jerseygrl

Hello all, I recently wrote about my husband and I taking our first trip to Italy in September. Due to complications, we now have to move our longer Italy trip to the END of JULY. (I know, not a great time to go, but can't do much about it) We have picked the places we want to go to during this trip and would love help deciding on the actual itinerary. We will be flying from NYC. We will be in Italy for 2 weeks. Our schedule in July allows us to add a day or two if needed.

We would like to visit the following places:
Nice France
Santa Margherita Ligure/Portofino Italy
Lake Como
Venice (possible trip to Verona if possible)

My husband and I are looking for a combo of sightseeing and relaxing, enjoying food and wine, taking in the beautiful and romantic scenery, strolling around, a few museums, some swimming, learning more about the culture......etc.

We would really appreciate advice on our itinerary. Where is a better place to start? Finish? And in between? Thanks so much!

bobthenavigator

I would start in Venice to avoid those ungodly early departures back home. Perhaps like this:
Arrive VCE---3 nites
Train to Varenna via Milan---3 nites
Train to SML via Milan---3 nites
Train to Nice---last 4 nites

That is a start---good luck !

jerseygrl

Thank you Bob....That sounds great so far! We were also thinking of the city Cernobbio, Italy in Como. Have you explored there?

bobthenavigator

Not the best location---too far south on the lake.
The best location is the mid-lake triangle.

ellenem

Mid-lake triangle = Bellagio, Menaggio, Varenna

Jean

FYI, the train ride from Florence to Nice is 4.5-5.5 hours with multiple changes.

Another FYI. If your itinerary dips into August, SML/Portofino and Nice will be particularly zoo-ish.