Travel Blog
October 28, 2026
I was lucky enough to spend almost two weeks in Italy and wanted to share a quick report of my experience.
First stop: Rome. After flying from Kalispell and spending the night in Seattle, I took a direct flight from Seattle to Rome, thinking this might be an easier option.
Although it was certainly nice not having to change planes, 11 hours on a plane is quite brutal! We had bulkhead seats in Comfort Plus, which gave us extra legroom, but 11 hours is still 11 hours. I am not sure I would choose that route again.
I had arranged for a driver to pick us up at Fiumicino Airport and was very glad I did. Navigating trains or buses after a long flight is not something I am willing to do, though it is an option for those on a budget.
We stayed at the Hotel Dei Mellini in Rome’s Prati district. This four-star hotel is within walking distance of many popular sights. Breakfast was great, the rooms were a good size, and there was a lovely rooftop sitting area. The staff were helpful and friendly.
We stayed here for three nights and had bought tickets online for both the Colosseum and the Vatican. Since our timed entry to the Colosseum was not until 2:30 p.m., we decided to visit the nearby archaeological sites of the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill first. We had wonderful views of the Colosseum, but realized that even with timed-entry tickets, we would still have to stand in a very long line to go inside the
Colosseum. We decided to skip the interior. Standing in long lines is not my idea of fun on holiday, and I felt satisfied with what we had seen.
The next day, we visited the Vatican. Again, we had timed-entry tickets, this time with a guide. An employee waved us into an existing line for visitors with pre-purchased tickets, and we were inside within 10 minutes. I am not sure whether that was why we got in so quickly, but we were not about to complain—the lines around the building were enormous!
The tour started well with a very nice English-speaking guide, but unfortunately, the crowds soon made it difficult to enjoy. We were shoulder to shoulder with so many people that it became miserable. We stayed for the two-hour tour, which ended at the Sistine Chapel, but by then we had had enough of the crowds and did not linger in the chapel. Even finding the exit took half an hour!
I wish the tours were more staggered so visitors could hear their guides and appreciate the spectacular paintings, sculptures, and artifacts without feeling so crowded.
From Rome, we took the train to Florence. I had been looking forward to experiencing rail travel in Italy, and I was not disappointed. Rome Termini is set up much like an airport, with train times and destinations displayed on a large board. There were shops and places to eat before departure, and the station was clean and felt safe. The only downside was that our platform was not displayed until about 15 minutes before departure, prompting a rush of people once it appeared. We had reserved seats in business class, so we did not have to worry about finding a seat. Luggage storage was a bit of a nuisance, as I am not a light traveler, but there was space between the back-to-back seats, at the end of each carriage, and above the seats.
A snack and beverage were included in the fare and served from a cart during the trip.
We spent the next four nights in Florence and absolutely loved it! It is a picturesque, fairytale city with beautiful piazzas, cobbled streets, and amazing architecture—a must-see for sure. We stayed in the central Uffizi district, within easy walking distance of sights throughout the city. We took a walking tour through Viator, as well as a day trip to San Gimignano and Siena. These beautiful Tuscan towns, about an hour from Florence, were lovely to explore on foot.
Next, we took the train from Florence to Naples, where a driver picked us up and took us to Sorrento. Lugging my suitcases was a little more challenging this time, thanks to all the leather bag shopping I had done in Florence, but it was worth the struggle! It is worth remembering that when traveling by train, you need to lift your bags on and off yourself. You may also need to lift them onto the overhead racks if you cannot find other storage space.
Having a driver worked well for the four of us and made the price reasonable. The journey to Sorrento took over an hour, and we stayed within a 10-minute walk of the town center. Sorrento sits on a cliff overlooking the Bay of Naples, so getting down to the water can be challenging. There are two marinas: Piccola and Grande. Walking down to Piccola involves very steep steps and is quite exhausting! Grande was easier, with fewer steps, though the route also included a long, winding road. It is a beautiful little area overlooking the harbor, but definitely a trek from the main shops and restaurants.
The town itself is stunning, with lemon trees, quaint shops, cafes, and restaurants. Intriguing little alleyways are everywhere, and I could not resist exploring them. It is worth knowing that should you wish to spend time on the water or the small pebble beach areas, you would either need to stay at one of the hotels overlooking the bay or pay to spend a few hours at a beach club which I understand can be rather pricey. This is not a destination where beach access is easy.
We took a boat tour to Amalfi and Positano, which was definitely a highlight for me. I loved being out on that incredible deep-blue water! The Amalfi coastline is spectacular, and I cannot imagine a better way to see it than from a boat. We stopped in Amalfi and Positano for close to two hours each, which was enough time for us. Both towns were quite crowded, and getting around involved climbing many steep steps. They were incredible, though a little ritzy for my taste. I am certainly glad I visited!
The next day, we took a day trip to Pompeii. It was extremely interesting, and I would consider a tour guide a must. Although it was busy, it did not feel overwhelming. The tours seemed well spaced out, so everyone could see the sights and hear the information our guide shared.
After four nights, we returned to Naples station by private driver, then took the train to Rome Termini before catching a taxi to an airport hotel for the night. We flew out at lunchtime, and the flight to Seattle lasted 11 and a half hours! Fortunately, we had managed to get Premium Select seats at a very reasonable price, which helped. The seats were wider and reclined farther, but the flight still felt painfully long. After a four-hour layover, we finally arrived home around 11 p.m., absolutely exhausted.
All in all, it was a wonderful experience: seeing new places, traveling by train, and enjoying perfect weather, which is always such a plus. That said, packing and unpacking—even just the three times I did it—along with catching trains and taxis was exhausting. I would honestly not recommend staying fewer than three nights in one place. Next time, I think I would spend a week in one place and a week in another, exploring the surrounding areas from each base. That would save time and energy, as traveling between destinations can take up a large part of the day and become very tiring.
I feel so lucky to have had the opportunity to see three lovely areas of Italy, and the trip has only made me eager to explore more of this beautiful country. One final word of caution: the driving felt chaotic to me, so I would not choose to drive there myself!