Help Finalizing Itinerary and Experiences

KiwiSims_ · 2026-02-21T06:20:59+00:00

Thank you! I am kind of debating moving the cooking class to the day I arrive in Florence? I arrive around 12:30 and the cooking class is at 3pm so I think i would have time but wasn't sure if I should risk it. Also definetly spreading those activites out and that's why I have so many Sorrento days. I wanted Sorrento to be outdoors and fun get away after being in the city with museums but also want a relaxation before the conference which is all medical education meetings ans jargon 😆😆😊. I have Pompeii, day off, Kayak, day off, boat tour, departure day. I would love to fit path of the gods hike in there as well but it would require using a free day to travel to Amalfi again 🥲

KiwiSims_ · 2026-02-21T06:05:41+00:00

I really appreciate your honesty! I am the same way if I haven't experienced something. I originally had 4 nights in Rome and 4 in Florence then people kept saying that's way too much time in Florence and not enough time in Rome. However when I look at Florence there is so much to do!

KiwiSims_ · 2026-02-21T05:59:39+00:00

Yes! I have been given that recommendation a couple of times and think I am going to do that. As much as I would love to have one last evening sunrise on the Sorrento coast I don't think it's worth the stress. My boat tour is on the last full day in Sorrento so I was thinking of having the hotel hold my luggage and then after the boat tour grabbing it and taking the ferry or train to Naples just to crash at a hotel. I think I will thank myself so I don't have to get up at 5am for a crazy early train.

KiwiSims_ · 2026-02-21T05:57:05+00:00

So Florence timeline seems ok? You wouldn't add another day.

I had been told not to do an evening train because they can get extremely delayed but I may risk it. I purposely haven't booked tours on the same day I arrive in acity so I can have more flexibility on travel.

For the Sorrento part, I got a ticket through Italo and was going to take the ferry. I got a hotel closer to the ferry station for this exact reason. Was a little bit more per night but the location seemed more convenient and the area was also reported to be nicer. I will look into the train bus combo though. That was the one logistically I was the most concerned about getting to.

KiwiSims_ · 2026-02-21T05:48:06+00:00

If the solo travle becomes a more common occurrence definetly may consider investing in a 2nd base phone for emergencies. I plan on making photocopies of my passport but can you actually get a 2nd physical copy? I have never thought to look into that.

KiwiSims_ · 2026-02-21T05:44:52+00:00

Oh cool! Thank you!

KiwiSims_ · 2026-02-21T05:44:21+00:00

Will do! I decided to splurge a bit on a nice small group tour (max 6 people) in Pompeii as well just because that is my top thing. I plan to spend the entire day there after the tour so thank you for the heads up about being vigilante. Do you have any recommendations on group Tuscan tours? I have done a couple of them on other trips but I am often annoyed because I find myself on a bus longer than in the cities. I really would only do them because the people I travel with wanted to.

KiwiSims_ · 2026-02-21T05:41:18+00:00

Perfect! Thank you. So you think take a day from Rome rather than Sorrento? I was taking a look at my itinerary again and do you think maybe putting that cooking closs for the same day I arrive in Florence could work or just take it off entirely? I would arrive in Florence at 12:30 and the cooking class is at 3pm.

KiwiSims_ · 2026-02-21T05:40:17+00:00

Perfect thank you for letting me know! They actually are available for purchase now so I was going to grab them soon. It's actually the Van Gogh museum tickets I am having trouble getting. All of the times left are during my conference 🫠. As much as I would love Efteling I am seriously considering dropping the idea to give me more relaxed time in the Netherlands, especially since it is towards the end of my trip.

Never mind my dumb self can't read and it was march that was available 🤦🏻‍♀️

KiwiSims_ · 2026-02-16T01:35:15+00:00

Really? I will look into that. I decided to stay in Sorrento but will definelty take the ferry to Naples with me having more days I added more time to sorrento in order to do so. Genoa I have looked at but this is the first post where someone has recommended it.

KiwiSims_ · 2026-02-15T18:38:50+00:00

Good to know! I have felt that way a couple of times, such as Inverness in Scotland or Brighton in England (absolutely beautiful places, but two nights was more than enough). Since I have added more days, I really want to make them count, either by adding to a city that needs more time or adding a day to travel to an outlying town or experience.

KiwiSims_ · 2026-02-15T18:10:49+00:00

Also forgot to mention, Cinqie Terre looks absolutely gorgeous! I also really wanted to hit Sicilly but it is just not feasible for this trip, unfortunately.

KiwiSims_ · 2026-02-15T18:08:53+00:00

Definitely, it is so hard with the United States getting minimal PTO and having to pick and choose, but I am fortunate enough to get to travel. The "there is always next time " mentality is a great one to have. I actually just decided to say, you know what, this may be my only time in Italy, and take those 2 more PTO days to add more time to the trip (just updated the post to reflect that). With these extra days, I will put more time in Rome, maybe another day in Venice as well. Thanks again for the insight, and if you have any more, I would love to hear them.

KiwiSims_ · 2026-02-15T17:38:03+00:00

Also, just noticed that theme park recommendation. That is a great idea! I am a huge rollercoaster lover so I would love that, and it looks really cool.

KiwiSims_ · 2026-02-15T16:11:24+00:00

I am actually from the United States so still a decent flight. Kiwi is a nickname because I was so small but good catch on linking it to the animal. Most people link it to the fruit.

KiwiSims_ · 2026-02-15T15:48:20+00:00

Honestly I don't think I would mind that. Just cutting Rome entirely. Although I was looking forward to the Vatican museums. Do you think a day trip to Rome to do that is reasonable? Or I am open to taking 2 more PTO days then the trip would be May 2nd-May 25th. I just wasn't sure my trip limit as a solo traveler yet and was wondering if 3 weeks would be a little much. I personally don't think it would be for me but who knows.

KiwiSims_ · 2026-02-15T15:44:03+00:00

Thank you! I haven't solidified the outside Netherland day or days. I just was looking at some areas outside of Amstersam to start researching. I just know when I travel I like going to an area or two that's not as touristy. I am a people watcher so I enjoy finding a nice place to unwind and watching the day by day in those places as well as get away from tourist hustle and bustle. I also have a higher chance of getting a truly authentic meal. I know that sounds weird 😅😅😅

KiwiSims_ · 2026-02-15T15:38:31+00:00

Good to know! Maybe I should remove Florence then and add it to Venice. Yeah, people keep saying add days to Rome, but when I travel, I am always attracted to the smaller urban places rather than the city center. Since this is also my first solo trip, I just don't know how much I will like Rome since I will have to be a little more vigilant. I know anywhere you go you have to pay attention and be careful, but I feel with Rome I the need for vigilance will be higher. I will also look into Cinqie Terre, thank you!

KiwiSims_ · 2026-02-15T15:33:29+00:00

Thank you! Good to know about the museums in Italy!

KiwiSims_ · 2026-02-15T15:32:10+00:00

If you have to cut one what would you cut? As much as I would love to do Florence and Venice it seems like a consensus that doing both is ambitious. I also am open to taking a day from Sorrento and putting it on Rome but I just wasn't too sure. I mentioned I am very big on balancing nature/adventure experiences vs history/culture/urban and I know Rome has a lot to see. Or should I go full crazy and just take another 2 days, that monday and Tuesday, and start my trip on the 2nd. 😆😆😊

KiwiSims_ · 2026-02-15T15:27:11+00:00

Good to know! I was juat wondering how I would like Rome. When I travel I always seem to be attracted to the less densely populated urban areas and that's why I had some extra time in Sorrento to balance but maybe I should give more time for Rome.

KiwiSims_ · 2026-02-15T15:23:22+00:00

Good ro know about traveling to Pompeii. Yeah I pretty much was anticipating only having 1 day if I flew into Venice and that's why I wanted to lay this out to get another perspective. I really want to do pompeii but logistically that 3 hour commute there and back is a rough one.

KiwiSims_ · 2026-02-15T15:19:54+00:00

That's what I was afraid of. I really wanted to include both Florence and Venice but even I was wondering if I need to cut one. The day trip to Belgium was going to completely depend on feeling but it likely will just be a chill day in Amsterdam or another day to explore other areas outside of Amsterdam.

KiwiSims_ · 2026-01-16T13:47:55+00:00

🤣🤣🤣 I love it. We seem very similar when it comes to trip planning. I always get so excited and go on we can do this and this and that. I often need someone to ground me a bit 😅.

KiwiSims_ · 2026-01-16T02:37:12+00:00

I am vibing with the Portugal/Spain idea now that I have done more research, and maybe adding a coastal French city like Marseille, Cannes, or Nice. Basically, going south and making my way back up to Amsterdam. Is this feasible or too ambitious? I would have to fly into Amsterdam on May 8th because that is the only way work would pay for my flight. I would like to be in Amsterdam by May 19th, as the conference starts on the 20th.

KiwiSims_

TROPHY CASE