Traveler_2012

Hi,

My husband and I are traveling to Italy in October for 10 days and would like feedback on our itinerary and any recommendations. This is our first trip to Italy and we definitely want to see some cities such as Venice, Florence and Rome. We've read and heard that Cinque Terre is gorgeous but aren't sure if two days is enough time for traveling and enjoying it and also, what the weather in October will be like in Cinque Terre? We are booked to fly into Milan and fly out of Rome. We are planning to spend a day in Milan (the day we arrive) but would rather spend more time in other spots. Would appreciate any feedback on our itinerary as well as recommendations if we should change our planned route. Thanks!

October 5th: Milan Day 1(arrive @ 10 am)
October 6th: Venice Day 1
October 7th: Venice Day 2
October 8th: Florence Day 1
October 9th: Florence Day 2
October 10th: Cinque Terre Day 1
October 11th: Cinque Terre Day 2
October 12th: Rome Day 1
October 13th: Rome Day 2
October 14th: Leave Rome in the afternoon

nytraveler

Unless you have some special reason to be in Milan I would drop it and start in Venice - but add the extra day to Rome - which is getting really short shrift. IMHO the minimum to cover the most major sights in Rome is 3 days/4 nights.

I'm assuming you will leave CT on the 2nd day and head for Rome in the afternoon - but then I'm a city person and quickly get bored in small villages. Weather in CT should still be decent then - it's just that the real purpose is hiking from one tiny village to another - which could not work out well if you get chilly rain.

charnees

first, if you are arriving in Milan on the 5th, take the train to Venice the same day. you have plenty of time to get there.

Second, because it could be raining, I would not try to get to Cinque Terre on this trip. You won't be able to hike in the rain, but you could visit museums, churches, etc. in the cities.

That frees up 2 1/2 days for the three cities. Although I am not as fond of Rome as some (too intense for me) I can tell you there is so much to see there that the time you have allotted is not enough.

You say you have puurposely planned to stay in Milan on arrival, so if there is a compelling reason for that, I say go ahead. It's my preference not to.

treplow

I am sure you are aware that arriving from versaeas, your arrival airport for Milano is Malpensa, about 50km from downtown Milano. I kind of agree that a 1/2 day in downtown Milano is not exactly the right place to overcome jet lag. So, why not stay somewhere closer to the airport for the night? The Lago Maggiore is only about 25km from the airport.

I also agree with the comments about Cinque Terre. Either skip it, or spend the nights in Rapallo, and take day trips by train to one or two of the towns, walk to the next and pick up the return train from there. Otherwise,if it rains, there is enough to do and see in and around Rapallo, such as Portofino, St. Maghareta Ligure, etc.

Traveler_2012

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. Thinking about skipping Cinque Terre now. Are there any other places you recommend we viist on the trip. We were thinking of either Sienna or Naples & Sorrento? Would you recommend those or just spread the extra time between Florence, Venice and Rome? Thanks!

Dayle

Your trip is going to fly by and you will feel likeyou want tospend longer ineach of the locations. Don't try toadd another. Add a day to Venice and oneto Rome.

Buon viaggio!

Mimar

You don't have as much time as you think for places in your current itinerary. Half your first day in Venice will be taken up by getting there and checking into your hotel. Ditto Florence and Rome. Definitely dump the Cinque Terre because of the weather uncertainty. Add 1 extra day to Venice and 1 extra day to Rome.

It's more helpful to lay your itinerary out in nights. And figure out how long it takes to get between stops. Allow time to check out of your hotel, transport yourselves and your bags to the train station, and upon arrival in your new stop, find your way with your bags to the new hotel.

I'm assuming you plan to take the train. The German train site is useful for schedules in all Europe: www.bahn.de/i/view/GBR/en/index.shtml. You can wait to buy your train tickets until you get to Italy or save by booking ahead of time at www.trenitalia.com.

Jean

Don't add any more. Keep the number of hotel changes to an absolute minimum.

TDudette

I'd make Cinque Terre a day trip from Florence. Add a day there and a day to Rome. Every hotel change "eats" at least 1/2 day.

It sounds like you've already booked and will be landing in Milan? It would be a shame to miss Milan's Duomo since you are there--it's truly incredible.

To other Fodorites: is there a place to store luggage at Milan's main train station? If so, you could take the Airport bus to the train station, buy train tickets for Venice, store luggage and grab a cab to the Duomo. A long first day but if you have the stamina, go for it!

Lannistergold

I went to Italy for a 20 days a few years ago and spent 10 days in Rome, 7 days in Florence and 3 days in Venice. All were perfect. Having said that I would recommend you divide your days as such:

5 days in Rome, 3 days in Florence, 2 in Venice

Honestly there isn't that much to see in Venice besides the general cool atmosphere. There are a few sites but after 2 days you'll kind of run out of things to do.

Florence has a lot of neat sites and museums that can take at least a half day each.

Rome is amazing. Not only are there days worth of interesting sites inside the city but you can day trip to Naples, Pompeii and other sites. I'd highly recommend putting at least 4 days here as you won't regret it. Of course the Vatican alone is one whole day.

Lannistergold

Also, skip Pisa as there really isn't much to see and the leaning tower is a tourist joke...

Delaine

"Honestly there isn't that much to see in Venice besides the general cool atmosphere. There are a few sites but after 2 days you'll kind of run out of things to do."

Really? I don't know what Lannistergold's tastes are, but personally I don't see how anyone can say you run out of things to do in Venice after 2 days. I have been there on 3 separate trips to Italy and still have a huge list of things I want to see but haven't had a chance to. There are others on this forum who stay for weeks at a time. There are so many beautiful churches, museums, palazzos and campos. There is also the Doge's Palace, the campanili (bell towers) to ascend, the lagoon islands (Murano, Burano and Torcello)... I would spend 3 days in Venice and 2 in Florence.

I also wouldn't say the leaning tower of Pisa is a tourist joke. The Campo dei Miracoli, where the tower is located also has a maginificent Duomo and Baptistery. However, I probably would not go to Pisa on my first trip to Italy but save it for a return trip.

suze

I love Venice. It's my favorite. I would skip either Florence or Cinque Terra or maybe even both. Venice/Rome in 10 days would be a perfect trip to me.

Shanna

I agree about Cinque Terre. You want a leisurely time there, not dashing about. And since I really don't like Florence other than David, with your short time frame, Venice and Rome would be all I'd do. Venice is a really fascinating, unique city and it's also where you want to go at a slow pace and get a good sense of the atmosphere. It's a day from Venice to Rome by train, not a long exhausting day, but you won't get much else done. Rome should be good temperature-wise, but Venice will be a lot cooler, so pack for that. I envy you this first trip - Italy is so awe-inspiring. Have a wonderful time.

CharlesHolley

San Marino would be a nice side trip if you had time to include it; http://mydestinationtheworld.com/W.P./?page_id=130

Also the Ferrari museum in Maranello.

TDudette

I too must disagree with Lannistergold on both Venice and Pisa, and Shanna for Florence.

There is so much that involves personal taste so please, avoid saying what's worthwhile and what isn't.

I have visited Venice at least 3 times and made Pisa a wonderful base for Tuscan travel. Pisa has an amazing history and to miss a tour of the Duomo would be a real shame. Yes, you can skim Venice in 2 days and Pisa in 1/2 but there's so much more.

As for Florence, its place in Renaissance history is incomparable.

Traveler_2012, this is YOUR trip so take all of our personal views as what they are and follow your own plan.

Traveler_2012

Thanks all for the helpful suggestions. @TDudette: Yes, we are already booked to fly into Milan. We are playing to see the Duomo and The Last Supper in Milan. Based on the feedback we have gotten, we are skipping Cinque Terre and adding the extra day to Rome and might do a side trip from Florence (or spend an extra day in Florence). Very excited about our first trip to Italy and we want to be able to enjoy the cities as much as we can so cutting down on travel time makes more sense. Our updated itinerary is:

1 day in milan, 2 days in venice, 3 days in florence (plus a side trip to siena or somewhere else and 3.5 days in rome.

We have read that Pisa could be missed. Would Siena be a good day trip from Florence? Any other recommendations?

Thanks!

jgg

I agree with others about going directly to Venice from Milan, but if you do decide to spend 1/2 day in Milan be sure to buy your tickets in advance for the Last Supper. Also, if looking for a good but quick meal - stop at Peck (Via Spadari, 9) located not far from the Duomo. It is similar to Harrod's food court or Eataly in NYC. Fabulous food and you can get stuff to go so not wasting a lot of time. They do have strict rules on how you go about ordering and paying: You order what you want at the various counters, they give you a ticket. You then bring all your tickets to the cashier and pay for them – then bring your paid receipts back to the counters to pick up your food.

Siena is a great daytrip from Florence. There is a bus you can get that takes you there.