rkumar3

We are going to Italy from Sep 22 - Oct 02. We are flying in and out of Milan but I am still not able to finalize the itenary. There is so much to see and so little time!!!!!

Idealy, we would love to see Venice, Rome, CT and/or Tuscany... however I know it will probably be too hectic. So I am wondering what to focus on. We are not big into museums so i m thinking may be cut Rome (and add Florence instead). or may be pick one between CT and Tuscany instead of doing both. Please help!

FYI.. We are both are around 30, pretty active and OK to move at fast pace, just not sure if that is way to go for this trip!

italylover23

I agree with the other advice you've been given. It seems that everyone tries to hit Rome, Florence, Venice on their 1st trip. Pick an area of Italy and focus on it. It doesn't matter which one, the whole country is wonderful. I happen to prefer Rome over Florence, but I'm generally in the minority. I'm going to Venice for the 1st time, so can't speak to that. Tuscany is my favorite area by far. Cinque Terre was an adventure that we loved. Our 1st trip was Rome, Tuscany, Florence and Cinque terre. It was a bit rushed. And that was after we scaled back from our original itinerary! Too me there is nothing like life outside of the big cities in Italy. That's where you fall in love with the country and vow to keep coming back.

suze

^^^

CRAZY4TRAVEL

With 9 nights/8.5 days it would be too hectic to fit all of your wish list in. I too like Rome more than Florence but Milan is not an ideal airport to service all of your destinations. You are going to chew up quite a bit of time going down to Rome and coming back up. You may need to spend your first and last night in Milan as it is a 3 hour train ride from either Florence, Venice or CT. I suppose it will depend on your arrival/departure times. I don't know whether you would want to get on a train right away and head out after a long overseas flight. If you get a train at approximately 1pm you could be at your destination before dinner time. If you have to spend the last night in Milan as a result of your departure time (which is probably recommended anyway)...that would leave 8 nights. I would suggest perhaps 3 nights in Venice, 3 nights in Florence with a day trip to Siena, Lucca or San Gimignano, and 2 nights in the CT. This is assuming that you head to your first destination on the day of arrival. I think if you try and fit another city your trip will suffer.

gard

Hi

My advice is to avoid squeezing in too much on a trip like this. When you have limited time you have to sacrifice something in the end I'm afraid. My wife and I went to Milan/Venice a couple of years back and last year we returned to see Rome and that was just amazing. I have posted trip reports from the three cities mentioned above on my homepage http://gardkarlsen.com Maybe you can find some useful information there. I like Italy and I think we will go back eventually to see Florence, Tuscany etc

Regards
Gard
Stavanger, Norway

mr_go

I noticed that the Lakes were not on your 'wish list'. Flying into and out of Milan, with a visit to Venice, would make a stop in Lake Como (with Bellagio, Varenna, etc.) seem like a natural.

Lots of enjoyment, little wasted motion. Just a thought.

rkumar3

Thanks for the replies... Adding a lake town sounds like a great idea.

bookchick

I concur with Mr.Go, because if you're not big on museums Florence and Rome will not be valuable experiences on what is a time-constrained trip for you folks. The Lakes are gorgeous, and a very nice atmosphere, and there are a few villas to see there, as well as a lot of natural beauty to enjoy.

Buon Viaggio,
BC

rkumar3

Based on the input I am leaning towards Venice (3 days), Florence/Tuscany (4 days), CT (2 days). I am planning to head straight from Milan airport to Venice and from there rent a car for the rest of the trip. However, instead of staying 4 days in Florence and doing day trips to Tuscan towns, how about making one of the Tuscan towns as the base and do day trips from there including a long day to Florence as well... Anyone tried it? what would be a perfect town that fits that description?

Thanks for you great input

Henry

rkumar3,
Send me an e-mail and I will send you some day trip suggestions in Tuscany.

ira

Hi RK,

You might want to stay in Siena. You can take the bus to florence for a day.

You will have to park your car for your two days on the CT.

How are you getting home?

rkumar3

Henry... I just an email over to you. IRA, I am flying back from Milan to Florida. Already booked the tkts so can't change that part.

suze

I think Milan is a fine airport to use for what you're after. Don't miss out on the nearby lakes from there. I would definitely leave out Rome. For me would probably skip the Cinque Terre too. That would give you a time for Milan and surrounds, Venice, maybe Florence, then leisurely Tuscany. I've not driven myself in Italy, but that sounds like a nice trip to me.