u/TLI_Mark

wife and I make our first italy trip may 7-25, 2027. we plan on rome, puglia, naples. my grandfather immigrated from Bari. we arrive rome midday may 8. I’m looking at two itineraries. rome may 8-17 near Pantheon. monopoli may 17-21, naples may 21-24 train to Fiumicino overnight before 3:30 pm flight home on 25th. the alternative is 6 nights rome to naples 3 nights. same monopoli dates. finish with 4 nights in Trastavere. should I split rome or really settle in for 9 nights?

My wife and I will be staying in Vico Equense leaving Sept 21, 2026 to Monopoli and leaving Bari Sept 25 to Rome. I originally planned to rent a car in Bari on the 21st to have with us while in Puglia. The train or bus from Vico means I need to get to Naples to Bari, pickup a car and drive to Monopoli. Now I'm considering picking up a car in Sorrento (avoid returning to Naples) and drive directly to Monopoli. Drop the car in Bari. Assume Sorrento car pickup and drive costs about $200 more than other option. Would you recommend the drive from Sorrento? am I overthinking this?

I’m hoping not to violate group rules. i’m not asking for provider information. i’m asking about the experience. I had an “expert@ that shies away from super touristy experiences look at my itinerary for a first day walking past big attractions. he said “i’d do that on a golf cart” that seemed odd. what is this experience like? why might I do it? married couple mid 69s first time in Rome.

We will be in Bari Sept 21-25, 2026. I would like to take a winery tour and olive oil tour. I don't know if that is ONE thing or TWO and whether that is possible or "easy" in a day. I'm struggling a bit finding specific recommendations. I'm flexible renting a car or a driver or something else. Step one is figuring out where and how.

We are spending 6 nights in Rome in late September. This is our first trip. We are in our sixties and reasonably healthy. Walking is not an issue, but I suspect we’ll use cabs or transit to get to places for scheduled tours\dinners. Colosseum, Vatican, Aroma. Otherwise walking different areas. I have Hotel Validier booked. It is very near Piazza del Popolo. This looked good for price and amenities. I’m curious about location. I know closer to enter is noisier and more expensive. This is easier to find some calm. Am I making a mistake?