boat details, I must mention two restaurants.
Mediterraneo – $$
This place was the cutest! Live Italian music playing all the greats made the night… you know, in addition to the stunning water views, the unbelievable food and the cutest kitty. Total for 4 adults plus wine, 160 Euros.
Saraceno d’oro – $$
Wow, wow, wow. If you’re looking for the traditional Italian cuisines we know and love in America but uhh, one million times better, this is the place. Matt had a calzone that would bring you to your knees and my lasagna was off the charts. 115 Euro for 4 adults plus wine.
When you visit the Amalfi coast you need to get on the water one way or another. There is the option of taking the ferry from Positano to Capri for a couple bucks but since we are not here for a long time, we’re here for a good time, splurge for the private boat day.
BOOK IN ADVANCE! We booked two months in advance and we were pushing it. The boats are limited and in high demand. In a perfect world where you have your itinerary finished and you are flexible with the date, there are a plethora of boat styles to choose from. Find something that will fit the needs of the crew you’ll be sailing with. We wanted a comfy seating boat where it would be kid friendly. We went with EXCLUSIVE CRUSIES. The total for the 8 hour day was 1880 Euro.
Make your plan beforehand! You need to decide if you want to see Capri, by land or boat, if you want to attempt to get into the Blue Grotto, want to see each charming city of the coast or whatever you want! We decided to tour the Amalfi coast, have a few leisurely swims and enjoy lunch at a restaurant you could only access by boat. This trip was perfect for us and trust me, there is no wrong decision on what to see!
Plan on packing a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen (if you’re into it) and a bathing suit! There was a small bathroom on board so no worries there! Included with the trip was beer, wine, prosecco and water, as well as snacks. We met the boat at the dock at 9:30am so we did bring a few things from breakfast to hold us over and definitely had a cappuccino at lunch alongside our Aperol Spritz.
Don’t skip the boat. So much so that you shouldn’t book the trip until you can swing the boat! And, listen you don’t have to break the bank on this trip either. You can survive on pizza and gelato and thrive under the Italian sun!
Boat tour: 9:30am, Positano Dock
Exclusive Cruises
Details: Lunch at La Conca del Sogno
Stop at Capri
Return: 6:30pm, Positano Dock
Notes: Bring sunscreen, hat, etc.
Dinner: 7:30pm, Saraceno d’oro
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