Self-Launched Wonders of Italy: Milan to Naples & the Amalfi Coast
13 days · Italy (Milan, Lake Como, Venice, Florence, Rome, Amalfi Coast)
Wanderful Holidays LLC charges £2,435
No-markup version: ~£865 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A 13-day self-launched version of the Wanderful Holidays "Wonders of Italy with Amalfi Coast" route — Milan, Lake Como and Bellagio, Venice, Florence, Rome, then Naples and the Amalfi Coast. Everything is bookable yourself: high-speed Trenitalia/Frecciarossa trains between cities, self-booked hostel and budget hotel stays, and skip-the-line tickets or GetYourGuide/Klook day tours for the Duomo, Uffizi, Colosseum and a Venice gondola ride. Roughly £1,350-1,450 per person all-in including accommodation, intercity trains, main sights and food — a fraction of the operator's £2,435 per person tour price. All costs are approximate budget backpacker rates and exclude international flights.
Day-by-day
Arrive in Milan
Milan
Land at Milan Linate or Malpensa and take the Malpensa Express or Linate shuttle bus (around £8-12) into the centre. Check into a hostel or budget hotel near Milano Centrale, which puts you within walking distance of the train station for the whole trip. Spend the afternoon orienting yourself with a free walking tour of the Duomo area (tip-based, £5-10), then grab dinner — a slice of pizza or a plate of risotto in the Navigli canal district. Buy a Milan public transport day ticket (£2-3) for trams and metro.
🚌Malpensa Express / Linate shuttle bus to city centre (£8-12); metro/tram day ticket £2-3
🛏Ostello Bello Grande or similar hostel near Milano Centrale (£25-35 dorm, £60-80 private)
- →Self-guided Duomo di Milano square orientation walk
- →Free walking tour of central Milan (tip-based)
- →Evening stroll in Navigli district
Lake Como & Bellagio day trip
Lake Como / Bellagio
Take a Trenord regional train from Milano Centrale to Como San Giovanni (about 40 mins, cheap — around £5 one way, or use a regional day pass). In Como, explore the cathedral and lakeside promenade on foot, then hop the Navigazione Lago di Como public ferry to Bellagio (the 'pearl of the lake', around £12-15 return with a mid-lake stop). Wander Bellagio's stepped lanes and waterfront, visit Villa Melzi gardens if you like, and either rent a kayak or just take in the lake views. Return to Milan in the evening by train.
🚌Trenord regional train Milan-Como (~£5 each way); Navigazione Lago ferry to Bellagio (~£12-15 return)
🛏Ostello Bello Grande or similar hostel in Milan
- →Como city walking tour (self-guided, cathedral and lakeside)
- →Public ferry Como to Bellagio
- →Bellagio old town and waterfront walk
- →Optional Villa Melzi gardens
Milan sights at your own pace
Milan
A full day for Milan's headline sights. Book a timed skip-the-line ticket for Leonardo's 'The Last Supper' at Santa Maria delle Grazie well in advance (essential — slots sell out weeks ahead; around £15 plus booking fee). Visit the Duomo, and if you're up for it buy a rooftop terrace ticket for the best city views (£12-18). Consider a combined Milan Duomo entry with terraces via GetYourGuide. In the evening catch an opera or classical performance — standing/cheap seats at Teatro alla Scala start around £10-15. Designer browsing is free on Via Montenapoleone.
🚌Metro/tram day ticket £2-3; all sights walkable from Duomo
🛏Ostello Bello Grande or similar hostel in Milan
- →Timed-entry ticket: Leonardo's The Last Supper
- →Duomo di Milano and rooftop terraces
- →Teatro alla Scala cheap seat opera (if available)
- →Via Montenapoleone designer window shopping
Milan to Venice by high-speed train
Venice
Book a Frecciarossa high-speed train from Milano Centrale to Venezia Santa Lucia (2h35-3h, booked in advance from around £20-35 for a super-economy ticket; walk-up fares are much higher). Arrive directly into Santa Lucia station on the edge of the canals and walk or take a vaporetto water bus to your accommodation. Once checked in, take a vaporetto down the Grand Canal at dusk — that alone is the classic Venice experience and costs the price of a transport ticket. Base yourself in the Cannaregio or Santa Croce area for cheaper stays within walking distance of the station.
🚌Trenitalia Frecciarossa Milan-Venice (~£20-35 booked ahead); vaporetto single £8 or 24h pass £18-20
🛏Generator Venice or And a hostel in Cannaregio/Guidecca (£30-45 dorm)
- →High-speed train Milan to Venice
- →Vaporetto ride along the Grand Canal at sunset
Venice: St Mark's, Rialto & gondola
Venice
Explore St Mark's Square and Basilica (book the basilica's free/timed entry in advance plus the £3-5 loggia and museum), the Doge's Palace (around £25-30 — book online to skip the queue), and the Rialto Bridge and market. For a gondola ride, share a 30-minute traghetto or split a proper gondola with other travellers — a group gondola ride via GetYourGuide runs about £30-35 per person versus £80+ if you book privately alone. Get lost in the backstreets of Dorsoduro and Castello, and finish with cicchetti (small Venetian bar snacks) and a spritz (£8-12).
🚌Walking plus vaporetto 24h pass (~£18-20)
🛏Hostel/hotel in Cannaregio or Santa Croce
- →St Mark's Basilica timed entry
- →Doge's Palace skip-the-line ticket
- →Shared gondola ride (GetYourGuide, ~£30-35)
- →Rialto market and cicchetti crawl
Venice to Florence by train
Florence
Take a Frecciarossa or Italo high-speed train from Venezia Santa Lucia to Firenze Santa Maria Novella (about 2h05-2h30, from around £15-30 booked ahead). Florence's main station is central, so you can walk to most accommodation near the Duomo or Santa Croce. Spend the afternoon on a self-guided walk: Piazza del Duomo, Piazza della Signoria, the Ponte Vecchio, and up to Piazzale Michelangelo for sunset over the city (free, a 20-minute uphill walk). Dinner is cheap and excellent — a lampredotto panino or a proper trattoria plate of pasta and chianti (£12-18).
🚌Frecciarossa/Italo Venice-Florence (~£15-30 booked ahead)
🛏Plus Florence or a budget guesthouse near Santa Maria Novella (£25-40 dorm)
- →High-speed train Venice to Florence
- →Self-guided historic centre walk and Ponte Vecchio
- →Piazzale Michelangelo sunset viewpoint
Florence: Uffizi & Renaissance art
Florence
Book a timed-entry Uffizi Gallery ticket in advance (around £22-25 direct via the official site, or a little more through GetYourGuide with an audio guide/skip-the-line). Spend 2-3 hours with Botticelli, Leonardo and Caravaggio, then choose a second sight: the Accademia for Michelangelo's David (book ahead, ~£15) or the Duomo complex with Brunelleschi's dome climb (~£25). Cross to the Oltrarno for artisan workshops and a gelato, and end the day at Mercato Centrale for a cheap dinner of Tuscan produce.
🚌All within walking distance of the centre
🛏Budget hotel/hostel in central Florence
- →Uffizi Gallery timed entry with audio guide
- →Accademia (David) or Duomo dome climb
- →Mercato Centrale food hall dinner
Florence to Rome by train
Rome
Catch a high-speed train from Firenze Santa Maria Novella to Roma Termini (1h30-1h45, from around £15-30 booked ahead — the cheapest intercity leg of the trip). Settle into a hostel or budget hotel near Termini or in Monti, both handy for metro and walking. Use the afternoon for a self-guided ancient-centre walk: Piazza Venezia, the Capitoline Hill viewpoint, the Pantheon, Piazza Navona and a coin toss at the Trevi Fountain. Dinner in Trastevere across the river — an aperitivo and a plate of cacio e pepe (£15-20).
🚌Frecciarossa Florence-Rome (~£15-30 booked ahead); metro day ticket £6
🛏The RomeHello or a budget hotel in Monti/Termini (£25-40 dorm)
- →High-speed train Florence to Rome
- →Self-guided Rome historic centre walk (Pantheon, Trevi, Navona)
- →Evening in Trastevere
Rome: Colosseum, Forum & Palatine Hill
Rome
Book a combined skip-the-line Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill ticket (around £16-18 direct, valid 24h; the combined ticket also covers the Forum and Palatine). Consider a small-group Colosseum arena-floor tour via GetYourGuide if you want the underground/arena access (around £35-45). Spend the afternoon on the Palatine Hill and in the Forum, then walk to the Circus Maximus and the Bocca della Verità. Optional evening: climb St Peter's dome or wander Vatican-adjacent streets if you've booked a Vatican Museums slot for a following day.
🚌Metro to Colosseo (£1.50 single) plus walking
🛏Hostel/budget hotel in Monti or near Termini
- →Combined Colosseum + Roman Forum + Palatine Hill skip-the-line ticket
- →Optional arena-floor small-group tour (GetYourGuide)
- →Circus Maximus and Bocca della Verità walk
Rome to Amalfi Coast via Naples
Amalfi Coast
Take a high-speed train Roma Termini to Napoli Centrale (about 1h10, from around £15-25 booked ahead), then transfer to the Circumvesuviana local train or a shared SITAS bus from Naples to Sorrento/Amalfi. From Sorrento, continue by the SITA bus along the coast to Amalfi or Positano (the coastal road bus is the cheapest and most scenic option, a few pounds). Base yourself in Amalfi or nearby Atrani for cheaper stays; check into a guesthouse or hostel. Evening: dinner overlooking the sea and a limoncello by the harbour.
🚌Frecciarossa Rome-Naples (~£15-25); Circumvesuviana Naples-Sorrento (~£4-5); SITA bus Sorrento-Amalfi (~£3-4)
🛏A guesthouse or hostel in Amalfi/Atrani (£30-45 dorm or budget room)
- →High-speed train Rome to Naples
- →Circumvesuviana / SITA bus along the Amalfi Coast
- →Amalfi harbour evening walk
Amalfi Coast at your own pace
Amalfi Coast
A free-form day on the coast. Walk the Valley of the Mills up above Amalfi, visit the Cathedral of St Andrew, and hike part of the Path of the Gods (Sentiero degli Dei) from Bomerano to Nocelle — a stunning, free, roughly 3-hour ridge trek with the best views on the coast, ending with a bus or steps down to Positano. Alternatively, take a public ferry or SITA bus between Amalfi, Praiano and Positano and beach-hop. Budget for a relaxed seafood lunch or picnic supplies from a local alimentari.
🚌SITA bus and local ferries between coastal towns (~£3-8 total)
🛏Guesthouse/hostel in Amalfi/Atrani
- →Path of the Gods hike (self-guided, free)
- →Amalfi Cathedral visit
- →Ferry/bus hopping between Praiano and Positano
- →Valley of the Mills walk
Positano, Sorrento & optional Capri
Amalfi Coast / Sorrento
Spend the day exploring the port towns independently. Take the bus or ferry west to Positano for its stacked pastel houses and beach, then on to clifftop Sorrento for the old town, limoncello shops and views over the Bay of Naples. If you'd rather island-hop, book a cheap public ferry to Capri (around £20-25 return) and visit the Blue Grotto or take the chairlift to Monte Solaro. Return to your Amalfi base in the evening.
🚌SITA buses / public ferries between Amalfi, Positano, Sorrento (~£5-10); optional Capri ferry ~£20-25 return
🛏Guesthouse/hostel in Amalfi/Atrani
- →Positano beach and old town
- →Sorrento clifftop walk and old town
- →Optional public ferry day trip to Capri
Amalfi Coast to Naples & departure
Naples
Travel back to Naples for your flight home: take a SITA bus from Amalfi to Sorrento, then the Circumvesuviana train to Napoli Centrale, or a direct bus/shared shuttle from Amalfi to Naples (around £10-15). If time allows, stash your bag and grab a final authentic Neapolitan pizza near the station (£5-8) and a look at the historic centre before heading to Naples Capodichino airport by Alibus (about £5).
🚌SITA bus Amalfi-Sorrento (~£3-4) + Circumvesuviana to Naples (~£4-5) or direct shuttle (~£10-15); Alibus to Naples airport ~£5
🛏N/A (departure day)
- →Bus/train transfer Amalfi Coast to Naples
- →Optional final Neapolitan pizza stop
Self-launched vs. Wanderful Holidays LLC
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Wanderful Holidays LLC | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£865 | £2,435 |
| Duration | 13 days | 13 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £1,570 per person (64%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Wanderful Holidays LLC-style trips? Check them out here.~£865
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Self-Launched Wonders of Italy: Milan to Naples & the Amalfi Coast cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £865 per person for 13 days in Italy (Milan, Lake Como, Venice, Florence, Rome, Amalfi Coast). This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Wanderful Holidays LLC?+
Yes — Wanderful Holidays LLC charges around £2,435 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £865 — a saving of roughly £1,570 (64%) per person.
How long is the Italy (Milan, Lake Como, Venice, Florence, Rome, Amalfi Coast) trip?+
This itinerary runs 13 days, covering 13 day-by-day stops through Italy (Milan, Lake Como, Venice, Florence, Rome, Amalfi Coast).
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a culture, city-breaks, foodie trip through Italy (Milan, Lake Como, Venice, Florence, Rome, Amalfi Coast), self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
Drop your comment below — if you've done a similar route, tell us what worked, what you'd add, or what you'd skip.
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