Italian Summer

“Italy is a dream that keeps returning for the rest of your life”

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Two years ago, we set off to start our backpacking adventure. After months of planning & researching, we finally figured out where and when we will be heading on our backpacking journey. As a last-minute plan, we decided to start our trip off with a month travelling around Italy. This turned out to be the best decision we could have made. Although, expensive due to going in peak summer, we spent the full month of August, eating the most delicious food, exploring the Italian architecture and learning about the Italian culture.

Firstly, a piece of advice I would offer anyone embarking on their own travel journey, is to keep an open mind regarding the places you are visiting. We found that many of the places we visited, where people advised lesser / more days or to avoid all together, were a different experience for us. For example, many people advised us to only stay in Positano and travel from there and although very beautiful, we were glad to get away from the crowds and enjoy more time within different places of the Amalfi Coast.

Itinerary

Praiano – 4 nights

Positano – 3 nights

Amalfi – Day Trip

Naples – 3 nights

Pompeii – Day trip

Rome – 5 nights

Florence – 5 nights

Pisa – Day trip 

Bologna – 3 nights

Verona – 3 nights

Venice – 4 Nights

We flew into Naples and got a private hire car to Praiano – although we could have hired a car and drove throughout Italy, we found hiring a driver & travelling by trains / buses the best option for us.

East Midlands to Naples, hired a driver to take us to Praiano

Located between the Gulf of Naples and Gulf of Salerno, the Amalfi Coast includes 16 picturesque destinations. Including, Amalfi, Praiano and Positano. The Coast is a must visit, whether it is day trips from Sorrento or staying in each place to explore more.

Praiano – 4 nights

Praiano is one of the most beautiful places I have ever visited. As our trip was in August, we decided to spend 4 nights in Praiano as we wanted to enjoy the hot sun, sunbathe and relax before spending the month, exploring, walking and taking in the sites. We found, we could have spent more time here and booked day trips to the other parts of the Amalfi Coast. However, if you have a limited amount of time, 2 nights would be sufficient to explore.

We hired another private car to Positano 

Positano – 3 nights

The views from Positano are truly breath-taking, the beaches are beautiful, and it is one of the most amazing places to shop. The macarons are to die for! We found there was more to do in Positano than Praiano & Amalfi, however, the crowds were a little much for us, especially with the August sun.

Amalfi – Day Trip

Although, we wouldn’t stay for longer than a day. A trip to the Amalfi town is worth it, if you’re near and able. It has some lovely little shops, restaurants and beaches.

We hired a private car to Naples

Naples – 3 nights

Surprisingly, we found Naples to also be a good city to shop in. We found many people try to sway us from going to here, however, we found Naples to have its own unique beauty. We spent 3 nights here, as we knew before going, we had to spend a day getting lost in the Ruins of Pompeii.

Pompeii – Day Trip

A trip to the Pompeii Ruins is a must when visiting Naples. Although, we visited in August, I would advise visiting in the off-season, between November & March. It will be less crowded, and the temperature will be a lot lower as there is very limited shade within the Ruins.

From Naples, we travelled to each city via train – we found this option extremely easy and affordable. 

Rome – 5 nights

The capital of Italy is full of history and beauty. It is one of the most popular cities to visit in Italy. 5 nights was a great amount of time to be able to explore the city, however, we could have easily extended our stay by 2 /3 days.

 Florence – 5 nights

Florence is a spot that should be on every travel bucket list. Florence is best explored by foot, it is a perfect destination for a city break, it is known for its architectural and cultural treasures. It also has the most incredible food.

Pisa – Day Trip

As the city is small, one day is all you really need to spend in Pisa. This gives you enough time to wonder around the cobblestone streets and see the iconic landmarks, such as the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

Bologna – 3 nights

We had the best Beef Ragu and tiramisu ever in Bologna. I loved this little city, walking up the Asinelli tower is a must, the view from the top is beyond. Keep in mind, the stairs are very narrow, and the spaces are tight. We found that 3 nights were just enough to explore everything we wanted to without having to rush.

Verona – 3 nights

My absolute favourite city in Italy. I fell in love the moment we arrived. The home of Romeo and Juliet, full of history, culture and architecture. Although, we spent 3 nights here, we found we could have spent at least a week getting lost through the cobble streets, soaking up everything Verona has to offer.

Venice – 4 nights

Venice is a wonderful city, filled with stunning architecture, beautiful bridges and romantic canals. There’s often live music in St Mark’s Square, which truly feels magical. It is a must visit, however, it can be very crowded especially if visiting in peak seasons.

If you decide backpacking or even a holiday to Italy is for you, I hope this little itinerary helps plan your own special trip.