MonicaRichards

We are taking the family to Italy in late June for about three weeks. Checked flight prices and it seems to make no difference if we fly into Milan and out of Naples or vice versa. Is there an advantage to doing it one way vs. another? We are going to travel by train and at a minimum go to Venice, Rome, Napoli and Pompeii. Yes, I know I left Florence off the list, we might just skip it as we don't like it but probably will want to go to Assisi etc. on our way across the country. We don't really mind heat so trying to escape hotter temps South as the summer progresses isn't that important, but avoiding crowds would be (although I know that's going to be impossible). So does it make a difference which end you start at?

MmePerdu

Failing other considerations, I always go with the weather, in this case started at the southern end and moving north as it gets warmer.

MmePerdu

Sorry, startING at the southern end...

TDudette

I agree with MmePerdu although I expect it you'll run into hot weather in the north as well.

Is it easier to "get out of Dodge" from Milan than Naples?

vincenzo32951

I don't think it matters, but I guess I'd go south to north to end the trip in Venice.

MmePerdu

I agree in that for just 3 weeks the weather may not be much of a factor. I tend to have feelings about direction, though, too. Just inclinations regarding how the order of things feels. So weather, if it's likely to be a factor, then which place do I want to hit first of all and which is the cherry on the top before I go home. I think Venice is a nice cherry.

janisj

I'd also start in the south and fly home from Milan. I would not try to fly home from Venice because flights to the States are VERY early in the AM, making getting to the airport a slog.

MonicaRichards

Thanks for the input. Both times we've been to Italy we've started North and traveled South, so going the other way might be nice just from a variety standpoint. Also we like the glass in Venice, so if we go there last (still flying home from Milan though) that might work better if we decide not to ship it. We went to Italy for our honeymoon and I wound up carrying a glass boat and vase for a month on trains etc.!

NYCFoodSnob

This decision really is a coin toss. I've experienced awful heat waves the first week of June in Venice, with air so think with humidity you could hardly breathe. And the boats were packed like sardines with tourists.

Positano has tons of weddings in June and July, and a lot of international vacationers.

Good luck!

kybourbon

Milan has quite a few non-stop flights to the states. Venice has a few (depends on airline). Naples does't have any that I know of unless you are flying something like EuroFly. If you have to connect somewhere in Europe before departing for the states, it will be a very early departure no matter which departure airport you select.

I think I would start in Naples and head north (with the hope Pompeii might not be quite so hot - no shade), but summer in Italy is always crowded and hot.