Suggest 6-day itinerary between Milan and Rome
Feb 2nd, 2015, 07:51 PM
#1
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Suggest 6-day itinerary between Milan and Rome
Hello,
We are arriving in Milan May 15 and will spend 6 days touring somewhere before we embark on a Mediterranean cruise from Rome on May 21. We have visited Rome on a previous trip, as well as Venice, Verona, and were not planning to spend more than a day in Rome itself before embarking.
The areas that intrigue us would be Milan itself (how many days to spend here?), Cinque Terra, Tuscany. A few years ago we spent a day in Florence, and would love to return.
On previous visits we drove on Italian highways and had no issues. We are assuming part of our trip will involve a car.
We enjoy exploring, walking, some museums, eating local food that doesn't have to be exotic; finding concerts or live music. Not keen on shopping or clubs.
What are your suggestions?
We are arriving in Milan May 15 and will spend 6 days touring somewhere before we embark on a Mediterranean cruise from Rome on May 21. We have visited Rome on a previous trip, as well as Venice, Verona, and were not planning to spend more than a day in Rome itself before embarking.
The areas that intrigue us would be Milan itself (how many days to spend here?), Cinque Terra, Tuscany. A few years ago we spent a day in Florence, and would love to return.
On previous visits we drove on Italian highways and had no issues. We are assuming part of our trip will involve a car.
We enjoy exploring, walking, some museums, eating local food that doesn't have to be exotic; finding concerts or live music. Not keen on shopping or clubs.
What are your suggestions?
Feb 3rd, 2015, 02:45 AM
#2
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None of the places you've mentioned are congenial to cars, except for rural Tuscany. I would suggest going to the Cinque Terre by train after leaving Milan. Then you could proceed to Florence, and perhaps rent a car for visiting rural Tuscany.
However, adding up your stops, I'm not sure you have time to do all that in six days, especially if it includes your arrival day and the day you leave for the cruise. How many nights in total will you have in Italy before your cruise?
There's a lot to see in Milan, a city I really like. I would suggest a minimum of two nights there. Then two nights in the Cinque Terre would be the absolute minimum; a one-night stay there gives you almost no time, since it takes some time to get there, and then even more time to get to your next stop (presumably Florence) the next day. Finally, you would probably want one night in Rome to be nearby for the cruise departure. I don't see where you would be able to fit in Florence and rural Tuscany.
However, adding up your stops, I'm not sure you have time to do all that in six days, especially if it includes your arrival day and the day you leave for the cruise. How many nights in total will you have in Italy before your cruise?
There's a lot to see in Milan, a city I really like. I would suggest a minimum of two nights there. Then two nights in the Cinque Terre would be the absolute minimum; a one-night stay there gives you almost no time, since it takes some time to get there, and then even more time to get to your next stop (presumably Florence) the next day. Finally, you would probably want one night in Rome to be nearby for the cruise departure. I don't see where you would be able to fit in Florence and rural Tuscany.
Feb 3rd, 2015, 04:38 AM
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As I pointed out in another thread, it really does not take a huge amount of time to get to le CInque Terre from Milan, or from the Italian Riviera to Tuscany, and, in May, sunset is not until 8.30 pm. If you want to relax in the Italian Riviera for 2 nights or more, it is a lovely place to be with lovely food, but I wouldn't be driven by the idea that you MUST spend 2 nights there.
Also, depending on what hour your cruise leaves from Civitavecchia, you might not need to spend the night in Rome.
This is the route I would follow. Up to you how many nights in each place.
Some time in Milan then rent a car at Linate airport, drive to le Cinque Terre. (Book a hotel with parking.) After visiting, drive to scenic area of Chianti and stay on a farm or in town. Very carefully plan a day trip to Florence, knowing where you will park outside the forbidden zones and walk into town. (It can be done, but you MUST do the research or risk a huge traffic fine). After the Chianti, if your cruise has a late afternoon departure, I would probably do one last overnight in San Quirico d'Orcia or Orvieto before driving the next day to Civitavecchia. Depends on whether you like scenery or towns. Drop off the car in Civitavecchia.
About the only place you will find live music is Milan.
Also, depending on what hour your cruise leaves from Civitavecchia, you might not need to spend the night in Rome.
This is the route I would follow. Up to you how many nights in each place.
Some time in Milan then rent a car at Linate airport, drive to le Cinque Terre. (Book a hotel with parking.) After visiting, drive to scenic area of Chianti and stay on a farm or in town. Very carefully plan a day trip to Florence, knowing where you will park outside the forbidden zones and walk into town. (It can be done, but you MUST do the research or risk a huge traffic fine). After the Chianti, if your cruise has a late afternoon departure, I would probably do one last overnight in San Quirico d'Orcia or Orvieto before driving the next day to Civitavecchia. Depends on whether you like scenery or towns. Drop off the car in Civitavecchia.
About the only place you will find live music is Milan.
Feb 3rd, 2015, 09:51 AM
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Thanks for the input!
Regarding the number of actual travel days:
We arrive in Milan the morning of May 15, and assume we'll be somewhat jet-lagged!
Our ship leaves Citavecchia at 5 pm on May 21. We can board anytime up until about 3 pm. We are planning to get there around noon.
Regarding the number of actual travel days:
We arrive in Milan the morning of May 15, and assume we'll be somewhat jet-lagged!
Our ship leaves Citavecchia at 5 pm on May 21. We can board anytime up until about 3 pm. We are planning to get there around noon.
Feb 3rd, 2015, 01:26 PM
#6
We go to concerts in Florence on every trip.
My husband especially enjoys the organ concert at Santa Maria de' Ricci Church on Via del Corso between Via Sant'Elisabetta and Via dello Studio. Occasionally, other musicians have played before the organ selections.
We've also seen/heard operas (albeit abbreviated staging and cast) at St. Mark's English Church which is near Piazza Santo Spirito.
Teatro Verdi near Santa Croce is an opera house-type venue with a variety of live performances.
My husband especially enjoys the organ concert at Santa Maria de' Ricci Church on Via del Corso between Via Sant'Elisabetta and Via dello Studio. Occasionally, other musicians have played before the organ selections.
We've also seen/heard operas (albeit abbreviated staging and cast) at St. Mark's English Church which is near Piazza Santo Spirito.
Teatro Verdi near Santa Croce is an opera house-type venue with a variety of live performances.
Feb 5th, 2015, 10:27 PM
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Thank you for the suggestions re concerts in Florence.
Great tips!
I just learned that the 2015 World Expo will be in Milan starting May. Anyone have insight about whether this would be a major deal to look into vs. exploring other parts of Italy as we initially intended?
Great tips!
I just learned that the 2015 World Expo will be in Milan starting May. Anyone have insight about whether this would be a major deal to look into vs. exploring other parts of Italy as we initially intended?
