MelBrew15

I have read the other posts on how to navigate Italy - but we are planning our honeymoon for July 2014 (busy season I know....). We have 12 days, flying into Milan then Venice, Florence, Naples, and out of Rome.
Despite being there during the touristy time, any suggestions on how long to stay in the cities and what is a Must-See/Do?

Jean

This will sound harsh, but if you don't know what things to see/do (that interest you) in these cities, why did you pick them? And how do you know that 12 days is enough?

I would start with a guidebook (or even Fodor's destination guides at the link at the top of this page). Then search train timetables to see how long it will take to travel between points (and add time to check into and out of hotels, pack/unpack, get to/from train stations). Consider the myriad of day trip options available everywhere.

http://www.trenitalia.com/cms/v/inde...0080a3e90aRCRD
(use Italian spellings)

greg

Besides having many destinations, how are you counting days? You might have even less days than you think. Looks like you are from Texas? Are you counting from the day you are leaving Texas - for example like this?

day1: July 11 - leave Texas
day2: July 12 - arrive in Milan around noon
...
day11: July 21 - last full day
day12: July 22 - leave Rome early in the morning.

If this is the case, you have day3 thru day11 as full days = 9 days plus 1/2 of day2 = 9.5 days total.

bobthenavigator

Yes---how many nites do you sleep in Italy?
If 9 or 10 then pick 3 of your destinations.

Naples is the outlier.

MelBrew15

Thanks all: Our tentative itinerary is to fly from Tx on Sunday, July 20 and arrive Monday in Milan.
We Leave Rome Saturday, August 2 and return to Texas Aug 3.
We have 14 days planned out and 12 are actual days in Italy.
We sleep 11-12 nights.
And as we have neither been to any city but Rome - we will want to see the typical tourist sites and galleries for art and antiquities. @ Jean: I was wondering about things that you other travelers have found that wouldn't be in a guide book. Something to do or see that is not as advertised.
We are young, healthy, and able to walk, bike, and or go anywhere!
Example: is Como or Bellagio worth the trip from Milan?
Any tips like this would be appreciated!

nytraveler

Now you ar adding even more places.

And why are you flying round trip? It sounds like an open jaw - into Naples (for Amalfi coast or just Naples) and out of Venice - or Milan. Will prevent wasting one of your very few days returning to your starting point.

sheri_lp

I would suggest that you have too many places. This is your honeymoon - when will you be able to be lazy, drink wine and take leisurely strolls?

rodarte

1.5 in Milan
.5 ~ travels, check in, etc
2 in Venice
.5 ~ travels, check in, etc
2.5 in Florence
.5 ~ travels
2.5 in Naples
.5 ~ travels
1.5 in Rome

Since you've already been to Rome before, I guess that time would be enough if you want to see more of the other places. The majority of people are going to tell you it's not doable and if you think you'd want more time in the other places after sorting out the things you definitely want to see, I'd scrap Milan.

Jean

I read MelBrew15's latest post that they are flying into Milan and out of Rome.

Mel, are you still contemplating Milan (arrival only)-Venice-Florence-Naples-Rome? (Could you fly into Venice?)

If so, you'll have (generally) about 2 full days (plus a few hours) in each destination. IMO, all of these cities require more than 2 days to accomplish your stated goal of seeing "the typical tourist sites and galleries for art and antiquities."

The Naples area is a time-eater because of the time spent getting there and back to Rome; plus the sights aren't close together or even necessarily in the same direction from wherever your hotel is located. Ditto time in Rome, because of the sheer volume of things to see/do.

I suppose you could skip some top sights in order to see more obscure or less known things. I suggest you list the sights and galleries in each city that are non-negotiable and then decide if there will be any time left for other things.

dc2002

I would skip Milan and go to one of the lakes to relax and unwind for a few days and soak up Italy..after a wedding you will need it Go from there to Venice, then Florence then Rome (I would skip Naples) If you have already seen Rome why not choose to fly in and out of Milan and go to the cinque Terre or Portofino area instead (just giving other options)

I would do either:

Lake area
Venice
Florence
Rome

Or

Milan
Venice
Florence
Cinque Terre or Portofino

We did a whirlwind trip on our honeymoon and wish we had just stayed at 3 places max and enjoyed the surroundings instead if always being on the go

vincenzo32951

Other posters have given you warnings about your itinerary, so I don't need to repeat that. I'll just respond to your request for tips, in random order.

Florence:
If you're going to see David and/or the Uffizi, book your timed tix via the phone service, not the website. The phone service is excellent, there's no extra charge, and if you don't show up to pick up your tix, there's no charge. Unless you're really into art, you can do both places in one day.

Take the bus to Piazzale Michelangelo, have a glass of wine and watch the sun set over the city. The trip back is downhill so you can take the bus or walk, depending on how much wine you've had.

If you're going to climb to the top of the Duomo, do it early in the a.m. to avoid the crowds.

The best bargain-hunting is at the outdoor markets. Cash only.

Venice:
You're probably going to take a gondola ride. You're honeymooners and you probably will want to take one alone at night, but I think the tour gondola rides are better. See a local travel agent to get on one, or ask the concierge at your hotel.

Get a multi-day vaporetto pass, to save money. Some people tout the vaporetto as a romantic ride, but to me it's about as romantic as riding a bus. The closest you'll come to "romantic" is if you take a late-night ride down the Grand Canal after the day-trippers have left.

Have a glass of prosecco or a bellini at one the swanky hotels' canal-front bars. It's cool to sit there, have snack, and watch the traffic up and down the GC.

Rome:
I suggest you familiarize yourself with the subway system. We used it a lot.