VitaAnn

Going to Italy this August with husband and another couple for 1year anniversary trip.

Trying to iron out a bunch of kinks in our schedule before we actually book...

We want to start North, and end in Almafi Coast. We were thinking of flying into Milan and not even staying there- just heading straight to the Lakes. My question is- is Milan the closest airport to fly into the Italian Lakes Area, or would i be better off somewhere else.

Also-
Are day tips to Cinque Terre/Rapallo/ Portofino possible from Florence or are we better off spending a night or two there?

Day trip to Orvieto possible from Rome?

Friends we are traveling with want to make sure we also hit the Wine Region- I think they said Chianti- in Tuscany.... I assume that is good for a day trip while staying in Florence... Am I correct?

Finally- we are hoping to end around Sorrento- thinking Almafi Coast area, Capri, Positano.... Which town would you suggest staying in where we can visit all.

There is so much research to do and we finally decided not to go with a travel agent. We want to go at it ourselves... I hope it works out okay. As far as traveling between I am guessing we are going to do trains.... haven't gotten that far in the planning yet- a little scared to though....

Thanks!

donco

Hi VitaAnn, Congrats on your anniversary and upcoming trip. I hope you have 2 weeks to cover the places you have mentioned!
Other Fodorites will have to weigh in about whether Milan is closest airport-it's what we used to leave Varenna (via train to Milano centrale, then bus to airport).
Cinque Terre from Florence by train is fine. Then Portofino and Rapello by boat from one of the Cinque Terre towns? That would be a very long day but do-able. Florence can also be a hub for Tuscany-you might want to look into a driver so you can eat and drink while someone else drives and gets you everywhere!
Rome to Orvieto is about an hour train trip so it's definitely do-able. There is sooooo much in Rome also.
Hub and I stayed in Sorrento and trained to Pompeii, bussed to Amalfi (didn't have time to stop at Positano), and hyrofoiled to Capri. We wished we'd had a driver for Amalfi coast as bus took forever.
You don't mention Venice so I won't put in my unasked for 2 cents about that magical place.
Finally, will you fly home from Naples or Pisa? Let's see what other Fodorites add to this! Do get your tickets soon-that's a busy tourist time, eh?

VitaAnn

Thanks! We are also planning of seeing Venice... thanks for asking! We are thinking right now that our trip will be for about 16days- not including travel days.

Thinking we may be better off staying for a night or two in Rapello area and will probally skip Milan and head right to Lakes for a night or two- or is Lakes a good day visit from Venice?

ira

Hi VA,

You are probably trying to stuff too much into 16 days. (Usual first-timer mistake.)

>Day trip to Orvieto possible from Rome?

Yup. It's 1 hr by train. See www.trenitalia.com
>Finally- we are hoping to end around Sorrento- thinking Almafi Coast area, Capri, Positano.... Which town would you suggest staying in where we can visit all.<

We very much liked Praiano.

See my trip report for details:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34451044

Ira’s Italy Photos
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34552733


Also see Helpful Information: Italy 2
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34568596

Have a nice visit.

donco

Phfew-can't imagine a visit without Venice! In that case, I'd almost consider starting in the south and working your way north. Fly to Naples, stay in that area; go on to Rome; then to Florence; Rapello; Venice; Lake Como and go straight to airport. Ira's probably correct-you're packing it in. That's six home bases in 16 days. If you combine Florence/Rapello, you'd have 5 home bases in 16 days-that's still only about 3 days per place. If you aren't museum people, that might be ok but I'd still want more days in Rome. Most of the guided tours only give 2 days to Venice-that might be ok for a first glimpse. What do you say other Fodorites???

SusanP

I agree that 6 hotels in 16 days is too much, especially since they're pretty spread out. You'll lose a minimum 1/2 day each time you move and will be spending too much time on the train.

constant

Yes, if you want to try some wines, the Chianti Classico zone south of Florence is a good one and also a good place to stay - quieter and less expensive than Florence - and full of interest in terms if countryside and architecture. Tons of info on www.greve-in-chianti.com