Italy Road Trip — Tuscany, Amalfi Coast & Rome Tips
- For Venice you first need a Water taxi ticket
- You'll stand out with the van — the roads are narrow.
- Never trust Google Maps 100%
- The little treats come free with the Aperol Spritz.
Contents of this post12 chapters
With our camper van, we definitely stood out here! Italians mostly drive small cars, like Fiats or similar vehicles. That's more than sensible considering the narrow streets. Often, we couldn't even make it around the corner or had to take a completely different route.
So, never trust Google Maps 100 percent. It will lead you to the most bizarre places.
When we crossed the border, there was no check at all. I had read online beforehand about what to consider before entering: negative COVID test, entry form, and so on. None of it was checked. Just like when entering Switzerland or Liechtenstein.
But that doesn't mean that COVID is not taken seriously here. Some of the citizens take it more seriously. So, it wasn't uncommon to see joggers running alone through the forest wearing an FFP2 mask. Even when cycling up a steep hill, they don't forego protection here. Restaurants, shopping centers, and bars were open again as usual. You didn't need a test to buy a new pair of shoes or enjoy your pizza in the restaurant. A piece of normal life returned.
What is Italy without a delicious Aperol Spritz? One of my favorites in Italy is definitely the small treats that you get for free with your drink.
Lake Maggiore
A Place of Relaxation
Lake Maggiore is one of the most beautiful lakes in Italy. If you want a relaxation vacation, this is the place to be.
There are many small mountain villages, and there is a quiet atmosphere. For us, it was almost too quiet.
Venice
The City on the Water
For Venice, you first have to buy a ticket for the water taxi. Otherwise, you can't get there! Instead of cars, boats drive here. Eventually, we made ourselves comfortable and set off. It was like in a picture book. The houses on the water are colorful, have many small windows, and stand close together.
An incredible panorama!
In the city itself, we walked around and visited the sights:
St. Mark's Square, Doge's Palace, St. Mark's Basilica, Grand Canal, Rialto Bridge, Burano, and everything else that was an absolute MUST.
We also met Max's family, with whom we enjoyed delicious pizza right next to the water and explored the area together.
Tours and activities: Venice
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Milan
An endless long bar mile, delicious & large pizzas, and endless sights.
Milan is a BEAUTIFUL city and definitely worth a visit!
Boccadasse
It was also beautiful in the Boccadasse district in Italy. The pastel-colored houses near the water were very impressive!
Rocche del reopasso
Harness on and up we go!
Once at the top, we had an incredibly beautiful sunset!
A little hanging out does good too!
Italy also has great beaches!
Ponte dei Salti
Ponte dei Salti is also known as the "Roman Bridge". A simply impressive stone bridge with two large arches.
Next stop: France
Italy road trip route through Tuscany, Rome and the Amalfi Coast
One possible route for an Italian road trip begins at the Cinque Terre and leads via Pisa, Florence, Siena, and San Gimignano to Rome. Next come Naples, Sorrento, Positano, and Amalfi; Capri is the last stop mentioned. Ten to fourteen days are allotted for the approximately 1,200-kilometer route. The five villages of the Cinque Terre – Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore – are car-free and can be reached by campervan via La Spezia.
Tuscany route including Florence, Siena and Val d'Orcia
Four to seven days is a good timeframe for exploring Tuscany. Florence is known for the Duomo, the Uffizi Gallery, the Ponte Vecchio, and the Pitti Palace with its Boboli Gardens. Siena boasts the shell-shaped Piazza del Campo and the cathedral with its striped marble facade. San Gimignano complements the route with its 13 surviving family towers dating back to the 13th century. Further south, cypress-lined avenues and hilltop farmhouses characterize the Val d'Orcia. Pienza, Montalcino, and Montepulciano are possible towns and villages to visit there; the Chianti Classico wine region also stretches between Florence and Siena.
Rome as a stop on the Italy road trip route
At least two full days are planned for Rome. On the first day, the suggested itinerary includes the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, Pantheon, and Trevi Fountain. The second day leads to the Vatican with St. Peter's Basilica, the Vatican Museums, and the Sistine Chapel, followed by a visit to Trastevere. A more tranquil viewpoint is the Aventine Hill: through the keyhole of the Knights of Malta, one can see St. Peter's Basilica.
Amalfi Coast route from Sorrento to Amalfi
Sorrento is a good starting point for visiting Positano, Praiano, Marina di Praia, and the Fiordo di Furore. Another leg of the journey connects Amalfi with Ravello, where you'll find the Villa Cimbrone and its Terrazza dell'Infinito. The Amalfi Coast stretches for 50 kilometers between Sorrento and Salerno. Its SS163 road is narrow and winding. Tip: Park your campervan in Sorrento or Salerno and explore the coast by bus instead of driving your large vehicle through the coastal towns.
Italy's hidden gems off the beaten track
Tuscany's insider tip: Lucca and excursions near the route
Lucca boasts a car-free old town and a completely preserved, four-kilometer-long city wall that can be explored by bicycle. North of Rome lies Civita di Bagnoregio on a tufa plateau. This car-free town is accessible only via a pedestrian bridge. Further south along the Amalfi Coast, Matera is a worthwhile destination: the Sassi are cave dwellings carved into the limestone and are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Amalfi Coast insider tips between natural pool and hiking trail
Near Sorrento lie the Bagni della Regina Giovanna, a natural pool in the sea. Above Amalfi is Scala, a car-free village with few tourists. For those who prefer hiking, the Sentiero degli Dei (Path of the Gods) offers a three-hour cliffside walk from Agerola to Positano. The Fiordo di Furore, a small fjord spanned by a bridge, completes these destinations.
Italy's insider tips for islands and landscapes
Procida is the smallest of the three islands in the Gulf of Naples. The four-square-kilometer island can be explored on foot in a day; Marina Corricella is characterized by pastel-colored houses. At Spiaggia della Chiaia, 186 steps lead down to the beach. Further north lies Isola di San Giulio in Lake Orta. The island has a monastery and a single street called Via del Silenzio; a walk around it takes 15 minutes. Orta San Giulio, on the opposite shore, has medieval alleyways and a waterfront market square.
Practical planning of an Italy road trip
Campers and pitches along the route
The historic centers of Florence, Siena, Rome, and Naples are located in traffic-restricted zones, the ZTLs. Cameras record license plates in these zones. For Rome, the recommendation is to leave your campervan at a campsite on the outskirts of the city and take public transportation into the center. The villages of the Cinque Terre are also car-free. Official "aree di sosta" are designated campervan pitches, which often offer electricity, water, and waste disposal. Agriturismo camping allows overnight stays on farms and vineyards. Wild camping is generally prohibited and is strictly enforced on the Amalfi Coast and in the Cinque Terre.
Practical advice for Italy, Tuscany and the Amalfi Coast
- On Italian motorways, tolls are paid according to kilometers traveled; at the toll stations, credit card, cash or a Telepass box are accepted.
- Travel tip: April and May bring green landscapes and wildflowers to Tuscany and its cities. The grape harvest takes place in Tuscany in September, and the olive harvest in October.
- July and August are described as being characterized by intense heat in Rome and Naples, as well as a crowded Amalfi Coast and a packed Florence.
- When visiting churches such as St. Peter's Basilica or the Duomo in Florence, shoulders and knees should be covered.
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Relevant travel reports
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get into Venice?
You'll need a ticket for the water taxi first—there's no other way to get there. Boats travel here instead of cars.
What should I see in Venice?
We walked everywhere: St. Mark's Square, Doge's Palace, St. Mark's Basilica, Grand Canal, the Rialto Bridge and Burano.
Can I drive a large vehicle through Italy?
It's doable, but the Italians drive small cars for a good reason. Often we couldn't even make the turn and had to take a completely different route.
Which lake is suitable for a quiet holiday?
Lake Maggiore is one of the most beautiful lakes in Italy: many small mountain villages and a peaceful atmosphere — almost too peaceful for us.
How long will it take me to travel to Tuscany?
Plan for four to seven days. April and May are green and full of wildflowers, September is grape harvest time, and October is olive harvest time.
Can I drive along the Amalfi Coast in a campervan?
The SS163 is narrow and winding. Tip: Park your campervan in Sorrento or Salerno and explore the coast by bus.
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