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12 hour layover in Milan, thinking of changing flight home to extend stay

12 hour layover in Milan, thinking of changing flight home to extend stay

Old May 9th, 2012, 10:58 AM
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12 hour layover in Milan, thinking of changing flight home to extend stay

Hi all,
This will be my first time traveling in Europe. I have a 12 hour layover in Milan (unfortunately in the middle of the night) before flying home to NYC. I was thinking about changing my flight to a couple days later and seeing the city and perhaps a trip to Venice or Florence. Since I've never done this, is changing flights like that pretty easy to do? What's the best way to go about that? If I had to choose one... Florence or Venice?
Thanks for any insight and suggestions!

Kevin
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Old May 9th, 2012, 11:39 AM
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If you can change your flight, could you change it to a flight out of either Venice or Florence (or Pisa) to eliminate another train ride?

Where are you coming from before Milan? Would either Florence or Venice be 'on the way' or a short detour?

When is this trip?

FYI, the train ride from Venice to Malpensa airport is about 4 hours and from Florence about 3 hours, assuming no delays or transport strikes. I don't like to be that far from the departing airport the night before my flight.

FWIW, Venice and Florence each have their fans (and some fanatics). I'm Team Florence. But there are so many great places in Italy (some much closer to Milan) that you shouldn't limit your thinking to just Venice and Florence. Tell us more about the rest of your itinerary.
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Old May 9th, 2012, 11:41 AM
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I meant to add that Milan itself has much to offer, and you could see a lot in one full day there.
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Old May 9th, 2012, 11:50 AM
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Don't forget the lakes district of Italy. It is an easy drive from Milan to visit Bellagio and that area. Very beautiful.

My pick would be Venice. But you would not go wrong in Florence. I would try to do as the poster above recommended and get a flight out of the city you decide to visit. The time saved would be worth it. You can train to Venice and then need no car. You can then boat to the airport.
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Old May 9th, 2012, 11:52 AM
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Well I'm spending nearly 2 weeks in Sicily (Jun.27-Jul.8)and right now I'm booked from Palermo to Milan (12 hour layover) then Milan to NYC.

I'm not even sure how to change that last leg of the flight with the airline but I would really like to see some of these cities for a few more days.

Thanks for the helpful info!
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Old May 9th, 2012, 01:09 PM
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Well, your options depend on your airline and where it flies, but I would start by finding what you can/can't do about either your Palermo-Milan and/or your Milan-NYC flight. That might determine if/where you could go. If your lodging budget is modest, you're going to need to find accommodations in either place ASAP. That might also determine if/where you could go.

FWIW, I wouldn't go through the expense of all of this unless I could spend at least two full days (not counting travel days) in either Venice or Florence.

At a minimum, could you depart Palermo in the morning? That would give you a half-day to explore Milan.
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