1

You will find all your answers here in the post by MTL ...

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/thread.jspa?threadID=2153476

2

Is it reasonable? Depends on you...I guess you have a reason why you want to go to these places and some idea of what you want to do there?

For that type of diet (and no alcohol)I'd go with around 20 euros per person per day..that is street/cheap sit down-not restaurants.

Almost certainly cheaper for you to buy as you go.If you know your dates and times exactly you can book the longer parts online in advance and save a bit like that.

3

Thank you both! 40 euros a day for food sounds good :)
By reasonable I meant will we have enough time at each place, or will we be rushed? Should I consider limiting the places we see to 4 or 5 over the 21 days instead of 8... would I be better off spending 5 days in Rome instead of 4...are the Amalfi Coast and Ligurian coast similar meaning I could omit one etc? In any case I will have a look at the link posted.

Edited by: sarah7117

4

Always better to go more slowly........more time in Rome would be great for me,but that's based on my interests,not yours!

Personally I wouldn't go to the CT and I wouldn't sleep in Siena either...a day trip there for me is plenty.

I'd look at something like 3 nights Venice,6 in Tuscany,6 in Rome and 6 Amalfi/Napoli.

5

Thank you very much, that helps a lot :)
The MTL post is great for info on budgets but it doesn't tell me whether InterRail would be the better option, and whether my specific itinerary is feasible. So thank you lucapal for taking the time to answer!

6

Hi
Have a look at the raileurope website, you can buy a train pass that will save you a fortune for the longer trips...(i saved just under £300 last year buying this)
Personally I'd miss out Naples. Most Italians would like to wipe it off the face of the country and start a fresh.
There is also lots and lots to see around Florence. Lucca is one of my favourite places, it really is a beautiful place and cars aren't allowed in the centre.
As for the food budget, in Venice head away from the Grand Canal, get lost down all the side streets and you can get good food for less than 5euros. Rome is a little different, all the restaurants around the Patheon and Piazza Navona, all compete, look up the side streets adn you'll see so many that you will be spoilt for choice.
Last bit of budget advice - Staying on the island of Venice will be very very expensive, but if you stay on the mainland, not only will you save yourself enough money to pay for the rest of your trip, but 'boat buses' run every twenty minutes for a couple of euros (usually takes about fifteen mins) and you get to see Venice from the canals without spending 80 euros on a gondola tour... I can highly recommend Fusina on the mainland. There is also a campsite that offers cabins and I have to say the toilets and showers are cleaner than my OCD Mother's bathroom and all for 16 euros each...
Hope some of this helps.... P.s Please remember it is going to be hot, hot, hot, so if you can pack light carrying it around otherwise will kill you!!!

7

I agree with ami870. Unless you have something you want to see in Naples, it is better limited to a jumping off point to the Amalfi Coast. So scratch Naples and add a day to Venice, Rome and either Florence of the Amalfi Coast. It's a quick commuter train ride from Sorrento to Pompeii, btw.

8

I disagree with #6 and #7 about Naples - you need to scratch the surface to find the good bits but the city has bags to offer both in terms of museums and places to see and visit. And for your trip, the best way to price train travel is to checkout individual ticket prices on line, but italian rail fares are generally cheap, and if you book high speed trains in advacne there are bargains to be had. I see # 6 saved £300 but I would be surprised if your total rail costs within italy came to €300 buying individual tickets. I note you are from UK - in general I would say italian pricesare similar to those in UK, so suggest you budget as if you were at home, then you won't be too far out

9

Mixed views on Naples; I suppose I'll have to see it for myself so I won't always wonder! I may limit it to a jumping off point as rebelyell said. Thanks again, especially for the info on tickets. I've looked at individual tickets and they total around 165 euro which is cheaper than a railpass as mike9 suggested. Thank you ami870 for the info on Venice, Fusina looks ideal.

10

I think it looks pretty good. Personally I didn't care much for Naples and that's saying a lot because I have been to very few places that I end up not liking. If it were me I would cut Naples out all together or just do is as a day trip from Sorrento. I would take those extra days and add them on to Venice or Rome.

11

Completely disagree with #6 and 7 on Naples..it really is a great city,if you take the time to get to know it.And if you accept it,warts and all.

The fact that are a large number of northern Italians are racist about the south is not a justification for tourists not to go there...of course it has negative aspects (as do the cities and towns of the north,though the racists wìll not admit it).

I'd say give it a try and make up your own mind.......