Northern Italy in November
Oct 2nd, 2015, 09:50 AM
#1
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Northern Italy in November
This is our first time at Italy. Wife and I (age 60) will arrived in Rome November 5. Have plans until November 13 ending at Florence. From November 13 thru 20, we are looking forward to visit Venice and other cities/towns on northern Italy. We can fly back home from Milan or Rome. How to make the best of these days up north traveling by train or car? We are in good physical condition and enjoy good food and drinks. Your itinerary suggestions are appreciated.
Oct 2nd, 2015, 10:15 AM
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Can you fly back from Florence, Bologna, Verona, Pisa or Venice itself? If you want to go to Milan, great (it is a wonderful food town), but if not, these other airports might give you more time to sightsee and relax.
The decision to travel by train or car depends partly on how flexible you intend to be about your plans, because the first 3 weeks of November tend to be the rainiest part of the month, and November is the rainiest month of the year in Italy. If you want to set an agenda and not change it -- making reservations everywhere for hotels, restaurants, etc -- then it is better to go by train. If you were thinking that it might be nicer to be in the countryside, and plan your days around the weather, then having a car will enable you to visit small towns, olive or other food festivals, etc.
Whether you go by train or car, there a loads of options for wonderful food in Emilia Romagna and Lombardy (in particular Mantova, but other places as well). I'm less excited by the food of the Veneto and in particular Venice, but even there you can find rewarding destinations.
Needless to say, northern Italy is filled to overflowing with beautiful art and architecture, including the astounding Ravenna, and mighty castles and important sights of history.
The decision to travel by train or car depends partly on how flexible you intend to be about your plans, because the first 3 weeks of November tend to be the rainiest part of the month, and November is the rainiest month of the year in Italy. If you want to set an agenda and not change it -- making reservations everywhere for hotels, restaurants, etc -- then it is better to go by train. If you were thinking that it might be nicer to be in the countryside, and plan your days around the weather, then having a car will enable you to visit small towns, olive or other food festivals, etc.
Whether you go by train or car, there a loads of options for wonderful food in Emilia Romagna and Lombardy (in particular Mantova, but other places as well). I'm less excited by the food of the Veneto and in particular Venice, but even there you can find rewarding destinations.
Needless to say, northern Italy is filled to overflowing with beautiful art and architecture, including the astounding Ravenna, and mighty castles and important sights of history.
Oct 2nd, 2015, 11:24 AM
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Your dates are from Nov 5 to Nov 13. That's not a lot of time - 8-9 days total, and probably the first day is a half a day at best, and if you are flying on the 13th, that's probably a half day too (at best).
Don't try to see too many cities in 8-9 days. Three is enough, or you will spend too much time moving from place to place.
From what you've written, you are landing in Rome. Since this is your first time in Italy, 3 days in Rome is a minimum (actually you will have only 2.5 days). From what you write, you want to visit Venice and end in Florence. I assume you want to visit Florence and not just fly from it. Unless you have some particular interest in Milan, there's really no reason to visit it on a first trip to Italy. It's big and a time waster, and there's lots more to see in other cities and towns. Forget Milan.
You've defined your itinerary with your travel restraints. Rome - Venice - Florence, with a few side trips to nearby towns. However, your order is incorrect. From Rome, you should travel to Florence, and after Florence, you should continue north to Venice. That will save a lot of traveling time. Why do you want to finish in Florence? If you can fly home out of Florence, you can fly home out of Venice, as well.
Don't try to see too many cities in 8-9 days. Three is enough, or you will spend too much time moving from place to place.
From what you've written, you are landing in Rome. Since this is your first time in Italy, 3 days in Rome is a minimum (actually you will have only 2.5 days). From what you write, you want to visit Venice and end in Florence. I assume you want to visit Florence and not just fly from it. Unless you have some particular interest in Milan, there's really no reason to visit it on a first trip to Italy. It's big and a time waster, and there's lots more to see in other cities and towns. Forget Milan.
You've defined your itinerary with your travel restraints. Rome - Venice - Florence, with a few side trips to nearby towns. However, your order is incorrect. From Rome, you should travel to Florence, and after Florence, you should continue north to Venice. That will save a lot of traveling time. Why do you want to finish in Florence? If you can fly home out of Florence, you can fly home out of Venice, as well.
Oct 2nd, 2015, 01:12 PM
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Thankyou for your comments. We have booked a tour for Rome and Florence, starting at Rome on November 6 and ending at Florence on November 13. We have a window from November 13 thru November 20 to travel some more in Italy before getting back home. I was trying to figure out how to make the best of these 7 additional days. Your advice is appreciated.
