nowwin4u

Hi Friends,

I have planned my honeymoon in Italy, we are from Asia so not too much familiar with Europe. We always wanted to visit Venice so planned our honeymoon in Italy.
It would be of great help to us if you guys can provide any type of advice/dos/donts/tips that would make our honeymoon memorable. My iternery is as follows:

12th Feb 2013: Arrival at Venice at around 2 pm
15th Feb: Venice to Milan by Train
19th Feb: Departure from Milan at around 1 pm

So I have 3 nights at Venice and 4 nights at Milan. I have been to Rome before so didn't include that in my trip, my fiancée has never been to Europe.

Please provide advice on the following:
1. Three nights in Venice:
I am staying in Hotel at Mestre near Train Station. What all things to do and visit in Venice? Any nearby places to visit?
It will be a time of carnival at Venice: I am very excited about it as I have never seen any carnival in Europe, any dos and don't for that?
Should I buy any travel pass for local travel by in Venice for 3 days?

2. Four nights in Milan:
I am staying in Hotel near train station. What all things to do in Milan, I also want to see the night life of Milan.. any advice on the same?
Since 4 days are too much in Milan so planning to visit Florence or Pisa for a day. Is it possible to see both in one day.

We have already spent too much in flight tickets and hotel booking so will be on budget for our stay.

Any advice or thoughts on this will be of great help to us.

Jean

If possible, find lodging that is IN Venice. Mestre is not far away, but you will spend time traveling back and forth to Venice.

If you're asking about what to do in Milan, I question why you're spending the most time there. I like Milan more than most people, but there is so much more to see in Florence. So, I would stay 2-3 nights in Florence and 1-2 nights in Milan. From Florence, you could easily see both Pisa and Lucca in one day.

If you told us your hotel budget, you might get some good recommendations for Florence.

nowwin4u

Thanks Jean for your reply.

Hotels in Venice were expensive as compared to Mestre. With my budget I was able to book a 4 start hotel(Hotel Plaza), its just opposite to Mestre railway station so moving to Vencie and coming back to hotel will not be a problem. I cam to know that its just 15 min ride by bus from hotel to Venice. Since we are on honeymoon so I wanted a comfortable hotel and being just opposite to railway station the hotel is connected to all places.

Since the departure flight tickets were cheap from Milan so I booked departure from Milan and I don't want to travel too much carrying my luggage so staying at Hotel in Milan for 4 nights instead of staying 2 nights at Florence and 2 nights at Milan.
I booked 4 nights at Milan so got discount on Hotel as well. I will be staying at ADI Doria Grand Hotel in Milan which is also opposite to railway station.

Jean, it seams you are quite familiar with Florence so what you suggest how to spend a day in Florence. My fiancee is not too much interested in museums.
Since The Leaning Tower of Pisa is very famous so I wanted to see it and came to know that Pisa is just 30 min train ride from Florence.

My hotels and flights are already booked so can't change it now. Since I am traveling on budget so booked it early aswell, got discounted tickets on Qatar Airways, I heard it is ranked the best airways this year.

jarand

For Venice:
~Row Venice. Instead of taking an expensive Gondola ride, this is a 2 hour guided trip in an authentic Venetian boat and YOU help row. No worries--it's not hard or strenuous, and your guide/teacher takes good care of you. We had Elena, who grew up there and answered all our questions about life in Venice. We went in quiet back canals and open waters. Highly recommend! €80 for 2 people for 2 hours.
~Get a daily (or longer) Vaparetto pass. Go to the islands of Murano and Burano. Murano is known for glass and you can see demonstrations of glass blowing. Of course, there are many shops there as well. Ironically we found that Murano glass is cheaper on Burano and even in Venice. Burano is a charming colorful town, known for lace. We liked it better of the two islands.

Milan: Consider a day trip to Lake Como. Take the train to Varenna, get on the ferry and visit the Villa Carlotta in Menaggio and also the town of Bellagio. Be sure to buy a return ticket when you're in Milan as the train station isn't open for ticket sales at all times in Varenna.

nowwin4u

Thanks Jarand for the advice.

I just checked pics of Burano, found it amazing.. would surely visit there, how much time it takes to reach there from Venice?
Since we just have 3 days at Venice so I can guess we can visit only one of the two island.

Even found pics of Villa Carlotta very beautiful so will visit that as well.

Thanks for the great advice

nytraveler

There are many islands in Venice not just two.

If you are stuck with Mestre - I guess you're stuck. But it's a not very pleasant industrial suburb - nothing like Venice itself.

As for Milan - IMHO there really isn't that much to see and do there versus other large cities in Italy.

Am sort of concerned about what you will do overall if you fiance doesn;t like museums. Yuo will be there in Feb - which will be cold and possibly rainy or even snowy. Not sure how much time you will want to spend outdoors.

I definitely would not head for the Italian lakes. Many places will be closed for the season, there won;t be much to see or do - and esp on the water it will be freezing.

I hope you have planned on the proper clothing for your trip. You will need a warm winter coat, hat, gloves, scar and boots with non-skid soles. Also a sturdy folding umbrella. Plan on dressing in layers - since while some days might be warmish it will likely get much colder as soon as the sun goes down. You will both want to bring a couple of warm sweaters and heavier weight pants as well as long sleeve shirts.

nowwin4u

Thanks nytraveler for providing the details about the weather, yeah I guess you are right weather might be a little spoiler for the trip. But since I am getting married in feb so can't postpone my honeymoon, and in Feb only Italy would be warmer as compared to other European countries. So didn't have much choice because Venice was sure in the list, as it is famous as the most romantic place It will be carnival time so I guess it would be more fun in Venice.
Well I can do nothing about the weather now so will make sure to know what things will be closed in that season.

Regarding museums, my fiencee has never been to Europe so she doesn't have much idea about museums in Europe but I am sure she won't be disappointed to see it

I guess in Venice there will be lot of things to see because of Carnival and Valentines day. Plus I am now planning to have a day trip to Burano also so my stay in Venice would be occupied.

But I am not yet sure what to do for 4 days in Milan, as you mentioned about the lake side, I am also thinking now that those place might be closed or might be very cold. Will try to get more information on the same.

From Milan still have option to visit Florence and Pisa for a day trip. Need to plan on this.

I am not very sure why so many people are against Mestre, if it is just take 15-20 mins by bus then whats the problem?

nytraveler

Venice is a unique, charming and wonderful place.

Mestre is an industrial town that is just not very pleasant.

Part of the joy of Venice is wandering the streets in the late afternoon and evening when most of the tourists have gone and you can see the city as it really is - to the inhabitants. If get back to the train station and then catch a train back to Mestre - well - to me that would kill the romance.

Sassafrass

You still have a few months to re-think your plan. There is time to change hotels if you decided to.

Are you familiar with how stars are awarded to hotels in Italy? They are based on amenities, not quality, so you can have a 4 star because it has an elevator and 24 hour desk service, but it may not be as nice as some 2 star that is beautifully decorated in a lovely area. I didn't check your hotels, but would look carefully at reviews and get recs from people on Fodors rather than depend on number of stars.

I would definitely stay in Venice proper in a hotel with fewer stars. People are against Mestre because it is not attractive and you do not get the real experience of waking up and walking out your door to the beauty of Venice.

Honestly, I want this to be helpful. It seems to me you are traveling a great distance to one of the most beautiful countries in the world, but cheating yourself out of having the best possible experiences in your short time there. If you do not have really good reasons for choosing Milan (like you want to see Art work there or eat in particular restaurants, etc.), then why not stay in Milan your last night, but stay in Florence for three nights and visit places like Siena and Lucca and Pisa? Even if you don't care for Art or Museums, the town is beautiful and convenient for walking. It is also convenient by bus and train for going other places.

Weather wise - last time I was in Milan in Feb, it was really cold with snow in nearby towns. Personally, if it were possible, I would change tickets and have my honeymoon in the Spring. If not possible, I would certainly change cities.

Jean

In Italy, the number of stars given a hotel does not indicate how luxurious it is. Do you care if your Mestre hotel has a parking lot on site, a business center, air conditioning, laundry services, or any number of other amenities you are very unlikely to use? Tell us your budget, and perhaps someone can suggest a hotel IN Venice that will work.

You don't have three days in Venice. If you land at 2:00 p.m. on Day 1, by the time you drop your luggage at the hotel and make your way to the center of Venice it will be late afternoon. It will be dark before 6:00 p.m.

The Villa Carlotta is not open in February, and I wouldn't recommend visiting Lake Como at that time anyway. Most restaurants and shops in the resort towns will be closed. There could even be snow in the hills above Varenna.

IMO, it's not possible to see Florence and Pisa in one day from Milan... unless your goal is merely to say you've been to both towns. You can check train schedules here:

http://www.fsitaliane.com/homepage_en.html

jarand

I have to agree that Lake Como in Feb probably isn't a good idea. Florence is nicer than Milan. I'd spend time there.

When you go to Burano, you take the Vaparetto (water bus). A daily ticket that you also use to get around the city will work. Most people seem to do both islands, and we enjoyed Murano too. Easy day.

ellenem

The train or bus ride from Mestre to Venice is short, but the train and bus stations are at the opposite end of the island from the most popular sights of Venice. You will have another 30-40 minutes of travel from the train station to reach them. Plot the sights you hope to visit on a map to see the kind of distance and time you will spend.

Sassafrass

Ellenem, What a good point!

nowwin4u

@nytraveler: I guess you are right it won't be that romantic on the way back to Mestre from Venice... but i guess it wont be that too bad, the idea is to spend whole day in Venice and after getting tired coming back to hotel in Mestre, since its our honeymoon so obviously we want some peaceful time also
Anyways since now tickets are booked so will have to just make the best of what is available.

@Sassafrass: Yeah, right I figured that out afterwards that starts doesn't give the clear picture about the hotel. But luckily the hotels I booked have good reviews and are upto the standard of a 4 star hotel.

Now I too feel that I have made a mistake by booking 4 days in Milan, but cannot change the booking now. Will make a one day trip to Florence from Milan and rest will spend in Milan, I hope Milan is not that bad

Now need to plan how to spend 3 days in Milan and nearby places. Suggestion regarding that would be of great help.

@Ellenem: Yeah, u are right... i didn't think that way before booking I hope I will manage that little inconvenience.

Thanks all for providing your useful thoughts and helping me out in planning my trip.

HappyTrvlr

Please rethink your hotel in Mestre and switch to one in Venice.

mamcalice

Have you checked to see if you can cancel your bookings at the Mestre hotel and/or the Milan hotel. Normally hotels will accept cancellations up until a few days in advance of your arrival. Surely you can cancel with over 4 months notice. Then you could stay in Venice and in Florence only traveling to Milan the day before your departure.

I would check so that you can make the most of your trip. We have frequently cancelled or modified hotel reservations. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

denisea

Agree, that travel time chews up the time you could be doing something enjoyable. It also makes it impossible to run back to the hotel for a short rest before heading out again.

I know it doesn't seem like that big a thing, now....but it's a little bit like planning a NYC vacation and staying out in New Jersey somewhere. Please do reconsider the hotel....you will be glad you did.

Venice is gorgeous and you can't change the weather in February. Wear shoes that are waterresistant or waterproof, in case it does rain or snow. Cold wet feet will not do! But, Venice is a gorgeous city. I love San Marco square!

I hope your trip will be wonderful!

StCirq

You MUST be able to change that hotel reservation in Mestre. Please do it, as staying in Mestre will not add anything to the trip but time and inconvenience. The point is to go and see and enjoy Venice itself. When you are actually "on the ground" in Italy, commuting to and from ugly Mestre will be a reality, not just some slight inconvenient alternative perceived from afar. Trust me, you will be sorry and sad to have to leave Venice every evening and go back there.

nytraveler

It is only October. No that you have seen the problems with your trip I really don;t see any reason why you can;t change hotels to stay where you want to be. Unless you paid some super budget advance pay prices - you should simply be able to cancel and pick hotels in Venice and Florence that will much better meet your needs.

janisj

"<i>Now I too feel that I have made a mistake by booking 4 days in Milan, but cannot change the booking now. Will make a one day trip to Florence from Milan and rest will spend in Milan, I hope Milan is not that bad</i>"

Why can't you change it? Hopefully you haven't prepaid it. Unless you have paid in full you almost certainly can change/cancel it.

You have picked a bad area to stay in Venice, and probably not a very good city (Milan) for your fiance's very first European visit. Trying to do Florence as a day trip from Milan is not very practical. The train takes 2.5 to 3.5 hours depending on which one you catch. So you would spend between 5 and 7 hours just riding trains.

You seem to have an answer for every piece of advice so it seems your mind is made up. If so, that is too bad because it isn't too late to fix this