skidmoc

Help... I am going to Italy in April and haven't made any travel plans other than my flight into Milan. Is my plan to see the following cities too much for ten days? Milano, Turino, Florence, Verona, Pisa, Venice & Cinque de Terre (not necessarily in that order)? For travel efficiencies, should I rent a car..

Any help with be appreciated!!! Thanks!!!!

DRJ

skidmoc: I'm certain that you'll get a lot of replies to your query and I'll give you my first impression: You're trying for too much. Assuming that you arrive and depart Milan, I'd spend a day there, train to Florence and spend a day or two there, train to Venice and spend the rest of the time there, taking a day trip to Venona. I've not been to Torino (will correct that this autumn) and the Cinque Terra are charming but too out of the way (and Pisa is mostly the tower). A car would be an unnecessary pain.

degas

You need to tell us what you like to do and see. It does sound like you are trying to do too much. Why Turino?

bobthenavigator

With 10 days pick 3 and make them within 4 hours travel time. I would do Cinque Terre, Florence, and Lago Orta.

skidmoc

Thanks to everyone for their feedback. I am doing Turino because my brother will be there during that time.. so I will have to include Turino in my plans... So Milan, Turino, Florence & Cinque De Terra? Would that be a better plan? Can I do day trips from Turino anywhere?

ellenem

I suspect that with 10 days, Milan, Torino, Cinque Terre, and Florence will be enough--no day trips necessary. Some would suggest that you could do Milan as a daytrip from Torino, depending on how much you want to see in Milan.

Keep in mind that each time you move on to a new city, you will use at least half a day making connections (whether by train or car), checking in and out of hotels, and so forth. Does the 10 days include your arrival and departure days in Italy?

skidmoc

Yes, the ten days does include arrival & departure information. Does anyone know how far from Turin is Tuscany? Would it be worth it to spend some time there?

mamc

If I had ten days, I would see Milan, Torino, Florence and Venice. And I would only spend as much time in Torino and Milan as you need to to satisfy family obligations. 3 days in Florence and 3 in Venice would be a good start.

franco

Quite obviously, nobody here knows Torino, otherwise you wouldn't suggest that skidmoc rather skip it. Torino is GREAT, one of the foremost sights in Italy, and certainly the least well-known (at least it used to be before the Olympics). One of the world's most beautiful baroque towns, with three incredible churches by Guarino Guarini, who worked nowhere else than in Torino, but is certainly one of the true geniuses of baroque architecture.
But of course, skidmoc: it's absolutely impossible to see so many places in merely ten days - you'd not see anything but the railway stations! Milano, Torino, Pisa and the Cinque Terre would be a possibility; or Milano, Torino and Florence; or Torino, Verona and Venice.

jofrommelbourne

I agree that Torino is a wonderful place. Fabulous Egyptian museum.

When in Milan don't miss climbing up on to the roof of the cathedral. You go up partly by lift and then further on foot.

ellenem

I'm planning for five nights in Torino for myself in May. But still think, considering arrival/departure days and travel time, four cities in 10 days is an ambitious schedule.

nessundorma

I agree Turin is great and visiting friends or family in Italy is always a great reason to go to a place, because then you really get to see everything.

I don't think renting a car is necessary. I suggest you spend one night in Milan (to get over your jet lag and see Da Vinci's Last Supper and the Duomo), then take the train to Turin. (Be SURE to see the movie museum and take the elevaor to the top!) Then take a train to Cinque Terre (via Genoa). Spend one night in CT (April is too early to book more). The next evening, take a train to Pisa and spend the niight. In the morning, visit the monuments, then retrieve your bags from your hotel and head to Florence. Back to Milan for the last night so you can catch your flight.

Sorry your time is so short. If art is more important to you than scenery, I suggest you skip Cinque Terre altogether and go directly to Florence from Turin.

If you must include Venice on your trip, you should consider flying. A doable itinerary that includes Venice might be: Fly to Milan, take train to Venice, fly from Venice to Florence, take train (or fly to) Turin, take train back to Milan.

skidmoc

This has been incredibly helpful!!! Thank you all so much!!!