u/CoyoteNice4373

Hey everyone! Planning a quick, high-impact family vacation to Italy this August. It’s my wife and I traveling with our two young-adult kids (21F and 18M). We know mid-August is peak heat and includes the Ferragosto holiday, so we’ve tailored this to keep logistics smooth (private transfers, evening trains, and skipping the gridlocked Amalfi Coast roads to stay in Sorrento instead).

We want a mix of bucket-list history, private boating, shopping, and beach relaxation. We are planning on booking all high-speed trains for the transfers between cities

Looking for any critiques on pace, tours, food spots, or logistics!

The Itinerary

• Day 1 (Aug 15) – Arrival in Naples/Travel to Sorrento
  • Land at NAP at 1:00 PM. Private van transfer straight to our hotel in Sorrento to beat the highway gridlock.
  • Late afternoon exploring Piazza Tasso.
  • Evening: Casual street eats/dinner and watching the traditional Ferragosto fireworks over the bay.
• Day 2 (Aug 16): Positano Boating, Shopping & Travel to Rome
  • Morning high-speed ferry to Positano.
  • 9:30 AM – 1:30 PM: Private 4-hour Gozzo boat cruise out of the Positano pier, swimming/snorkeling in coastal sea grottos.
  • Afternoon: Shopping in Positano
  • 4:30 PM ferry back to Sorrento to grab stored luggage.
  • Private van to Naples Centrale to catch a 7:30 PM train to Rome.
  • Late Night: Illuminated night walk to the Trevi Fountain when crowds are low.
• Day 3 (Aug 17): Ancient Rome & Cooking Class
  • Morning: Colosseum and Roman Forum
  • Afternoon: Museums and other sightseeing – open to ideas here
  • 5:00 PM: Hands-on family pasta and tiramisu making class
• Day 4 (Aug 18): Vatican, St. Peter's & Evening Rail to Venice
  • 8:00 AM: Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter's Basilica. Planning on doing the St. Peter's Dome Climb.
  • Afternoon: Lunch in Prati, walking the Spanish Steps.
  • 6:30 PM: Train to Venezia Santa Lucia.
• Day 5 (Aug 19): Historic Venice & Sunset Gondola
  • Morning: St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace.
  • Afternoon: Sightseeing – open to ideas here
  • 6:00 PM: Private sunset gondola ride
• Day 6 (Aug 20): Venice Lagoon & Lido Resort Beach
  • Late morning: Vaporetto over to Lido di Venezia
  • Afternoon: Pre-booked sun loungers at a beach club
  • Evening: Return to main Venice .
• Day 7 (Aug 21): Departure

A Few Specific Questions:

1. Day 2 Logistics: Is a 4:30 PM ferry from Positano back to Sorrento cutting it too close for a 7:30 PM train out of Naples Centrale? We have a private driver lined up from Sorrento to the station.
2. Lido di Venezia Beach: For those who have been to the Lido beach clubs in August, any specific recommendations on which one to book for a good mix of premium loungers and nearby bike rentals?
3. Skip the Line/Tours: I’ve seen conflicting information about this. Do we need to book 3^(rd) party skip the line entry for any of the sites? Are we better off with tours, or self-guided audio tours (or is this personal preference?
4. General: Does this seem like to compressed/rushed of a trip?  Any adjustments you would recommend?

Thanks in advance for any tips & advice!