lschu

After reading many gr8 threads here regarding traveling in Italy, I have come up with a preliminary plan for travel next June. Your comments and advice to me and others re travel times, hotels etc have been most helpful, though I admit my head is spinning sometimes from information overload!
Ok, here goes:

Day 1 - leave Ohare
Day 2 - arrive Venice
Day 3 - Venice
Day 4 - Venice
Day 5 - drive to Tuscany
Day 6 - Pisa, beach
Day 7 - Florence
Day 8 - Sienna, San Gim,
Day 9 - Mont San Savino, winery tour
Day 10- drive to Milan, Duomo
Day 11-leave Milan for Ohare
Day 12- arrive home

I'm attempting to come with a plan that lets us stay at least 2-3 nites in one place.Of course if I can't find airfare alot better than $1400 per, this trip won't be happening!

As always, all comments and advice gladly accepted! Ciao, L!!

wreednelson

Visited NO Italy last year. A question to ponder...
Why are you driving in Italy?
FS trains are cheap, clean, stress free, and FUN. You boys will enjoy it much more than a back seat in an overpriced rental. With your itenerary you need not buy rail passes... point-to-point tickets are very affordable. You would need a car for your winery visit. But in all the towns you cite, cars are a useless headache [and just plain nightmarish on a bad day]. Of course, if you pack like most people [that is to say WAY TOO MUCH], trains travel will be a challenge. So, my advice is to learn to pack light [going with the averages and assuming you don't]. Take the trains. Minimize car rentals.

The itinerary looks fine. Pisa is quick... see the Field of Miracles and promptly leave. Don't waste your time or money on trips up the tower or in the tourist shops. You will enjoy the coastal area much more than you might think, and you will want to return! Siena is pretty at night.

Huitres

I concur with the other poster, trains are the way to go in Italy. They are efficient, economical, and save you money on gas, parking, and directions!

Re: your itinerary...IMO I think that 3 days in Venice is too much. There really isn't a lot to do there. You can basically see everything in one afternoon. Of course, you can always take the vaporetti out to the islands of Murano and Burano but still feasible within a 2 day period or less. Maybe you could add another day onto Tuscany or another city?

Re: Day 6, Pisa doesn't have a beach, per se. Are you thinking of going to Il Tirrenia (located in between Pisa and Livorno)? Other than that, the next closest beach would be in Viareggio.

Re: Day 9, Not sure if your sons can accompany you to the winery, dependent on their ages. Maybe they could plan another something to do during that time while you are there?

I would ask for a double (doppia) room and they could add another bed for the 3 of you (cheaper) than getting a triple or suite-size room.

Melissajoy

Actually there's plenty to do in Venice and 3 nights in Venice still aren't enough but it's a good start!

whoever said there isn't a lot to do in venice must not have stayed long enough. In venice you get a 3-day vaporetto pass for 22 euros each which gives you unlimited on and off privileges,including the vaporettos that go to the islands of Murano, Burano, and 2 other islands. You go all over Venice, not just to the crowded San Marco section. You explore the many smaller canals and interesting neighborhoods of Venice.

Go inside the Dogge's Palace. Check out the Peggy Guggenheim museum only if you like modern art...my daughter wanted to see the Dali paintings there.

Do a gondola ride and make sure you get the full 45 minutes. Ask the gondolier to stick mostly to the smaller canals...you see the Grand Canal from the vaporetto. Find a gondolier that you enjoy talking to, but make sure he knows when to be quiet!

Venice is one of the most unique cities you will ever see. You will get even more out of your visit to Venice if you either research a little history of the city of Venice, or else hire a licensed private guide to explain the history of Venice to you. Venice is a real city with a history...it's not disneyland!

sorry I've gone on and on here...

Our family of 5, including teens, voted that our most fun in Italy was had in Rome...we loved Rome. I think partly why we loved it is because we had enough time there to fall in love...4 nights.

You will have more fun if you spend at least 3 nights at each destination. There are layers upon layers to discover and experience in each Italian destination, and you won't see more than a glimpse if you move around too much.

We saw Rome, Pompeii, Vesuvius, Sorrento, Amalfi, Positano, Praiano, Ravello, Siena, Florence, and Venice....WAY TOO MANY PLACES! But the most successful part of the trip was Rome and Venice, where we spent the most time.

I also adored Siena and Tuscany in general (florence is in tuscany too but I like the smaller towns better). I plan to go back to italy and spend a week in Tuscany and a week back to rome again.

Have a wonderful visit to rome! It's amazing!

Melissajoy

Ooops...made a mistake...I meant to end the above post with "Have a wonderful visit to Italy! It's amazing!" I realize you're not planning on seeing Rome, but do consider it.

Do Rome, Venice, and Tuscany (includes Siena and florence)...take the trains. Bus goes from Florence to Siena.

Huitres

I didn't say Venice wasn't wonderful, however, it is a city more suited to romance, couples, etc (gondola rides, etc) as my Italian friends in Florence, Livorno, and Ancona heartily agree. It is terrific there and yes, you can take a vaporetto around to the island, as I mentioned. I saw the Doge's Palace, Guggenheim museum, etc all in 1 day since everything is close in proximity.

I would agree that perhaps Rome could be added in, then maybe deduct 1 day off from Venice and 1 day from Tuscany. Rome is at least worth a visit. It is one of my most favorite places!

Traveler863

Ischu,
Your previous plan to rent a villa in Tuscany was better. I'd go back to that. Do Venice for 2 or 3 nights, Tuscany 7 nights and Milan area the last night or 2..perhaps Stresa, if leaving out of Malpensa. I think you might also have another night you are missing, you have day 11 fly home, day 12 arrive home....flying from Italy to Chicago is done same day, unless you're stopping over somewhere enroute.

I'd skip Pisa if you are going for the beach, never go to Europe for beaches...they generally aren't that nice, there's better beaches here in the states. But if you're looking for some spectacular coastline and quaint villages north of Pisa near La Spezia is the Cinque Terre, that is definitely worthwhile. You could trim a day in Venice and one in Milan and do two nights there enroute to Milan.

Definitely rent a car, much more convenient and will probably cost less than trains for 4 people.

For location, find a villa in the Siena/Chianti area, from there you'll be able to day trip to Florence, Siena, Chianti, San Gimignano, Volterra, Monte San Savino, Cortona, Assisi, or Pienza. Obviously not all of them and there's many more but those are a good assortment of choices all within an easy range. All are driveable and parking relatively easy except Florence, for that take the local train in and out. Siena can be somewhat problemmatic for parking but if you get there early you shouldn't have too much trouble.

Have a great trip.

lschu

Gosh, it's sooo exciting reading these gr8 replies! I'll fill in some blanks after I get back from my son's football game. Ciao!

bobthenavigator

It seems you only have 9 nites in Italy which dictates 3 destinations to me. I would do Venice[3], Tuscany with a car[3] and the Cinque Terre[2] with your last nite near Malpensa. With 4 people you do want a car after you leave Venice. I would skip Pisa, unless you stop enroute to the CT from Tuscany.

lschu

Thnaks to all who took time to review my plans. Wreed and Huit, since we'll be in Tuscany for at least 5/6 days and then per Traveler863's suggestion may shoot up to Cinque Terrs, I believe for my family a rent car is the way to go. Family/friends love Venice and think it'll be a gr8 way to experience the beauty and vitality of Italy straight off the plane. Melissajoy, I'm saving Rome for another trip as we have family south of Salerno and I'd like to someday do that souhtern trip together

lschu

Excuse whatever just happened; this is a continuation of previous post. .. with my extended family.
Traveler863, I've been convinced by my well- travelled family/friends that we should stay in a hotel while in Tuscany. They think having breakfast included is a plus and also I get a break from housework! I like your suggestion of Cinque Terre for 2 nites as it's a lovely stop along the coast and kind of on way to Milan.
I thought Pisa was worth a quick stop as I just can't see being in that area and not taking the boys to see it. I want one of those silly pictures of them holding it up!
Do u think San Quirico d'Orcia is a good central location for day trips in Tuscany? Hotel Palazzo del Capitano looks nice and reasonable.
Again, thanks for your time. Ciao, L

Traveler863

Ischu,
Good plan. Though remember breakfast in Italy isn't much, pretty much rolls and coffee. I hear you on the cooking although you don't necessarily have to cook if you don't want to...its nice to have a kitchen though at least for light snacks and drinks...without paying the heavy minibar charges in hotels. There's plusses and minuses with either accomodation. If you reconsider the villa idea or even perhaps an apt might work....remember even with 1 week minimums sometimes it is still cheaper to pay for the week but only stay 5/6 nights.

Yes San Quirico is a good location, I think others on the board may have better input on that...so I'll defer to them.

For Pisa, you could easily slip in and do a quick visit enroute to Cinque Terre, just get a good early morning start. Its not too far off your route. You can drive right in and park near the tower, short walk. I wish I could give better directions but I've always just driven in and ended up in the same parking lot...how I don't know. If you want I can come along and show you

I'm glad you decided to try to fit in Cinque Terre, you won't be disappointed....great place. Try to find a hotel in one of the 5 villages. You can drive as far as the top of the towns where you must park (fee) then the rest is on foot or there is train service between the towns. There is a foot path that snakes along the Med connecting the towns....great hiking possibilities for those that want to get out and soak up the gorgeous scenery and get a good hike too.

Enjoy your trip.

lschu

Attempting to use frequesnt flyer miles for trip to Italy. Not alot of availablity into/out of Venice so I'm thinking of going back thru Milan both ways. This is exhausting!
Now lots more flight availability if we use Linate, but I haven't noticed it mentioned much here. Is there something bad about this a/port? Any info is appreciated! Ciao, L

Traveler863

Ischu,
What airline are your FF miles? I'm a frequent user of UA and AA and might be able to give some recommentions.
There's nothing wrong with Linate, actually its easier in and out than Malpensa. Most refer to Malpensa because thats the international airport vs. Linate the local which receives local and intra-Europe flights.

lschu

Ok, Traveler863, I'd like to use some AA miles, even if just for two or three of the tickets. I would prefer to stick with flying into Venice and out of Milan, if possible.
The fella at AA's awards desk seemed to think Linate is preferrable to Malpensa. I will attempt to call them Sunday and also I'm told Alitalia flies non-stop to Venice from Chicago, so I'll investigate that too. That maybe an option as I can use points from our VISA card to pay for air fares. Too much info?
So I guess the fun doesn't really start until I lock in flights, right???

lincasanova

malpensa is 45 minutes from milan, has train station downstairs to get to milan.
linate is 10 minutes from milan.

lots of charter flights from malpensa now, too.
there is no reasonable place to stay in malpensaif you need to overnight.
we stayed at hotel cervo.. and .. for 93 euros.......well... price gouging.

take care with car insurance in italy.
it will cost you at least 150 -200 euros more, but choose a company that guarantees you ZERO responsibility.
not many do.
we used europcar.. after realizing that our "thrifty" reservation, and "argus rental" neither had the coverage we wanted.(ex: they didnt cover broken windshieds or windows, the roof, and would have left us with a 930 euro deductible AFTER paying ALL their supplements.)

I imagine hertz and avis also do, but i doubt any of the others do. just read the very fine print.

if you drive from milan to venice you will see many incredible towns, lakes and castles. it is a fabulous trip.

Traveler863

Ischu,
AA is great with FF miles in fact I'm trying to use them next summer as well...most likely for B class upgrades vs free tickets. But what we are going to do is fly into Zurich and out of Rome...you might want to consider something like that to avoid more connections. Though don't know where you're originating from...that makes a difference. For us we want to avoid two connections and prefer to travel further overland there than do another connection. Like Milan for example, probably prefer to fly in there and Zurich is only 2-3 hours north. I'm just a hate connections person so to each his own on that one. But on the other hand car rental is cheaper in Switz so all around it makes better sense.
I don't think Alitalia flies nonstop from Venice to Chicago, that would be surprising. Must be a direct flight which many people confuse with nonstop. Nonstop is of course nonstop but direct is it stops and perhaps even more than once but you don't change planes.
If you are going to fly into Milan, Linate is better. Good luck and have a great trip.

foodiern

I like Bob the Navigators itinerary. The boys will enjoy Venice & the Cinque Terre. You can hike, train or ferry to all 5 towns while in Cinque Terre. Definitely you must see Florence & I would limit time in Pisa. Car sounds best for you, certainly in Tuscany. Take advice from Lincasanova re: car insurance & nix villa rental idea. Keep asking questions, continue researching & you will have a great time.

KathrynT

I disagree with one of the previous posts stating you should skip climbing the tower in Pisa. If you are going to be there you should definitely climb up IMHO. My kids LOVED climbing every tower they could and Pisa was particularly fun for them as they had heard so much about it. You should reserve tickets in advance as otherwise the wait can be very long.

foodiern

Hi Ischu,
By the way, just click on your screen name on top & all your posts will appear..2 beaches with good towns near Pisa are "Il Terrenia" & Forte Dei Marmi.
Do a search on both for more info,